pistol shooting lesson results

Im not a pistol guy, i got my 1st semi auto, large caliber pistol a couple months back and as has been my results with several guns, i shot all over with it. I bit the bullet and got a 2 hr lesson with a local gun instructor , plesantly surprised with the results. I still have alot to do but now i have a solid base to build from. The 1st pic is the 1st 5 that he had me shoot the way i have been and the next is after a few 5 shot groups with his instruction.. excited to practice and keep improving..

damn

Tremendous improvement! What was the shooting distance?

All we did was close range. 3 yds, couldn't believe how big my original group was at that range.. he was pretty much shooting his in one hole for the most part. Cold weather and good old west texas wind made it a little more challenging..

That's pretty close, but you're definitely on the right track. Handgun shooting is a lot more challenging than a rifleman might think. It takes constant practice to maintain proficiency and a hell of a lot of discipline.

The only thing he didnt change was the way i loaded the gun.. it seemed really close when we 1st went to range but then you start trying to shoot a pistol into the same hole for 5 consecutive shots and it seemed further..

Huge improvement and kudo's to you for seeking out an instructor. I've done the same. Several times. Take another look at your first target.

I realize the grouping wasn't as tight, but if that piece of paper had been a thug butted punk, he'd still be dead.

Safe and happy shooting.

The problem with the 1st group is its 3 yds, if that goes out to 15 it would probably miss a bad guy..

Good improvement

Shows you paid attention, now to practice and keep improving. Don't fall back into old habits like I have seen so may shooters do.

HUGE IMPROVEMENT!

I can't group like that with a pistol. Well done!

I honestly don't see a problem with the first group. Yes I know 3 yards or 9 feet whatever you want to call it, but that is where the mass majority of shootings happen. It's fun to try and shoot the smallest group possible, and while that is good to practice and it does make you a better shot at further distances because it's all the same technique, don't rely so heavily on trying to shoot that way all the time.

Heck, I fire hundreds of rounds a month from my pistol, I'm happy if all the shots are within a 10 inch circle from 25yds and in. I always practice shooting one handed and off handed, practice point and shoot using only your peripheral vision to pick up the slide of the weapon, and always practice shooting from the hip just after you draw your weapon. When the SHTF and you have to use your weapon I doubt you are going to obtain the perfect sight picture.

Another reason for not practicing all the time for perfect groups is, most times 1 shot does not kill or stop the threat, so if that 1 shot was well placed, then why try and fire a second shot into that same hole? Make them hurt, if the first didn't work, find a different spot. It's your life, make it your fight, and go home in the end.

Not busy in the OP, you've made a heck of an improvement and keep up the good work.

Not everybody is shooting pistols to train for self defense situations. I tend to practice like you because that's my goal, but some guys prefer to target shoot.

Hopefully ive seen the light and will try and not go back, kinda like my golf swing, i have a list of things to think about on every swing...now i have to remember stance, grip, tempo, trigger finger position, hand tension, hopefully it will become second nature.. looking forward to practice now tho.. going to go out this weekend and shoot a silhouette the same way i did before lesson and compare.. hopefully a postworthy result on that too..

Aim small, miss small.

Good work. Keep it up. Pistol shooting is absolutely a matter of practicing and getting comfortable with the gun.

Move it out to the middle CHL distance next time (7 yards) and follow RiverRider's advice: aim small, miss small.

Group shooting and self defense shooting is 2 totally different things, though. But, working on shooting tight groups will help the other. You can only go so fast to not miss. If you go too fast and miss, what's the point. Go as fast as you can to make sure you get rounds on target. In your mind it may seem slow, but in reality it may be fast. I work on going at my own speed to get rounds on target. It's still pretty quick, but it's not like some of your professional pistol shooters out there. I don't practice a whole lot, but I do shoot some IDPA matches here and there. Even then I'm in the top 1/3 of SSP (stock service pistol) scores generally.

the most important factor in good pistol shooting is

grip and stance

60% grip left hand, 40% grip right hand
shoulder up, slight bend in knees

ammo is important but only if you 're into match shooting
ex: in my 1911 ; factory ammo @ 25 yds I get 6-8" group
with my handloaded ammo I get 2" @ 25

but that's not real life defensive distance, for that
it's usually around 3ft- 3yds .... that' s why your
instructor got you started at that distance

huge improvement, keep it up

Go shoot some USPSA or IDPA

What pistol are you shooting?

Grip and stance are important.

Trigger control and sight alignment are everything.

S&W sd40ve.... cheaper gun but seems ok, could use an artermarket trigger..

At what point did he tell you to focus on the front sight and explain trigger control? Good job, great improvement.

That was my first pistol.m trigger was heavy as all Git out but that sucker was accurate as heck! My Dad just bought one too. Hey you have like 16 rounds to miss don't ya?

And btw, the difference in your pics is flat out friggin awesome sir! Nice shooting.

Kinda funny but sights never came up. Stance, grip,grip pressure, trigger finger placement and squeezing instead of jerking all discussed after initial 5 shots..

14 rounds in the .40

Yep. If ya can't do it in 14, get an AR! Lol

Shotgun if 14 doesnt work

nice improvements, i really need to give in and seek professional instruction to tighten up my grouping.
I know its something stupid i'm doing like too little or too much trigger that i just cant get around.

It's really too bad ranges dont let you take video of your shooting, my gosh that would be invaluable.
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