First Time Shooting Handgun in Many Years, Seeking Advice

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  • JustPlinking

    Member
    Oct 11, 2018
    28
    It had been about fire years since I had shot a semi automatic pistol and wanted to get back into it.

    I purchased a laser lyte practice pistol and LED target with the pistol being modeled after a glock 19 I think (link).

    After reading a handgun shooting guide I got to the point with the trainer where I had a solid small grouping about 75% of the time I shot, with 40% of that 75% being dead center. If I was not dead center, I was to the lower left of the bulls eye which I read was my trigger pull (too much finger on trigger).

    After getting to the point where I had my groupings tight consistently, I purchased a real pistol (Walther PPQ M2 9mm) and went to the range and proceeded to do terribly.

    The first 4 mags (9rds per mag, they are 10's but for some reason will only fir 9) were all at the bottom of the paper with a lot not even hitting the paper.

    I thought this might be me anticipating recoil and pushing down on the gun so I tried to just let the gun come back but then I was shooting high.

    Long story short by the end of my time at the range (150 rounds) I was on paper about 70% of the time, always to the left, and all over the place (top, center, and bottom) with some bullseyes.

    I am sort of lost and seeking any input to help me reproduce the accuracy I have with the practice gun with a real one.

    Any advice would be welcomed.

    Also, when aiming, am I supposed to cover where I want to hit with the front site dot or am I suppose to put the top of the front post right below where I want to hit?

    From what I read online it seems to depend on the gun but I did not see anything in the owners manual stating how the sights were set up.

    Thank you for your help.
     
    Last edited:

    Mark75H

    MD Wear&Carry Instructor
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 25, 2011
    17,174
    Outside the Gates
    Right handers shooting left is usually due to too tight grip with the strong hand. Your whole hand is following your trigger finger. I suggest tightening your grip with your weak hand and slightly loosening your strong hand so your hand isn't following your trigger finger. Push your right palm into the heal of the grip and hold back with your left hand.

    I'm sure much more advice will follow. Please report back what helps.
     

    GuitarmanNick

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 9, 2017
    2,221
    Laurel
    As for sight picture, you should center the front post in the rear sight notch and at the same elevation. You should see the top half of your target over the front sight.

    Practice will improve your shooting skills over time. There are some good videos on drills you can do to help improve your skills.
     

    Tungsten

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 1, 2012
    7,231
    Elkridge, Leftistan
    I have a PPQ and mine is set up (stock out of the box) for a center bullseye (impact exactly where dot on front post is).

    I am certainly not what I would call very proficient, but I will give my own insight into what has helped me:
    1. If you are hitting low off target then it is almost certainly you anticipating the recoil and flinching. Many people will say to use a ball and dummy drill to solve that issue but I found a drill that seems to me like it works even better: Put one round in the magazine, chamber the round, then remove the magazine from the gun. Fire the one round, then while still aiming at the target, pull the trigger one more time with the empty chamber and take careful note of the front site. Is it dipping? You want it to be absolutely stationary. Repeat as needed until you arent flinching.

    2. If your rounds are hitting all over the place then typically you arent focusing on the front site. Put a scratch on the front site and focus on the scratch. My main problem is that I tend to string shots vertically, not side to side. That is from not shooting at the same time while breathing (respiratory cycle), slight flinching, and/or losing concentration and not aiming at the exact same point.

    3. Probably the most improvement I have seen is while using a red dot. All of my aiming movement feels magnified and it showed me exactly what I was doing wrong even before I saw the impact of the round. I have switched back to iron sights and it does seem like the red dot improved my overall skill.

    Hope that helps.
     

    JustPlinking

    Member
    Oct 11, 2018
    28
    OP, at the range, what distance was your target? Same target distance for the entire 150 round session?

    25 Feet for all shots, same target (I had 5 copies of the same silhouette).

    With my practice pistol, I shoot about 20 feet.

    Also I am right handed and had not yet heard/read about gripping to tight, I will have lots to try the next time around.

    If anyone else has tips, the more the merrier.

    Thank you.
     

    kbuddy

    Active Member
    Jun 20, 2008
    196
    Calvert Co.
    You’re coming off sight picture during firing. I recommend firing a round followed by 3-5 drydires, and repeat.
    If Calvert isn’t too far of a hike for you, you’re invited to come over for some instruction.
    —Ken
     

    kbuddy

    Active Member
    Jun 20, 2008
    196
    Calvert Co.
    You’re coming off sight picture during firing. I recommend firing a round followed by 3-5 dryfires, and repeat.
    If Calvert isn’t too far of a hike for you, you’re invited to come over for some instruction.
    —Ken
     
    Last edited:

    4guyz1stool

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Apr 16, 2017
    172
    It had been about fire years since I had shot a semi automatic pistol and wanted to get back into it.

    I purchased a laser lyte practice pistol and LED target with the pistol being modeled after a glock 19 I think (link).

    After reading a handgun shooting guide I got to the point with the trainer where I had a solid small grouping about 75% of the time I shot, with 40% of that 75% being dead center. If I was not dead center, I was to the lower left of the bulls eye which I read was my trigger pull (too much finger on trigger).

    After getting to the point where I had my groupings tight consistently, I purchased a real pistol (Walther PPQ M2 9mm) and went to the range and proceeded to do terribly.

    The first 4 mags (9rds per mag, they are 10's but for some reason will only fir 9) were all at the bottom of the paper with a lot not even hitting the paper.

    I thought this might be me anticipating recoil and pushing down on the gun so I tried to just let the gun come back but then I was shooting high.

    Long story short by the end of my time at the range (150 rounds) I was on paper about 70% of the time, always to the left, and all over the place (top, center, and bottom) with some bullseyes.

    I am sort of lost and seeking any input to help me reproduce the accuracy I have with the practice gun with a real one.

    Any advice would be welcomed.

    Also, when aiming, am I supposed to cover where I want to hit with the front site dot or am I suppose to put the top of the front post right below where I want to hit?

    From what I read online it seems to depend on the gun but I did not see anything in the owners manual stating how the sights were set up.

    Thank you for your help.

    The main difference between the laser trainer and the real thing is recoil. If you are anticipating recoil, you will then be driving the muzzle down. I agree with the other poster, that over gripping with your firing hand will cause you to pull you muzzle to the left. Loosen that grip and tighten the grip on your support hand. With all that being said, knowing what you're doing wrong and knowing how to fix it, are two different things. Good Luck!
     

    gwchem

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 18, 2014
    3,434
    SoMD
    OP, where are you? I bet someone here is willing to meet and help you. I am if you're near St. Mary's county.

    1. Have a good shooter fire a few rounds to make sure the sights are aligned.

    2. Your grip most likely needs work. Grip high as you can without the slide hurting you. Stand forward, in an athletic stance. Arms tight but not locked at the elbow. Your wrists should feel chanted forward, and do try to keep them tight. Thumbs both forward, not crossed. Grip the hell out of the gun with your support hand, as strong as you can. Grip tight with your trigger hand too, but back off til you can pull the trigger back without the sights moving. Practice that in dry fire a bunch, then try the range again.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Too many variables, and interconnected variables to diagnose over the internet . Any specific sugguestions ( or reposting of the infamous Pie Chart ) are all WAG'ing .


    Add me to the list of offering inperson diagnosis , but I fear my schedule is more difficult than most . If you will be attending the next two gun shows , stop by the MSI booth on Saturday , and look for the bald fat guy, with nametag identifying as Biggfoot44 .
     

    PYR

    Active Member
    Feb 17, 2018
    117
    Agree that this is hard to diagnosis over the internet but all good advise has been given. You are most likely anticipating the recoil along with needing grip work and finger placement. I’d suggest getting some snap caps loading two mags sporadically trying not to pay attention to where the dummy rounds are. This will let you know exactly what you are doing with the weapon when firing. I too would be down to help a fellow forum member, I’m located in Frederick.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,667
    Not Far Enough from the City
    OP, if you think you’re anticipating recoil, there’s a good chance you’re right. One of the quickest ways to know for sure is to have an observer to the side and behind you watching you shoot.

    Another thought is to concentrate on that front sight for sure, but also make sure you’re absolutely committing to whatever sight picture you’re choosing. I say that because you’re close enough to your target to be seeing your shots on target. A tendency, should you be using a 6 o’clock (think lollipop sitting on a stick) hold and shooting low, is to consciously or otherwise switch to a point of impact hold to try to compensate, in an attempt to raise your point of impact. This tells you nothing about what you’re trying to find out, which is where my pistol is hitting, and how am I shooting it. You want to be able to discern groupings and trends to be able to answer those questions. And that’s about a consistent sight picture. You can make adjustments later, once you know what’s consistently in need of adjustment.
     

    Outerlimits

    Active Member
    Feb 21, 2009
    502
    Port Tobacco/Cape Coral Fl
    A lot of good advice....tough to diagnose over the internet. If you think you are anticipating the recoil. Next time you are in a gun store grab a package of 9mm snap caps. They are cheap, Load them randomly in the magazine and start your string of fire. You will see right away if your are anticipating the shot or not.
     

    Boats

    Beer, Bikes n Boomsticks
    Mar 13, 2012
    4,073
    Howeird County
    Sounds a lot like not focusing on front sight.

    Front sight should be clear, rear sight and target should be out of focus
     

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