Despite what Hollywood movies lead you to believe, accurate shooting with a pistol requires balance, technique and practice. Even if you are an expert shotgun shooter, the use of the pistol requires a completely different set of skills. Read on to learn the basics of safety and accuracy.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Learning Basic Skills
Step 1. Learn to distinguish a revolver from a semiautomatic pistol
These are the two basic types of pistols. The revolver is the typical weapon of western movies and some even call it "six shots". A semi-automatic pistol works thanks to a sliding mechanism and preloaded ammunition. The technique for using each of the two types is slightly different, so it's important to clarify the terms before starting.
- The revolvers (revolver) work thanks to a rotating drum in which the ammunition is inserted and from which you have to eliminate the cases before reloading. After each bullet has fired, the cylinder rotates to align the next ammunition with the firing pin. These guns are ready to fire when the hammer is pulled back with the thumb to the firing position. Pulling the trigger activates the firing pin and fires. A release pin releases the cylinder and rotates it behind the barrel.
- A semi-automatic pistol automatically advances each bullet from the magazine into the firing chamber and ejects the cartridge case as soon as it is fired. The sliding movement is used to advance the first bullet into the chamber and can be locked with a button or the safety on the side. The magazine can be removed and refilled separately.
Step 2. Choose the gun and the ammunition that best suits your needs.
There are a great variety of them. Evaluate your build and your needs.
You probably don't need a.357 Magnum to practice at the shooting range. Avoid buying large-caliber guns if you're starting out, and opt for something simpler like a.22 caliber. Ask the shopkeeper or other expert shooters for advice to get more details and have you indicate the most suitable weapon for your needs
Step 3. Always protect your eyes and ears with suitable equipment
Ear protectors similar to headphones or earphones protect the ears from the sound of gunshots. The goggles instead will prevent flying shells, hot gases and other particles that are emitted during the shot from hitting the eyes.
If you already wear eyeglasses, it is important to add a protective mask over them
Step 4. Always handle the gun safely
When you have a gun in your hand, keep it pointed down. Imagine there is a magnet connecting the tip of the rod to your target and always keep it pointed down. Shoot only at the range or in a safe context.
It is common for untrained people to inadvertently point the pistol to the side when "pulling the bolt." It happens to pull the bolt both to extract a jammed bullet and to check if the weapon is unloaded. In fact, for many it is difficult to pull the shutter with their thumb and forefinger, especially if the pistol has a very stiff spring or if their hands are sweaty. If you need to use the palm of your hand (or the whole hand) to pull the bolt, you should keep your body to the side of the gun while keeping it pointed on the ground
Part 2 of 4: Handling the Gun
Step 1. Check if the gun is loaded
Each time you pick up a weapon, check to see if it is loaded. If you just brought it home from the store, check it out. If you take it out of the closet for the first time in 10 years, check it out. If you just downloaded it, check it out.
- If it is a handgun, make sure the safety is engaged and the drum is rotating. All chambers should be empty. If the pistol is semi-automatic, remove the clip and pull the slide back to check that it does not have a shot in the barrel. If there is a bullet, the simple movement will push it out.
- Keep the slide in the rear position as you practice holding the gun to make sure it is unloaded, and get used to keeping your thumb away from the slide's movement.
Step 2. Take your gun, keep your fingers away from the trigger, spread them to the sides of the trigger and place them
When handling it, make sure it is pointed down, away from people.
Never point the gun at a person, even if they are unloaded, not even as a joke. This is a crime in many states. Get used to keeping your gun unloaded when you go to the shooting range
Step 3. Hold the firearm in firing position
Open your dominant hand showing the hollow between your index finger and thumb. Grab the gun (which should be facing down) with your other hand, then insert the grip into the palm of your preferred hand. With your thumb on one side of the handle, hold your middle, ring and little fingers curled around the other side, under the trigger guard.
Hold the pistol tightly with your ring and middle fingers, the "little finger" rests on the handle, but is not used for gripping; even the thumb does not have to take hold. The grip must be very tight, hold the gun so hard that the hand starts shaking, then release a little to stop the shaking
Step 4. Support the gun with your other hand
Cup it and rest it over your dominant hand. It is not used to hold the gun, but only as a support. Align your thumbs for more support and precision.
Step 5. Make sure your thumbs are away from the dog's movement
The mechanism quickly moves backwards during the shot and could injure you. Being "hit" by the dog is very painful and very dangerous because you cannot control the reaction to the pain, thus risking to drop a loaded gun without safety.
Step 6. Get into proper posture
The feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the leg corresponding to the dominant hand one step behind the other. Lean forward slightly with your knees slightly lowered to maintain balance. The elbow of the dominant arm should be fully extended and the other bent at an obtuse angle.
- During some competitions, you shoot with one hand. In this case the posture is "open" with the dominant arm and body straight to form a 90 ° angle. The dominant foot must be directed towards the target. In this case the weapon must be held with a very firm grip, as only one hand is involved.
- Never point the gun to the side and never bend your wrist like you see in the movies. It is very dangerous and inaccurate.
Part 3 of 4: Aim
Step 1. Align the front viewfinder with the rear viewfinder
Make sure they are at the same height and that the back one is centered with the notch of the front one. In this way you are sure that the gun is horizontal and that you have the target "under fire".
It is best to aim with the dominant eye while closing the other
Step 2. Develop your shooting image
When shooting, a common cause for confusion is which image to focus on. The target? The viewfinder? The front sight is the most important, although the lens and rear sight may appear blurry when you stare at the front sight, however this is the most accurate shooting technique.
Step 3. Aim at the target
Grab the weapon and aim it at the target, focusing the front sight. You should clearly make out the sharp profile of the crosshair touching the underside of the out of focus target. Only at this point can you put your index finger in the handguard!
Step 4. Load the weapon
When you are ready to shoot, you have practiced aiming and holding the gun, and when you have mastered the correct posture, you can load the gun. Keep the safety engaged for as long as it takes to load the pistol and only remove it when in firing position and aiming at the target. Point the gun down throughout the procedure. Most firearm accidents occur when the firearm is loaded or unloaded.
If the pistol is semi-automatic, you will have to load the shot into the barrel by pulling back the slide and then releasing it
Part 4 of 4: Shoot
Step 1. Check your breathing
It is best to synchronize the shot with your breathing, as holding your breath will cause you to become too conscious of your breathing causing tremors and inaccuracy. The best time is right after exhaling and just before you inhale. Practice this sequence several times so that you are ready to pull the trigger "at the end" of each cycle.
Step 2. Pull the trigger
When you are ready to fire, release the safety and move your index finger to the trigger. If you make a sharp movement, you will lose sight of the target, so you have to pull the trigger as if you were giving the gun that little extra pressure you would give when you shake someone's hand.
Step 3. Follow the movement
Every sport has its own rules and pistol shooting is no exception. When you have pulled the trigger, the gun fires but do not release your finger suddenly and do not change the position or direction of the arms. Stand still and remember the imaginary magnet that connects the tip of the gun to the target. Release the trigger after you inhale and you are ready for the next shot.
This sequence of movements improves accuracy and reduces shot-to-shot variations; perform them just like a golfer or tennis player repeats some automatisms
Step 4. Train many times
Take some time between shots. It is better to be accurate with a few shots than to shoot a lot and at random. You are at the shooting range to improve, not to turn money into noise.
Step 5. Unload the gun and double check that it is
With the pistol still in the firing position, engage the safety, point down and disarm it. Check the drum to make sure there are no shots inserted and remove them if not. Remove the magazine from the semiautomatic pistol and slide the slide to eject the ammo into the barrel.
Advice
- Firearm safety is extremely important. You will find that most gun owners are safety freaks. They know very well that handling weapons with 99% confidence is the beginning of a disaster.
- An hour of instruction makes a big difference in your accuracy, and you can learn how to practice to get better and better, instead of firing hundreds of shots without any improvement.
- As you grab the gun (see above), make sure your fingers pull it back in a straight motion, without making corners.
- It is important to practice regularly and consistently. "Blank firing" (unloaded weapon, checked 3 times, ammunition in another room, aiming at the base of a wall or protective structure) can be an excellent technique. Blank cartridges should be used when firing empty to avoid damaging the firearm. These are found almost everywhere, however, for the most part, they can only be used a limited number of times.
- Clean the gun when you're done shooting. Do not store it if it is not completely clean, inside and out.
Warnings
- Treat all weapons as if they were loaded.
- Most ammunition contains a lead core, a toxic heavy metal. Be sure to use copper-coated bullets to avoid releasing lead into the air when firing. Always wash your hands after disassembling the gun, for your safety.
- You need a license to carry a revolver or to keep it on.
