Jump to content

Handgun shooting problem


gregintenn

Recommended Posts

I am left handed. Lately, I have noticed that while all my 22lr chambered handguns shoot to point of aim. I have begun shooting harder recoiling handguns to the right. The harder the recoil, the further right they shoot. No doubt the problem lies with me and not the handgun. What am I doing wrong, and why am I not having this problem with 22s?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
17 hours ago, gregintenn said:

It almost has to be something to do with recoil anticipation.

Dry fire a few spent cases, try to get by the anticipation thing. Load a few lite rounds as well to work with.

Edited by RED333
  • Like 1
Link to comment

I don't know if most folks know it, but it is 6 times more difficult to accurately shoot a pistol. Greg I would suggest doing a lot of dry firing and like Red said try some powder puff loads. I know if I don't practice a bunch I have a hard time keeping it centered.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

A couple questions—

What kind of gun are you shooting?  Polymer auto?  Stock trigger?

Can you track the front sight throughout the recoil impulse?  
 

Could be a couple things going on.  If possible, post a pic of your grip.  How do you press the trigger?  We need to press straight back and a lefty pressing at even a slight angle (left-front to right-rear) can send shots right.  Too little trigger finger can sometimes exacerbate this.  Does it get worse with increased target distance?  A quick trick is to put some weak-side thumb pressure on the frame.  Does this help?  If so, it may indicate a not-quite-straight-back trigger press.  

You may have developed a slight flinch.  Do you shoot right when shooting a slow group or does this problem show up when you start shooting faster?  Can you follow the front sight as it lifts and settles back in the rear notch?  Most people can’t.  If not, do you quickly re-acquire front sight as it settles?  A drill to help avert a flinch is to fire a precise shot and follow or re-acquire the front sight as it settles, prep the trigger, focus on the sight picture, but don’t fire a second shot.  Some would describe this whole process as simply firing a shot, because follow through and setting up a second shot is all part of the firing cycle.  Whatever we call it, it can gradually train away flinches.  

Edited by deerslayer
  • Like 2
Link to comment

The width of the grip of the pistol and where the trigger finger is in relation to the trigger and the grip can effect things too.

I'm guessing your 22 has a pretty thin grip. But if your " harder recoiling handgun" is a double stack gun like a Sig 226 or a Glock 17 (or even worse a Glock 21) it could be a combination of the way your hand fits the grip combined with trigger finger placement. I'd really need to see all the variables at play to make a proper diagnosis. 

Link to comment
11 minutes ago, Cruel Hand Luke said:

The width of the grip of the pistol and where the trigger finger is in relation to the trigger and the grip can effect things too.

I'm guessing your 22 has a pretty thin grip. But if your " harder recoiling handgun" is a double stack gun like a Sig 226 or a Glock 17 (or even worse a Glock 21) it could be a combination of the way your hand fits the grip combined with trigger finger placement. I'd really need to see all the variables at play to make a proper diagnosis. 

I shoot many different guns, but I’ll make it simple. I can shoot a model 18 Smith and Wesson (22lr) to point of aim all day long. Replace it with a model 19 (357 mag), and I’m shooting to the right. Same frame, grip, weight, etc.

Link to comment

OK .

If the frames and grips are EXACTLY the same then it is probably not the hand to gun fit. So try gripping harder with your support hand . The recoil impulse is going to seek the path of least resistance and if you are not gripping the right side of the gun with enough force the gun can move  that way as soon as the primer ignites. So try applying more grip with the right hand and report back to us. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
1 hour ago, Cruel Hand Luke said:

OK .

If the frames and grips are EXACTLY the same then it is probably not the hand to gun fit. So try gripping harder with your support hand . The recoil impulse is going to seek the path of least resistance and if you are not gripping the right side of the gun with enough force the gun can move  that way as soon as the primer ignites. So try applying more grip with the right hand and report back to us. 

I’d bet I am shoving the gun in anticipation of recoil. I’ll get it worked out. I just need to shoot more. I’ve fixed it in the past. Just not sure why it keeps cropping back up.  

Link to comment
  • Moderators
26 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

I’d bet I am shoving the gun in anticipation of recoil. I’ll get it worked out. I just need to shoot more. I’ve fixed it in the past. Just not sure why it keeps cropping back up.  

Have you been shooting significantly less lately due to cost and availability the of ammo

Link to comment
4 hours ago, Chucktshoes said:

I suspect you’ve found the cause of your perishing skill. 

Right, but I find it frustrating that I can hit with a rifle without practice. I remember bows were a similar thing. You had to put in some time woth them regularly to stay proficient.

Link to comment
12 hours ago, gregintenn said:

I have found in the past that if I shoot almost daily, I can shoot pretty accurately, but that ability goes away fast if I go a while without shooting.

I'm the same way. I used to shoot one of my .357's a lot. I don't shoot it much anymore, and the last few times I have, I wasn't all that great.

Link to comment
  • Moderators
1 hour ago, gregintenn said:

Right, but I find it frustrating that I can hit with a rifle without practice. I remember bows were a similar thing. You had to put in some time woth them regularly to stay proficient.

Handguns are hard to shoot well. They take a lot of continuing practice to maintain proficiency. Without it, the skill perishes quickly. Rifles are much easier and more intuitive to shoot. With their 4 points of contact, basic skills are much longer lasting. I don’t get to practice a whole lot because of being gone so often. Every time I get to shoot and train I feel like I’m struggling to reacquire the most basic level of proficiency to even feel comfortable carrying a gun at all. 
 

I hate it. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
On 4/26/2021 at 8:39 AM, deerslayer said:

A couple questions—

What kind of gun are you shooting?  Polymer auto?  Stock trigger?

Can you track the front sight throughout the recoil impulse?  
 

Could be a couple things going on.  If possible, post a pic of your grip.  How do you press the trigger?  We need to press straight back and a lefty pressing at even a slight angle (left-front to right-rear) can send shots right.  Too little trigger finger can sometimes exacerbate this.  Does it get worse with increased target distance?  A quick trick is to put some weak-side thumb pressure on the frame.  Does this help?  If so, it may indicate a not-quite-straight-back trigger press.  

You may have developed a slight flinch.  Do you shoot right when shooting a slow group or does this problem show up when you start shooting faster?  Can you follow the front sight as it lifts and settles back in the rear notch?  Most people can’t.  If not, do you quickly re-acquire front sight as it settles?  A drill to help avert a flinch is to fire a precise shot and follow or re-acquire the front sight as it settles, prep the trigger, focus on the sight picture, but don’t fire a second shot.  Some would describe this whole process as simply firing a shot, because follow through and setting up a second shot is all part of the firing cycle.  Whatever we call it, it can gradually train away flinches.  

Oddly, I cannot follow the front sight on a big bore revolver. Hard as I try, it just disappears for a split second when then gun fires.

You were correct. I wasn't correctly following through. I'm hitting the center now. I just need to figure out a way to program this into my brain long term. I'm sure that means a lot of shooting.

 

Thanks to everybody for the help.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
On 4/26/2021 at 8:42 PM, gregintenn said:

Right, but I find it frustrating that I can hit with a rifle without practice. I remember bows were a similar thing. You had to put in some time woth them regularly to stay proficient.

Physics...6-8 lb rifle with a 3-4 lb trigger pull, vs. a  2lb gun with a 6lb trigger pull causes inherit  difficulties.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
7 minutes ago, chances R said:

Physics...6-8 lb rifle with a 3-4 lb trigger pull, vs. a  2lb gun with a 6lb trigger pull causes inherit  difficulties.

Yep... plus geometry. A shorter sight radius and less stability really shows any flaw in one’s form.

I want to pick one up and shoot like Jerry Miculek, but it just ain’t gonna happen.

Edited by gregintenn
  • Like 1
Link to comment
On 5/8/2021 at 2:46 PM, gregintenn said:

Oddly, I cannot follow the front sight on a big bore revolver. Hard as I try, it just disappears for a split second when then gun fires.

You were correct. I wasn't correctly following through. I'm hitting the center now. I just need to figure out a way to program this into my brain long term. I'm sure that means a lot of shooting.

 

Thanks to everybody for the help.

It is definitely a perishable skill.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

TRADING POST NOTICE

Before engaging in any transaction of goods or services on TGO, all parties involved must know and follow the local, state and Federal laws regarding those transactions.

TGO makes no claims, guarantees or assurances regarding any such transactions.

THE FINE PRINT

Tennessee Gun Owners (TNGunOwners.com) is the premier Community and Discussion Forum for gun owners, firearm enthusiasts, sportsmen and Second Amendment proponents in the state of Tennessee and surrounding region.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is a presentation of Enthusiast Productions. The TGO state flag logo and the TGO tri-hole "icon" logo are trademarks of Tennessee Gun Owners. The TGO logos and all content presented on this site may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission. The opinions expressed on TGO are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the site's owners or staff.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is not a lobbying organization and has no affiliation with any lobbying organizations.  Beware of scammers using the Tennessee Gun Owners name, purporting to be Pro-2A lobbying organizations!

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to the following.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines
 
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.