Handgun shooting seems very handy, but do they provide accurate shots, too? This is something many shooters struggle to answer. With years of practicing, experienced shooters may find it a piece of cake to shoot accurately. But, for the newbies, targeting the bull’s eyes is tough, even after lots of practice.
Just like every other thing has a technique to use effectively, handguns have that unique technique, too. If you are struggling to shoot the right target accurately, we have a few tips and tricks you can follow:
1. Always Have a Tight Grip on Your Gun
A loose grip is one of the most common mistakes that many shooters tend to make. While shooting, everything depends on how you are holding your gun. A tight grip is important to control the recoil. If you have a loose grip, there are chances of you being injured as well.
And since a handgun is small, and you don’t have any other support to keep your gun while shooting, paying attention to the grip is essential. When you hold a handgun, keep your grip tight and high. This means that there shouldn’t be any blank spaces between your skin and the gun while holding it.
If there is a space in between, there are chances that your gun might move, and it will be difficult for you to control it. Your main hand should grip the gun as tight and high as possible. The other hand should then fill the gap on the grip panel for a more sturdy hold.
2. Practice Your Recoil Prediction
Predicting recoil while shooting with a handgun is something that even experienced shooters mess up. Therefore, it is always suggested to dry fire. What is dry firing? It is firing without ammo loaded in the gun. Practicing this technique is very helpful as you build muscle memory when you dry fire—further improving your recoil anticipation.
Dry firing is very beneficial and safe. It can play a huge role in improving the accuracy of your handgun. You should, however, remember that even if you are dry firing, it is essential that you keep your guns fully safe.
Many after dry firing accidents have been recorded just because people were not careful enough after the session. They would load their guns and try dry firing only to end up shooting real bullets. So, when dry-firing, remember to keep the gun back in the case.
If you still have trouble with your recoil, you can use conversion kits available in the market. Some of the best ones are 1911 conversions that will help you control the recoil.
3. Work On Your Stance
Apart from grip, what’s more important is how you position yourself. The stance should be stable to experience an accurate and fast shot. With a better stance, you will not only see a precise shot but also better manage the recoil, appropriately align your target, and improve control of the trigger.
The most popular stances you’ll hear are the Weaver, the Isosceles, and the Chapman. All these have their own pros and cons. So, try out each stance while practicing and continue with the ones you are comfortable shooting with.
4. Line Up Your Back and Front Sights
Did you think looking directly at the target is how you would shoot your target accurately? Well, no! This is one of the biggest mistakes many handgun shooters make while shooting. They look at the target directly, ignoring the front sight. This leads them to hit somewhere else.
If you are looking for accuracy using your handgun, you must align your rear and front sights. The rear sights are pretty vague; however, the front sight is clear. And while you may not focus on the rear sight, you should always take the front sight into consideration.
Only when you are confirmed that both your sights are in line with each other, go for the target. If you pull the trigger before aligning the sights, you will never get an accurate shot.
5. Learn To Pull the Trigger Properly
When it comes to shooting with a handgun, how you pull the trigger is super important. However, this is something that beginners and even experienced shooters tend to overlook. Just imagine you’re really good at aiming, but your shots keep going off in the wrong direction – that’s a sign your trigger pull might not be quite right.
There are common suggestions to place your fingers correctly on the trigger. But here’s the thing: it can vary from person to person depending on how big your hands and fingers are. So, paying attention to how you pull that trigger can make a big difference in hitting your target just right.
6. Have Some Control Over Your Breathing
Many shooters forget about their breathing when firing a handgun. For the best accuracy, staying calm and managing your breath is crucial. If you’re hyperventilating or breathing heavily, the handgun can move along with your breath, causing your aim to be a bit off.
To improve consistency, try slowing down your breathing. Once you’ve controlled your breath, hold it while you aim and take your shot. After firing, exhale so that your breathing doesn’t affect your accuracy. This controlled breathing will become a natural part of your shooting routine with practice.
Safety Measures to Take While Handling a Handgun
With the above tips, you can surely improve your shooting game. However, safety is something that always comes first. When using a handgun, you must keep it safe and protect yourself and the people around you from accidents.
Here are some things you need to take care of:
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- Always unload your gun when you are done with it.
- Keep it in a protective case or a gun safe and out of reach of others who are not experts.
- Place your gun pointing in a safe direction.
- Keep your fingers on the trigger only when you are ready to shoot.
- Don’t play with your gun unnecessarily.
- Always check what’s beyond your target to avoid any mishaps.
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Get On To Practice The Tips
Getting precision in handgun shooting involves mastering various elements. By focusing on these tips, you can significantly enhance their accuracy. Remember, it’s not just about hitting the target; it’s about incorporating these practices into your shooting routine until they become second nature.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, continual practice and attention to these basic aspects will undoubtedly lead to improved accuracy and an overall more enjoyable shooting experience.
