Don't Be Triggered

Trigger Control

              Trigger control needs to be maintained throughout the firing sequence, which can be especially challenging with pistols. Pistols are harder to shoot than rifles because the shorter sight radius and the trigger to weight weapon ratio. 

              A good grip is important to have trigger control. After establishing a good grip, find the best place for you to put your finger on the trigger of the gun. Each person will have a different place and each gun will have one as well. When the gun is comfortably in your hand, you will have much better recoil management and better trigger control.You need to apply consistent pressure to the trigger until the shot brakes. 

              In order to have an accurate shot you must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This is why you shouldn't concentrate on one specific thing. A open mind when shooting is important, an order to take in all the external stimuli and adjust yourself as needed in reaction. 

              Make sure you keep the second joint of your trigger finger pointed straight at your targets you press the trigger. If you do this, it will almost impossible to push or pull the shot with your trigger finger. When shooting a heavy gun with a light trigger, you should push with the tip of the finger. With a a heavy trigger you're likely to pull shots when trying to balance the tip of your finger on the trigger. 

             As you press back, make sure the pressure on the trigger is only coming from the trigger finger. In order for this to happen, you need to have a good grip and not let any part of your trigger finger drag along the frame of the gun. Some tend to squeeze the trigger with their entire hand which will cause movement in the gun. 

Steps to Trigger Control:

1. A good grip

2. Let your finger land naturally on the trigger

3. Consider moving the finger lower on the face of the trigger

4. Keep the middle knuckle of your finger lower on the face of the trigger

5. Pull the trigger with your eyes

6. Smooth

7. Keep finger in contact with the trigger

              I was shooting a Smith & Wenson M&P, which was much more heavier compared to the other guns I have used. Initially I was intimidated using the gun, but realized that the recoil was much softer and I eventually grew comfortable using it. Using the steps for control, helped me to achieve accurate shots. What are your opinions on guns in general?

Sajong, Chris. How to shoot like a navy seal: Combat marksmanship fundamentals. San Diego, CA: Center Mass Group, LCC, 2013. Print.

Sight What You Shoot

Sight Picture

              Sight picture is taking the perfect alignment and aiming it at the target. It is not as simple as point and shoot as  many movies may show it to be. Proper sight picture is when you take your sight and overlay it on the target. It is key to remember that the sight picture can be anywhere on the target, as long as it is nothing but the target you are going to shoot. 

Sight Alignment 

              Sight alignment is centering the front sight in the rear sight, it considered to be more important than sight picture, because sight alignment will affect angular and parallel shift errors. If your slight alignment is correct than you will be able to shoot anywhere into that visual tube and hit the target. Though if your sight alignment is off by even a little, it is likely that you will completely miss the target. 

Shaky/Small Targets

              Some people are nervous shooters and may shake when they shoot. To prevent the shaking from affecting your shoot, put your sights center mass on your target and pull the trigger. When aiming at a smaller target you should divide the target into four and aim at the center. 

              In the video, I am shooting a Glock g17. This gun is the most widely used law enforcement pistol worldwide. While shooting, I worked on both my grip and sighting in order to get more consistent results. 

  

             My results were generally all in the same area, definitely much more accurate and precise than the past times. Where you ever nervous when shooting a gun? How did it affect your results in the end?

              

Sajong, Chris. How to shoot like a navy seal: Combat marksmanship fundamentals. San Diego, CA: Center Mass Group, LCC, 2013. Print.

Get A Grip

            Get A Grip

              Having a strong grip is extremely crucial component no matter what the weapon of choice may be. A loose grip will allow the gun to move every time you squeeze the trigger causing stray bullets. A good grip plays a major role in consistency when shooting.


In this video I was shooting Cz cz-75 SP01 9mm, parts of the gun is made out of plastic making it extremely light. You should always start off with a heavier gun though. Guns with more weight tend to be more stable, lighter guns have a stronger recoil which caused me to flinch before shooting. My grip was not strong enough to give me consistent results.

 Pistol

           
            Guns come in various sizes and shapes, that is the same with hands. When first starting off, it is better to find a gun that fits your hands better rather than adjusting your grip in order to hold the gun. The gun should rest well in your hand while the forearm of the firing arm is directly behind the pistol. Your trigger finger should be able to reach the trigger of the gun without having to move too much.

             When holding the gun, the forearm of the dominant hand is aligned with the barrel of the pistol. Your hand needs to be as far up on the gun as possible as to allow the webbing of your hand to be compressed against the beavertail. Some designs do not include a beavertail safety grip, so just press against the back of the gun as high as possible. If your hand sits too low it could negatively affect your shots and increase the risk of jamming your gun because the gun does not have a solid recoil support.


             Using a two-handed technique which is highly recommended. The support hand/reaction hand should be placed with the palm of the hand filling the space left behind the dominant hand. Be sure that there is no space between the two hands. The pressure of the grip should be equal from both hands. While the thumbs are staked on top of each other, both pointing in the direction of the target.

Here is a visual example of how you should be holding a pistol. How have you been holding a gun or how did you think people held a gun?

Sajong, Chris. How to shoot like a navy seal: Combat marksmanship fundamentals. San Diego, CA: Center Mass Group, LCC, 2013. Print.

You're Not of My Caliber

               Consistency and practice are key factors to improve in shooting. The shooting platform, otherwise known as body position or stance is important to repeatedly use the same one. Although it's fine to go outside the box, mix it up, and explore other positions. Once you found a position you enjoy, stick with it and the consistency of using the same position will help improve your aim.


               The shooting position you use should be flexible as to allow any modifications to fit your body type better. The same position for a person 6'2" won't be the same for a person who is 5'4", like myself. Flexibility of the position comes into of importance when you must find the steadiest position that gives you the best sight of the target and stableness in the environment you are in.


               Three elements that make of a good shooting position are bone support, muscular relaxation, and natural point of aim. Bone support is the foundation of a shooting platform. When you are using bone support (automatic) and not muscular support (manual) you are relaxed. Muscular relaxation provides steadiness when shooting. If you are tense or strained, your aim will shaky and unreliable. In order to have accurate shots, your muscles must be relaxed. The natural point of aim is where you place your sights when your body is relaxed.




POSITIONS WITH A PISTOL


Standing Position:


1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed to the target, and knees slightly bent.


2. Move your dominant leg straight back until the toes are aligned with the heel of the other foot. To get a more aggressive stance, slide the foot farther back.


3. Both arms are fully extended straight ahead and locked. Do not over-extend to the point of your shoulders out of the socket, doing that will make you lose strength from your larger chest and back muscles. Make sure your biceps are relaxed when arms are extended.


4. Head is uprights and leaning forward at the waist.


5. Shoulders, arms, hands, and gun will be in a straight line.


6. Barrel of the gun will be in line with the shooter's spine.


High Knee:


1. Drop straight down on the dominant leg's knee from standing position.


2. Toes of the dominant leg's foot are bent under to allow balance and quick movement.


3. Opposite leg is bent.


4. Lean forward at the waist.


Medium Kneel:


1. Drop straight down on the dominant leg's knee from standing position.


2. Toes of the dominant leg's foot are bent under.


3. Sit back on the heel of the dominant leg's foot while leaning forward at the waist.


Low Kneel:


1. Drop straight down on the dominant leg's knee from the standing position.


2. Foot of the dominant leg is bent under.


3. Sit back on the foot.


4. Opposite leg is bent while leaning forward


Prone (faced down):


1. Lie face down on the ground with legs spread apart, heels down. Toes can be pointed in or out, but do not have heels stick upwards.


2. Upper position is the same as standing and kneeling.


3. Keep forearms and sides of hands on the ground for support and bring the head down to the target.


4. If you're unable to get low enough to see the target, rotate onto your dominant arm just enough to see the target.


              



 

                The gun I was using in the video was a Ruger SR9 9mm. The recoil of the gun was quite strong. My first shot, I was tense and hit high above the target area. After I relaxed my muscles, I gained more control over my aim and was much more accurate. I already see my improvement though compared to the first time I shot a gun. My accuracy and precision have improved and I was able to hit the center. Due to my environment that I shoot at, I haven't been able to try other positions. What position would you try or have you tried and how was your experience with it?

Sajong, Chris. How to shoot like a navy seal: Combat marksmanship fundamentals. San Diego, CA: Center Mass Group, LCC, 2013. Print.

Just Give It a Shot

         We all know that the zombie apocalypse is going to happen someday and you don't want to be that guy stuck with the baseball bat, trying to defend himself by whacking the living dead. No, you rather be the guy with the gun and has no problem defending himself from a long distance.

         Shooting traces back all the way to ancient times when target times, such as spear throwing and archery in Europe and Asia. In the Middle Ages, became the most trending social sport which first appeared in the 1200s in Europe. In the 1500s these club matches became public celebrations and were often held on holidays. More often than not, the winner's prize would be gold. Through the years, as firearms improved, the matches became more formal. During the 1800s, thousands of spectatrors would come to watch and cash prizes up to $25,000 were awarded. Today, rifle, shotgun, and pistol matches continue to thrive in popularity and are events in the Olympic Games.

The gun used in the video is a full size 9 millimeter Beretta. Glasses and earplugs/earmuffs are required at the range for the shooters protection. As shown in the video, the shells come flying back and on multiple accounts it hit me. Though it doesn't hurt, it will hurt if it hits your eye so eye protection it greatly stressed.

     


         It is required at the range for shooters to always wear proper safety gear, because many flying objects at the range are potential hazards such as the shells. Glasses can also improve performance by reducing glare. Earplugs/earmuffs protect a shooter's hearing from strong gun blasts.

     

The targets I used where Target Man and a gray scaled regular target. This being my first time ever handling and shooting a gun, I was pretty satisfied with the result of my current ability to shot a gun. I was surprised to find that the gun was quite heavy and the powerful kick of firing the gun. My goal though over the course of this project is to increase both my accuracy and precision. I would like to know, what was your first experience with a gun and did it have a positive or negative impact on you?

Steier, David. Guns 101: A Beginner's Guide to Buying and Owning Firearms. New York: Skyhorse Pub., 2011. Print.
        Kevin, Brian. Gun Sports. Minneapolis: ABDO Pub., 2012. Print.