[rla73]

Hi Everybody,
So I was shooting at the range today and this is how I did. I shot 50 rounds with my Glock model 45 and approximately 80 to 100 rounds with my Browning Buck Mark .22 pistol. The distance was 10, 15, and 25 yards with my Glock (all unsupported, 20 rounds were shot one handed, 10 rounds at ten yards and then another 10 at fifteen yards) and I shot at 25 yards with the Browning, all unsupported except for about 30 rounds were shot kneeling. What do you guys think I can do to improve my shooting? By looking at the targets can you recommend I do anything different to shoot better? I am just looking for some constructive criticism, thanks!

 

[warbow150]

Hi, rla73,
Hold the gun still and run the trigger correctly. That’s basically what it’s all about. Best way to get there is to engage a qualified firearms instructor and practice correct fundamentals.

 

[MeatGrinder]

Use a revolver with one empty chamber.
You will see your mistakes when you pull the trigger on the empty chamber.

 

[redrick]

Practice , Practice , Practice . You might get there quicker with an instructor . You could also practice dry firing and keeping your sights aligned while pulling the trigger at home .

 

[John_AZ]

Most of the best I put you’re going to get is from someone watching YOU while you shoot, not looking at your target. Find a good instructor or someone that actually knows what they’re doing. My guess would be focusing on your grip and trigger control, but without knowing what’re you’re doing while you’re shooting (speed of shots, follow up, etc), it’s all just a guess.

 

[Rock_Crawler_Jeep]

You can't fix the problems that you're having since you don't know what they are. So, as warbow150 said,

engage a qualified firearms instructor

THIS is the only way you'll get good with a handgun. InterYouTubenet videos MAY- or may not- give you solutions, but initially you need in-person guidance to give you the groundwork to go forward.

 

[Hauki]

Buy more targets and/or mark which rounds were at the various distances, one-handed, etc. Just get a few markers and color the hits or something. I don't know what hits are for what technique you used. I think it looks like great shooting, and I'm sure that you had fun.

 

[MinervaDoe]

Can you shoot at a closer target? If you used the same target at 10, 15 and 25 yards, you have obscured any groups that you might have gotten when the target was closer.

I typically shoot at a target with five bullseyes on it. And I only shoot ten rounds per target (five at a time).
Once you start seeing what your groups look like, you can start diagnosing.

 

[Fatboy2001]

I'd stick to 5 -10 - 15 yd. Mark your shots (colors). Try different gun positions - on the target - low ready - and if you wish, from the draw. At some point think about getting a timer.` You just can't stand there all day. Work between two-hand and strong hand only. At some point move on to weak hand only. Also, single, double and triple shots. Basic drills over and over and over.
BTW, your targets look pretty good for 25 yards - 5 yards not so much. If you know someone who is a better shot, have them help (observe) you.
Decide at what point you are satisfied. All in the A-zone at 15 yards OR all in the A-zone at 25 yards. Or?
One thing for sure, you can't blame the G45.

 

[vindibona1]

I agree with @Fatboy2001 on everything he said.
the silhouette doesn't look too bad. You're on the paper throughout. I would also add, if you have an opportunity and a small tripod for your phone, videotape yourself. While an instructor can give you verbal feedback, the best feedback you can get is watching yourself and being able to re-run it, slow it down etc., something you can't get from even the best instructor unless you're taping the session.

It's hard to tell how well you've done with your handgun at distance as the shots are all mixed together for the different distances. For me, the hardest thing is getting the sights precisely on target at longer distances (I don't own a red dot except for my handguns).

 

[CDW4ME]

Aim small, miss small.
Next time put the target at 10 7 yards and put a 6'' circle on it.
Front sight, front sight, front sight; between the circle or front sight the front sight should be in clear focus, the target secondary, keep aiming till after the bullet hits.
Once you can keep your hits on the 6'' circle at 7 yards you can either use a 3'' circle or move the target to 10 yards.
Once you can do that, then you can increase speed.
Front sight!

 

[The Night Rider]

Find a reputable trainer in your area and attend some classes

 

[sciolist]

Learn to continuously observe the sights throughout the firing process, see them lift from POA on discharge, and therefore to call your shots. There is no need for any instruction until you can do this.

Shoot some dry groups on a relatively small scoring surface at the target distances you're using and become familiar with the actual footprint of your wobble on the paper.

The group size shouldn't be any larger than the radius of the gun/ammo accuracy overlaid on the wobble. If it is, you're doing something mechanically in live fire that you're not doing in dry fire.

And if you aren't aware of that in live fire, your eyes aren't open when the gun is going off.

 

[rla73]

I'd stick to 5 -10 - 15 yd. Mark your shots (colors). Try different gun positions - on the target - low ready - and if you wish, from the draw. At some point think about getting a timer.` You just can't stand there all day. Work between two-hand and strong hand only. At some point move on to weak hand only. Also, single, double and triple shots. Basic drills over and over and over.
BTW, your targets look pretty good for 25 yards - 5 yards not so much. If you know someone who is a better shot, have them help (observe) you.
Decide at what point you are satisfied. All in the A-zone at 15 yards OR all in the A-zone at 25 yards. Or?
One thing for sure, you can't blame the G45.
View attachment 1166195

Thanks, that is great advice. You make a great point about how shooting closer up my pattern is not very good, I definitely need to work on it. Unfortunately at the indoor gun range where I shoot that do not allow drawing from the holster but once the weather breaks I can do this at the outdoor range. I am also going to do what everybody on the thread has been saying which is pay for some professional instruction. I agree with you about the G45, it is a great pistol! I think I will purchase the 19x in the near future.

 

[PEC-Memphis]

Find a good instructor and a at least one (1) lesson, maybe more.

 

[rla73]

Find a good instructor and a at least one (1) lesson, maybe more.

Thanks, seeking out professional instruction is my next step.

 

[rla73]

Can you shoot at a closer target? If you used the same target at 10, 15 and 25 yards, you have obscured any groups that you might have gotten when the target was closer.

I typically shoot at a target with five bullseyes on it. And I only shoot ten rounds per target (five at a time).
Once you start seeing what your groups look like, you can start diagnosing.

Great point, next time I will definitely purchase extra targets so I can see how my groups vary with yardage.

 

[Orive 8]

Most of the best I put you’re going to get is from someone watching YOU while you shoot, not looking at your target. Find a good instructor or someone that actually knows what they’re doing. My guess would be focusing on your grip and trigger control, but without knowing what’re you’re doing while you’re shooting (speed of shots, follow up, etc), it’s all just a guess.

Pretty good answer right here! Go to your local range and pay for an hour's private time with their instructor, have him watch what you are doing and make suggestions/corrections based on what he has observed you doing.

 

[Cambo]

As an ex-handgun instructor, I echo the comments about finding a qualified teacher. In the meantime, I would:
1. Maintain a solid, tight grip, as high up on the gun as possible (without putting your hand directly behind the slide of course).
2. Slow down on the trigger, using the least amount of force possible to pull it. You want to isolate that idea from the rest of your tense grip.

Those two things will help "keep everything the same" from shot to shot.

 

[MinervaDoe]

Great point, next time I will definitely purchase extra targets so I can see how my groups vary with yardage.

Even simpler than that. Just shoot at ten yards and evaluate each group. You want to see how things like anticipating recoil and jerking the trigger are throwing your groups off. You should be able to achieve a smooth trigger pull and a steady shooting platform the most easily with the .22. So, I would just shoot that initially. Save the compact 9mm for later. It is just building up bad habits right now (and it is a difficult gun to shoot accurately).
Also, why shoot with only one hand unless you are training for a sport that shoots that way? I'd suggest experimenting with some standard two handed shooting techniques (standard isosceles, Weaver stance, etc.). Trust me, you'll end up with one of these stances eventually.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Top Five Shooting Stances

No handgun stance is perfect for every individual or situation, but here are five that will cover just about anything a shooter is likely to face.

www.shootingillustrated.com

And, most important of all, learn to relax when you shoot (and enjoy yourself). Be safe.