New to shooting, need help with accuracy

tel0004 · July 6, 2005, 11:13 AM

I went to the shooting range today, but whenever I shoot, I hit the target about 8-10 inches to the right. I have a 38 special stubnose, which I know isnt the best, but its a concieled carry weapon. I think that im pulling the gun to the right when I pull the trigger. what can I do to fix this problem? Thanks. I was aiming about 8 inches left of center mass and hitting it, but obviously this isnt the best method

racinstylez · July 6, 2005, 12:00 PM

Sounds like you are moving the gun after you shoot. Try stiffing you elbow when you shoot and lots of dry fire practice will help keep that hand stready!

Try these...
http://americanshooter.com/Features/features.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html

Archie · July 6, 2005, 12:35 PM

Shooting to the right usually involves pulling the gun to the right with the trigger finger as you activate the trigger. Or, you can by pushing with your thumb.
The indicator for this problem is all the shots are rather close together vertically, but spread out further horizontally; a wide oval shape, possibly higher on the outside.
If the shots are all in a fairly circular group, you're doing the right thing and your sights need to be moved 8 - 10 inches to the left.

You might have someone who shoots better try the revolver and see where it prints for them.

You didn't say how far from the target you were shooting. If you're a beginning shooter, you should start close and work back. Start about seven yards (most places will let you put the target that close) and work on keeping all the shots centered. Then, work your way out farther.
Also, shoot slowly at first. You want to get the fundamental proceedures down before trying for speed.

tjhands · July 6, 2005, 12:52 PM

tel,

How much of your finger are you using on the trigger? If you have too much finger in there, it may pull your shots off to the right. Try to just use the first part of your finger - nothing past the first joint. And concentrate on a s-l-o-w trigger squeeze. You don't want to jerk the trigger at all.

tINY · July 6, 2005, 03:32 PM

The neat thing about revolvers is that you can put one or two snap-caps in the cylinder. Load 4 shells and 2 caps, spin the cylinder and close your eyes. Close the crane with out looking and you have two of 6 that won't fire and you don't know which ones.

Keep your eyes on the sights. The pistol souldn't move when one of those snap-caps ends up under the hammer and you pull the trigger.

-tINY

Dave R · July 6, 2005, 04:40 PM

There's also a chance that the signs on your pistol are not adjusted (or manufactured) properly. Have another shooter shoot it, preferably from a bench rest, and see what they think.

payne · July 7, 2005, 12:22 AM

One thing that wasn't mentioned was make sure your pull is consistant. That can ansd will throw your shots off. As mentioned before, keep the first section of your finger on the trigger. Nothing past the first joint. Then pull slow, steady, and with consistant pressure.

CabinJohn · July 7, 2005, 09:28 AM

All the above is good advice - bench rest, slow sqeeze, etc., but - if your gun permits, have you tried shooting single action (cock the hammer first - then sqeeze trigger) rather than double action (pulling trigger to cock hammer and fire)? Double action is more difficult to manage accuracy when you are learning shoot. If you can sqeeze off a shot with reasonable accuracy shooting single action, then you will have a better idea of what you need to do to correct your double action accuracy.

tel0004 · July 7, 2005, 09:44 AM

Thanks to all who have responded. The gun is DAO, and has a concieled hammer, so single action wont work. I did some dry fire practice and I do in fact pull it to the right. I dont like dry firing, so Im going to get some snap caps this week. I hold the trigger right where my figer bends, I guess ill work on this as well. Just so you know, the gun is a S&W 642. Thanks again.

July 6, 2005, 11:13 AM	#1
tel0004 Member Join Date: June 24, 2005 Posts: 45	New to shooting, need help with accuracy I went to the shooting range today, but whenever I shoot, I hit the target about 8-10 inches to the right. I have a 38 special stubnose, which I know isnt the best, but its a concieled carry weapon. I think that im pulling the gun to the right when I pull the trigger. what can I do to fix this problem? Thanks. I was aiming about 8 inches left of center mass and hitting it, but obviously this isnt the best method

July 6, 2005, 12:00 PM	#2
racinstylez Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 240	Sounds like you are moving the gun after you shoot. Try stiffing you elbow when you shoot and lots of dry fire practice will help keep that hand stready! Try these... http://americanshooter.com/Features/features.html http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html __________________ Sigmund Freud: "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."

July 6, 2005, 12:35 PM	#3
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Assuming you are right handed... Shooting to the right usually involves pulling the gun to the right with the trigger finger as you activate the trigger. Or, you can by pushing with your thumb. The indicator for this problem is all the shots are rather close together vertically, but spread out further horizontally; a wide oval shape, possibly higher on the outside. If the shots are all in a fairly circular group, you're doing the right thing and your sights need to be moved 8 - 10 inches to the left. You might have someone who shoots better try the revolver and see where it prints for them. You didn't say how far from the target you were shooting. If you're a beginning shooter, you should start close and work back. Start about seven yards (most places will let you put the target that close) and work on keeping all the shots centered. Then, work your way out farther. Also, shoot slowly at first. You want to get the fundamental proceedures down before trying for speed. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

July 6, 2005, 12:52 PM	#4
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	tel, How much of your finger are you using on the trigger? If you have too much finger in there, it may pull your shots off to the right. Try to just use the first part of your finger - nothing past the first joint. And concentrate on a s-l-o-w trigger squeeze. You don't want to jerk the trigger at all. __________________ "If the sole purpose of handguns is to kill people, then mine are all defective." - Uncle Ted Nugent

July 6, 2005, 04:40 PM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	There's also a chance that the signs on your pistol are not adjusted (or manufactured) properly. Have another shooter shoot it, preferably from a bench rest, and see what they think. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

July 6, 2005, 03:32 PM	#5
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	The neat thing about revolvers is that you can put one or two snap-caps in the cylinder. Load 4 shells and 2 caps, spin the cylinder and close your eyes. Close the crane with out looking and you have two of 6 that won't fire and you don't know which ones. Keep your eyes on the sights. The pistol souldn't move when one of those snap-caps ends up under the hammer and you pull the trigger. -tINY

July 7, 2005, 12:22 AM	#7
payne Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: SE US Posts: 519	One thing that wasn't mentioned was make sure your pull is consistant. That can ansd will throw your shots off. As mentioned before, keep the first section of your finger on the trigger. Nothing past the first joint. Then pull slow, steady, and with consistant pressure. __________________ If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. - Sun Tzu

July 7, 2005, 09:28 AM	#8
CabinJohn Member Join Date: July 5, 2005 Location: NW Mass Posts: 61	SA vs DA All the above is good advice - bench rest, slow sqeeze, etc., but - if your gun permits, have you tried shooting single action (cock the hammer first - then sqeeze trigger) rather than double action (pulling trigger to cock hammer and fire)? Double action is more difficult to manage accuracy when you are learning shoot. If you can sqeeze off a shot with reasonable accuracy shooting single action, then you will have a better idea of what you need to do to correct your double action accuracy.

July 7, 2005, 09:44 AM	#9
tel0004 Member Join Date: June 24, 2005 Posts: 45	Thanks to all who have responded. The gun is DAO, and has a concieled hammer, so single action wont work. I did some dry fire practice and I do in fact pull it to the right. I dont like dry firing, so Im going to get some snap caps this week. I hold the trigger right where my figer bends, I guess ill work on this as well. Just so you know, the gun is a S&W 642. Thanks again.