requesting input:training program?

rrruger · August 11, 2012, 11:40 AM

I am new to shooting and my primary interest is self defense and home protection. My handgun is a GP100 four inch barrel in .357. The trigger is light enough in double action to allow clean smooth trigger pulls.
At this point, I have fired about 1000 rounds and I am consistently hitting groups of four inches at ten yards. This is offhand, single action, and one careful shot at a time. My goal is to hit groups in the 4-5 inch range at 25 yards in quick succession.
My question is what would you recommend that I learn and practice and in what order to get me there the quickest and with the least ammo expended.
I am a range member at my local club and I can get to the range about once a week. As a range member ammo and targets are my only cost.

JimPage · August 11, 2012, 11:52 AM

Best thing to do is find a good instructor to help you. No amount of writing from us could equal a few hours with that instructor.

If that is not available, all I can say is concentrate on stance, grip, sight picture, breath control, trigger squeeze, follow through (the most often overlooked part).

Shoot slowly, not more than 50 shots at one session, or at least take a break of ten minutes each hour you are at the range. More often if you are the least bit tired. Practice, practice, practice, concentrating on all those factors. Look for flinching. Very important. Have someone watch you shoot. Have him tell you what he thinks of your technique. But be careful -- many want to be perceived as experts so they will give eroneous advice without either of you realizing it.

That's the best I can tell you without writing a book.

kraigwy · August 11, 2012, 11:57 AM

Dry fire, concentrating on your trigger control.

A laser sight on a pistol/revolver is one of the best tools made for dry firing. Get to where that red dot doesn't jump around and then go to the range for live fire.

Out side of that, without watching you shoot, I can't say much.

Creeper · August 11, 2012, 12:20 PM

Another trick is to have someone you trust load the gun for you... with fewer rounds (and in random loading) than a full cylinder, and hand to you.
Shoot like you normally would and have the trusted friend watch you, or better yet, video tape it for your own review.
It will become quite apparent if your:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimPage

breath control, trigger squeeze, follow through (the most often overlooked part).

have any issues that require attention.

I taught my daughter to shoot with this method using a 1911 and dummy rounds. She can chew the 10 ring out of a B-8 target at 25yds all day long... which is more than I can say for myself these days.

Cheers,
C

JKilbreth · August 11, 2012, 12:30 PM

Practice, practice, practice.

Some skills just take time. But it sounds like you're deep in the right direction! Seek advice from any source you can get it from. Whether it be advice on stance, reaction, training simulations, or how to sweat, everyone's input can be useful (even of you determine that they're telling you what NOT to do).

My personal advice, I'll coin a US Army phrase: train as you fight. Meaning, try to simulate a home defense situation as much as possible.
Obviously, you don't want to put a bunch of bullet holes in the Sheetrock at your house, so the guy's laser suggestion is a good one. Practice timing yourself from getting out of bed all the way to taking a defensive position. Learn how long it takes to get your firearm from your safe, and know that if you just woke up, you may be groggy, have poor vision, etc. That's why repetition is important: it allows your instincts/muscle memory to take over when confusion/disorientation occurs.

Like I said, you're headed in the right direction already. Professional advice from police instructors is great, especially of you can get some personal time with them for free. If not for free, it's probably worth the time and money anyway.
Good luck, and stay armed!

**Frank Ettin** · August 11, 2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKilbreth

Practice, practice, practice....

But remember: Practice doesn't make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. And practice also makes permanent, so if you do something poorly over and over, you don't get better. You only become an expert at doing it poorly.

The purpose of instruction is to teach you what to practice and how.

raimius · August 11, 2012, 01:57 PM

Make sure your marksmanship fundamentals are strong, before trying to go fast. The only thing worse than fast misses are slow misses!

One good drill for fundamentals is the 5 and 1 drill. Do 5 dry fire shots, focusing on your fundamentals, then take 1 live fire shot doing the same. No time limit, and go for "perfect" shots. Repeat this cycle at least 5 times. It can get mentally fatiguing.

Once you get the accuracy you want, or better, start moving to a quicker pace. Challenge yourself to shoot as fast as you can, while still maintaining your desired accuracy.

August 11, 2012, 11:40 AM	#1
rrruger Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2012 Posts: 153	requesting input:training program? I am new to shooting and my primary interest is self defense and home protection. My handgun is a GP100 four inch barrel in .357. The trigger is light enough in double action to allow clean smooth trigger pulls. At this point, I have fired about 1000 rounds and I am consistently hitting groups of four inches at ten yards. This is offhand, single action, and one careful shot at a time. My goal is to hit groups in the 4-5 inch range at 25 yards in quick succession. My question is what would you recommend that I learn and practice and in what order to get me there the quickest and with the least ammo expended. I am a range member at my local club and I can get to the range about once a week. As a range member ammo and targets are my only cost.

August 11, 2012, 11:52 AM	#2
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	Best thing to do is find a good instructor to help you. No amount of writing from us could equal a few hours with that instructor. If that is not available, all I can say is concentrate on stance, grip, sight picture, breath control, trigger squeeze, follow through (the most often overlooked part). Shoot slowly, not more than 50 shots at one session, or at least take a break of ten minutes each hour you are at the range. More often if you are the least bit tired. Practice, practice, practice, concentrating on all those factors. Look for flinching. Very important. Have someone watch you shoot. Have him tell you what he thinks of your technique. But be careful -- many want to be perceived as experts so they will give eroneous advice without either of you realizing it. That's the best I can tell you without writing a book. __________________ Jim Page Cogito, ergo armatum sum

August 11, 2012, 11:57 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Dry fire, concentrating on your trigger control. A laser sight on a pistol/revolver is one of the best tools made for dry firing. Get to where that red dot doesn't jump around and then go to the range for live fire. Out side of that, without watching you shoot, I can't say much. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

August 11, 2012, 12:30 PM	#5
JKilbreth Member Join Date: May 10, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 97	Practice, practice, practice. Some skills just take time. But it sounds like you're deep in the right direction! Seek advice from any source you can get it from. Whether it be advice on stance, reaction, training simulations, or how to sweat, everyone's input can be useful (even of you determine that they're telling you what NOT to do). My personal advice, I'll coin a US Army phrase: train as you fight. Meaning, try to simulate a home defense situation as much as possible. Obviously, you don't want to put a bunch of bullet holes in the Sheetrock at your house, so the guy's laser suggestion is a good one. Practice timing yourself from getting out of bed all the way to taking a defensive position. Learn how long it takes to get your firearm from your safe, and know that if you just woke up, you may be groggy, have poor vision, etc. That's why repetition is important: it allows your instincts/muscle memory to take over when confusion/disorientation occurs. Like I said, you're headed in the right direction already. Professional advice from police instructors is great, especially of you can get some personal time with them for free. If not for free, it's probably worth the time and money anyway. Good luck, and stay armed!

August 11, 2012, 01:57 PM	#7
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	Make sure your marksmanship fundamentals are strong, before trying to go fast. The only thing worse than fast misses are slow misses! One good drill for fundamentals is the 5 and 1 drill. Do 5 dry fire shots, focusing on your fundamentals, then take 1 live fire shot doing the same. No time limit, and go for "perfect" shots. Repeat this cycle at least 5 times. It can get mentally fatiguing. Once you get the accuracy you want, or better, start moving to a quicker pace. Challenge yourself to shoot as fast as you can, while still maintaining your desired accuracy.