Shooting advice sought

MedicineBow · June 1, 2008, 11:41 AM

While I work on this myself, I thought I'd see if anyone here had any thoughts/tips.

I just bought a Beretta PX4, 9mm, so I'm starting to get used to it. I've noticed this problem (with me, of course, not the gun): my first shot (at whatever distance, 25 ft, 50 ft, 25 yards, so far) is acceptable. That first shot is of course in double-action. Then, often, the following single-action shots are often badly (even for me) off target. So, I have tried to work on my fundamentals, of course, and also have tried a couple of experiments. First, I have have de-cocked after each shot, so that every shot is double-action. Success! A good grouping. Second, and more oddly, I have shot a few groups normally (double-action followed by single-action), but offhand. Even this gives better results.

Any thoughts?

PinkPanther · June 2, 2008, 08:30 AM

Fundementals, fundementals, fundementals. It sounds like you are doing something with your non firing hand. It also sounds like trigger pull. Try doing this : Go to the range and have someone who knows what they are doing load the pistol for you. Have them put a round in the chamber at random (and make it so you dont know if there is a round in there or not) and you cock the hammer and shoot. If you are jerking the trigger it will def. show when there is no round in there. Jerking the trigger is one of the most common things I have ever seen when working with pistol shooters. Also try different methods of how to have your non firing hand. I prefer having my thumbs both down the left side of the pistol "pointing" towards my target. But see what works for you. I see some guys cross there thumbs but thats caused me nothing but problems. it all takes practice man. Hope this helps!!

Nate Haler · June 2, 2008, 04:44 PM

Build fundamentals with a .22, or even a good quality air pistol.

Hundreds and hundreds of practice rounds, working on sight picture, breath control, trigger squeeze.

All of that will translate to better shooting with any other handgun.

Right now, you have too much gun.

In my opinion, you can NOT afford to NOT have a .22 in the mix.

wyocarp · June 3, 2008, 11:57 AM

Wow, another person from Wyoming and fairly close. I've found that if you aren't sure what is happening as you pull the trigger that attaching a laser to the gun is helpful. Without ammo, or maybe even with ammo in Medicine Bow in the house you can see if you are jerking the gun one way or another when you pull the trigger.

j1132s · June 3, 2008, 12:38 PM

The suggestion above on putting dummy rounds is good. For your Beretta, you can mix in dummy rounds in the magazine (like the previous poster said, have somebody load it so you don't know where the dummies are).

Your problem might be recoil anticipation. Either you don't know what to expect on your first shoot so didn't react in time to mess it up or the double action trigger might be very smooth to make the shot a real surprise.

Another thing to try is to watch your front sight and see if you can see muzzle flash when you fire. You should be able to see it under most conditions.

MedicineBow · June 4, 2008, 05:09 AM

Thanks for this advice. I'll use it.

T. O'Heir · June 8, 2008, 02:02 AM

"...the following single-action shots are often badly..." That's not unusual and it's one of the biggest complaints about DA/SA pistols. And has been since their inception. You have to adjust from DA to SA after the first shot. It's a matter of getting used to it through practice. Quit thinking about it and concentrate on making the shot. As daft as that sounds.

June 1, 2008, 11:41 AM	#1
MedicineBow Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 297	Shooting advice sought While I work on this myself, I thought I'd see if anyone here had any thoughts/tips. I just bought a Beretta PX4, 9mm, so I'm starting to get used to it. I've noticed this problem (with me, of course, not the gun): my first shot (at whatever distance, 25 ft, 50 ft, 25 yards, so far) is acceptable. That first shot is of course in double-action. Then, often, the following single-action shots are often badly (even for me) off target. So, I have tried to work on my fundamentals, of course, and also have tried a couple of experiments. First, I have have de-cocked after each shot, so that every shot is double-action. Success! A good grouping. Second, and more oddly, I have shot a few groups normally (double-action followed by single-action), but offhand. Even this gives better results. Any thoughts?

June 2, 2008, 08:30 AM	#2
PinkPanther Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 16	Fundementals, fundementals, fundementals. It sounds like you are doing something with your non firing hand. It also sounds like trigger pull. Try doing this : Go to the range and have someone who knows what they are doing load the pistol for you. Have them put a round in the chamber at random (and make it so you dont know if there is a round in there or not) and you cock the hammer and shoot. If you are jerking the trigger it will def. show when there is no round in there. Jerking the trigger is one of the most common things I have ever seen when working with pistol shooters. Also try different methods of how to have your non firing hand. I prefer having my thumbs both down the left side of the pistol "pointing" towards my target. But see what works for you. I see some guys cross there thumbs but thats caused me nothing but problems. it all takes practice man. Hope this helps!! __________________ If guns cause crime, then spoons made Rosie O'Donnel fat.

June 2, 2008, 04:44 PM	#3
Nate Haler Member Join Date: December 7, 2002 Posts: 15	every pistol shooter should have, and use, a .22lr handgun Build fundamentals with a .22, or even a good quality air pistol. Hundreds and hundreds of practice rounds, working on sight picture, breath control, trigger squeeze. All of that will translate to better shooting with any other handgun. Right now, you have too much gun. In my opinion, you can NOT afford to NOT have a .22 in the mix.

June 4, 2008, 05:09 AM	#6
MedicineBow Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 297	Thanks for this advice. I'll use it. __________________ Dulce bellum inexpertis

June 8, 2008, 02:02 AM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...the following single-action shots are often badly..." That's not unusual and it's one of the biggest complaints about DA/SA pistols. And has been since their inception. You have to adjust from DA to SA after the first shot. It's a matter of getting used to it through practice. Quit thinking about it and concentrate on making the shot. As daft as that sounds. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 3, 2008, 11:57 AM	#4
wyocarp Junior member Join Date: December 23, 2007 Location: Wyoming Posts: 169	Wow, another person from Wyoming and fairly close. I've found that if you aren't sure what is happening as you pull the trigger that attaching a laser to the gun is helpful. Without ammo, or maybe even with ammo in Medicine Bow in the house you can see if you are jerking the gun one way or another when you pull the trigger.

June 3, 2008, 12:38 PM	#5
j1132s Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2006 Posts: 223	The suggestion above on putting dummy rounds is good. For your Beretta, you can mix in dummy rounds in the magazine (like the previous poster said, have somebody load it so you don't know where the dummies are). Your problem might be recoil anticipation. Either you don't know what to expect on your first shoot so didn't react in time to mess it up or the double action trigger might be very smooth to make the shot a real surprise. Another thing to try is to watch your front sight and see if you can see muzzle flash when you fire. You should be able to see it under most conditions.