first post / how to shoot straight

I defer to others who have already posted about snap caps and different drills to avoid the 'flerk'...it sounds like that is exactly what you are doing and what they told you will certainly help. Don't feel bad. Everyone here probably did the same thing when they started shooting....myself included :)

One additional aid that might help you with general trigger control, but **ONLY IF** you have a few extra bucks laying around: get one of those el-cheapo laser sights that clips on the trigger guard. You can get them for around $50, I think (all it is is a glorified laser pointer). Then do this at home:

1. Make sure gun is empty.

2. Repeat step 1.

3. Clip the laser sight on the trigger guard and adjust it so that you can see the dot while you look down your sights. Don't worry too much about getting it at the proper aiming point- you won't be shooting your cat...all you need to do is see the dot.

4. Load a snap cap and work on dryfiring.

5. Concentrate on maintaining your sight picture, but also watch the dot. You will be a true Jedi when you can get through your whole trigger pull without it moving. :)

Caveats:

1. Make damn sure the gun is empty.

2. This won't help with the flerk- flerking is anticipation of recoil, something completely different.

3. Remove the laser sight after practice. Laser sights are no substitute for using your iron sights, and if you leave it on there is a temptation to dial it in and shoot using the dot only...something you should not do. besides, this is a crappy clip on laser sight. ;)

4. As I said before, this is ONLY if you have extra loot laying around. In general your money is better spent on actual shooting than on doodads.

Have fun. Remember, like any physical activity, it is VERY hard at first to do it well. But it gets easier. And more fun :)

Mike


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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
 
I agree with DaveR re not adjusting your sights until all else has been ruled out. However, I believe the rule is to move the front sight in the direction opposite to which you want to move the point of impact, and move the rear sight in same direction you want to move the point of impact.

The rear sight is your pivot point when aiming, and the front sight (and therefore the muzzle) will move in an arc left/right and up/down to achieve proper sight alignment. Thus, lowering the front sight by filing it down or inserting a shorter sight will bring it below its prior alignment point. This means the front sight (and muzzle) will now need to be raised in an upward-moving arc to achieve proper alignment in its new position, thus raising, instead of lowering, the point of impact. Likewise, moving (drifting) the rear sight to the left will place the front sight to the right relative to its former position. This means that it (and the muzzle) must move left to achieve proper sight alignment in its new position, which will move point of impact even further to the left.

I always forget the rule, so to 2x check myself before I make any changes to my adjustable sights, I first place my hands edge-to-edge facing in opposite directions (i.e. thumb to pinky) with only the index fingers extended upright. Then, I use my right index finger to simulate the rear sight, and the left index finger to simulate the front sight and align them side-to-side and along the top using my dominant eye. Then, I move one or the other to the side or up or down, and see where I have to rotate my hands to get the left finger (i.e. muzzle) back in re-alignment. I don't mean to get too wrapped up in minor details, but as one who has more than once cut the wrong end off a piece of wood or some other object, and who failed optics in college physics, I've tried to minimmize my "I cut it twice and it's still too short" experiences.
 
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