Need help curing flinching problem

O

oktagon

Moderator
I have been shooting for many years, heavy calibers included (44mag, 50AE), and consider myself pretty good shot. Normaly i can hit head and neck area on the B27 pregressive target from 25 meters in fairly rapid fire.
Recently (couple of months) i have developed a flinching. My groups tend to go low and to the left of point of aim. i can still do my usual rutine, but i have to compensate somewhat by aiminh high and to the right.
I know that this practice in unecceptable.
While it may be OK on the range, in case of real life defensive situation it may have very grave consequences.
What would handgun "gurus" seating on this board suggest to correct my flinching?
 
I don't know if this is really applicable, but studies of combat have concluded that there is no such thing as "getting used to combat." Everyone has a certain capacity, and when it's used up, it's over.

Maybe the same thing is true of shooting large caliber handguns.

Or maybe you just need to shoot .22s for a while to cure the flinch.
 
Doesn't sound like flinch to me,sounds like trigger problem.Try slowing way down and shooting some bulleyes targets for a while.Start at 10 yrds and work backpaying very close attention to trigger squeeze.
I think it will help.
Good luck with it.
Bob

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
I agree with Bob...sounds like a trigger pull problem. Are you using a different pistol with a different trigger pull? If not, you are not concentrating on your pull (squeeze) STRAIGHT TO THE REAR. You might be trying to pull the trigger too fast or rushing your shots.

To get off the subject regarding combat, you should train and be consistent and aware that how you train on the range is how you will act in an actual firefight because studies have shown that LEO's that have gotten into firefights have learned to do things on the range that killed them in the field. A certain CHP incident comes to mind where 3 officers where killed in a firefight where they all had revolvers. Each one was trained to retrieve their brass with the off hand and put it in a pile on the floor or in their pockets. In this situation, each officer had either their brass still in their stiff hands or in a neat pile on the ground next to them. Just a reminder to not develop bad habits on the range cuz your life will depend on it one day. Stay focused and aware to develop good habits and muscle memory.
 
When I develop the flinch or maybe a trigger problem I usually will load the mag or cylinder with a couple of dummy rounds. I either put them in with my eyes closed or have someone else do it so I do not know when the dummy will come up. This will tell you quickly wether the problem is flinch or trigger control. Good luck.
 
oktagon.....I think your problem is a flinch. I had the same problem about a year and a half ago. I was shooting low and left of point of aim. Try this; next time at the range shoot two different types of actions. First shoot a single action and note where your bullet hits the target. Then shoot a double action pistol or revolver and squeeze the trigger as slow as you can, trying to have a supprise break. If you are on target with the double action, you know you have a flinch. Go back to the single action and shoot very slowly. Squeeze the grip of the gun very tight, count the pound pressure; 1,2,3,and 4 lb. till the trigger breaks. Consentrate on the slow trigger pull. Re-train your trigger finger. Hope this helps. Shoot Safe....CO

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." From the movie, " The Shootist"
 
Buy a 22 revolver and have some fun shooting for awhile. When people ask me what has kept me alive in combat and allowed me to do so well with paper the answer is so simple they refuse to believe it.


Breathing is the key. Many years ago I started forceing myself to keep my mouth open, while shooting all gun's, and to keep my breathing natural. BTW if you were flinching your bullets would be all over the place. Lighten up and start haveing fun again at the range. I know the biggun's are fun but they can cause problems, even while your having fun.

The fundementals are the key. Line up those sight's and control your breathing and control your trigger squeeze.

Good luck........WG6
 
Low and left is anticipation. The cure is dry firing, and lots of range practice. Once you realize what your doing, you'll correct it pretty quick.
 
I was doing this and found I was pushing
gun to left by using tip of finger(my hand/
fingers are large) once i put an effort into
placing trigger against first joint problem
stopped. The smaller the gun the worse the
problem(for me).
 
Yes, I second "the cure is dry firing". Try to put a coin (quarter) on the top end of your gun and practice dry firing without dropping the coin. And most important of all, slow down on your coffee intake. Coffee not only makes you nervous, it also makes your hands more shaky. The final cure would be to lift some weights to make your arm's muscles stronger. If your arm is tired, it has a tendency to drop down and to the left.

[This message has been edited by jyn (edited September 21, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by jyn (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
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