Very first try, complete failure

S

sidescrollin

Inactive
So I havent shot a Handgun in my life. After recently finding some 22s that only have the primer and so I can practice shoot in my yard I decided to try a 22 revolver my dad has.
I have only shot rifles and shotguns so this was totally new to me. At 25 yds I couldn't hit a 1 foot target basically. Firing at the upper left target of the 4 on this sheet I ended up hitting it Twice in the lower right corner and Once right where I was aiming.
What am I doing wrong?? I have a feeling it has something to do with my grip because the little .22 feels really odd in my hand and I just randomly place my right hand.
Also how do I shoot without closing one of my eyes?? Today I think I found out I am cross eye dominant and trying to aim without closing an eye is just a weird series of pictures shifting around in front of me.

Any help?
Also I am obviously new to the forum and shooting really since I only target shoot my marlin and shoot skeet once a year when I go up north. (no ranges here)
thx !
 
When you sqeeze the trigger you might be pulling the gun off target, without knowing it. Its a very common mistake for people new to handguns.
 
Aiming at the top left and hitting the bottom right could be a result of your trigger pulling technique (especially with double action revolvers). Try loading some already fired cases into the gun (it's bad to dry fire rimfires) and keep a close eye on your front sight and see if the front sight moves at all.

As far as aiming without closing an eye, just try focusing on the sight with your dominant eye, after a while it'll become second nature.
 
Whoa there, fella!! :D 25 yards is quite a ways to start shootin' handguns. I'm still working on getting decent groups at 25 yards off-hand. Hehehehe...

Start at 6 feet first! When you quickly grow tired of hitting the bull with that one you can move to 10 feet, then 5 yards, then 7 yards, then 10 yards, etc... Work your way up slowly to 25 yards, all the while mastering your sight picture, trigger control, grip technique and stance.

Handguns require much finesse and controlled trigger pull as any tiny movement (caused by jerking the trigger, flinching, anticipating recoil, etc.) after that primer ignites will have a much more dramatic effect on where the bullet hits downrange.

The first thing I like to tell folks new to shooting handguns is to take the trigger pull very very slowly. Let the break surprise you. As you learn the gun, its trigger, and better grip and technique, your groups will shrink and your trigger pull will become smoother and quicker too.

Welcome to TFL, by the way. ;)
 
Thx you guys, Savage and ar15chase you guys are definitely right I have to be jerking the gun or something when I am pulling the trigger. And btw MOA it is double action.

Thx for the advice cortjestir, I had no idea that you should start that close!!! 25 yards didn't seem that far to me so thats what I went with.
I'll try shooting closer tomorrow when theres some light out and see how it goes closer up trying to keep the gun on target when I pull the trigger.
Ill be sure to keep posted with any questions I have because this seems like a nice forum and you guys responded with helpful info really fast
 
Welcome to TFL!

CortJestir is right, 25 yards is too far away to try to figure out what you're doing wrong. Get a lot closer and concentrate on your trigger work. Let the Bang be a surprise to you as you slowly pull the trigger.
 
It was moving around alot so I was trying to time my shot, so I think thats why I ended up pulling it so hard. If I slowly pull until it suprises me it would've been off from where I wanted to aim. Any tips on keeping the gun more steady?
 
There's nothing wrong with using a prop to keep the gun steady as you shoot. It could be a tree or a table, etc. That allows you concentrate on the trigger instead of trying to keep the barrel from moving (and rushing the shot). You can work on "off hand" shooting later once you have the trigger work under control.
 
Is it just a matter of practice then??
Because I cant target shoot with a rifle from a standing position very well either.
I'll try moving up and propping the gun on something if it is still bad tomorrow.
 
Is it just a matter of practice then??
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Oh yeah, practice is the name of the game, my friend. But it should be good practice. You'd be well served with a course or two on basic pistol shooting, IMV. The Internet fora and books are good, but there's nothing like practical learning to build your foundation of skills.
 
I know its alot of practice and work.
I recently decided to get better because I found this ammo that I can practice with and because I am going to be in the Marines and want to practice.
 
You have to start out at close range,say seven yards,and just practice getting your sight picture right and the same every time.

As a first time shooter you can start out right by making sure you keep both eyes open when you shoot.

I did'nt and still have to force myself to do it after forty years of shooting.

Very few people ever pick up a handgun for the first time and start making good groups.

Be kind to yourself and give yourself a chance to get some experience shooting.

You will find it a very enjoyable ride to the point where you can shoot well everytime out.
 
It also sounds like your moving around you need to steady your self.suggestion when shooting off hand try line up your sites on target take a breath and hold ,line sites again and squeeze the trigger. Dont forget to breath.:D After experience with the hangun you should be able to a normal breath cycle.I also concour with the others who have said twenty five yrds is to far in begining.
 
Use both hands. And start out single action until you get some good groups at close range. Then try double action because it's harder to shoot double action. That long trigger pull on D-A is hard to hold steady.
 
Use both hands. And start out single action until you get some good groups at close range. Then try double action because it's harder to shoot double action. That long trigger pull on D-A is hard to hold steady.
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I cant, the only way I can practice is with these primer only 22s and the only 22 pistol I have is double action.

There isnt a similar target practice solution for 9mm or .44s are there??
 
The fundamentals are the same, but it's much easier to learn with a 22.
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Oh I know, especially with that .44 revolver I bet.
The .22 has a really awkward handle, I'd be willing to be that right off the bat I'd be better with the colt 9mm, its just really comfortable. But the .22 can be fired in my yard and its like $5 for a box of 50 rnds.

Im just gonna buy a couple boxs and try to get better trying what everyone has said, getting closer and just practicing as much possible.
 
What type of pistol is it?

Also check this out - http://www.bullseyepistol.com/chapter2.htm

It's the pistol marksmanship guide for the Army Marksmanship Unit.

And this is the USMC Pistol Team Workbook - http://www.brianzins.com/USMC Pistol Team Workbook.zip

You'll notice that they put a lot of emphasis on trigger control, sight alignment and front sight focus. You need to stop trying to snatch the trigger, and learn to trust your hold and sight picture. It's tricky to do this because the target will go blurry - but it works.

If you've got a 9mm, you can use it for dry-fire practice - be safe, put your ammo away. Some 22's can't be dry-fired without damaging the firing pin a/o chamber mouth.

Also an air pistol is a good cheap way of practicing, and they're usually very accurate.
 
What type of pistol is it?
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I'm not gonna go check right now But if I remember right its a H&R 939 Double action .22

Not too sure about that model number but its probably right.

I really think I need to just work on trigger control because when me and my dad were firing these little aguila target 22s I accidently ended up with the pistol in my Right hand (im left handed) and I completely missed our shed that we were firing at ( a 8 foot wide yellow building 30 yds away)
I wasnt really aiming but just naturally pointing so it shouldve hit regardless of it being my right hand and at night etc.
th for the links im gona check out these guides and hopefully work on trigger control 2morrow.
 
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