Training drill/aids for shooting better?

[jg rider]

Thanks to all for the suggestions, JG, the red box in your targets looks right of center-left would be the heart, and I am uncertain of the idea "

Hits out of center straight on will probably not hit any vitals on a flat target. Or center hits from an angle will also miss vitals.

", (even though some are hit, they survive)-plenty of show stoppers off center, specifically leftish! In spearfishing shots to the spine are the general idea for smaller fish. I like the curved target too! Anyone have a favorite laser trainer? Thanks again! Off to the range-

Hello again,
I see what you mean about the box looking out of center. It should look in center. The objective is to aim toward back bone / spinal column / heart from an angle. When shooting straight on we practice for hits in the area that looks like triangle from the thorax down to just below the breast.

Yea right! With the adrenaline flowing who knows what would happen

[jg rider]

Need more posts, but I may start with a smaller cal handgun and move up to the .40

One other thing to consider when shooting your .40. Squeeze it with a death grip. That's what I do with my CW40, and it turns out very nice groups when I hold it like that. It also makes the recoil much more manageable, and helps with follow up shots. Helps eliminate flinching too. These small pistols, especially those with the "snap" that a .40 has, are not forgiving of a less than perfect grip. You should practice the squeeze when you're dry firing too. The bonus of the tight grip is that it will help when you shoot every other pistol that you own.

There's been so many gripping techniques and stances.
Old isosceles stance with bent knees
Weaver stance facing away of the target and aiming the gun like you would a rifle. And push pulling the hands around the grip
Modified isosceles which is our choice

My take on grip is we've gone from a push with strong hand while pulling with the weak hand of old to a holding the gun in the strong hand lightly only as a support while the weak hand wraps around everything in a strong grip. This prevents shaking. Also we don't hold our arms locked straight out and stiff. We leave a slight bend at the elbows so the arms act as shock absorbers.

As far as .40's I have no use for them I'd go with a .45. I prefer 9mm's over all in a small pistol. For us it's all about fast recovery for follow up shots. Not the sharp snap recoil and muzzle flip of a .40. I shot enough matches trying a .40 and a .45. My times and hits were faster with the softer push of a .45

Around here I know of some police departments and Sheriff's Offices doing away with the .40s. Going only to 9mm and .45s

[rumblemonkey]

Wow, cool info-thanks! I am going tom shoot the He## out of the 40 before I decide. Again, thanks!

[340pd]

The best tool I give my students is a SIRT training pistol. I have an early model in the Glock configuration (only model available at the time) and it allows one to quickly understand the concept of proper trigger control and makes it easy and safe to practice drawing, reloading (weighted magazine included) and firing. No need for the fancy models. Just projecting a laser beam at trigger pull will get the job done. Pricey for some but I feel they are really worth the money in the long run. Now available in Glock, M&P, and they have a pocket pistol model that looks very interesting.

[rumblemonkey]

Thanks for the info on the SIRT training pistol, but too pricy for me at this time! Very nice to have one to give your students! Maybe I can rent one for a while! Good info-I will ask at some of our ranges to see if anyone has one of these.

[jg rider]

We're blessed with having a home range. So we have lots of family get togethers with 3 grand daughters and a bunch of great grand children.

Here's some vids if you're interested

10 yr. old Grand Daughter practicing competition protocol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WByCoFnaLfM

Wife practicing for Steel Challenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfK2MbdQHo

Me having a bad day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx5D328RY6s

Grand Daughter shooting a K9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwpCLo63R9s

Wife shooting her PM9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVN87wPtDkU

Son shooting his PM9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bpNeL22OaE

Me shooting my PM9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsVU2uDR0to

Wife retreating

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPvIwxwD_RE

55 yd. Shooting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoqXQ24bNT8