Methods for holding the pistol stiller

[jackh]

Going back to the original topic - "Methods for holding the pistol stiller", I believe there is a key question we all confuse at times. Do we mean "stiller" as wobble free in relation to the target or the front sight being stiller in the rear sight notch?

Stiller in the rear sight notch means keeping the sights aligned while you press the trigger. And after. Thus my mantra "keep it lined up". The method we seek is simply the easiest way to accomplish just that - keep it lined up. And it seems to me that required measures of orientation to the target, control in recoil, stability, and even trigger control will be aided and follow along if we find the best way to keep it lined up. The "easiest way" has outside factors that can aid keeping it lined up like vision aids, wobble free footwear, physical condition, mental state, preparedness, etc.

[Steve Swartz]

Jack:

Therein lies a thousand "philosophical/religious" disagreements!

Your interprefication of how to shoot a perfect shot (are you an "area aimer?" or not) will drive yoiur persepctive on this.

I am a member of the Religion of Area Aiming.

Therefore, for me, aligning the sights is primary. Secondarily, align the sights. And while you are doing all of that, remember to keep the sights aligned.

While it is true that you will lose less sleep at night if you have a smaller wobble area during yoiur settle, it isn't necessary to shoot 580+. An eight ring hold or worse is fine.

Having said that- ON ANY GIVEN DAY- there is NOTHING you can do to shrink your wobble area. That comes with training, conditioning, etc. etc. OVER THE LONG TERM.

So

Work on improving the quality of your settle (consistency more so than size) over the long run for sure.

But focus like a m-f'er on keeping those sights aligned during the match.

The WORST thing you can do is to start worrying about the size of your wobble area during the match . . . that is how a) snatching at shots; and b) chicken finger get started!

[Steve Swartz]

OBTW

1) Shoot up to your potential by perfecting alignment during every single shot (stiller=alignment)

2) Improve your potential by training to improve stability of hold through developed technique and conditioning (stiller=smaller wobble area)

YMMV!

[jackh]

**inside** Jack h

Jack:

Therein lies a thousand "philosophical/religious" disagreements!

Your interprefication of how to shoot a perfect shot (are you an "area aimer?" or not) will drive yoiur persepctive on this.

**No, I am a sight aligner. But I do employ an area to aim. What are your alternate perspectives?**


I am a member of the Religion of Area Aiming.

**Yet you say below "align sights" three times. Make up your mind, stop confusing us.**


Therefore, for me, aligning the sights is primary. Secondarily, align the sights. And while you are doing all of that, remember to keep the sights aligned.

**Translation: Keep it (them) lined up. (fewer words)**



While it is true that you will lose less sleep at night if you have a smaller wobble area during yoiur settle, it isn't necessary to shoot 580+. An eight ring hold or worse is fine.

**If the sights are truly lined up aligned, an 8 ring hold is only a perceived hold. When I am truly on my sights, I don't really notice my area or my hold size. The seem to follow naturally.**


Having said that- ON ANY GIVEN DAY- there is NOTHING you can do to shrink your wobble area. That comes with training, conditioning, etc. etc. OVER THE LONG TERM.

**That is assuming the technique is set and correct for the individual that day, that hour. I admit I do not practice enough due to lack of time.**



So

Work on improving the quality of your settle (consistency more so than size) over the long run for sure.


But focus like a m-f'er on keeping those sights aligned during the match.

**I thought I said that with fewer words: keep them lined up.**




The WORST thing you can do is to start worrying about the size of your wobble area during the match . . . that is how a) snatching at shots; and b) chicken finger get started!

**I can't help but think you try to read more into my comments than I intended. I try to simplify.**

[Steve Swartz]

Area Aiming: That technique which holds that alignment is critical, and the wobble area will be compensated for by the subconscious release of the shot at the proper (lead time ahead) moment. Proper alignment + Trigger will result in shots falling well inside the wobble area all by themselves.

Point Aiming: That technique which holds that for a shot to be properly delivered, the sights must be aligned with respect to the proper point on the target, and with perfect trigger application will fall inside the wobble area. Therefore, minimizing wobble is primary- Proper Aim + Trigger will result in shots falling where you were pointing the gun, so don't point it where you don't want shots to fall.

There is a whole bunch of stuff that depends on your "philosophy" as described above.

Also- it is quite common for shooters to (incorrectly) include "aiming" inside their definition of "alignment;" e.g they try to line up three objects: front sight, rear sight, and a point on the target. Can't be done. Therein lies madness.

[Steve Swartz]

So which do you think "stiller" means?

Keep the sights more in alignment . . . or minimize the wobble area?

[jackh]

So which do you think "stiller" means?

Keep the sights more in alignment . . . or minimize the wobble area?

I think "stiller" applies to both, and can be trained on separately and together. That is why I asked which one in the earlier post.

A still front sight is not bouncing around in the rear sight notch very much. That's one, and in my opinion, is alignment.

A still front sight is also not waving around in the aim area very much. That's two, and in my opinion is aim.

It is also my opinion that the mechanics to align the sights (one) will nearly accomplish the aiming (two) at the same time. It is really a concentration thing. My concentration effort leans heavily towards number one.