TargetTalk

I've decided to invest in a FP and was wondering how important it is to find coaching vs just getting to the range for a while and then seek guidance? What are peoples thoughts on traveling for "short courses" or training for new FP shooters?
Thanks

KS Pete wrote:I've decided to invest in a FP and was wondering how important it is to find coaching vs just getting to the range for a while and then seek guidance? What are peoples thoughts on traveling for "short courses" or training for new FP shooters?
Thanks

If you live where coaching or training courses are offered, then you are indeed fortuneate and you should take advantage. But that shouldn't stop you from taking your new FP to your range and getting started. I think you can get more from a course if you have some experience with the pistol.

On the other hand . . .

. . . as your self-appointed on-line coach, do the following for your first two sessions:

Session 1:
Place a blank card at the closest distance your range allows (an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper at 25 yards is fine). Assuming you have thoroughly read your owner's manual and understand all the operating procedures and precautions, go ahead and fire a couple of rounds . . . focusing entirely on keeping the front sight in crisp focus, and the front sight aligned with the rear sight as precisely as possible. Retrieve the brass! Next, alternate loading fired brass vs live rounds. Spend the rest of the session dry firing (fired case only) then live firing (loaded round) about 3 times/1 time. For each repetition, concentrate on front sight focus and maintaining alignment.

Session 2:
Repeat the exercises of session one. This time, in addition to focusing on front sight, and concentrating on front-rear sight alignment, begin to concentrate on your trigger manipulation. You want smooth, consistent, positive pressure straight to the rear in such a fashion that does not provide any disruption to the front-rear sight alignment before, during, and after the shot is released. If you can find someone to safely load your gun for you, rnadomly alternating between live and dry fire, that is best- if you don't know whether you are going to get a "click" or a "bang" you will focus on the fundamentals of sight alignment and trigger control without the distraction of a live round going off.

p.s. you won't need actual "targets" for quite a while so don't even buy any- the *worst* thing you could do at this point is to try pointing your gun at some black circles!

Steve

Steve is right on except for one word. Free your mind of all else to allow total concentrtation on sight allignment. Do not concentrate on trigger. Instead practice the smoothe steadily inceasing presure until you have developed a consistant subconcious firing of the shot. Steve has said this so manny times that maybe he just got bored saying the same thing over amd over.Good Shooting Bill Horton