Hi guys, I was wondering if you could help me with something. When I go to the range to shoot pistols, it takes me quite a while to "settle in," even on a good day. By that, I mean relaxing with each shot, and focusing, as opposed to snap-shooting, where I jerk the trigger as soon as I line up on the bulls-eye. I don't do this at all with rifles; I can shoot sub-MOA with my .223 and .30-06 all afternoon, but put a pistol in my hands and you better plan on 50 or more rounds before I relax. Once I do relax, keeping both eyes open and just pull the trigger smoothly, I can hit very well; it's just frustrating because it takes more than half my ammo to get to that point.

The only pistols I currently own are S&W 686 and Ruger SP-101, both in .357, and a P12-45.

Do any of you have this problem? If so, what do you do about it? I don't know if I'm just being recoil-sensitive or what, but there must be something I can do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated; most of you have more range-time with handguns than I do, and for some reason I'm slow at getting-it with handguns.

Thanks in advance! :)

AZ - this is more in line with topics that sports psychologists deal with. Are you trying to rapid fire or just slowly plink away? Are you mentally trying to compete, even with just your own last outing? I would suggest 2 different things to try. Deep breathing can help relax people and help them focus, that's why it is helpful in Lamaze childbirth to help a woman focus past her pain. You could also try having a range buddy watch you. After 50 rounds have you relaxed into a different shooting stance that works better? You may not even be aware of it. Good luck. As an old bench rester I can only pass along the advice given to me: before you shoot, be sure to adjust the nut that pulls the trigger.

Fred - I think you may have hit the nail on the head for me. With rifles, I focus on slowing my breath with each shot; with pistols, I'm just pulling the trigger. Breath training has helped with other things I do, including martial arts and meditation. Don't know why it didn't occur to do it here, but thanks for the reminder.

I can see it now: Lamaze Pistol Training... :D

It usually takes a few rounds for me to calm down, but that may be from having the itch to go out and do some shooting...

Last week I did some penetration/expansion tests, today I was working on my quickdraw three shot groups and changing mags in the middle of 6 shots. I've basically been shooting bullseye every other time out, but I'm planning on taking a pistol defese course and I'm trying to work with that...

This is a solvable problem, but probably not with the handguns your shooting. I spent a lot of time teaching folks to shoot pistols in the service for NRA pistol competition. The key to becoming accurate is using a 22 pistol to learn with.

I suggest you get a decent 22 target pistol like the Ruger MK 2 and put a few hundred rounds down range every time your out before you start shooting the big bores.

The 22 allows you to concentrate on trigger control, sights and technique and not worry about recoil. I can't remember seeing a good pistol shot that didn't start out or train with a 22 lr.

Good luck with your shooting.

how do you learn to shoot with 2 eyes?

When I go to the range to shoot pistols, it takes me quite a while to "settle in," even on a good day. By that, I mean relaxing with each shot, and focusing, as opposed to snap-shooting, where I jerk the trigger as soon as I line up on the bulls-eye. You are concentrating on sight PICTURE rather than sight ALIGNMENT and trying to release your shot when everything looks textbook perfect. This leads to snap shooting and lots of hits outside of the bullseye at the 7:00 position. Shooting any firearm UNSUPPORTED brings with it WOBBLE which is undesired movement. Shooting a handgun well means accepting wobble and FOCUSING in on your SIGHTS. As long as you are close to your point of aim and your sights are in alignment, keep squeezing the trigger until the shot breaks regardless of wobble. If you can't release a surprise shot in under ten seconds, put your gun down, compose yourself, and try again. Practice this faithfully for a month or so and let us know what the results are.
After a box of snap shooting, you are beginning to feel a little tired (whether you realize it or not) and you are beginning to focus on sight alignment, not sight picture. That's why your groups start to improve. The next time you shoot handgun, dryfire a few rounds off the bench to get the feel of it then fire a few live rounds. Resume your normal standing position and continue shooting. As long as you have sight alignment and are close to your point of aim, you will put rounds into the bullseye. Forget about the perfect sight picture, that only works when shooting from the bench. :)

Start with a .22, and switch back to it between groups with the centerfires.

Here's how I was instructed while I was attending a highway patrol academy...
Grip the revolver with a two handed grip, slightly pushing forward with your right hand and slightly pulling back with your left hand. This helps stabilize everything. Take a breath while raising your sights above the target a little. Exhale slightly while lowering the sights back on the target and hold your breath. Now sqeeze the trigger and follow through with your trigger pull even after the round has gone off. Dont concentrate on when the gun will fire, just concentrate on trigger pull first, then sight alignment. This sounds like a lot to do, but it really does work. It will become second nature to you.
You can shoot 38 special loads out of that 686 and will seem like a 22 to you.
There's my 2 cents worth.
You will get lots of good advice from these people, you should be improving before you know it.
Good luck..