If you want to hit your target, you need three things: a gun, a target and a method by which to hit that target with that gun. Shooting well is the result of a specific process. Consistent fire control is the application of that process compressed into three sequential steps.
The shooting process is simply this: bring stability to alignment and press the round off without disturbing that alignment. These core mechanics have been around since handguns first entered into practical use, and they are very simple to understand. But given realistic pressure, it’s not easy. Only the well-trained can truly pull it off.
Added degrees of difficulty, like a compressed time frame, longer distances and penalties, demand a much higher level of skill. Skill level is determined by three precise steps that must be run in an exact order every time. Run them correctly, and hits become predictable. If you miss a step, cut corners or do anything out of sequence, then misses become predictable.
These steps are equally as applicable to long guns, but since pistols are more difficult to stabilize, let’s start with drawing from the holster in an example where sighted fire is necessary.
Step one: draw out from your holster like your life depends on it. Punch it out there quickly like you’re striking the target with your fist. A hard, fast punch.
When it goes right: you get a firm strong-hand grip exactly the way you want it, flawlessly linked up with your support hand and landing with your muzzle right in the exact center of the target.
What can go wrong? Bad initial grip. You had to make adjustments on the way out with either hand. The muzzle position wasn’t even close.
Step two is visual verification. Using either irons or a dot, you have a very short time to call the shot. If it’s good, then move on to step three. If not, you will need to make micro-corrections. Micro corrections are needed because of any unnecessary input into the gun on the way out or at the very top of your drawstroke. Input and corrections cost time.
The third and final step is the trigger press without disturbing alignment. It requires the greatest amount of control and discipline.
What can go wrong? Change in grip pressure, applying 6 pounds of pressure on a 3-pound trigger.
You have different tools on board that you can use for each step.
Step one requires pure body feel. You don’t have your sights up yet, so there’s no visual process or confirmation whatsoever at this point.
Everything in step one is about allowing your body to first establish stability and then ensure that stability is aligned. Physically, you can use your kinesthetic alignment based on your proprioceptors.
Establishing an initial and positive strong hand grip, followed by an equally, if not more, stabilizing two-handed grip is the crux. Too loose, and it increases your arc of wobble. Too tight, and it can cause tension and tremors.
When punching the gun out, you want the muzzle to stop exactly where you want it. Anything short of the visual center of your target requires micro inputs prior to visual confirmation. Even though most shooters use the term “visual confirmation,” most don’t realize that confirmation is the fruit of your initial kinesthetic alignment.
The body aligns, the eyes verify.
Step two depends on if you are shooting irons or optics. If irons, it’s a focal-plane shift from hard-target focus back to the front sight, or at least to the front of the muzzle. If you're using a carry optic, you stay target-focused and remain simply aware of the dot.
Either way, you don’t have all day. You only have time for rapid verification. If you do not have alignment, you will need to make time-consuming micro-adjustments.
Lastly, there is the trigger press. You simply press the trigger toward the rear of the trigger guard without disturbing muzzle-target alignment. Here’s the tough part: Most common errors are a micro-change in grip pressure, a slight involuntary jerk or tug, loss of visual focus, loss of patience, pressed too soon or too late.
Sequence is everything with fire control. If you do everything right but it's out of sequence? Sorry, Charlie. The psychological part of this is equally important as the physical mechanics. Your levels of control and discipline are painfully or proudly displayed by your round placement.
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