A shot in the dark.....

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I recently started shooting pistols. I have found out that I pretty much stink at it, but I am determined. I am consistant as to where my shots hit the target......but I do not hit near the center of the target. To add to my frustration.....I have two pistol and am consistant with both......but they both hit in different areas of the target. I've read that with a gun rest, I can help take myself out of the equation and then I will know if I am really stinky at shooting or if the pistols need adjusting. I'm assuming its some of both of those possibilities.Here is what I came up with.........(still need some rubber coating on the bottom tube where the pistols will rest). Attached Images
Reply:My "vehicle" 9mm Taurus P111 consistantly hits about 6" high and 4" to the left at 15 yards.  Solid sights so I just have to compensate.Your rest project looks nice and should allow you to determine exactly what's going on but what you describe isn't that unusual.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Timmer,  That looks nice!  Might copy your design for a friend of mine who is into all that shooting stuff.(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:Another Bersa Thunder fan I see!
Reply:When I had more free time I used to reload and target shoot a lot. Different loads will group on target in different areas. Once you take yourself out (use rest) and your not satisfied with group area, try different loads, or adjust your sights.Equipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:Yup my Springfield 40 is the 5" model shoots about 5" high and left slightly... wont hit much any farther than that with a hand gun... also the barrel moves slightly for every shot sooo is never the same a good revolver will solve that problem or need to use the shotgun if there farther than 30' LOL guaranteed hitLincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:Nice rest, but you'll get a lot of bounce laying a pistol on the metal like that.  If you want to become a better pistol shooter, leave the stand at home.  It's only a crutch and really doesn't do anything to correct what you're doing wrong.  Dry fire will help tremendously; get some snap caps.  Go to the range and prop your target 5-7yds out and work on technique.  The first shot on both those guns is double action.  The pull on each takes practice.  There after the first you should be in single action, which should be easier to stay steady than the DA shots.  The weight and length of pull is significantly different. Work on technique and trigger pull.  You don't need a rest Max distance I shoot target is 25yds for pistol.  And that's pushing it considering the type of shooting I do.  Unless you're competition shooting or you just wanna see if you can hit it, there's no reason to be out that far.  Stay in 3yd-15yds for practical distances.Last edited by Monica; 10-19-2010 at 12:51 PM.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:well monica beat me to it, thats the pic i was going to post, when i first started shooting pistols mine was always shooting off, but consistantly off, then i tried some new ways i was holding it and i t corrected myself.
Reply:The better way to test if you want to shoot pistol off a rest is use sandbags.  Lay your wrist/forearm on the sandbag and be sure the pistol is fully supported in your hands (overhanging the bag, not on the bag!).  This takes all arm and body movement out and isolates the shooting technique to the hand.  Those results will tell you something better than putting the pistol on the stand.Throttlehead, I've been using that chart forever.  Its amazing how I've come to memorize it  lol  If I haven't been dry firing, it shows the first 30rds at the range.  I gradually walk the POI back to where it needs to be but until then, it's like there's a sign on my forehead, "I didn't do my homework".Last edited by Monica; 09-13-2010 at 09:54 AM.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Thanks for all the help! I do like the "chart". But....I was thinking since I have adjustable sights, I might as well adjust them with the stand and then start shooting with a pistol thats dialed in. Right now I don't know if its me....the gun...or both. So, I guess I just wanted the stand as a diagnostic tool. When I get the guns sighted in I have a really nice door stop.I'm going to print out the chart and use it as a target when I shoot for real. That will diagnose what I'm doing wrong. One step at a time.Thanks again!
Reply:The gold standard to test the accuracy of a handgun, most gun manufacturers use this, as well as ammo manufacturers. http://www.ransomrest.com/PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:Nice rest system. I'm sure my budget would be wounded!
Reply:Hmm  you only need one pistol IF it shoots straight where  U aim it  from 30 feet to 30 yards and puts a large (.41 in this case) hole in the target?  Did I miss something... I don't think so. Ruger, SA, an old one if U can get it.  I can hand U this gun  and by the 3rd shot with no practice U will be hitting zactlee where U please... It is too an automatic, automatically shoots what U aim at, and knocks it down to boot  5 big fast rounds where U point is much better than 12-13-or even14 puny li'l 9mm slugs in the wall all around the target? Sorry to be set in my ways, Skeeter Skelton spoiled me by sharing with me the truth  about handguns years ago. pics  been up before I won't bore ya'  .41 more times with that Nice rest very professional and clean and well built.  Cool target Monica>>>Last edited by PapaLion; 09-13-2010 at 04:34 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:uh oh caliber war!   I'm a .45acp girl myself. Quick note on that target, it is for a righty.  If you're a wrong-handed person be sure to flip left and right sides to get the proper diagnosis.  My tendencies are to wing the right arm or castrate.  Depends on how long between practice sessions.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Hey-  45 Long Colt in a Ruger Redhawk, if you reload you know why! Have a few more guns and on my want list is 45acp in a 1911 and a plastic gun.PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:I am assuming that chart is for a right handed shooter or does it not matter?Good post btwMechanical Engineer
Reply:Originally Posted by MonicaNice rest, but you'll get a lot of bounce laying a pistol on the metal like that.  If you want to become a better pistol shooter, leave the stand at home.  It's only a crutch and really doesn't do anything to correct what you're doing wrong.  Dry fire will help tremendously; get some snap caps.  Go to the range and prop your target 5-7yds out and work on technique.  The first shot on both those guns is double action.  The pull on each takes practice.  There after the first you should be in single action, which should be easier to stay steady than the DA shots.  The weight and length of pull is significantly different. Work on technique and trigger pull.  You don't need a rest Max distance I shoot target is 25yds for pistol.  And that's pushing it considering the type of shooting I do.  Unless you're competition shooting or you just wanna see if you can hit it, there's no reason to be out that far.  Stay in 3yd-15yds for practical distances.
Reply:Originally Posted by BLUE2KSSI am assuming that chart is for a right handed shooter or does it not matter?Good post btw
Reply:Originally Posted by nmwelderhummm... thats weird. I have never seen that before and I just got out of the army after 5 yrs. We were shown our targets and if the bullets were hitting left or right of the target it was your trigger squeeze and up or down was your breathing. We were told to shoot after your inhale and before your exhale. ONLY IN ACCURACY SHOTS> Not enemy shots!!
Reply:Nice little rest, yes you can have some bounce but put good padding on it, it should at least tell you more what your pistol is doing as it helps to take you out of the equation a bit.some will file sights and stuff if they are non adjustable, but I would try it out and see what happens with a rest.I tend to find the same thing, I am an excellant shot, my pistols just don't seem to know that, and they all shoot funny.
Reply:Originally Posted by castweldHey-  45 Long Colt in a Ruger Redhawk, if you reload you know why! Have a few more guns and on my want list is 45acp in a 1911 and a plastic gun.Peter
Reply:Silhoutte was huge here years ago... might still be I dunno?  This is before Casull I believe?  late 70's.  Gun of choice might be a Thompson Contender or .44 Mag SA Ruger with Leupold 2x scope. Mine is an early  new model with extra long barreled beast.  Is it 10 1/2" I don't really recall, anyway  no holsters available for that barrel with room for the scope,  Regardless of all the fancy stuff, triggers, grips, etc I added and $ spent it NEVER shot as smooth or as well as the old .41.    Monica will love this... I modifed a Hunter shoulder holster by cutting away the top some so the scope would slide in and then made a leather cap for that, sewed it all up by hand.  The whole thing weighed in at about 5 pounds and the idea of shoulder holster concealment was a joke.  Worked fine and yes, 100 yards it is doable, with some practice,  The targets have a nice ping to 'em, very satisfying. Pistols are addicting, darn itLast edited by PapaLion; 09-14-2010 at 03:55 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by SupeAnother Bersa Thunder fan I see!
Reply:Am I looking at it wrong or is that a left handed gun in the first pic?  I know the second pic of the black Bersa Thunder is a right handed weapon.  I know it may not make THAT much difference but I can assure you that unless you are a regular Annie Oakley, shooting a right handed firearm and swapping over to a left handed on is just awkward.  It may make a slight difference in accuracy, or it does for me and everyone else I've ever shot with.If you don't use your head you may as well have been born with two backends.That ain't exactly how Papa used to say it.*Linc'n WeldanPower 200 with a Wis. 2 cyl. w/handcrank*Linc'n AC225 *Linc'n ProMig 180*tiny porta torch...
Reply:Bluesman.....I'm a lefty.......been backwards my whole life......I use lever action rifles because I can't stand the right handed bolts. The Beretta in the first photo is a right handed pistol.....but the only thing that is awkward is the magazine release........everything else is on both sides.Originally Posted by TimmerBluesman.....I'm a lefty.......been backwards my whole life......I use lever action rifles because I can't stand the right handed bolts. The Beretta in the first photo is a right handed pistol.....but the only thing that is awkward is the magazine release........everything else is on both sides.
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionSilhoutte was huge here years ago... might still be I dunno?  This is before Casull I believe?  late 70's.  Gun of choice might be a Thompson Contender or .44 Mag SA Ruger with Leupold 2x scope.
Reply:I think I'm a Monica fan. 45 gal? Booyah! Tell me you're a blond with a big a$$ that can cook and I'm there.We want to see something like this in the signature line:Lincoln Ranger 250Miller Auto-Darkening Elite HelmetLincoln 100Lincoln MigMiller Spectrum 375Craftsman 8 galllon gas powered compressorLongevity 200amp Tig Welder LT-200D
Reply:Originally Posted by Stack of DimesI think I'm a Monica fan. 45 gal? Booyah! Tell me you're a blond with a big a$$ that can cook and I'm there.
Reply:Originally Posted by MonicaSorry, not blond and I try to keep the trunk nice and tight instead of getting out of hand - no pun intended.