[PinballPreparedness]

Low left is typical for controlling your breathing (if you are right handed)

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

I am right handed, yes. What do you mean by controlling my breathing?

[coyotech]

It’s probably not the problem you’re having, but I learned when I was rabbit hunting with my shotgun that I always flinched! I couldn’t seem to keep from flinching, so I learned to correct for the flinch so that I still got the bunny. 😁

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

LOL I’ve never had rabbit but I hear they’re tasty!

[Willie30]

From my understanding, shooting to the left ( if right handed) means too much finger on the trigger. (If left handed) then too little finger on the trigger. The amount of finger on the trigger controls how much you pull or push the gun to the right or left. I would guess it’s anticipation on the rifle, possibly tensing the shoulder a little. Hope this helps

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Hmmmm I hadn’t thought of that but it makes sense. What part of my finger is SUPPOSED to be on the trigger?

[HappyTrails]

Take a look at this. It might help you.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/target-quick-fix-guide/

I’ve had this problem too.

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Ooo thanks!

[Geoff-Outdoors]

Could be as simple as over-confidence & breathing. Relax and don’t think about the target so much…look “through” the target and calm your breathing.

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Thanks, I’ll try that!

[AlphaDelta]

First, What position are you shooting from? A bench or other rest? standing? kneeling? prone? Are you using an optic or open sights? Is your hold of the rifle consistent? The same every time?

Only the center of your last joint in your trigger finger should be touching the trigger. Don’t let your trigger finger touch the stock.

There is an organization called project appleseed. They have a website. It is run by volunteers and there are groups all over the country. They do 2 day courses that can have a huge impact on your shooting skills. It is essentially the WW2 era combat marksmanship course distilled into that timeframe. They teach correct shooting positions, sight pictures, correct sling use etc.

All firing is done at 25 meters at reduced targets. Bring a rimfire carbine and about 400 rounds. It used to be free for women and minors. I don’t know about now. I think it was $75. for adult males. Best bargain out there.

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Pistol I only stand (for now anyway,
because it seems the position I’d probably most likely be in if I
ever needed it in a real situation). I couldn’t remember where I had
my finger since I just did what felt most comfortable without giving
it a second thought. After running to grab it to see what I actually
do with it, it is indeed the last joint of my index finger on the
trigger. I’m using “iron sights” and that worked just fine until
recently. Now my shots are all over the place from due west to
southwest of where they should be. I had a diagonal line of shots out
of my first magazine when I went out yesterday. It made no sense to
me. It wasn’t windy or anything either. I’d laugh if it wasn’t so
frustrating.

Rifle I either straddle the
bench doohickey they’ve got at the range or stand. (See attached hastily drawn in Paint picture lol) I am not resting it on the
table the bench is attached to. Both positions I shoot a couple
inches low. I have very good grouping with the rifle, it’s just that
they’re a wee bit low. And yes, I hold the same every time.

I have heard of Project Appleseed but I
admit I hadn’t actually looked into it until just now. Nothing is close to me but I think it’d be worth my while to make it work. Thank you!

[UtahRick]

I shoot after I exhale, in between heart beats and I always pull the trigger with a squeeze with the flat part of my finger. Never use the tip or next to the knuckle.

[Barred-Rock-or-Brahma]

The last guy that I saw shooting a shotgun blast pattern with a pistol had poor trigger control. He was almost removing his finger from the trigger entirely between shots and jerking it from completely slack to the break in one motion. If you have a factory trigger, half of the travel distance is probably slack. Applying pressure until the slack is gone and then slowly squeezing to break the trigger is a good way ro reduce muzzle travel and improve shot consistency.

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Hmmm I’ll probably have my husband watch me next time. Two sets of eyes are better than one. Thanks!

[AlphaDelta]

Shooting a pistol is more about correct hold and muscle memory. You want to push toward the target with your strong hand and pullback toward you with your weak hand. It is really easy to not be steady with a pistol. Try aiming at 10 yards with a laser turned on. You may be shocked at how much that dot moves. If you are only planning to shoot a pistol defensively, try to get some “instinctive” training. This is where you “point” the pistol, but don’t use the sights. It is all about muscle memory. In a real gunfight the one who is looking for a sight picture and trying to line it up will probably take too much time and lose. A friend who trains swat and other tactical types starts them out with .22s that have no sights. Another good thing to do for muscle memory is make sure the weapon is unloaded and go from hands by your side to presentation over and over. Pick out a wall switch etc. and use it as an aiming point. You don’t need to pull the trigger. Just aim/point and lower your hands then do it again.

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Great advice! Thank you!!

[Legallea]

Could be you’re taking too long, trying to sight perfectly. I find the longer I take, the wobblier I get! The instructor fusses, I try harder and get worse! Fortunately my instructor figured it out and 1. made me mad, then 2. yelled to fire as soon as I raised my weapon. It worked! Yay!

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Maybe…adding to my list of things to try. Thanks!

[Woodsman]

Take a chill pill! And stop being critical of yourself. Key phrase you wrote: you wrote that you just got back to the range after a long time away! Focus on the fact you stopped exercising. Learning muscle memory is not a one and done.

Back off of yourself and start anew! Check your equipment as if it is your first time and shoot as if it’s your first time.

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

LOL You’re probably right. Thanks!!

[Woodsman]

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[Barred-Rock-or-Brahma]

Low and left for a right handed pistol shooter is often caused by the shooter tightening their grip with their little finger in anticipation of the shot.

You can test this dry by aiming at a target, tightening your pinkie, and observing where your sights travel. Is that where you’ve been hitting?

Another possible cause, if your groups are consistent, but off target, is to check your rear sight. Is it centered perfectly, or does it need to be pushed just a little bit to the left?

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

I’ll look into both. Thanks again!!

[Tin-Foil-Tiara]

Oddly enough, tightening my pinky pulls me to the right.

[FreeManatOverlookMeadow]