Owning a gun is a big responsibility. It’s not just about following the law, it’s also about using your gun safely and effectively. Whether you’re a new gun owner or looking to get a concealed carry license, learning proper marksmanship is crucial. This improves the accuracy and precision of your shots and ensures the safety of yourself and those around you. But just like any discipline, good marksmanship requires practice, dedication, and a solid foundation.
To make sure you develop the right skills and habits, you need to master these eight key fundamentals of marksmanship.
Safety
Before even firing a gun, safety should be your first priority. Here are some general safety rules to keep in mind:
- Treat every gun as if it is loaded: Always assume that there is a round in the chamber and handle the gun as if it’s live to prevent misuse and ill-fated accidents.
- Never point your gun at something you don’t intend to shoot: Always be mindful of where your firearm is pointed. If you’re in a shooting range, point your firearm downrange, away from yourself and others.
- Keep your finger off the trigger: If you’re not shooting, keep your finger off the trigger and rest it on the frame or slide of the gun. This will prevent accidental discharges caused by unintentional pressure on the trigger.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Shooting isn’t just about you and your target. Pay attention to what’s behind and around your target to avoid any unintentional harm caused by stray bullets.
- Wear protective gear: While you won’t always have access to safety gear during a real-life self-defense situation, always make sure to wear eye and ear protection when practicing at a shooting range. Protective gear not only keeps you safe but also allows you to focus on your shooting without any distractions.
Stance
The proper stance will provide a strong base to absorb recoil and help with stability and accuracy. If you’re standing, there are three main shooting stances to choose from: isosceles, weaver, and fighting.
- In isosceles, your feet are shoulder-width apart and your arms extended in front of you, forming an isosceles triangle with the gun.
- The weaver stance has one arm fully extended and the other slightly bent to absorb recoil. Your feet should be staggered for better balance.
- With the fighting stance, your strong-side foot is positioned slightly behind the weak-side foot, almost in a boxer-like stance. This allows for better mobility, balance, and control of the firearm.
Experiment with these stances to find a natural point that allows for maximum control.
When shooting from a kneeling position, place one knee on the ground and the other in front of you with your foot flat on the ground. This position offers a lower center of gravity, allowing for better stability. For shooting while prone, keep your body as low to the ground as possible with your legs slightly spread apart for balance. Keep both elbows resting on the ground or a support surface to minimize any movement.
Different field scenarios will call for a specific shooting position, and being able to quickly adapt and maintain proper balance will greatly improve your marksmanship. Practice shooting from various positions to develop your muscle memory and figure out the most optimal stance for your situation.
Grip
The goal is to have a firm — but not tight — grip on your handgun. Your shooting hand should be high on the backstrap of the grip with your fingers wrapped around and your thumb resting on or near the frame. Assist your dominant hand with your nondominant hand by placing it on the grip or underneath it, depending on what feels most comfortable. The nondominant hand should provide support and stability to help control recoil.
The principles are similar to assault rifles and shotguns. The only difference is that your nondominant hand will be supporting the front of the gun, while your dominant hand will grip the trigger. The stock of the rifle or shotgun should also be firmly placed against your shoulder for added stability.
Draw
The draw is the act of retrieving your firearm from its holster in a smooth and controlled manner. A proper draw should be quick but deliberate, and executed with caution to avoid any accidental discharges.
When practicing the draw, stand in your preferred stance with a loaded and holstered gun. Make sure your holster is secure and positioned at an angle that allows for a comfortable draw without any obstructions from clothing or other gear. With your dominant hand, grip the handle of your firearm and smoothly draw it from the holster while keeping your trigger finger in a safe position. Once your gun is fully drawn, bring it up to aim at your target. As you practice, focus on developing muscle memory and perfecting your technique for a quick and smooth draw every time.
Sight alignment
To achieve proper sight alignment, start by bringing your gun up to aim at your target while keeping both eyes open. This allows for better depth perception and peripheral vision. With your dominant hand, adjust the grip of your firearm to align the front sight with the target. Then, bring the rear sights into alignment, creating a straight line. Make sure you have a clear picture of your target through the gap between the front and rear sights before pulling the trigger.
Trigger control
For accurate shooting, master trigger control. Squeeze the trigger smoothly and with consistent pressure instead of pulling or jerking it. This allows for more control and reduces the chances of flinching.
Breathing
Proper breathing control helps you achieve a steady hold on the firearm. When preparing to shoot, take a deep breath and exhale slowly as you squeeze the trigger. This minimizes movement caused by inhaling, allowing you to maintain a stable sight picture for a more accurate shot.
Follow-through and recovery
Maintaining proper follow-through form is crucial for shooting accuracy. This means keeping your grip and stance until the recoil has subsided and the gun is back in its original position. This ensures that your shots are consistent and allows for faster follow-up shots if necessary.
To recover from the recoil, reset your grip and stance and prepare for your next shot. Proper follow-through and recovery also help with target acquisition, allowing you to quickly assess where your shot landed and adjust for subsequent shots. Remember, it’s okay to start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the fundamentals.
If you want to put these fundamentals into practice, consider taking firearms safety and training courses from Aspis Training Center. From handguns to shotguns to patrol rifles, we offer a wide range of courses for all skill levels, inclu