Holding a handgun requires a plethora of techniques and practice. So, instead of getting inspired by Hollywood movies, a shooter must know all the science behind carrying a loaded handgun to shoot right on the desired spot without missing the target.
So, how should you hold a handgun for maximum accuracy?
Well!
It is no piece of cake until you know your handgun’s anatomy, the target distance, position, and many other factors.
So to help you out, this article includes all the important things, which you are required to do to get better accuracy by using your sight, wisdom, and hands.
For newbies, a handgun scope can be helpful, it’s recommended but not mandatory.
Knowing What Handgun Accuracy Actually Means
Accuracy can be defined in many ways and in different contexts. But when it comes to handgun accuracy, then it simply refers to shooting a target repeatedly from different ranges without losing the main area.
In other words, if you continuously fire any target with your handgun, and if every shot has an impact over a different specific area, then it means you need to work on the accuracy.
However, it’s never too late to become an expert. All you need is to follow the right directions with all your good intentions.
The Preparations
As a man behind the handgun, you need to do your homework before moving to the detailed roadmap. So here’s what you need to do:
Be Ready
Remember! Confidence is the key to accuracy. You have to make sure that you are mentally and physically ready to hold your handgun for the perfect aim.
Your body language should speak for itself that every time you will pull the trigger, your weapon will come back in the same position in which it was previously set.
Get All the Gears
Gearing yourself means deciding a range, setting a bullseye target, and carrying multiple guns’ magazines, so you don’t have to travel back to your shelf. One of the best ways to do this is to have a lightweight vest.
But make sure you don’t burden yourself by getting one that is made of heavy material. So try to carry the supportive equipment as minimum as you can. We also recommend using the best handgun scope to achieve maximum accuracy
Know the Ways to Control the Trigger
You may have heard that in the majority of the handguns, the trigger pull is found to be four to five times higher in weight than the actual weight of the gun in the first shot.
So what does it mean?
To simply put, the pressure you need to apply on the trigger to shoot for the first time from your handgun requires more strength as compared to the power you need to carry a gun. This is the reason that shooters are unable to stick to one position after pulling the trigger.
The heaviness of the handgun along with the pressure on the trigger disturbs the alignment. So, you need to assess the amount of pressure you can manage while controlling the trigger, which would also give you the least dislocation of your hand to maintain accuracy.
Understand the Recoil Physics
Another factor that leads to inaccuracy is the recoil process. As the gun moves backward and up in the direction after the shot, it makes external weight on the palm, thumb, and index finger, although the pressure is temporary. However, it is more than enough to perturb the accuracy.
Undoubtedly, handling the recoil process seems challenging, but you can get control over it by understanding the physics behind this course and practicing on a daily basis.
Steering Towards Handgun Accuracy
Once you are done with the preparations, it’s time for you to follow these directions step-by-step:
Step 1: Set Your Position
Remember you have been told above in ‘The Preparations’ section about getting ready and gathering the gears? So this is where you need to apply all those tips to get in a perfect position. First of all, you have to decide on the range.
Once you have made the decision, it is time to keep the bullseye target and analyze the aim through your vision without using your handgun’s sight radius (that will come later).
So, make sure you are in a standing position, with a straight back (do not lean or bend), stretched arms, and 100% concentration on the target.
Step 2: Use Both Your Hands to Hold the Gun
There is a reason why it’s called a handgun. You need to keep in mind that you are not performing a shooting scene in an action movie, where you can shoot the target single-handedly (literally with one hand).
And even if you want to do that, then you will need to practice for years to achieve that goal.
However, back to the point, use both your hands to hold the pistol. You need to assure that none of the grip’s part goes empty, and try to place your hands and thumbs (left and right) in the most natural way to avoid any discomfort.
Step 3: Use Your Arms and Adjust Your Grip
Your entire body plays a vital role to produce maximum accuracy, and your shoulders are one of the many factors, which are essential to bringing the desired results. So while you are holding the gun, make sure that your arms are in coordination with your vision.
The placement of your arms should be straight in the line of your chest. Nevertheless, don’t freeze your shoulders in the name of stretching; therefore, avoid any unnecessary hold by lowering your shoulders and aim when not firing the shots.
Also, you have to keep them tight enough to overcome the recoil pressure, as the handgun would move backward while the next bullet will be in the chamber.
Step 4: Align Your Sight
You cannot see your target by focusing on both rear and front sight it would get blurry. So you have to align in a way that the target is shot clearly, which is why it is necessary to see the front sight (rounded top or squared) between the rear sights.
However, there should be an equal amount of light. Once the front vision is in the center of the rear notch, then it means that your aim has the highest accuracy. In simple words, harmonization of both sights is indispensable for high precision.
Step 5: Target a Specific Area
Step number 4 goes hand-in-hand with the 5th step. Once you are done with the alignment, the next thing you need to do is to target a particular area or part of your target.
For example, you have placed a target that has an image of a big blue circle and inside it, there is a small yellow triangle, and a black square placed in different positions.
So, your overall target would be the blue circle, whereas, the specific area would be the yellow triangle or the black square, and you will aim to affect anyone of them.
Step 6: Utilize Your Breathing Power
Breathing can indeed help you with the adjustments of the sight alignment, which results in maximum accuracy. If you have noticed, during the process of respiration, the chest contracts and expands.
This permits your hand and the gun to go upwards and downwards, which ultimately enables you to properly aim at the target. Mostly, you would shoot at the end of exhaling, so make sure you breathe adequately.
Step 7: Firing the First Short
Now you are all set to fire the first bullet from your handgun by keeping in mind all the previous steps.
After taking the shot, you will need to reset your trigger through your finger by holding it, which will result in less movement of your hand and high accuracy.
Step 7: Post Examination
After resetting the trigger, try to take continuous shots without making any physical move.
You would feel a bit uncomfortable in the beginning, as your hand will go out of your set position, but this is what you have to assess in the post-examination.
Now take a deep look at the target and specific area to judge your abilities. Of course! There can be flaws but practice will wash away all your weaknesses.
Read Also: Best Scope under $400
Precautions When Holding a Handgun for Accuracy
Following are the DOs and DONTs when pointing the pistol to increase shot accuracy and safety:
- Always have a first-aid kit.
- Try to take a shot from at least two different ranges for better positioning of your hand in multiple locations.
- Your hands should be wrapped tightly on the grip or else your wrist could be damaged.
- Don’t forget to breathe.
Most of the shooters think that buying a handgun can make them expert shooters and it can be an easy solution for accurate shots.
However, they don’t understand the simple fact that a handgun is of no use if they don’t know about the correct ways of holding it for increased target accuracy.
But, as practice makes the man perfect, therefore, you have to understand the science behind pistol placement in your hand and keep on training for improved outcomes.
Ergonomics and accuracy is one of the main considerations when choosing a subcompact pistol. The new 9mm Springfield Hellcat for sale may be a perfect choice for users who want the most accurate handgun.