Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Diagnosing Inaccuracies: Is It You or Your Gun?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/diagnosing-inaccuracies-is-it-you-or-your-gun/.
Diagnosing Inaccuracies: Is It You or Your Gun?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Lab4Us
Professional
I have to agree 100%. Always me! I have yet to find a gun that hasn’t been an excellent shooter after I put time in behind the trigger, no matter how inefficient I may have been with it to start. Now I DO know I shoot better with an optic than with irons - but that’s any eyesight thing - which is STILL me!
After dabbling in a few online forums one has to conclude the current crop of shooters has scant appreciation for technique and are completely sold on the notion equipment will overcome the limitations of skill/technique. The proliferation of triggers, in particular, and trigger alterations, has so engrained people to believe their skill is reliant on the trigger, not them. A "bad" trigger means a bad shot, so a "good" trigger automatically defaults to better shooter- well not quite. A faster, lighter trigger merely allows a shooter to commit an error quicker. One who is skilled and proficient with their gear does stand to gain some benefit obviously.
So, we clearly have an ignorance problem and people have said I am completely stupid for asserting this, but remains absolutely true. You don't know what you don't know.....
So, we clearly have an ignorance problem and people have said I am completely stupid for asserting this, but remains absolutely true. You don't know what you don't know.....
DocSkinner
Alpha
Work as an RSO, andh ave to say new(ish) shooters with red dots, or experienced shooters that get red dots to help with their accuracy almost always are constantly fiddling with their sights as it is so easy - and chasing their bad habits instead of working on shooting better. One of my big complaints about the red dots - too easy to fiddleF with it than to work on better groupings. It is the latest iteration of the "I'll just aim high right so I hit the center" types.
People tend to forget that ANYONE can shoot a gun, but it takes skill and PRACTICE to do it well and accurately.
People tend to forget that ANYONE can shoot a gun, but it takes skill and PRACTICE to do it well and accurately.
Lab4Us
Professional
If they arrive with their RDS already zeroed, I’ll agree with you. If they’re “fiddling” with them to zero them, it would seem the appropriate action to take until zeroed. I have yet to have an RDS arrive, get mounted, and be zeroed. Sometimes close.
Belt Fed
SAINT
I always blame the treeIt's never me.
belladonna
Ronin
So far it’s been 100% me 
. I have also learned that I prefer shooting with iron sights over optics. I have a couple that I work with, and I enjoy that. I prefer my carry to have irons only.
. I have also learned that I prefer shooting with iron sights over optics. I have a couple that I work with, and I enjoy that. I prefer my carry to have irons only.
SimonRL
Ronin
People make shooting a gun way harder than it is. Most people go to the range and blaze away leaving a target that looks like they were using a shotgun, and are completely incapable of diagnosing and correcting themselves - a lot even with competent instruction. The average shooter is just that. Average.
SimonRL
Ronin
HayesGreener
Ronin
I have found that I am faster with optics, but more precise with iron sights. I went to a couple red dot instructor courses and heard others say the same. Precision is an acquired skill and I am working at it with the optic but I am not where I want to be yet. It takes a lot of time on the range to master the optic.
Mr. Untactical
Master Class
I know I shouldn't but...
1. Gunfights. Never been in one, but carry every day just in case. Because I don't want to be in one and not have a gun. You may be absolutely right and all that practice time with sight alignment or target focus with an optic-equipped pistol may be money down the drain. If I ever get in a gunfight, I'll probably go all lizard brain and be slapping that trigger like a madman. Might as well point shoot. (Anecdote: In one training class running through some popular draw and shoot drills with multiple targets, transitions, etc., after one course of fire, the instructor asked me if I saw my dot. I thought about it for a minute and said, "Not that I recall." Point being, I was probably point shooting, but the pistol was up in a two-handed grip and I was hitting the target, so there's that.)
2. Target shooting (which is the subject focus I took from this article): Fundamentals of shooting are something everyone should learn and practice. In my opinion there are far too many that purchase a pistol and carry it, keep it in their car, or keep it in their home, and just assume they're going to be able to shoot something with it if the need arises. Who knows? Maybe they will get lucky or just be a natural point shooter and tear it up.
In the words of the great sages of the eighties, the SOS Band:
Now, Baby we can do it
Take the time
Do it right
For the record: I generally limit my live fire practice to between five and ten yards. I don't see a real need to go much farther. That said, I'll usually run a mag or two at 15 yards because if I ever have to shoot to protect someone else, I may need to be accurate at a longer distance. Indoors, I can barely see the target at 25 yards and if a human is that far away (unless he's charging me and shooting while he's coming), I probably don't need to be shooting them anyway.
This is just me, but let the pile on begin!
BassCliff
Hellcat
SL66
Professional
In response to several of the post above, I get now, if only people would master the fundamentals of shooting. We could do away with crutches like, let's say, scopes on sniper rifles or any rifles for that matter. Red dot optics, Holographic sites, compensators, fiber optic inserts. Do away with modern ammunition as well.
Just kidding, all of the above, and many more advances in the firearms world are designed to create an advantage. And they do it very well. No shame in a 2 second bill drill with a modern 2011 handgun and the latest RDS. Not every shot fired is meant to ward off the "immediate threat" or protect human life, some are for pleasure.
I enjoy shooting, 1911 45acp with iron sites, 2011 9mm both iron and dot, AR15 5.56 lpvo and Holographic, shotgun 12ga bead or dot, revolver 38 special even .380 in an old colt.
At 12k+ rounds a year I bet the ammo companies do love me.
Shoot what you like and have a great time doing it. Infering that the use of modern advances in firearm tech is just a way to hide bad fundamentals is complete B.S.
Thanks for reading, peace.
Just kidding, all of the above, and many more advances in the firearms world are designed to create an advantage. And they do it very well. No shame in a 2 second bill drill with a modern 2011 handgun and the latest RDS. Not every shot fired is meant to ward off the "immediate threat" or protect human life, some are for pleasure.
I enjoy shooting, 1911 45acp with iron sites, 2011 9mm both iron and dot, AR15 5.56 lpvo and Holographic, shotgun 12ga bead or dot, revolver 38 special even .380 in an old colt.
At 12k+ rounds a year I bet the ammo companies do love me.
Shoot what you like and have a great time doing it. Infering that the use of modern advances in firearm tech is just a way to hide bad fundamentals is complete B.S.
Thanks for reading, peace.
rcurtner
Hellcat
Learned many years ago trying to break a shot chasing the front sight or dot optic is a recipe for failure. When I first started shooting bullseye was taught to realize we all have movement in our sight pictures. (arch of movement) Unless one has extreme movement concentrating on grip and trigger pull will greatly improve accuracy. Shooting 50 yard slow fire targets was a real challenge for me early on. Was lucky to shoot 60-70 points out of 100. Never did clean one but did manage low 90's. Had more trouble learning not to chase the dot trying to break the shot as it passed my aim point. Can't say I've mastered shooting with dot optics it's still a work in progress but I shoot pretty good for an old rascal.Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Diagnosing Inaccuracies: Is It You or Your Gun?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/diagnosing-inaccuracies-is-it-you-or-your-gun/.