Share:

Learning to shoot a handgun is exciting. Not only are you able to engage in a fun and compelling sport, but you’re also developing the skills you need to keep your home and family safe. Like every new skill, shooting takes practice. As a beginner, you can expect to make many mistakes until muscle memory develops and accuracy improves. Some errors will be more glaring than others, and it’s best if you can avoid them in the first place. Here’s how.

3 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting a Handgun

1. Using the Wrong Stance

A shooter’s stance helps them maintain their balance when shooting almost any type of gun. When the positioning is wrong, rookies often find it difficult to maintain balance with the force of the gun’s kickback. Keep your feet slightly more than hip’s width apart and lean forward a small amount. Keep your shooting arm fully extended and your supporting arm slightly bent at the elbow. This will keep your shoulders level and help center your balance.

2. Hooking a Finger Around the Trigger

HandgunWhen you fire a handgun, it’s best to simply squeeze the trigger rather than pulling it rapidly. To do this, rest the pad of your fingertip on the trigger. This technique offers more control and accuracy while firing and reduce the strain your muscles experience from the kickback.

3. Holding Your Breath

Even experienced shooters flinch when the gun fires, but it doesn’t typically impact their accuracy. This is because they remember to breathe while aiming, firing, and recovering. Maintaining steady breaths helps alleviate tension in the shoulders and makes it easier to steady the handgun. Take a moment to establish steady breathing before aiming and firing. Over time, this will become second-nature.

 

Looking for help finding the right handgun to get you started? Stop by Northern Security Supply in Anchorage, AK. Their dedicated staff will work to help you identify your goals and the type of gun that’s best for your needs. In addition to handguns, they stock shotguns, rifles, ammunition, and police equipment. Law enforcement personnel can get a 10% discount on select items. Visit them online and call (907) 561-5602 for more information about their current inventory.

tracking