Mistakes you've learned from?

Adam Striegel · Jan 15, 2013

I grew up shooting, but never really had any formal training until recently. I picked up a lot of bad habits that I had to break when going through weapons training. My worst was probably putting my weak hand index finger over the trigger guard thinking it have me stability when it was actually causing me to pull to my weak side really bad when I piled the trigger. Basically when I pulled the trigger, I was doing it with both index fingers and the pull from the one on the trigger guard was pull my gun over. I was only able to break this habit by having to to push ups every time my weak hand index finger touched the trigger guard and getting my balls busted by the instructor. Switching to a different guard with a longer grip that fit my hands better also made a significant difference. My first real gun just didn't have enough room and I started doing it to make room for my giant claws.

My second worst habit was stepping back with my right foot as I drew my weapon. This was adding time to my draw and causing me to adjust my aim as I settled. I still do this once in awhile if I'm having to move a lot between targets, but it's still not as hard to fight as wanting to put a finger on the trigger guard.

Anyone else have anything like that they have to work on to fix that might help other shooters improve?

Matt1911 · Jan 15, 2013

My biggest problem is I don't hurry to the next shooting position quick enough. I didn't really notice it until I had a buddy video me shooting. I seem to hesitate before I start going, then when I am going, its a slow jog instead of a sprint.
I gotta start doing wind sprints or something to try to fix it.... Oh, and lose some more weight.

45recoil · Jan 15, 2013

Mistakes I've learned from us improper grip pressure abd trigger control. I got that solved quickly at TDSA.

Other stuff I'm not great at are the nuances of the sport. I've watched in person Chambers, Andersen, GT, Heath, Kurt etc etc. Every stage has areas where you can pick up time.

One thing in common I've seen is the elimination of unnecessary movement. Being as smooth as possible and as relaxed as possible.

I've seen some newer guys get up to the starting positiin stretching, popping their necks, hyperventilating, and popping their knuckles...relax!!! IMO that isn't going to help.lol.

Aggieddad02 · Jan 15, 2013

Learned this at my very first match - DON'T BREAK THE 180 - other things I can live with

White Kid · Jan 16, 2013

One of my mistakes was in Steel Challenge, I used to wait for my target to fall before I moved to the next one, once I heard my scores I though that I was doing bad.
So I watched some videos by Rob Lathem (At least that's how I think you spell his name, one of the competitive shooters for Springfield Armory). He said to shoot the target and move to the next target using the recoil, using the momentum of the recoil to move to the next target.
I mean, you'll hear if you hit it or not. If you didn't hit it, recover it.
Practicing that has helped me A LOT!

Adam Striegel · Jan 16, 2013

Aggieddad02 said:
Learned this at my very first match - DON'T BREAK THE 180 - other things I can live with

Probably one of the most important ones out there. It's really easy to get caught up in the course and accidentally break the 180 while moving or reloading.

Wall · Jan 16, 2013

Alexander Pharr said:
One of my mistakes was in Steel Challenge, I used to wait for my target to fall before I moved to the next one,

I don't think that's steel challenge, SC targets don't fall.

Adam Striegel · Jan 16, 2013

Wall said:
I don't think that's steel challenge, SC targets don't fall.

The smaller and lighter they are the harder they are to knock down. I could shoot a full ton truck with my 9mm and flip it with one shot, but those 4" squares have to be hit with a howitzer.

Matt1911 · Jan 16, 2013

Another thing I've learned... Don't stand down wind of Feegee.. moy el toxico.

White Kid · Jan 16, 2013

Wall said:
I don't think that's steel challenge, SC targets don't fall.

Well, if you get the poppers. But still either way that has helped me in SC.

Wall · Jan 17, 2013

Alexander Pharr said:
Well, if you get the poppers. But still either way that has helped me in SC.

But that's what I'm saying, there are no poppers or falling targets of any kind in SC.
SC is just static steel plates mounted on posts at specified heights & distances apart from each other & from the shooting box.

I think you might have the matches confused.

White Kid · Jan 17, 2013

Wall said:
But that's what I'm saying, there are no poppers or falling targets of any kind in SC.
SC is just static steel plates mounted on posts at specified heights & distances apart from each other & from the shooting box.

I think you might have the matches confused.

I probably do, lol. But yeah, anyways.

No.343 · Feb 10, 2013

I learned that I have to be able to call my shot on the little four inch plates. I just wish that I didn't learn that again and again.

Bob Sanders · Feb 10, 2013

Adam Striegel said:
Probably one of the most important ones out there. It's really easy to get caught up in the course and accidentally break the 180 while moving or reloading.

I have to practice reloading when facing targets on my weak side. Some say 180 trap, yet all it take is moving to strong side before dropping the mag. Learned the hard way. :-(
B

Corey · Feb 10, 2013

~~Betting with Kirt & Feegee at USPSA while shooting 9mm minor~~
I always belive I can shoot all A's faster than they can shoot the stage. Power Factor seems to mess that plan up.

Oops
I posted under wrong topic, This is Mistakes I learned from :sarcastichand:

Ksmirk · Feb 10, 2013

Dating girls that don't have good jobs OR a job at all.

Not listening to Mr. Miller when it comes to shooting or liquor.

Thinking you can't get enough powder in a 223 case to cause pressure problems.

Just cause a dude looks like he can't shoot doesn't always mean he can't!

A mess more things I've made mistakes but I've learned from most of them, which for me I'm thinking is pretty good! I can be a bit hardheaded. Later,

Kirk

benjamin-benjamin · Feb 10, 2013

there is no such thing as too many walkthroughs and the importance of "mental" walkthroughs..

Josh Beauchamp · Feb 11, 2013

Kirk Smith (ksmirk) said:
Dating girls that don't have good jobs OR a job at all

And to that dating a girl that doesn't like you spending free tone away from her. Of course that applies more than shooting problems.