Tips on improving my aim
Posted by No_Command_2249@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 26 comments
Shooting with a glock 43x at a target about 15 meters away, this is my result. I'm relatively new to owning a firearm and only been to the range 3 times as of now. Any idea what could be the problem here?
HerbDaLine@reddit
Ask the staff at the range if they have recommendations for an instructor. That was my smartest decision.
Bring the target to 7 yards until you get good there. Then move to 10 yards. Shoot 5 shot groups. My range has targets for sale that have 10 smaller targets - better value for me. Amazon \ Temu sells rolls of 3 & 4 inch [and bigger] adhesive targets. Stick them on the backside of your target for more places to shoot at.
Work on your grip. Strong grip with your support hand. Lots of YouTube videos for this. Try different styles to see what works for you.
Buy some inert training cartridges. I got some on Amazon for about $12. If you can, have someone else load 2 per magazine randomly with live cartridges. As you shoot you will see your gun move when you try to shoot the inert round. Which way the gun moves will tell you what you need to do to fix the problem. Search YouTube \ Google or some Instructor time for the fixes.
I use a sharpie to write the date & gun that I shot on the top of that target. At each individual spot I make notes like - - - 7Y-5R-LEO - - - for me that means 7 yards, 5 rounds, left eye open [I have right eye astigmatism but practice right eye open as well, and both eyes open]. Use any note taking style that works for you. I also take a pic of the target before I trash it for future reference.
B4ND4GN@reddit
Preload your trigger, maintain target, then let it trip.
start at 3 meters. Slowly work your way out. 15 meters is fairly far for most pistol shooters.
Somedudeness@reddit
Show us how you're holding it.
__dryheat_@reddit
Its probably not your aiming but how you pull the trigger. Take a class with a reputable instructor and practice what you are taught consistently, it will get better.
harrysholsters@reddit
Start closer in like 3 yards. Try to get a 1-2 inch group and then start working your way back.
At close distances, you'll start to see your issues easier.
InformedReader87@reddit
Timney alpha trigger is leaps and bounds better than the Glock OEM but like others have said, fundamentals seem to be sub par. That’s not a dig on you at all. I shot the factory trigger for a long time before switching to the Timney but I also could put an entire mag wherever I wanted with the factory trigger. The difference now is I can do it much quicker and the groups are tighter.
gwarchild911@reddit
Hit the target more... accuracy by volume!
Only-History8012@reddit
I never shoot more than 15 yards with a handgun unless I’m screwing around with buddy’s. Keep it within 5-10. Aim small miss small…when you aim, focus on your sights not the target, don’t look for your shots, practice bringing that trigger up to the break wall, and dry fire to get your reps in and curb your flinch.
Alucard2nd@reddit
Take a fundamentals class and watch Ben stoeger on YouTube.
mastav79@reddit
Have a point of aim
cprosciaZer0@reddit
Agreed. You should use a target with multiple targets on it.
Sad-Win-5161@reddit
Slow down, load one round at a time go slower, speed comes with time
Icy-Blackberry-3464@reddit
Get a bow and arrow?
ClimateQueasy1065@reddit
Put the bead of the shotgun center of mass on the target
PanzerFauzt@reddit
go to the range more often, focus on front sight picture, stop flinching, get a better grip on gun
JoeHardway@reddit
Came here for smartassery, butit looks like that's been covered.
We can infer alot, by the appearance of your target, and, based upon your description of your experience level, your results'r unsurprising. BAD HABITS come quite naturally, and take root QUICKLY, n'it looks like you're already off to'a BAD START...
U need to do'a HARD RESET!
I getit! Personalized instruction's XPENSIVE, but, if $$ ain'ta factor, u should def seekit-out. (IFu go that route, choose very carefully! There's alotta BS out there, that passes for "xpertise"...) Ifu can't affordit, u need to follow recommendations, n watch tha plentiful vids, from recognized XPERTS, n try to start from tha start, n takit step-by-step. Your prob's prolly start, tha moment u touch tha gun, n escalate from there...
Shoot VID of yourself, n analizit in slow-mo, and you'll likely see issues with grip/flinching, and, whilit may not be apparent on vid, even tha way u acquire your sight picture/dot, prolly needs work...
Good luck!
EntrySure1350@reddit
It’s highly unlikely that you have an “aiming” issue.
For an able bodied person, aiming (lining up the sights) is the easy part. As humans and very visual creatures, we spend a great deal of our lives lining things up visually, and it’s a natural thing for us to instinctively do.
While you may have a component of lacking in visual focus (you’re not focusing on a specific spot in the target, but rather just aiming at anywhere brown), you almost certainly have a very common novice issue if not keeping the gun still when you press the trigger.
This is not your fault, but for some reason gun culture still insists on teaching new shooters that having a death focus on your front sights (aiming) is more important than trigger control and learning how to keep the gun still. What good is aiming perfectly down the sights if you jerk the gun down low/left?
Bring the target closer to you - 3 meters, even 2 meters maybe. The goal here isn’t to aim or shoot perfect groups. At this short distance you’re going to hit the target. The goal here is to learn how to manipulate the trigger without moving the gun (and thus your sights) off target. Make a big, black marker spot somewhere on the target. Point the gun at the spot. Resist the urge to aim down the sights. At 3m you’ll hit the general area of that black spot, assuming you’re not jerking the gun all over the place. If you’re hitting wildly off even at that distance, and you’re not using the sights, it’s almost certainly a trigger control/movement issue.
You need to learn how to fire the gun without moving it first, not how to front sight focus and aim. If you don’t learn the former, you’re going to continue to struggle regardless of how well you can visually aim the pistol.
UstuckWHATinurAss@reddit
Perfect practice makes perfect. Videos, formal training, and thousands of rounds down range.
Ornery_Secretary_850@reddit
Sir yes sir, Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sgt, Geidges!
bajasauce2025@reddit
A good shooter would be able to keep them all within the a zone at 15 m. You're not a good shooter yet, you shouldn't be shooting at 15 M this many rounds. Bring the Target in closer. Lots of dry fire. And slow down your trigger pull focusing on your sights to make sure they stay steady.
cyan1de23@reddit
Move the target to 5y and work on training at that distance. Move the target back to 10 and continue your development from there. Ben Stoeger has a lot of helpful videos relating to handgun marksmanship and technique on YouTube that give way better advice than what you’ll find here.
iraisecane@reddit
If that was a Glock with a switch, You did well
Donzie762@reddit
Dry fire.
DY1N9W4A3G@reddit
15 meters is way too far for anyone who has no idea what they're doing. Any decent intro class would've made that clear to you, along with some other things that would begin to answer your question.
moebiusgrip@reddit
There is a saying from a movie that actually helps. Aim small, miss small.
Get a little black sticker and put it in the middle. Or like anything really. A piece of blue painters tape, you have laying around.
It’s really hard to shoot an even toned cardboard target. Especially if you’re are just starting. You need something to shoot AT.
Also, watch this video about proper grip.
https://youtu.be/ylh4DyMADRU?feature=shared
It helped me a LOT. I’ve only had a handgun for about 2 months. I can keep them mostly within a 4” circle at that range now. In just 2 months.
Also this one is important too:
https://youtu.be/Ukuq-QhAXDY?feature=shared This is about the trigger pull. That’s the second part that’s a foundation of shooting.
Good luck!
james_lpm@reddit
There is no way anyone could give you any useable constructive advice just by looking at those targets.
You need to take a basic pistol fundamentals class. It’s that simple.
Direct training under a competent instructor will have you shooting fist sized groups by the end of the day.
Take the money that you would spend shooting at the range over the next month and put it towards taking a class.
At a minimum go on YouTube and look at some videos of pistol fundamentals presented by reputable trainers. Tactical Rifleman, Tactical Hyve, Baer Solutions, etc.