Whether you’ve had your gun a day or 20 years your skill level is dependent on how much you have been training recently. Shooting skills are either getting better through training and shooting, or getting worse through lack of training and shooting. When using a firearm for concealed carry self-defense or hunting you have a responsibility to be able to use that firearm to accomplish your intent.
If you are new to firearms and learning to use your first gun, you should practice with someone else if possible before using it on your own. There are friends, training classes, firearm instructors, and other ways to get some additional help when you first start shooting. Learning the right way from the beginning will help develop good shooting habits. If you learn the wrong way first, and then try to correct it later can be very difficult since you have to unlearn the bad habits before you re-learn the proper technique. On one hand the gun is used to save your life and other people. It can be used to hunt wild game or kill animals that are attacking you. On the other hand the gun can bring unhappiness and regret. You can hurt yourself by accident. A loved one could die by accident. It’s important to use a gun properly and to be safe when doing so. As you learn or simply improve your shooting habits here are some tips to becoming a better shooter.
The gun must be properly fitted. Buying it off the shelf because it looks cool may not feel cool in your hands. The best thing to do is to purchase a gun that will fit the hand well. Hands that are too large or too small for the gun purchased will affect how the gun is shot. If the gun is already purchased consider using gun grips, butts and triggers to make the gun easier to hold according to your preference. The type of gun affects the body as well so pay attention to that. If you can, either borrow several guns from friends or go to a shooting range that will let you rent guns. Some will let you shoot as many as you can for a fee that will give you a feel for what fits well in your hands and what you can shoot most accurately.
Practice With a Variety of Targets. Start with stationary targets and go slow-this is the safest way to learn how to use a gun correctly. The goal is to hit the target, so when you start out take your time and focus on hitting the target. As you improve you can increase your speed and add in additional elements such as movement (of you and/or the target) and different targets. Only fire the gun when you are ready, control your breathing, line up your sights, and slowly press the trigger so that the break of the shot comes as a surprise. After you shoot, take the time to analyze your target and see where your shots are going. Develop a good mix between paper targets and interactive shooting targets. Although this usually requires shooting at multiple ranges, it will give you different skill-sets to help you become a more rounded shooter.
Develop a consistent routine. What works for one person may or may not work for you. Make sure that each shot is comfortable for both hands and body. If you shoot the same way each time the muscles will build a memory of how you prefer to shoot. Practice makes perfect. Sometimes that rhythm may not be working on a given day. Everyone goes through this and it’s normal. As you improve don’t be afraid to add additional challenges to your routine. This can include shooting one handed, shooting with your support hand, drawing from a holster and shooting, dry firing drills, etc. This will add to your ability and help you in different situations that you may find yourself in.
The key is to shoot often, and do your best to develop the skills to save your life should the need arise. Having the tool is the first step, but being able to effectively use that tool to save your life requires more than possession–it requires a skill level necessary to use that tool in various situations.