God created people, and Colonel Colt made them equal.

But if a person does not know how to use the products of a talented weapons designer properly, then the gun in his hands is no worse than a child's scarecrow. It is not enough to have a weapon, you also need. It only seems from the outside that it’s easy to shoot - once you pick up a gun and stand on the firing line, it suddenly turns out that the recoil is strong, and your hands are shaking, and the gun weighs a lot, and the protective headphones are uncomfortable, in a word, anything interferes with you make perfect shots. So practice, practice and more practice. And to make the process of mastering the skill a little easier, beginner shooters We advise you to remember the following simple rules.

1. Accuracy is more important than speed

The best way to earn "stormtrooper syndrome" is to focus on . " I'll fire more bullets, maybe at least one target will hit» - thinks beginner shooter. This makes sense if in your hands, let's say, it makes up to 600 rounds per minute, and each of them is armor-piercing. But in the hands, alas, an ordinary pistol with extremely limited ammunition. So when training, it is better to focus on accuracy first, and speed will come by itself, along with automatism.

2. Learn Theory

While shooting, you should not be distracted by anything, so you should know from the very beginning how to shoot correctly - and so on. And yes, even if this knowledge is purely theoretical, it is much easier to turn it into practice than the complete absence of any experience.

3. Move naturally

The human body has its own habitual rhythms - breathing, heartbeat, involuntary muscle tremors. Trying to control them does not turn out to be good, on the contrary, it only distracts beginner shooter from the immediate task. Therefore, it is better to initially learn to shoot according to your rhythms. And that means waiting for the right moment. In any case, the weapon will tremble slightly in the hands, and the barrel will sway. So instead of forcibly combining the rear sight and the front sight, it is better to wait until they themselves are level and only then do not hesitate to shoot. Yes, it may take seconds, but you are not chasing speed just yet.

4. Zeroing required

Any weapon takes some getting used to. The recoil force, the effort required to pull the trigger, the allowable deviations between the front sight and the whole - all this is known exclusively experimentally. So that beginner shooter must be prepared for the fact that more than a dozen shots will go into milk before the features of each specific weapon become clear. With experience, this number will decrease to two or three.

5. Focus on every shot

Your main task at the moment is to make the shooting process natural and automatic. You will think about tactics, strategy, combat missions and everyday problems when the bullets start to hit the target as if by themselves. It is for this beginner shooters and need training.

6. If nothing works, just shoot.

Sometimes it's hard to concentrate. And to catch the moment of shooting - too. Hands begin to tremble more strongly, all sorts of thoughts come into my head, it becomes more and more difficult to concentrate. This is a very typical picture, characteristic even for professional shooters. You yourself have seen it many times, for example, at biathlon competitions - the longer a participant aims, the higher his chance to miss. So many people prefer to shoot the clip faster, and if something doesn’t hit, catch up on the run. This is a very correct tactic, because even if the shot is not placed perfectly, the muscles of the hand will still get used to the recoil, to pulling the trigger, to other movements, which will come in handy in the future.

To be honest, I myself shoot a gun frankly sucks. Lack of practice and experience. Now archery is a completely different matter. And what is characteristic, all these tips really helped me at the time. Getting used to the characteristics of weapons, building up muscle memory, tune in to the natural movement of the body - all this really helps to hit the target. And, of course, training, training and more training.

WikiHow is a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. When creating this article, 26 people worked on editing and improving it, including anonymously.

Although the title of this article sounds rather absurd, it is quite possible to be highly accurate at long range pistol shooting. It takes patience, a little talent, dexterity and a lot of practice. This article will show you how to improve your pistol shooting skills from 100m, 200m and more. Keep in mind (especially in the case of manual firearms) that how well you can do it depends on the number of shots fired and patience during training.

Steps

Choose a good pistol. While any pistol can be mastered better, the type of weapon can have a major impact on your ultimate success in the task of becoming a marksman with a pistol. Here are a few general rules, which you should pay attention to when buying weapons. The general rules concern the accuracy of a single shot at a long distance. They do not include considerations of self-protection, durability or price. None of the rules is dogma, there are exceptions to each of them, and a gun that suits you personally is always the best choice.

• The larger the gun, the more accurate it is.
• Large pistols are more comfortable in the hand than small ones.
• The longer the barrel, the higher the muzzle velocity of the bullet, which means a more gentle trajectory of its flight.
• Lightweight high velocity bullets are more accurate for standard pistol ranges (over 50m)
• Heavy bullets are more accurate when shooting at long distances (more than 100 m)
• Shooting with a smaller caliber is cheaper, which means you can practice more.
• The smaller the caliber, the less the recoil, which, in turn, allows for more frequent consecutive shots, and also makes shooting comfortable for more people.
• Among self-loading pistols, self-cocking pistols (DAO) (AKA Quick Action) are less accurate than pistols that have a percussive trigger mechanism single (SA) or double (DA/SA) action.
• The skill of the shooter plays a big role, so expensive pistols are not necessarily accurate or shoot better.
• Your weapon is more accurate than yourself.

1. Thus, from the above general rules, it follows that the best option would be a large pistol with a single (or double) action percussion mechanism with a long barrel. Examples of such weapons are the H&K USP Elite, the 14-inch Desert Eagle, or target pistols from Hammerli and other high quality target pistol manufacturers. These are far from cheap handguns, but they are high-end firearms that will serve you well.

   While a public shooting range is a common place to practice, this is not always the best location for practicing long-range precision shooting. The best option would be a large piece of land, a safe place to shoot. This will allow you to set targets at different distances and become a skilled shooter at targets of any size from different distances.

   Start your workout with stretching. It seems strange, but stretching will relax your muscles and make your arms and body more stable.

   Fire some warm-up shots (perhaps from 15m away). Find out where you (and your gun) are going. If you find yourself unable to hit consistently from a given distance to a certain area of ​​the target, keep shooting very slowly and patiently until your shots hit the target.

   • You can break into basic practice once you figure out the difference between where you're aiming and where you're hitting (ideally, the bullet should hit right on target, but it's okay if it's a little higher, then if you know the distance, the GM can correct your aim).

   • If you're just getting started with long range shooting, it's best to start at close range and then move on. A good starting distance is around 25m. Although this is much farther than most people are used to shooting, to be successful at long range you have to practice at these ranges. It is possible that at first, from this distance, you will not be able to consistently hit a target the size of a person, but, over time, you will find that you hit a can 90% of the time.

     Your standing position should be the most comfortable for you. It is often most convenient (if you are right-handed) to set left leg forward, and the right leg - diagonally behind the left, at shoulder distance. Pull out right hand straight ahead as if you are trying to reach the target, relax your elbow, but fix it. With this hand you will hold the pistol grip. Bend your left arm at a 120 degree angle. Your right hand controls the vertical angle of the gun, your left controls its horizontal position. Your left elbow should be pointing straight towards the ground.

     • Lying position: You should train while lying on the ground. Your prone position should be: lie on your stomach, then turn slightly to the side you are shooting from, rest your supporting knee and elbow on the ground. You will be slightly sideways to the target, but your right arm will be level with the ground, your head resting on your right arm, looking at the target. This will allow you to breathe freely and provide a very stable platform.
     • Kneeling Position: This position will provide you with a very stable platform for accurate shooting. Step your left foot back and sit on your heel right foot. Your left knee and toe will be on the ground. Relax the supporting elbow on the stubborn knee. You are in a “tripod” position (supporting foot, toe and knee), in this position you can move quickly (train periodically to get into and out of the “knee” position).

   • Tilt your head slightly to the right so that the scope of the gun is in line with your right eye. You may need to move your right wrist so that the scope is pointing straight ahead. To aim, move your body (maintaining position) until the weapon is aimed at the target.

     Breathe slowly, relax and try to aim aim. For target shooting (only if you have enough time to aim) it is often best to concentrate on the front sight and aim it at the target or at a certain point between the target and the front sight. Don't focus on the target. Concentrate close to the front sight, fully focusing on creating the perfect image on the scope, where the target is completely aligned with the front sight. The target is blurry outside of your weapon. If the speed of the shot is important, in 99% of cases it is better to fully concentrate on the front sight.

     Over time, you will realize that your breathing and the ability to not worry and remain calm are the first tasks in the process of maintaining the accuracy of the sight. This can only be achieved with practice. Before shooting, breathe evenly, then take a deeper breath and exhale completely, emptying your lungs. It is at the moment of exhalation (do not exhale forcibly, but simply relax) that the shot is fired.

     The image on the sight for traditional open sights should resemble Form III, where the front sight is ideally shielded by a slot in the rear sight. Keep in mind that this means both horizontal and vertical placement. This ideal image must then be superimposed on the target (without obscuring it) and then fired.

     To accurately hit the target, if the image on the sight is below the target, the gun must be "zeroed" (adjusted). Then there is no need to make artificial adjustments (for example, to aim left or higher), and a gun aimed straight at the target will ensure that the desired target is accurately hit on the bull's-eye.

     Different cartridges fire differently (more or less accurately) for different types of weapons. Try different types cartridges for your firearm to determine which ones work best for your gun.

     Beginner shooters often take pride in their marksmanship if most of their shots hit the target. However, even a shot at random sometimes hits the target. This demonstrates luck rather than skill. Concentrate on grouping your shots into the same target size - this is the first sign of a professional sniper and a demonstration of consistent shooting accuracy.

     Once you have a good aim and see the perfect image on the scope, slowly pull the last or penultimate joint of your right index finger on the trigger towards the back of the gun (press straight, slowly and steadily between shots). In pistols with a double-action trigger mechanism (UPS), you must first bring the UPS to the cocked position. (Now the pistol's UPS is in single action mode). Depending on the type, trigger resistance ranges from 900 grams to 3.5 kg. The lighter the trigger, the easier it is to be accurate (although self-cocking pistols have a certain trigger position that allows you to reduce its resistance - you can find it if you do not release the trigger during the shot. Slowly release your finger until the trigger clicks, now you you can click on it again to shoot).

   • After the shot, check where the bullet hit (high, low, right, left, and other combinations). With practice, you will be able to determine the reason for your miss: inaccurate aim, your hand trembled, and / or you did not have enough time or the reason was the so-called waiting for the shot.

     • If the shot hits to the left of the target, for a right-hander, this means that you are pressing hard on the entire gun, and not just on the trigger.
     • If the shot hits to the right of the target, for a right-hander, this means that either you are pulling the trigger too hard, or at the same time you are pressing your fingers on the pistol grip.
     • It is extremely rare for a shot to hit above the target, but if this happens, it means that the shooter, compensating for recoil in advance, raises the gun even before the shot.
     • The shot hits below the target, due to the fact that the shooter either rubs the trigger (squeezes the trigger and the gun at the same time and pulls the trigger too quickly), or, more likely, compensates for the recoil by lowering the gun down before the shot is fired.
     • Recoil pre-compensation is one of the main reasons a shooter cannot shoot a pistol accurately. The person, waiting for the recoil of the pistol, shifts their wrist and points the pistol up or down, depending on the shooter. This is easily determined by giving a man a weapon with which he is well acquainted. Make sure it's not loaded, but don't tell the shooter about it. When he aims and pulls the trigger, he will move the gun on his own.
     • There are several techniques to get rid of this habit.
       • The simplest of these is to concentrate on pulling the trigger. aim at the target and slowly press down. Press as slowly and smoothly as possible. Up to 10 seconds may elapse before the shot is fired. The target is a surprise shot, which means you don't know exactly when the weapon will fire, and therefore don't compensate for recoil in advance. To solve this problem, a pistol with a smooth trigger and a sharp shot is most suitable, then when you pull the trigger, you are less likely to feel when the weapon fires.
       • The second technique is essentially the same, with the difference that it allows you to completely get rid of the recoil pre-compensation. Aim at the target and keep the fly as accurate as possible. Have your friend put their finger on the trigger (either directly or on your finger on the trigger) and pull it for you. Make sure the person who is actually pulling the trigger does it very slowly and keeps their hand (mostly thumb) away from the back of the gun where the bolt slider could pinch it. This is a very inconvenient method, but it confirms that pulling the trigger is one of the most important elements gun shooting.
       • Many, even experienced shooters, flinch while shooting without noticing it. Recoil pre-compensation can be manifested by a slight wiggle, which is imperceptible against the background of the real recoil of the pistol and, therefore, remains invisible to the shooter or observers. You can easily check this using the snap cap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snap_cap . As stated in the link, “a snap cap is a device that looks like a standard firearm but does not contain a charge or bullet and is used for blank firing. The snap cap usually contains a spring that replaces the charge, which takes the power from the striker and allows you to safely test the weapon without damaging its components.
       • Have a friend load the pistol for you, but swap out one of the cartridges for a snap cap of the same caliber placed at random in the magazine (for a pistol) or cylinder (for a revolver). After using all the ammo, you will eventually find a snap cap, but you will not know about it until you pull the trigger. At this point, it will become obvious to you that if the image on the sight is clear, then you have learned to control the recoil of the weapon. If the weapon bounces in your hand as if you fired a live round, you need to keep practicing. This is a simple, inexpensive test that may surprise you.

   • Practice at this distance until you can consistently hit a target with a diameter of about 50 cm. Move the target back about 10 meters. Run the cycle again. Keep your breath constant. If your scope is misaligned, get a new one to adjust or give the old one in for debugging. The open sight is my favorite. But some people prefer other types of scope. Customizable scopes also make it easy to change the zero level of your weapon at any time.

     • After you have moved the target further once or twice, you will eventually find that you are able to consistently hit a 50 cm target from longer and longer distances.
     • At a certain point, return to the nearest target and please yourself with the ease with which you manage to hit certain areas of the target. In this way, you will gain more self-confidence as you will be able to see a noticeable improvement.

   • If at a distance of 40-50 meters (ideal) your shots hit the target, then at a distance of 60-70 meters you will have to compensate for the trajectory of the bullet by aiming higher. The difference may be only a few cm, but you need to get used to it.

     • At a distance of 100 m there is a significant change in the trajectory of the bullet (about 25-35 cm for a standard 45 caliber), and the wind also begins to affect. In a standing position, you may find yourself able to shoot accurately from over 100m away. Force yourself to explore your limits. In this case, in a kneeling position with additional support, you will find that you can consistently hit a target at a distance of up to 200 meters.
       • At a distance of more than 200 meters, the ballistic properties of a conventional pistol are questionable. At longer distances, heavier bullets retain a greater percentage of their energy due to aerodynamic coefficients.
     • Practice, practice and more practice. Even though there is power in knowledge, you must be able to apply what you know.
     • Safety first! Before carrying or transporting a firearm, make sure it is unloaded and the magazine is empty.
     • Another reason why a gun may not shoot accurately is the mismatch between the bullet and the barrel. Although this is less important for a pistol than for a rifle, it is worth experimenting with different makes and types of bullets. But once you've found a cartridge that shoots well, don't change it again, and with one type of cartridge, always have a good supply.
     • Also clean the inside of the barrel regularly (use oil and occasionally thinner). After a few hundred shots, you will find that the barrel will be very dirty, even if it is not noticeable.
     • As stated above, your gun is probably more accurate than you are (most full-size pistols in most calibers). Therefore, if you miss the target, chances are high that this is your fault. Practice more to make sure you don't overcompensate for the recoil and don't flinch too much.
     • Be sure to clean your weapon after use. Moisture and dirt can corrode and damage your pistol if used in this condition.
     • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine before going to the shooting range. While alcohol will reduce your ability to act and make good decisions, caffeine will also decrease your ability to control motor functions (for example, if your blood contains caffeine, you may startle or even shake too much).
     • Hand trembling is a common problem that can come and go and is often caused by caffeine, stress, nervousness, or excitement. If the shaking in your hands doesn't go away, sit down for a while, drink some water, and think about something other than a weapon (you shouldn't think about your hands either!). After a while, try to take the gun again.
     • Set the safety on the pistol if you are not going to shoot right now (if the weapon has a safety).

     Warnings

     • Firearms are dangerous. Only use a handgun or other handgun if you are an experienced shooter, or if you have a very experienced shooter in direct control of you.
     • You need to know what a line of fire is. Bullets can travel miles or ricochet in unexpected directions.
     • A gun can cause significant bodily harm and even death. Always point your gun in a safe direction and never point it at anything you don't intend to shoot.
     • Any firearm must be used in a safe and legally authorized area. Learn and follow state and local laws regarding the use and transportation of firearms. Laws change drastically different countries and sometimes cities and states.

     What will you need

     • Pistol (any caliber, size, subject to the basic rules above).
     • Ammunition (according to the caliber of your pistol). Ammunition should be bought from a reliable place (preferably from a manufacturer). Self-loaded or reloaded cartridges can damage your firearm and be dangerous.
     • Special clothing if you are going to shoot outdoors. Dress warmly enough for the weather. Pants are always recommended. If you are in a place where there may be other people with weapons (for example, hunting), it is recommended to wear a bright orange vest or T-shirt.
     • Eye and hearing protection is of great importance. Hot brass thrown from semi-automatic weapons can damage eyes, and loud noises can damage hearing very quickly.

18+

The large shooting club "Labyrinth" has a wide arsenal of weapons - from pneumatic analogues of well-known brands of military weapons to bows, crossbows and laser rifles. Here you can also learn how to throw knives, axes and tomahawks. A specialized shooting range is equipped for each type of weapon, including 20 halls for playing Laser Tag. The instructors who work here are masters of sports of international class.

 Ave. Kutuzovsky, 12, building 1

Shooting club "Tactics" 18+

Except general course practical shooting, which will teach you how to use weapons correctly, individual and group trainings are held in the club. They will help you competently use personal weapons in a variety of critical situations.

 contact the club

Shooting club "Dynamo" 18+

Main principle work of sports and shooting club "Dynamo" - an individual approach to each visitor. Here you can practice on your own or under the guidance of a coach who will draw up a training program taking into account the skills and tasks of the guest. In the club, visitors master weapons of various types. Shooting competitions are also held. A nice bonus: children go to the club for free.

 st. Spartakovskaya, 2a, building 2

Shooting club "Patriot" 18+

The Patriot club trains private security guards and bodyguards. But there are also special courses for everyone who wants to learn how to use weapons. The program includes lectures and practice. For example, in the classes in the discipline "Fire Training" you will be taught the safe handling of weapons, and at the end of the training you can get a license. Attention! The club is temporarily closed for renovations

 Izmailovskoye sh., 71, building 8

Shooting Club "Gepard" 12+

Club "Gepard" positions itself as an archery and crossbow club. Here you can shoot from almost any kind throwing weapons. The club has a children's archery section. You can register from the age of 11. Both amateurs and professionals can train in the main club. When visiting the club shooting range, you must have your passport with you.

 sh. Volokolamskoe, 86

Sports shooting club "Viking" 18+

In this club, you can not only master the basic skills of shooting and safe handling of weapons, but also become a member of the Federation of Practical Shooting of Russia or the International Confederation of Practical Shooting (I.P.S.C.), as well as receive the official status of an athlete shooter.

 st. Quiet, 37, building 3

Central Sports Shooting Club DOSAAF Russia 18+

This is the oldest shooting club in post-revolutionary Russia, organized back in 1933. Adults and children study here bullet shooting, summer biathlon and crossbow shooting. On the basis of DOSAAF, both amateurs and professional athletes, which are included in the shooting teams of Russia. Attention! The club is temporarily closed. Check with the administration for details.

 Volokolamskoe sh., 86

18+

The Academy is part of the Federation of Practical Shooting of Russia and trains practical shooting pistol and revolver shooters. The academy can also deliver weapons to sporting events.

 pr-d Lubyansky, 27/1, building 1

18+

For more than 20 years, lovers of shooting from military weapons have been training here. You can learn how to shoot with modern pistols and carbines, learn practical shooting, learn how to handle weapons safely and prepare for competitions. Those who already know how to do everything can just come and shoot for their pleasure.

 st. Agricultural, d. 20, bldg. 3

18+

Here you will be trained in the safe handling of weapons. Instructors also conduct certification for knowledge of the rules and test your skills in handling weapons. Each student undergoes legal training, theoretical and practical fire training, and after that - final certification.

 st. Vostochnaya, d. 4, building. one

18+

SSK trains archery and crossbow shooters. The club is open to both beginners and professionals. Trainers train specialists in intuitive and traditional archery. You will be taught to shoot from a block or classic bow, crossbow. Also here you can fulfill the standard of the master of sports in shooting.

What is practical shooting?
Practical shooting is a sport that arose in the early 1970s in the United States on the basis of specialized police training. Its main feature is the development of shooting skills in conditions as close as possible to combat (shooting on the move, from behind cover, at a moving target, from an uncomfortable position, etc.).

What is IPSC?
International Practical Shooting Confederation. In Russia, the Federation of Practical Shooting of Russia has been created and is actively developing.

How can you shoot?
Persons who are members of the shooting club"An object".

How can I join the IC "Object"?
To join the Club, you must arrive at the SC "Object", present a general passport, fill out an application and go through the first training - "Course - Modern Weapons" lasting 1 hour, which includes introductory shooting - 100 shots from pistols of various calibers. The cost of the lesson is from 5900 -R.

At what age can one become a member of the IC "Object"?
From 18 years old.

Can I join the Club and start training without going through the Introductory Gun Safety Course?
Yes, for members of the Russian Practical Shooting Federation and IPSC members, the Introductory Course on Safe Handling of Weapons is optional, but recommended.

What can I learn?
By training at the SC "Object", you will master the rules of safe handling of firearms, acquire the skill of effective possession of a pistol, which in life can be useful when using traumatic weapons in self-defense.

What do I need to take with me to training, how to dress?
Any clothes that are comfortable for you will do. It is advisable to use sports shoes. For girls - the use of shoes on high heels not allowed.

What is being fired from?
You can familiarize yourself with the weapons presented in our Club on the Arsenal page.

What specific equipment is needed?
For shooting at without fail protective goggles and ear protection are required. During the first lesson, the Club provides them free of charge. In the specialized shop of the Club you can purchase an individual set of uniforms, belts, holsters, goggles and headphones. In addition, the Club offers rental of sports equipment.

Can I bring my own weapons to training?
Yes, you can bring your own sports weapons, in the presence of a permit for weapons and compliance specifications of your weapon to the parameters of the shooting galleries of the SK "Object". It is better to call ahead by phone and clarify the possibility of firing from a particular weapon.

Is it possible to come with children?
Yes, you can.

Do you need pre-entry?
Desirable, but not required. If you are not registered, the Club does not guarantee that you will get to the training, but will do everything possible for this.

Can girls shoot?
Oh sure.

Is it legal to shoot while slightly intoxicated?
Absolutely not!

How long is the workout?
From 1 hour.

How many people can come with me and train together?
No more than 4 people can train with one instructor at the same time.

How safe is exercise?
In the 35-year history of IPSC sports, there has not been a single firearm-related accident in the world. In terms of safety, this sport is comparable to chess.

How much practice do you need to learn to shoot well?
Depends on individual ability. As our experience shows, the majority of shooters develop a stable skill to effectively use a pistol after training for a total duration of 50 hours and firing at least 1000 shots.

Can I participate in shooting competitions? What is needed for this?
To participate in the competitions held by the Club, you must be a member of the SC "Object", know