Thumbing

[Unkn0wN]

Ok, So every time I go to the range lately, I've developed a bad habit somehow.....

I am always shooting to the right. According to several Pistol Target analyst charts, I am Thumbing which is "applying to much or inconsistent pressure with the thumb."

How can I fix this? I don't realize I am doing it, and when I stand there and concentrate on NOT doing it, my shot is off anyways because I am more focused on the thumbing issue and not aiming good.

I never used to do it..... I wasn't the greatest shot with the pistol, but I wasn't terrible either. Now, it seems 80% of my shots are to the right.

[GS78]

Its hard to say without knowing the stance you use. You don't mention your breathing technique,which is (in my opinion) more important than how you are holding your weapon.

[grumpyMSG]

Here are a couple of questions:
Did this start with a new pistol? or is it a pistol you used shoot fine and then recently started shooting to the right? If it's the first one, the sights just may be off and need to be adjusted to you, if it's the latter, did you have the sights replaced? If they were, you need to have the sights adjusted to you. Assuming they weren't, inspect the sights first look and see if the pistol has been dropped or damaged and the sights moved. Another easy way to check if it is you or the pistol, is to have someone else who is a decent shot, shoot the pistol and see if it impacts to the right for them too.
If it all points back to you and not the pistol, have you had a hand injury since the last time you shot it? Have you changed what part of your finger is on the trigger? If you have changed that, you could be pushing or pulling the pistol depending on which handed you are. If your pistol has a heavy trigger pull that will make it tougher to shoot too. If all else fails and you are shooting a consistent group, there is always Kentucky windage. Aim left of center and rounds should impact center.

[graybeard321]

Try going to pro tips at shootingusa .com. Todd Jarrett has some leasons on the grip and stance and trigger control(season 1). They have helped me when I was pushing my shots to the left.

[SgtBill]

Or come on down to the shoot and meet and I will take a look and figgure out what the problem is and how to correct it.
Bill

[BluemontGlock]

^ +1

Jerry, do not feel alone, I will be standing there with ya....

My issue, thankfully, is just the pushpullthumbingyankdragtriggerbreakbreathinganticipationeyeonthetarget thing...

Bill may have to start off with, "EVERYBODY STEP BACK!!...i'ma professional..."

your waa-aay ahead of me if your just thumbin'

[Unkn0wN]

All, thanks for the replies.

GS78: Breathing technique... never really thought about this. I do control my breathing when firing rifles, but never really gave it any thought for shooting handguns.

grumpyMSG: I know it's something to do with me, I do it with both my XDM and my Walther. When I first got my XDM, I was shooting decent. I say decent, because I hadn't shot in a very long time (in about 8 years). But it's like I keep getting worse, lol. I will get it figured out at Bill's in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for your inputs. It made me think about a few things.

graybeard321: Thanks for the reminder.... I've read over those pro tips before, but forgot about them. I will check them out again.

Bill: Already planning on it.... I'm the second one on the list I wouldn't miss this for nothing.


Another thing I thought about, is maybe my eyes being the problem. I've been shooting at an indoor range, and the lighting isn't all that great. I've noticed when I am aiming, the sight picture is a little blurry. But when I am home, in a lit room, the sight picture is clear as can be. So I am thinking, the combination of the poor lighting and my safety glasses might be playing a little into it.

I have my orientation for the Lafayette Gun Club this Sunday, so hopefully I can try it outdoors at least once before Bill's S&M weekend.

Again, thanks to all for the inputs, gives me different things to think about.

[Unkn0wN]

My issue, thankfully, is just the pushpullthumbingyankdragtriggerbreakbreathinganticipationeyeonthetarget thing...

Bill may have to start off with, "EVERYBODY STEP BACK!!...i'ma professional..."

[SgtBill]

Sometime's it just take's a person looking on from the outside to get you the right help in your ability to shoot a better target or score. I spent many year's doing just that and found that I in fact was abel to figgure out most problems and they could be corrected if the shooter did what I asked him or her to do. If they did and it worked then there was no problem if they did not and the problem continued then it would alway's be there because they sub con. did not want to change or were not able to follow instructions or thought that some one else had a better idea and would not listen to me or my help. So be it their choice.
Bill

[GS78]

I really dont think its the light. It shouldnt matter what light you are in. Full sun, or pitch black, you still have to make the shot.


When I shoot, the last thing I do before running completely out of air......is pull the trigger.


It is at that exact time that you are in complete control of your entire body and mind.(or you should be).

I am obviously not talking about after a 100 yard sprint. I mean when you are completely focused on the target, completely focused on your pull technique(straight , by the digit, and true), and you are in control of your breathing. At the exhale(slow and smooth) just before you need more air.....shot. try it, it has ALWAYS worked for me.


The trick is to become adept at focusing yourself at the drop of a hat.(that takes lots of practical experience)

[Unkn0wN]

I mean when you are completely focused on the target, completely focused on your pull technique(straight , by the digit, and true), and you are in control of your breathing. At the exhale(slow and smooth) just before you need more air.....shot. try it, it has ALWAYS worked for me.

I will give it a shot (pun intended). I will try to go during my lunch on Friday and give a report back. Thanks for the tip.

[GS78]

no problem, I hope it helps you.

[zephyp]

Proper breathing on a pistol shot is obviously critical for target work...for defensive/instinctive shooting you should focus more on bringing the pistol up, putting the front sight on the target and trigger pull/squeeze. Also, for defensive practice you want that target close in. In stress situations you probably arent going to have time nor thinking about taking a breath hold and squeeze as you slowly exhale to shoot someone 3 feet away with a gun in your gut before they shoot you...

Practice shooting for what you want the gun to do...if you carry for defense then you need to practice instinctive shooting...if you carry to shoot at targets 25 meters away standing still for you then practice target shooting...or better yet - practice both...

[SgtBill]

That'a great advice DK! It could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Bill

[Unkn0wN]

Thanks DK, Yes, I want to practice both. But I want to at least be a consistent shot with one before I try the next step. I think I will learn a lot at Bill's place.

[zephyp]

Hey no sweat. I've heard that you should master target shooting first but I dont think there are any fast rules...

@Bill - I learned from the master himself...

[GS78]

Before we get into a pissing contest , The question was about TARGET SHOOTING and CONTROL. If he had asked about what to do to make sure he could kill from three feet away, I would have advised him to kill the bastard when he was still 20 feet away.

[zephyp]

Before we get into a pissing contest , The question was about TARGET SHOOTING and CONTROL. If he had asked about what to do to make sure he could kill from three feet away, I would have advised him to kill the bastard when he was still 20 feet away.

Uh, I just went back and read all of Jerry's posts. I dont think he specified what kind of shooting he was doing. I think the problem is most people automatically assume (and alot practice this way) that the "target" on the pistol range is something 25 meters away and people are "target shooting".

Whenever someone here (or elsewhere) is talking about shooting at a target on the range with something like an XDM or Walther (posted by Jerry above) I automatically assume they are practicing defensive shooting and the target is less than 15 feet away...

I notice this whenever I go to a range to shoot. 99% of the pistol shooters have their targets about 25 feet or farther down range and they are always taking careful controlled shots. The only exceptions I can think of seeing off hand are -- unless I'm at Bill's place then we are all over the place...

1. Me
2. Gangsta wannabe's
3. Target or hunting pistols

[GS78]

Before we get into a pissing contest , The question was about TARGET SHOOTING and CONTROL. If he had asked about what to do to make sure he could kill from three feet away, I would have advised him to kill the bastard when he was still 20 feet away.

Uh, I just went back and read all of Jerry's posts. I dont think he specified what kind of shooting he was doing. I think the problem is most people automatically assume (and alot practice this way) that the "target" on the pistol range is something 25 meters away and people are "target shooting".

Whenever someone here (or elsewhere) is talking about shooting at a target on the range with something like an XDM or Walther (posted by Jerry above) I automatically assume they are practicing defensive shooting and the target is less than 15 feet away...

I notice this whenever I go to a range to shoot. 99% of the pistol shooters have their targets about 25 feet or farther down range and they are always taking careful controlled shots. The only exceptions I can think of seeing off hand are -- unless I'm at Bill's place then we are all over the place...

1. Me
2. Gangsta wannabe's
3. Target or hunting pistols

4.People who have actually killed targets from more than 15 feet away.

[SgtBill]

.People who have actually killed targets from more than 15 feet away.

Yep ! that be me. LOL
BILL