Red5_Standing_By

I was at the range three weeks ago and tried to press the trigger smoothly and consistently to the rear but as slow as possible. I wanted to try and feel every millimeter of travel. I took out the slack and came to the pressure wall but couldn't make the trigger move until I forced it and slapped it to the rear. I felt a sense of alarm, or maybe disquiet, trying to do this. I supposed that my unconscious mind was blocking my conscious attempt. Cue the ball and dummy drills! I loaded 1 live round, 6 dummy rounds, 1 live, 6 dummy's, and 1 last live round. I fired the first live round. Bang. I know, I ABSOLUTELY KNOW, that the next round is not live. I press the trigger, the gun goes click, and my front sight dipped. WTH? That never happens in dry fire practice. I get the same results with 5 more dummy rounds. I off load completely and dry fire. The front sight is solid and doesn't move. I loaded back up with the same mix of dummy and live rounds and get the same results I did the first time. I concluded that my unconscious mind is afraid of the explosion and is anticipating the recoil, inducing the error. I also believe that the fear is so deep seeded that even when I consciously know the next round is not live, my subconscious knows there is still a live round in there somewhere and reacts accordingly. Anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences?

I was at a qualifier for work and threw a round at 25 yards. I continued to shoot poorly at the 15 and really got inside my own head. Finally, I let go of my ego and remembered that each shot is it's own unique moment in the 'now', a moment of perfect expression that will never occur again. How can what's gone before affect me now? I gave up the desire to get a good score and and just shot in the moment. And I called the shot for the very first time. It was an incredible feeling and I am able to replicate it more and more, although I wouldn't say often. But I'll get there.

26Nov11 - Went to the Clark County PSTC Range and shot 100 rounds. I worked on calling the shot but was only successful about 3 out of 10 times. My focus drifted back and forth between rear sites, front site, and target. Turning the target around and shooting at a blank piece of paper definitely helped. I need to work on my follow through. Dry firing is continuing to pay off BIG time. At 25 yards I had 19/20 rounds in the A zone. I will continue to dry fire every day. At my next range I will bring a small target on notebook paper. After every shot fired I will mark the smaller target where I think my shot hit. I will then compare the actual target against that one.

Ok. So I haven't found 'the way'. But after searching the deep, dark, gloomy woods I've found the beginning of the path. For two years I've tried to shoot 400/420 on the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center Qual. I shot between 360's and 390's. Finally LISTENED to my instructors and devoted time to dry-fire. I was looking to break it down and practice fundamentals in their components. I decided to take the target and support hand out of the equation and dry-fired strong hand only at a white piece of paper. Results: First course of fire was 247/250 on a B27. I thew three 9's kneeling from the ten yard line. It was a cold qual. Second course of fire I shot a 400/420 on a B27. I threw a 7 and an 8 kneeling at the 15 yd line but my hits from the 25 were decent. I reached my marksmanship goal but was happier with my times than with my scores. I didn't game the qual or make the most of the time available. I put the front sight center mass and pressed the trigger when I was ready. Even at the 25 yd line. And I always felt confident and ready. Conclusion: Dry-fire is an invaluable tool. Kneeling is supposed to be a more stable platform but I'm struggling with it. Ideas: dry-fire from the kneeling position every night. Try different approaches until one feels comfortable.

Hello all. I would like to start shooting competition matches next spring and my shooting instructor recommended these forums as a great place to help me further advance my knowledge and skills. I'm still working on my fundamentals and enjoying the progress I see at the range. I look forward to hearing and learning from any of you who would like to share your experience.