Missing Low Targets

[DaveDark]

I'm new to these forums and relatively new to action shooting. I've been noticing at the last few matches that I can't really shoot low targets very well. If there is a bank of 4 I can hit the 2 upper ones well, but blow it on the lower ones. Anybody have any advice?

[TCKev]

Make sure your seeing the front sight. If you haven't started dry firing you can buy a couple different version's of Dryfire training book's, glean all you can from them and start practicing. Soon enough your target aquisition will get much better. At the next match ask if you can get a target to take home you'll need that to start some of the drills they will show you. They will teach you some mag change drill, target index drill's etc. etc. It helped me a lot. I think it helped me go from a C class shooter to a B class shooter.

[Flexmoney]

Use the sights. Seriously. For each and ever shot.

[CHA-LEE]

When targets are close, especially low lay down targets, people get sucked into looking at the target instead of their sights. You need to use your sights no matter how close the target is. If you use your sights you will hit what you are shooting at.

Edited February 27, 2012 by CHA-LEE

[DaveDark]

I kind of figured I was rushing and probably not lining them up properly. Maybe subconsciously I think they are easier and just rushing through them. I'll take my time, line them up, and tickle the trigger.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Use the sights. Seriously. For each and ever shot.

[pops1982]

Use the sights. Seriously. For each and ever shot.

You know when you first read this statement it sounds silly that you would say this to someone shooting at targets but its true. I would shoot a COF fast while just kind of looking at the sights instead of really using them and would cross my fingers and hope for not too many mikes as the RO scored my run. I'm doing much better now that I have started seeing my sights, linening them up and aiming at a specific point before I shoot.

[CocoBolo]

Reminds me of the 2008 Limited nationals, I ran that stage like a wild cat that had been poked with a red hot poker, got down to the wall with 3 low leaning target commenced fire, looked at the target and no holes so I thew a couple more in, nice 3 no shoots and an A hit. My time was great but points sucked.

Another twist is that just like shooting to the left and right, you turret your upper body to keep the gun to eye alignment, when you shoot down don't forget to turret the upper body and not just drop the arms down as you will lose that Eye to gun alignment and most likely be looking over the sights and no thru them, if you are shooting open maybe you lose the dot. IMHO.

[Flexmoney]

I kind of figured I was rushing and probably not lining them up properly. Maybe subconsciously I think they are easier and just rushing through them. I'll take my time, line them up, and tickle the trigger.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Use the sights. Seriously. For each and ever shot.

I don't want you to slow down. I don't want you to go fast.

Just use your sights. SEE them. You don't have to be fast of slow (that is a speed focus...which is a loser). Make it your one and ONLY conscious thought to SEE.