Modified el prez...(long)

[thejoe]

Well, I've been working on my shooting skills since I got into pistols a few years ago. I have owned and been around rifles since I was a kid and found that shooting rifles accurately isn't all that difficult. Pistols have always been a challenge... one that I enjoy.

Yesterday I went shooting with my brother-in-law and I set up a pseudo el presidente (I only had 2 targets). Over the course of a couple of hours (in the bitter cold...20 degrees outside) I went through nearly 100 rounds 4 at a time. I'd load 2 mags with 4 rounds each and start facing away from the target, etc. I noticed several issues that I may need some help addressing. The targets were 10 yds away.

1. I finally got my thumbs forward grip to feel really good. I have to keep the thumbs high on the frame and this notably lessened recoil. I was only able to get 1 out of 2 rounds into the A zone, though... I kept shifting my thumbs to keep from impeding the slide stop. Any tips on thumb placement to keep them off the stop?

2. I was able to keep my eyes open without flinching, at first. At the beginning of the day I noticed seeing the muzzle flash (which I don't normally notice at all) and seeing the slide open and chamber a new round. I was also able to see the sights lift (I was pretty excited about that). However, towards the end of the day the flinch started to come back... Any ideas on how to work on this?

I shot mostly with my Sigma (until the extractor broke... ) and I seemed to do much better with it than with my XD. I don't know if it had anything to do with the different recoil between the pistols, but I was NOT happy since my XD is the pistol I carry most.

I also did a few draw and 2A hits... That was pretty slow. And only at 10 yards.

Sorry for the length, but I have issues I need help on. Any advice is much appreciated.

joe

[Philadelphia]

Originally Posted by thejoe

1. I finally got my thumbs forward grip to feel really good. I have to keep the thumbs high on the frame and this notably lessened recoil. I was only able to get 1 out of 2 rounds into the A zone, though... I kept shifting my thumbs to keep from impeding the slide stop. Any tips on thumb placement to keep them off the stop?

I know what works for me. Keep the weak hand thumb on the gun and the strong hand thumb on the last "knuckle" (the knuckle where the thumb attaches to the hand) of the weak hand thumb. Your thumbs don't really have to do much but stay out of the way.

2. I was able to keep my eyes open without flinching, at first. At the beginning of the day I noticed seeing the muzzle flash (which I don't normally notice at all) and seeing the slide open and chamber a new round. I was also able to see the sights lift (I was pretty excited about that). However, towards the end of the day the flinch started to come back... Any ideas on how to work on this?

More shooting and actually watch others shoot too. Same deal -- watch the muzzle flash, flip, the bang -- nothing to flinch at. When shooting, let your hands naturally return the gun to the point of aim -- don't try to muscle the sights back to the target.

Good luck with it. Be safe and have fun.