Tips on Pistol Shooting

[hvj1]

AGN and other esteemed friends,
Pardon me for not getting back to you all since I am away on a personal comittment and cannot post regularly. Will try to get back asap.
BR to all.

[airgun_novice]

No probs, Sir. Hope all is well at your end. Please revert as per your convenience. Meanwhile, shall do the revision of the previous discourses.

BTW, forgot to add previously that I have acquired an additional set of (glassy) eyes. Was seeing a shadow of SA after about 10-15 shots for quite some time - so got 'em checked and turned out that I had +.5 (near) and -.5 (dist) on each eye. Got the bifocal glasses made but the ghost reappears after the same 10-15 shots. However there appears to be a improved clarity of the target now. Used the glasses on last 2-3 sessions at home. Will try out the same on the range tomorrow or the day after.

Also another observation - my grouping with AR (IHP N25) also seems to get tighter without giving the same any practice efforts. I use the AR to break the monotony caused by the AP practice at home.

[dev]

Dear hvji guruji,

Kindly excuse if this Q has been posed before (probably by Jitu) and answered. I could not find any reference to it hence the query.
While I shoot in a bunch - I usually shoot lots of 10/ 15/ 20 on *one* target page just to see how the grouping's improved or if it tends to go haywire. I mensurate myself to 40 shots over 1 hr and 10 min.

1. I observe that at least a couple of shots go way deep into the white area - sometimes as far away as ring #5. I try hard to bring the flyers back on my next paper target but fail to do so - in fact, the more actively and consciously I try to do it, I end up adding a couple more on rings # 5 or 6.

2. Typically, I end up with 77-78% scores - though on a good day (didn't have those many lately) - I end up on the other side of 80 but am yet to break the 85% goal that I have set for myself. Why 85% ? It's a couple of points above MQA for AP as per NR.

On the flip side, my tailbone seems to be making its presence felt more strongly and as a result (or "excuse") my physical conditioning has dipped. Add to that the rains in Mumbai-Thane - so long walks are out of question. I also seem to be visiting the range less these days again due to tailbone ache aggravated by traffic time doubled these days thanks to potholes and rains and MMRDA's sudden spurt in infra acts. So I usually end up practicing at home off and on.

On the positive side, outta 40, 6-8 seem to hit the #10 or #10+ ring, and almost equal number in the #9 ring.

I am very keen on breaking the jinx before the Captain Eizekel etc. Really appreciate any and all the pointers and criticism (which I am sure will be more) in that direction. I thank you in all humility.

Hi,

Even I am on multi-focals heh...heh... What I found to be helpful is that one must break up the practice into segments just like in any other sport. So just shooting matches at the range won't do. Do holding, loads of it and then dry fire like crazy. Since you can shoot 85% already the only thing left to do is...use the time to shoot. Do not take a shot when tired or not ready. Shoot five pellets at a time, take a rest and then shoot. You have one hour and fifteen minutes for 40 shots and a whole load more for sixty shots. The trick is to take your time, it is after all a slow fire competition.

Regards,

Dev

[airgun_novice]

Thanks Dev for the 'focal' camaraderie . BTW, is that ghost sighting a common issue for those who shoot with both eyes open or individual-specific ? I mean, even the bifocals didn't do away with the dual line of SA. So at the point of release the Q inevitably pops up in mind - "Which one - the upper or the lower one ?" It's actually quite funny in a way because the shot then hits at neither of the locations but strays right or left.

I am also trying to increase my execution time of shot cycle to about a minute per shot - usually I end up with 50-55 min for all of 40 shots, including the short breaks. For some reason after the 'controlled' start, as time and shot count progresses, I end up 'rushing'. Dunno why! Guess, I need to put in that extra control on temperament, rhythm and discipline.

Will start on the physical regimen from today itself. Was occupied last couple of days with festivities. Will also increase holding and dry firing as advised. Howz you doing ? Get the shot at GVM this year (Oct, I think at Ahmedabad). Good luck to you for the same.

[dev]

Qualified again this year but won't be able to go. Have a wedding to go to. I haven't been practicing regularly and my groups are showing the lack of it.
Need a new set of glasses too. Heh...heh...the last set gettin scratched. By the way which pistola do you use?

Regards,

Dev

[airgun_novice]

That's too bad, missing out on action I mean. Eyes watered when I put on the glasses - so last couple of days doing without them.
I am now using a used FWB P34 that came with leaking cylinders. Got a couple of new ones recently. Still not too conversant with the finer adjustments. Also flirted with the idea of trading that off for an Izzy; but then saner and senior advice prevailed. Used IHP (.22) springer AP at home to condition the hands.

[gypsy]

Hi hvj1,
Thanks for your valuable advice. I have been reading this thread for the last couple of weeks and it has been very useful to me. I am shooting in the range of 355 and I have qualified for this years Mavalankar. Could you please advise what I should be doing in the last 15 days before match to improve my score by atleast 10 points and tips on how to minimize the effects of match pressure. Or is it a stupid question to ask so late

[airgun_novice]

Dear hvji guruji,
[SNIP]

2. Typically, I end up with 77-78% scores - though on a good day (didn't have those many lately) - I end up on the other side of 80 but am yet to break the 85% goal that I have set for myself. Why 85% ? It's a couple of points above MQA for AP as per NR.

[SNIP]

On the positive side, outta 40, 6-8 seem to hit the #10 or #10+ ring, and almost equal number in the #9 ring.

I am very keen on breaking the jinx before the Captain Eizekel etc. Really appreciate any and all the pointers and criticism (which I am sure will be more) in that direction. I thank you in all humility.

Didn't break the jinx before Capt EZ. Fell 12 short of MQS and didn't qualify for Mavlankar. But since then, slight improvement in scores. Now at last I seem to have broken the 85% jinx. Dev's pointers definitely boosted the morale. Last four 40-shot sessions spread over 10 days, scores obtained averaged 85% or thereabouts. Typically in a 40 shot session - 1 in 90-92, 2 in low 80s, 1 in 87-89. Have to work around picking up the middle two sets. Incidentally, I also sneaked in two sessions of 60 shots each. Result - also around 85%. In these 6 sessions, I got 2-3 in #10 ring in a 10-shot set and almost none in the white area. Next goal 90% (360/400). Let us see how long this one takes.

[hvj1]

I was getting ready to come back on the forum, unfortunately my dearest Mother passed away on the 28th of September, Gents kindly excuse the delay.

[mundaire]

Really sorry to hear about your loss, may god give you & yours the strength to bear the pain.

Warm regards,
Abhijeet

[airgun_novice]

I was getting ready to come back on the forum, unfortunately my dearest Mother passed away on the 28th of September, Gents kindly excuse the delay.

Felt very sad reading of your Mother's demise. That's one personality that fills in practically every aspect of the sphere of our existence. The loss is heart-rendering and incalculable. I pray to the Gods to grant her gati onward to the Path of Moksh. Kindly accept my heartfelt condolences.

[hvj1]

Thanks Abhijeet & AGN.

[Olly]

I was getting ready to come back on the forum, unfortunately my dearest Mother passed away on the 28th of September, Gents kindly excuse the delay.

I too am very sorry to learn of your mother's demise. We pray for her soul to rest in peace and for you and your family to get the strength to bear with the loss.

[hvj1]

Thanks Olly

[gypsy]

I am so sorry to hear this. I hope you are surrounded by a lot of love and support right now to help you through this. My heart goes out to you and I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.