Tips on Pistol Shooting

[jitu sati]

hey agn
congratulations on your son's upanayan. guess we too need to rededicate ourselves in the age old vedic tradition of single mindedly following our shooting training

[airgun_novice]

tirpassion and jitu, the function was certainly great. It was reliving all the childhood moments of my own ceremony and the eventual realization of being a father and passing on something in lineage. brihacharanji, attended on behalf of all of us Mumbaikar IFGians. A few other IFGians could not make it due to other commitments.

tirpassion - my analysis has been transferred to the diary and current page of this thread. Those 5 mistakes will not be repeated.
Jitu you could not have put it better. Last couple of days, I am still thinking of those 5 mistakes which were totally avoidable. The single-minded pursuit - had it been followed - would have not allowed me to "try out" or compensate for "the other alternatives".

Thx to FF who smsed my scores across - 83, 88, 83, 88 = 342/400
What niggles me is where did those two additional points disappear ? My Worst Case Scenario was 344/400; discounting those 3 cases of borderline #10s. Anyway just what is 345 or above is as good as 345 - what is not 345 or above is still not the MQS.

[jitu sati]

no probs agn. we all have scope for improvement. i still remember how shell shocked i was after the Krani singh comp. it was thx to all the guys on IFG that i could fell better and got inspired to put in more work. so 'kamar kaso aur lag jao'. as shishya gan we have only one duty, to follow what the gurujan are telling to the last T. i know once the shoot starts and something goes wrong one does loose sight of the lessons, but the aim is to still maintain concentration and get back the focus on the lessons. so let us try

[dev]

Hi Agn,

Good work, I would not use a sugary drink during a match. Just use plain cold water. Sugar or caffeine will give you the shakes. Next stop trying to buy a back up pistol buy one new and good for everything pistol...whether it be Steyr or Morini. I am not talking down to you but explaining that I have been through the same thinking with the IZH and then moved to the LP 10.
Never shoot a match with anything untried...this is a learning from spending 20 minutes of a match trying to figure out which pellet to continue with. My friend instead had weighed and sorted batches ready and was therefore much calmer during the match.
Carry some food with you like a multi-grain sandwich to eat during the match, normally a chicken sandwich should do. I have seen one gold medalist chomp down on dry fruits before a match.
I'm sure that you can shoot better scores just spend more time preparing for it.
The reason for the gyan was that I shot about twenty pellets yesterday after two weeks. I was so relived to find that I shot a better group than the last time that I am kinda floating.

Warm Regards,

Dev

[airgun_novice]

[SNIP] as shishya gan we have only one duty, to follow what the gurujan are telling to the last T. i know once the shoot starts and something goes wrong one does loose sight of the lessons, but the aim is to still maintain concentration and get back the focus on the lessons. so let us try

Yesssssir ... Do the Karma without sights on fruit - or end up with an egg (on face) ... as I did.

What I should have have been doing at 2-3 days at my range continuously was done only once- thanks to CR closure and subsequent traffic log jam on the EEH and hence cancellation of trips to the range 3 days in a row. The pellets would have been tested - in fact I had decided to go ahead with gsmith if I could not visit range earlier in the morning and yet I changed my mind and went ahead with RWS. Why ? Dunno. Why did I commit the other 'Himalayan Blunders' ? Dunno. vinash kalay viparitt buddhi

[airgun_novice]

Thanks dev - no more Glucon D. Hope to get another chance of meeting you at Delhi this year, under auspices of AIGVM Hmm should I go on for Morini or Styer it's a wee outta my budget. Then better I wait for a while than go for IHP's PCP AP?

[tirpassion]

Dear dev,

The reason for the gyan was that I shot about twenty pellets yesterday after two weeks. I was so relived to find that I shot a better group than the last time that I am kinda floating.

Very important note. I would analyse (courtesy Guruji) the phenomenon this way.
You shot better after a long break because
- your conscious mind knew that 'you had a long gap and hence you were perhaps not supposed to shoot very well' (the mountainous path in the dark which the Monk had to go through). That way you just killed all expectation (The Monk counted solely on the Mule to take him home in the dark) and
- concentrated on your acquired SKILLS (The balance of the Monk which he maintained on his Mule not to fall down), which taken over by the sub conscious mind (the liberty of the unfettered Mule) produced great groups.

It happens quite often that one shoots an excellent session after a long break. The irony is that the expectation comes back immediately (if not tackled properly) and the general curve unluckily goes downwards...
It is important to note that our conscious mind should always be unfettered from negative and parasitic thoughts like expectation, score etc. It should concentrate always on the WORK, the optimal utilization of the acquired SKILLs. The MQS, MINIMUM QUALIFYING SKILL, as I love to define it.

It is highly recommended to use the shooting diary properly to keep the negative thoughts at bay. Hammering the head with positive thoughts, deluge of flattering generous positive comments on the good work done at range and more precisely in details, how the good work was done, jotting down the feelings
(I am kinda floating, as per dev, exquisite feeling, as per jitu) as explicitly as possible, planning the next practice session, doing all exactly as planned during the practice, preparing match strategies, post match analysis, reading and rereading the diary whenever possible etc.

To resume,
Shooting is a mental sport which needs solid technical skill and solid physical back-up. So mental training is a must.
The diary is the most important instrument of mental training.

warm regards
tirpassion

[tirpassion]

Why did I commit the other 'Himalayan Blunders' ? Dunno. vinash kalay viparitt buddhi

Dear agn bhai,

There are two methods of learning in life.
1. Learning through observations, reading etc.
2. Learning through experience

Some people learn very quickly with the 1st technique as they are very very intelligent in doing so, I admit and admire them with all my respect.
Those who fail to apply the 1st are left only with the 2nd option and are probably less intelligent. But in general, they never forget their lessons.

Hope I am clear

best regards
tirpassion

[dev]

Hi Agn,

Try out both, the Steyr has a stabilizer tech which helps with reducing the overall vibrations, the Morini has a great grip. Both will shoot only to the level one sweats it out with. I have found thru trial and error that my LP10 doesn't automatically direct pellets to the bull or fire itself (still working on Jedi mind control trick).
I FEAR THAT I MUST SHOUT AT YOU TO NOT BUY ANYTHING ELSE BUT ONE OF THESE TWO, OVER BUDGET IS A SELF DECEPTION...believe me I did it for years.

Look forward to meeting at the GVM, I think my last years score holds good even for this time.

Regards,

Dev

[dev]

Dear dev,

The reason for the gyan was that I shot about twenty pellets yesterday after two weeks. I was so relived to find that I shot a better group than the last time that I am kinda floating.

Very important note. I would analyse (courtesy Guruji) the phenomenon this way.
You shot better after a long break because
- your conscious mind knew that 'you had a long gap and hence you were perhaps not supposed to shoot very well' (the mountainous path in the dark which the Monk had to go through). That way you just killed all expectation (The Monk counted solely on the Mule to take him home in the dark) and
- concentrated on your acquired SKILLS (The balance of the Monk which he maintained on his Mule not to fall down), which taken over by the sub conscious mind (the liberty of the unfettered Mule) produced great groups.

It happens quite often that one shoots an excellent session after a long break. The irony is that the expectation comes back immediately (if not tackled properly) and the general curve unluckily goes downwards...
It is important to note that our conscious mind should always be unfettered from negative and parasitic thoughts like expectation, score etc. It should concentrate always on the WORK, the optimal utilization of the acquired SKILLs. The MQS, MINIMUM QUALIFYING SKILL, as I love to define it.

It is highly recommended to use the shooting diary properly to keep the negative thoughts at bay. Hammering the head with positive thoughts, deluge of flattering generous positive comments on the good work done at range and more precisely in details, how the good work was done, jotting down the feelings
(I am kinda floating, as per dev, exquisite feeling, as per jitu) as explicitly as possible, planning the next practice session, doing all exactly as planned during the practice, preparing match strategies, post match analysis, reading and rereading the diary whenever possible etc.

To resume,
Shooting is a mental sport which needs solid technical skill and solid physical back-up. So mental training is a must.
The diary is the most important instrument of mental training.

warm regards
tirpassion

Dear Tir,

I shot at the same target that I had fired 7 shots at last weekend. Now, just out of curiosity I did a score and it was 55/70. So my heart broke etc...but in my mind, heart I also knew that this was nothing to criticise my performance with as I knew that I had had my ear more towards the baby's room and the freak rain that was falling.

So yesterday when a friend decided to drop in, I just handed baby over and picked up the pistol and rushed upstairs to the balcony and shot at the same target. I decided to shoot like I dryfire, be aware of the sights only ( i remember my shot process being very simple some time ago and so I broke it up into one or two big steps).

My first two shots were below the black cause at seven meters the sighting isn't your normal sub six, it is a six o'clock or just at the inside of the seven ring. I held five pellets in my hand and let loose...2 tens, 3 nines. Grabbed another five and hastily raised, inhaled, began to lower as I exhaled, let the squeeze begin and bang. Did the same process five times and I had a five shot flower like group over the nine( i mean the upper part inside the nine ring).

Said a few words to the friend about have chai, look how she smiles etc and shamelessly grabbed another five pellets. Repeated same drill got another floret of five shots to the right of the nine ring. I know I had messed up on the trigger and was also heeling a bit as i saw the sight rising.

Looked at the group, pulled it out of the target holder, did a pirouette with it as I put the pistol away. Came down and thrust the target before the wife who smiled like she does while indulging a child. But she did ask about whether i had been sneaking to the range on my way to work.

This was just after having a long semi-suicidal messaging chat with Jeetu on the mobile. Must say El-colonel did perk me up with his talk. Thanks Jitu. I still haven't scored myself for months and my emphasis has been on keeping i in the nine ring. I know exactly how many eights or sevens are required for the MQS, for a 40 shot/ 60 shot match. Most prolly I am close but will only know after shooting a match at the range. But I plan to carry on with dry fire SA, this has helped me the most.

I will again begin a diary as my last one was swiped by the wife, it was kinda pretty. thank you for the tips on the mental side Tir.

Regards,

Dev

[fantumfan2003]

Tirpassion,

How does one tackle expectation from cropping up ? Much as I enjoy shooting. The circumstances here dictate that I have to keep scores in mind.

Kindly advise.....

M.

It happens quite often that one shoots an excellent session after a long break. The irony is that the expectation comes back immediately (if not tackled properly) and the general curve unluckily goes downwards...

warm regards
tirpassion

[tirpassion]

I know exactly how many eights or sevens are required for the MQS, for a 40 shot/ 60 shot match.

ALARM! ALERT! ATTENTION! Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee dev bhai, this has to be eradicated, brushed aside, washed out, burned to ashes whatever you can term it but PLEASEEEE FORGET THE CALCULATION

You sincerely need to concentrate on the 'Flowers' only with the pellet impacts, i.e only groups. For God's sake, do not count. There are a number of ways to avoid scoring. Please adopt one which is suitable for you.
- Shooting 8 shots each on 5 cards or 7 shots each on 6 cards etc and after the session, smartly tear them off and throw in the dustbin. While doing so, tell yourself that you can do it again or even better.
- Cutting off the 9 ring and shoot as many shots as you wish on the same card and be happy with the unseen impacts.
- Shooting 40 or more shots on the same card which will make counting impossible.

I understand that we need to feed our ego of achievement. But that can be done with the box drill percentage. Moreover, you will see also the good groups. The challenge will be to attain 100% in box drill. It is a real challenge.

If your target is the MQS, (S=Score), if you are preoccupied by that score, you are most likely to hover around the same, a bit more or a bit less. So the situation can be risky.

A personal experience of how ridiculous calculating points can be.
On 15/04/12, I was shooting the state level comp in Muzzleloaders. 13 shots in 30 minutes. No sighters. The best 10 shots are counted.
In the Flintlock pistol event the direct qualification score for the French national championships is 84/100. BTW, it is quite difficult to score 84 with a flintlock pistol at 25m. This particular event happens to be also my nightmare.

I started to shoot without any expectation because I know that I can not manage the gun well. I concentrated on my SOA and kept on shooting. Very good work on SOA. The first shot was a 5 at 7 O'clock position. I lifted the aim zone to compensate (we can not click most of the guns so we compensate). Perfect SA Image, perfect zone and squeeze the trigger, BOOM... No impacts were seen on the white part even after five shots. So I was tempted to see through the scope. Bingo! One 10 and four 9s. The heart started to pump hard, the head was invaded by expectations. I forgot all the work. Then came one 6 followed by one 4. I stopped for a couple of minutes and amassed myself, gave myself a few invisible slaps and started again. NO LOOKING in the scope, I told myself. The good SOA work again. But I could not prevent myself to look through the scope again after the 12th shot. There were two 10s, seven 9s, One 6, One 5 and One 4. The 4,5 and 6 will be eliminated, I dreamt, I am left with two 10s and seven 9s and one more shot to go. WOW! Not only I will qualify for the nationals with 84 but also I might qualify for the MASTERS with 92. My Lord, I was wondering if the fellow shooters could hear my heartbeat. All I need to do is score a 9 in the last shot to achieve 92, a dream score. I abandoned the first attempt, the 9 was the only thought so the SOA was lightyears away. Yes, i shot the last shot. A 6 .
Finally, I qualified only for the nationals with 89/100 (way above 84/100 because I did not think about the score) and missed the Masters (92/100 because the score became an obsession and I calculated the points).

Believe me, I am also working very hard not to score. But still...

best regards
tirpassion

[tirpassion]

How does one tackle expectation from cropping up ? Much as I enjoy shooting. The circumstances here dictate that I have to keep scores in mind.

Dear FF,
Expectation is a negative thought and hence it has to be kept at bay. How? The only way is to keep your head always brimming full with positive thoughts, leaving absolutely no space for the negative and parasitic thoughts to sneak in. Someone rightly said 'An idle brain is a devil's workshop'. Relate it to the shooting sport and you will find that it is absolutely true. The brain has to be kept busy with the technical aspects. Thinking/simulation of very fine operations (e.g. trigger control or the Sequence of Acrion) keeps the brain so engaged that parasites will not be able to penetrate. If there is a small leak, infiltration will take place which in turn will contaminate the whole thing.

It is easier said than done. There we need to work hard and find, innovate, invent, discover means adapted to individual personal needs to keep the brain fed with only positive thoughts.
Please write the shooting diary regularly and use it properly (please see few posts earlier) for the mental training as Guruji has described. Please keep on reading the posts on this thread regularly, time and again. I tend to write long posts and repeat a lot. It may be boring to read the same thing again and again. But I do so intentionally because the subconscious mind can only be programmed through repetitions. Well, I hope also that you read them all even if it is munching the same grass over and over .

best regards
tirpassion

[airgun_novice]

Dear dev, Bad Boy ! You sneak away from your wife ... to the range ? Definitely BAD BOY !!! Buy hey - good job with the shots. BTW, any feedback on or experience with this one ?
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Feinwerkb ... 2556#sSpec

[tirpassion]

Dear agn,

I have not seen or handled the FWB piccolo. What I know that it has been made for the junior and women shooters. I would not suggest the same because the sight radius is not long enough for aspirant competitors. For a young beginner, it can be excellent but not in the long run.
Again, I suggest that you go for an AP which can be easily serviced in India. I am wondering why your FWB P34 can not be repaired in India. One very important thing, if you are looking for a back-up pistol, you should go for the same model.
Why? It is because, you will be in a constant dilemma; which one shoots better? Please recall your own experience of the RWS or GSmith or Mastershot pellets? Moreover, it takes a lot of time to get acquainted with a weapon. It is like a love story which grows, fortifies and intensifies with time. Now, if you bring in home a rival, will not she be angry ?

warm regards
tirpassion