Define 'Follow through' in pistol shooting

[hvj1]

Hello friends,
'Follow through' in pistol shooting is the most misunderstood concept. So instead of just going ahead and explaining it , why not we have some fun instead? I will drop a few hints and clues. Let us collectively arrive at the correct answer. Lets go... Guys
Hint: 'Follow through' has several elements- one of them is 'breathing'.

[Timnorris]

Follow through means

Releasing the shot should not be regarded as the final point of action. After firing you should continue holding the pistol on aim, recording in your memory the sight picture you saw at the very moment of the release of the shot. You should allow the recoil to take effect after which the pistol will return to the position it occupied before the release of the shot.

[hvj1]

Dear Timnorris,
Ho, Ho, Ho,. well done ! Well done ! Theres a tad bit more to it ! Will come around to it in the meantime lets see what others have to add.
Regards

[hvj1]

What is follow through ?
'Whatever you were doing before the shot continue the same,during and after the shot.'
"Maintain all the elements before ,during and after the shot" - Zelko Todorovich (ISSF Academy 'A' Level Coach).
- So what are the elements ? Broadly, these are as follows;
1. Grip
2. Wrist lock
3. Stance
4. Breathing
5. Hold
6. Trigger pressure.
Grip: The pressure exerted by your hand, i.e. fingers, thumb on the grip of the pistol, must be maintained consistently bda (before,during after)the shot.
Wrist Lock: Once your wrist is locked, it should remain so bda the shot.
Stance: The stance provides 'balance' and 'stability', hence your stance must be maintained consistently bda the shot.
Breathing: Breathing should be stopped preferrably, half breath, bda the shot.
Hold: 'holding' indicates - aligned sights (front & rear) within the same 'aiming area' bda the shot.
Trigger pressure : Maintain the same trigger pressure bda the shot.
Now a few simple exercises to 'strengthen' the elements are:
1. Figure of '8' exercise, done as slowly as possible, clockwise and anti-clockwise on a ISSF Air Pistol target (white side)
- This develops all the above elements quite well, especially the 'wrist lock'.
2. 'Holding' for a few seconds within the 'aiming area' of the AP target.
3. The number of repititions must be duplicated by left and right hand, to develop both sides of the back muscles and to maintain centre of gravity correctly centered.
There are some elements which are in the advanced stages of pistol shooting, these may be discussed later.
Hope this proves usefull.

[marksman]

After doing everything as hvj1 has suggested, one should maintain the hold on the handgun after the trigger release till the harmonics of the barrel settles down. That's what I call follow through.
Marksman :

[tingriman]

Great piece of information hvj1.

thanks
tingriman

[hvj1]

you are welcome tingriman

[NK007]

hi hvj1,

Good information posted on follow through yaar!

Keep shooting Some more info on self defence also...

NK007

[Vikram]

That's an informative post,hvj1.Please keep posting stuff like this.Thanks.

Best-
Vikram

[MoA]

In a SD scenario... making sure the threat is truly and completely neutralised.

Target shooting has been covered.

[hvj1]

Thanks for the encouraging support, hope the post was useful.