Dry firing

[lovemachine]

So from using the search function, I saw a lot of guys who do this. Today was the first time I've actually attempted the dry firing practice. I recently found out Friday Night that when I shoot, the bullet tends to go way under what I'm aiming at. I think I'm hitting the trigger too hard. But lovemywoods mentioned to me that I could be flinching, expecting the recoil. So as I was dry firing, I realized that's what I'm doing. I was surprised to see I flinch every time I dry fired my Glock. I'm currently looking in to some training courses. But in the meantime, is there any other techniques you guys can recommend so I can remedy my many problems, and get better?

 

[sporter]

Get on Youtube and check out some of the pistol videos put up by the Pro's like Todd Jarrett etc.

There is a lot of info out there.

 

[cornfused]

I'm interested in any answers aswell!

But I did purchase some snap caps for mine so I can dry fire without worry.

 

[rhart]

An old Army training drill was to put a dime on top of the barrel on the M16 and snap the trigger without it falling off. Woudnt work too good on the Glock though!
My Dad used to hand us the rifle on the bench without us knowing if there was a round in the chamber. That helped I think.

 

[shooter521]

When dry-firing, place a fired shell casing on top of the slide, and work on pulling the trigger smoothly and straight to the rear without knocking it off.

 

[DragonGunner]

Things I've learned, take a deep breath an let about half of it out, keep
putting pressure on the trigger , if you come off target hold the pressure
on the trigger until you come back lined up an continue to put pressure
on trigger until Bang! When you fire it should come as kind of a surprize
otherwise you have probably flinched. Try putting the fat of your finger
on the trigger an not between the inside where the knuckle bends. Pull the
trigger rather than squeezing it. Hope I gotta this worded half way so someone
can understand it...ha.

 

[lovemachine]

When dry-firing, place a fired shell casing on top of the slide, and work on pulling the trigger smoothly and straight to the rear without knocking it off.

That's a new one to me. I'll try that tonight. Thanks!

 

[derrickgoins]

I'm interested in any answers aswell!

But I did purchase some snap caps for mine so I can dry fire without worry.

I ordered some yesterday for the same reason. I feel a little safer using snap caps than just old-school dry firing.

 

[shooter521]

I ordered some yesterday for the same reason. I feel a little safer using snap caps than just old-school dry firing.

Most modern centerfire pistols will not be harmed by dry-firing. That said, dummy rounds are nice to have on hand for practicing manipulations, and of course ball-and-dummy drills. I prefer Action Trainers or similar rather than Snap Caps.

Law Enforcement Targets, Inc.: 40 cal Action Trainer Dummy Round

 

[lovemachine]

Most modern centerfire pistols will not be harmed by dry-firing. That said, dummy rounds are nice to have on hand for practicing manipulations, and of course ball-and-dummy drills. I prefer Action Trainers or similar rather than Snap Caps.

Law Enforcement Targets, Inc.: 40 cal Action Trainer Dummy Round

Now when dry firing a Glock, you don't need dummy rounds, right? You can dry fire a Glock as much as you want, 'cause they're perfect?

 

[shooter521]

Now when dry firing a Glock, you don't need dummy rounds, right?

Correct.

You can dry fire a Glock as much as you want, 'cause they're perfect?

No, you can dry fire them as much as you want because it won't hurt the gun.

 

[indyartisan]

Let someone other than you load the gun with an unknown number of live rounds when at the range. Any movement will be evident when you pull the trigger on the empty chamber you thought was live.

 

[lovemachine]

Correct.



No, you can dry fire them as much as you want because it won't hurt the gun.

Gotcha

Thanks for the info. I need ALL the help I can get. I was very upset that night.

 

[Coach]

Now when dry firing a Glock, you don't need dummy rounds, right? You can dry fire a Glock as much as you want, 'cause they're perfect?

I don't know about perfect, but it will not hurt them.

Also while dry firing the gun stay very focused on your sight picture and trigger control as these are some very important mechanics that will occupy your mind and this will help keep your flinch down.

Also ride the reset or "catch the link" rather than slap the trigger and that will give you mind more to do and perhaps help with this flinch.

Some good coaching during live fire will likely do you some good as well. Sometimes someone standing there talking in your ear makes a huge difference even if they are telling you things you already know. We all need reminded from time to time.

 

[Joe Williams]

For the flinching thing, try a cheapo Airsoft gun. The triggers are horrible, so that will help with trigger control, and you'll eventually train yourself to stop anticipating the recoil, since there isn't any. You'll learn to focus on the basics to hit your target. And with the cheapos, you'll have to concentrate plenty hard on the basics to hit that target!

Cathy has recurring issues with anticipating the recoil, and practice with the airsoft gun is how she cures herself. Same with her habit of slapping the trigger.

 

[lovemachine]

I don't know about perfect, but it will not hurt them.

Also while dry firing the gun stay very focused on your sight picture and trigger control as these are some very important mechanics that will occupy your mind and this will help keep your flinch down.

Also ride the reset or "catch the link" rather than slap the trigger and that will give you mind more to do and perhaps help with this flinch.

Some good coaching during live fire will likely do you some good as well. Sometimes someone standing there talking in your ear makes a huge difference even if they are telling you things you already know. We all need reminded from time to time.

VUPDBLUE was telling me to ride the reset. To me, this was a little difficult to do. I had never noticed that once I pressed in the trigger, I would take my finger right off the trigger.

I've already contacted Rhino, he told me about a class being held in May.

 

[Coach]

VUPDBLUE was telling me to ride the reset. To me, this was a little difficult to do. I had never noticed that once I pressed in the trigger, I would take my finger right off the trigger.

I've already contacted Rhino, he told me about a class being held in May.

riding the rest will take some practice but it will come. IP 101 is what he recommended and I think we can help you with your issue.

 

[rhino]

Trigger control issues are a common reason for shooting low.

There are other common reasons, but we need to see you shooting to see what you're doing. One of the most common is taking your focus off of the front sight and looking at the target to see the holes before the bullet has actually exited the barrel. I refer to this as "admiring your own work."

I'd also be interested in learning what your sight picture looks like when you believe you have the sights aligned properly. Sometimes people with dots on their sights have trouble getting things aligned so that the gun is really pointed at the intended point of impact. At least in the early stages, it's best to try to ignore (or eliminate) those big white dots and try to focus on the top edge of the front sight, making sure the top edge and not the dots is aligned with the top of the rear sight (which will be out of focus and fuzzy). I usually see this problem with people shooting a little high, but I wouldn't rule it out for shooting low.

RVB should be along soon as well . He will correctly point out that what is sometimes perceived by others to be a "flinch" is actually a normal and necessary reaction for timing and managing the recoil of the gun when actually firing at a significant pace.

If it really is a flinch, I think some people can get some help from the tricks mentioned above (balancing something on the slide). Another method that has proven useful to me when helping others has been to get them to focus not just their eyes but their attention as well on the front sight where it belongs. A lot of people flinch because they are anticipating when the gun is going to fire. If you're not anticipating that event, you're less likely to flinch. Focusing your attention on something else can help quite a bit.

 

[longbarrel]

Now when dry firing a Glock, you don't need dummy rounds, right? You can dry fire a Glock as much as you want, 'cause they're perfect?

Exactly

 

[Jack Ryan]

If you've got a private range to practice on give this a try. Many times flinching comes from just over thinking it. Toss out a couple used shot gun shell 20 or 30 feet out. Start with the gun holstered and just draw the gun, fire and reholster each time between shots. Don't give it up the first few times if you miss, in 10 or 15 shots you'll be popping those all over the range and suddenly you notice you are not flinching any more. Don't rush it, just don't sit there studying it like a bulls eye turnamount. Draw, point, fire, reholster, repeat.