GunLink Discussion Forums

General Category => Firearms Related => Topic started by: GunLink on July 18, 2011, 12:27:54 PM

Title: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: GunLink on July 18, 2011, 12:27:54 PM
Ever shoot your handgun and get perfect groups...just not where you want them?  If you're having trouble hitting the bullseye, don't jump right to blaming the pistol and don't give up just yet.  Many things can affect how you shoot your handgun including your grip (http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html), your stance (http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?mode=article&objectID=32043), breathing, flinching or any number of other things.

While not guaranteed to improve your pistol shooting abilities, we've had good results using pistol correction chart targets like those below to help diagnose and correct bad habits related to pistol shooting.  The charts are derived from data in the United States Army Marksmanship Training Unit Manual, The UIT (now ISSF) Pistol Book by John Chandler and the Target Pistol Shot Analysis documents from Target Shooting Canada.


(http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-5772695-11778068) (http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-5772695-11778068)




For right-handed shooters, the gist of the chart is:

If your round is hitting high-center, your wrist may be breaking upward as you fire.  Be sure to keep your wrist firm.

If your round is hitting low-center, your wrist may be breaking downward as you fire or you may be pushing forward or drooping your head as you fire.

If your round is hitting center-left, you may be using too little of your trigger finger.  Many agree that a good trigger finger placement is to have the trigger at your distal joint (the joint between the pads of your fingertip and mid-finger).

If your round is hitting center-right, you may be using too much trigger finger or you could be "thumbing" the pistol.  Many agree that a good trigger finger placement is to have the trigger at your distal joint (the joint between the pads of your fingertip and mid-finger).  Also be sure not to try to squeeze the pistol grip too firmly with the thumb of your trigger hand.

If your round is hitting high-left, you may be pushing the pistol in anticipation of recoil or may not be following through on your shot.  Be sure to keep your wrist firm enough to account for recoil but not so firm that your muscles move the gun before/during/after the shot.  Also, remember to keep proper form and grip throughout the shot.

If your round is hitting high-right, you may be heeling in anticipation of the handgun's recoil.  See note above.

If your round is hitting low-left (around 8 o'clock), you may be tightening your fingers too much as you fire the pistol.  Hold your hand straight out in front of you and fold your fingers back and press the pads of your fingertips onto the heel of your hand.  Generally, your hand will try to move slightly toward the inside of your wrist as your muscles tighten.  You can see how this could be problematic.

If your round is hitting lower-left (around 7 o'clock), you may be jerking or slapping the trigger during your shot.  Make sure that your trigger pull is smooth and deliberate.

If your round is hitting low-right, you may be tightening your grip during your trigger pull.  Hold your hand straight out in front of you and clench your fist.  Generally, your hand will try to move slightly outward as you clench more tightly.  You can imagine why this would be a problem and your rounds could end up here.

For left handed shooters, the above pattern would be a mirror image.



(http://www.avantlink.com/gbi/10077/337711/131615/159007/image.jpg) (http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&ti=337711&pw=159007)

The targets are available below as PDFs, both with and without scoring rings, and are suitable for printing.



(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1St.jpg)
Right handed pistol correction chart with scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1S.pdf)




(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1t.jpg)
Right handed pistol correction chart without scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1.pdf)




(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1St.jpg)
Left handed pistol correction chart with scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1S.pdf)




(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1t.jpg)
Left handed pistol correction chart without scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1.pdf)


Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: Uncle Buck on July 18, 2011, 02:21:07 PM
I printed this out and am going to put it in my reloading binder.  I am sure it will help when I am teaching new people to shoot.

(Of course, I never need it myself.... ;))
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: masfonos on July 20, 2011, 11:09:11 AM
Printed.  Was going to go to the range to try them out but we're in the middle of major car woes :(
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: 1slickAR15 on July 22, 2011, 11:41:06 AM
I don't need these, I am a perfect shot!


*printing*  :D
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: small on August 01, 2011, 10:11:50 PM
Remember seeing this many many years ago before I became an expert shot like the rest here. I figure I'll print it to just for reference and to help others less fortunate.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: GunLink on August 01, 2011, 10:38:08 PM
Glad to see these are getting some use.

Don't forget to post an AAR with pics and let us know if they help you!   :)
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: 1slickAR15 on August 02, 2011, 08:40:51 AM
Glad to see these are getting some use.

Don't forget to post an AAR with pics and let us know if they help you!   :)

They helped me!  I kept hitting in either "tightening fingers" or "jerking trigger"

I worked on not doing that and started hitting in the middle
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: ThatGuy762x51 on November 18, 2011, 10:33:14 AM
Do these really work?
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: Keeping the Piece on November 19, 2011, 08:03:27 PM
Do these really work?

I have found that they help with my students.  I can stand beside them, watch their hands, and tell whether they're jerking the trigger, relaxing too soon, or milking the gun, which seem to the most common errors with my ladies.  I can tell them what they're doing and work with them on smooth trigger press and follow-thru...but for some reason, seeing the results on these targets hits home with them and sort of 'proves' what I've been telling them all along. 

So, for whatever it's worth, I think they're helpful.  The ones I've been using are from L.E. Targets, but they seem to be the same diagram.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: 1slickAR15 on November 20, 2011, 01:52:24 AM
i shot some of these targets and when I payed attention to what I was doing it matched up with what the target said i was doing.  fixing the problem that the target suggested helped my shooting.  Some of those types of bad habits are hard to break and i just would go back to doing it again a little later.  I guess that is the point of practice
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: GrumpsteR on September 27, 2012, 10:32:46 AM
these have been such big help that i had 2 register an let you know that we really appreciate these targets.  great for training!

great forum keep up the good work
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: GunLink on October 17, 2012, 03:28:41 PM
Great discussion going on in the comments section of the blog post for these targets (http://blog.gunlink.info/2012/03/04/free-downloadable-pistol-correction-targets/) about reducing the size to simulate shooting them at a distance.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: crsmithart on June 19, 2013, 08:13:45 AM
Thanks for the resource ... very helpful
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: JammGear on July 24, 2013, 10:37:15 PM
Thank you! Printing
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: Fanarin on March 09, 2017, 01:04:10 AM
(http://blog.gunlink.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/banned-300x91.png)
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: Prada on September 14, 2017, 12:24:57 PM
Thank you for the useful thread... >:(
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: JulesK on December 07, 2017, 07:53:27 AM
If your round is hitting low-right, you may be tightening your grip during your trigger pull.  Hold your hand straight out in front of you and clench your fist.  Generally, your hand will try to move slightly outward as you clench more tightly.  You can imagine why this would be a problem and your rounds could end up here.

For left handed shooters, the above pattern would be a mirror image.


That's me in a nutshell. I'm gonna try and stop my hand from moving outwards so much.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: uberhop on December 20, 2017, 02:07:08 PM
Printing some to shoot at later this week.  Thank you for these.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: uberhop on December 29, 2017, 12:32:31 PM
Printing some to shoot at later this week.  Thank you for these.
These worked good at the range
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: Matthewegordon on October 01, 2019, 01:22:39 AM
Hii

Thanks for sharing it.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: joeb1 on October 01, 2019, 02:45:26 AM
Ever shoot your handgun and get perfect groups...just not where you want them?  If you're having trouble hitting the bullseye, don't jump right to blaming the pistol and don't give up just yet.  Many things can affect how you shoot your handgun including your grip (http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html), your stance (http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?mode=article&objectID=32043), breathing, flinching or any number of other things.

While not guaranteed to improve your pistol shooting abilities, we've had good results using pistol correction chart targets like those below to help diagnose and correct bad habits related to pistol shooting.  The charts are derived from data in the United States Army Marksmanship Training Unit Manual, The UIT (now ISSF) Pistol Book by John Chandler and the Target Pistol Shot Analysis documents from Target Shooting Canada.


(http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-5772695-11778068) (http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-5772695-11778068)




For right-handed shooters, the gist of the chart is:

If your round is hitting high-center, your wrist may be breaking upward as you fire.  Be sure to keep your wrist firm.

If your round is hitting low-center, your wrist may be breaking downward as you fire or you may be pushing forward or drooping your head as you fire.

If your round is hitting center-left, you may be using too little of your trigger finger.  Many agree that a good trigger finger placement is to have the trigger at your distal joint (the joint between the pads of your fingertip and mid-finger).

If your round is hitting center-right, you may be using too much trigger finger or you could be "thumbing" the pistol.  Many agree that a good trigger finger placement is to have the trigger at your distal joint (the joint between the pads of your fingertip and mid-finger).  Also be sure not to try to squeeze the pistol grip too firmly with the thumb of your trigger hand.

If your round is hitting high-left, you may be pushing the pistol in anticipation of recoil or may not be following through on your shot.  Be sure to keep your wrist firm enough to account for recoil but not so firm that your muscles move the gun before/during/after the shot.  Also, remember to keep proper form and grip throughout the shot.

If your round is hitting high-right, you may be heeling in anticipation of the handgun's recoil.  See note above.

If your round is hitting low-left (around 8 o'clock), you may be tightening your fingers too much as you fire the pistol.  Hold your hand straight out in front of you and fold your fingers back and press the pads of your fingertips onto the heel of your hand.  Generally, your hand will try to move slightly toward the inside of your wrist as your muscles tighten.  You can see how this could be problematic.

If your round is hitting lower-left (around 7 o'clock), you may be jerking or slapping the trigger during your shot.  Make sure that your trigger pull is smooth and deliberate.

If your round is hitting low-right, you may be tightening your grip during your trigger pull.  Hold your hand straight out in front of you and clench your fist.  Generally, your hand will try to move slightly outward as you clench more tightly.  You can imagine why this would be a problem and your rounds could end up here.

For left handed shooters, the above pattern would be a mirror image.



(http://www.avantlink.com/gbi/10077/337711/131615/159007/image.jpg) (http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&ti=337711&pw=159007)

The targets are available below as PDFs, both with and without scoring rings, and are suitable for printing.



(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1St.jpg)
Right handed pistol correction chart with scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1S.pdf)




(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1t.jpg)
Right handed pistol correction chart without scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartR1.pdf)




(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1St.jpg)
Left handed pistol correction chart with scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1S.pdf)




(http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1t.jpg)
Left handed pistol correction chart without scoring rings (http://www.GunLink.info/targets/PistolChartL1.pdf)
Thanks for posting these.

I have a slightly different version.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191001/ec8249c701778a60cce52b0e06ec3e85.jpg)
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: masfonos on October 26, 2019, 11:42:02 AM

I have a slightly different version.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191001/ec8249c701778a60cce52b0e06ec3e85.jpg (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191001/ec8249c701778a60cce52b0e06ec3e85.jpg)

I suck :(
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: joeb1 on October 26, 2019, 02:08:10 PM

I have a slightly different version.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191001/ec8249c701778a60cce52b0e06ec3e85.jpg (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191001/ec8249c701778a60cce52b0e06ec3e85.jpg)

I suck :(
I hit the center once in a while. So I just mostly suck.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: JamesCollins on December 27, 2019, 08:11:42 PM
I don't need these, I am a perfect shot!


*printing*  :D

Couldn’t agree more...also printing but for a buddy ya know?  ;D
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: joeb1 on December 27, 2019, 10:29:18 PM
Made a little change in the corners. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191228/bf38c181ea948ebd4e7a4090dceb8749.jpg)
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: Panther97 on January 10, 2020, 04:06:31 PM
Id make them STAY at the range until they do better. Maybe even crack them on the knuckles with a ruler each time they screw up.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: marktucker on January 16, 2020, 04:56:31 PM
Id make them STAY at the range until they do better. Maybe even crack them on the knuckles with a ruler each time they screw up.

I found the Catholic school grad.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: joeb1 on January 16, 2020, 06:33:08 PM
Id make them STAY at the range until they do better. Maybe even crack them on the knuckles with a ruler each time they screw up.
Not if I'm next to them.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: DieselDude on February 14, 2020, 10:19:08 AM
It takes a lot of rounds downrange to get good. Aim small miss small.
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: JamesCollins on May 10, 2021, 12:01:49 PM
Wow I’m going to try this for sure
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: JamesCollins on May 16, 2021, 08:48:59 PM
They work so well at the range
Title: Re: Pistol Correction Chart Targets
Post by: JamesCollins on September 10, 2021, 10:10:30 AM
Used them and they worked
Great thank you!