You may agree with my last post on this matter, or you may disagree, but either way, what do you have to do to improve your speed AND accuracy? First, work on your accuracy alone, until you can hold something like a 6″ group at 25 yards. To get there, start close and as your groups tighten up, move back a few yards at a time. A .22 pistol is ideal for this, and once you have it down, switch to your centerfire of choice.
Once you can hold a 5″ or 6″ group at 25 yards, begin working your pressouts at close range. That technique has been covered before so I won’t rehash it in detail. The key though, is to go slow enough that you can do it as perfectly as possible, and only then start to speed up. This means a small target at close range, maybe a 3″ circle at 5-7 yards. Then start to go faster on a bigger target, say 6″.
Once you can do a correct pressout (shot breaks as your pistol sides into its final shooting position) on targets from 3″- 6″ at 7 yards or so, you can start playing with speed. Use 3″ targets to keep your technique correct, use 8″ targets to push your speed. At the same time, make sure you shoot a few groups at 25 yards to keep improving your accuracy.
The thing that holds shooters back more than anything is their lack of accuracy. I see this day in and day out. Ideally, you will build to an accuracy level of 2″-3″ at 25 yards, while also working on your pressouts for speed and precision. A proper pressout, from the ready, will result in a hit on an 8″ target at 7 yards, in around .5-.6 seconds. Combine that with the ability to shoot 2″-3″ groups at 25 and you will have a fearsome capability that will carry over to any kind of shooting you like.
Sir,
I very much appreciate your elegance in explaining here. This gives some concrete objectives to work on.
From what little instruction I’ve done with people, I tend to agree with your observation that accuracy should be approached/introduced first(“primacy”). I do think after some initial success a time element comes next. I’ll mention that dry practice is helpful to me if I pay attention to what the sight/dot is doing.
Many(most) casual owners/shooters won’t put in the work for whatever reasons, but if I have enough time and a shooter is motivated, I’ve used the Gila Hayes evaluation: 5 rounds in a 5 inch circle at 5 yards in 5seconds or less.
Keep up your thoughtful work
Thank you sir, I always appreciate hearing from you!
Thanks for this practical advice. I’ve already shared it with a person whom I am informally instructing.
Thank you, glad it helped!