Rob Leatham on Aiming

[WillBrink]

Interesting vid from Rob Leatham on aiming. Made sense to me more or less, but #1 rule "hold the gun really tight" was not always as I have approached it. That is, if I hold the fun in a death grip, it causes shaking and or much faster shooting fatigue. So, tight enough to keep positive control, not so tight it causes (me at least) problems. I assume that's what he meant, but "hold the gun really tight" does not seem terribly useful info unless the person knows what he's saying, and the vid seems targeted at those who would not know what he means, and attempt to hod the gun in a death grip:

[MegademiC]

Even if you shake, its not going to throw shots off at 7yds, not handling recoil might.

Not saying you should grip that tight, just offering perspecitve.

If you dead-fish hold the gun, you wont be accurate, and you wont be fast.
Same if you cant manipulate the trigger without moving the pistol.
I personally dont have a #1 rule. Grip and trigger control are equally important at the top.
I believe most people can point shoot effectively at extreme close range, so sight picture is next.
Definately a good video though.

[flenna]

Even if you shake, its not going to throw shots off at 7yds, not handling recoil might.

Not saying you should grip that tight, just offering perspecitve.

If you dead-fish hold the gun, you wont be accurate, and you wont be fast.
Same if you cant manipulate the trigger without moving the pistol.
I personally dont have a #1 rule. Grip and trigger control are equally important at the top.
I believe most people can point shoot effectively at extreme close range, so sight picture is next.
Definately a good video though.

Another member (26 Inf?) said in another thread “everyone is a gunfighter at 7 yards”. Reason being that the shooting fundamentals have little effect at that range. That being said, grip, trigger control and sight alignment are the top three in shooting accurately. As far as a hard grip I put a tight “squeeze” on the front and back straps with little to no pressure on the sides.

[Pappabear]

Dandy video, Ive watched several times.

PB

[titsonritz]

I was at a pistol course a couple weekends ago and the instructor played this video for us during one of the breaks.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Another member (26 Inf?) said in another thread “everyone is a gunfighter at 7 yards”. Reason being that the shooting fundamentals have little effect at that range. That being said, grip, trigger control and sight alignment are the top three in shooting accurately. As far as a hard grip I put a tight “squeeze” on the front and back straps with little to no pressure on the sides.

Ever been at a public indoor range and seen the targets at 7 yards? Ugh. Everyone is a shooter, fighting the gun may be a better name than a gun fighter.

I think the biggest thing from Rob's video is that accurate shooting and fast shooting are two different techniques. Hard holding the gun is inherently needed for a fast follow-up shot. In slow accurate shooting getting the gun lined up and breaking the shot are more important- or that is what I take away from how it seems easier to shoot a 1911 accurately with one hand versus two.

I think hard holding also helps to fight flinching.

Also the fact that the gun is going to shoot where it is going to shoot- it doesn't give a crap about the sights or the shooter. The sear breaks and the shot goes where the barrel is pointed.

Rob was what, 20-25 yards from the target? I thought I counted about that many steps.

[Coal Dragger]

I think you’re right about that.

I get many many strange looks on the pistol range when I take my target and set it up at 50 yards.

[ST911]

I think you’re right about that.

I get many many strange looks on the pistol range when I take my target and set it up at 50 yards.

Because pistols are for close range/bad breath distance only.
Because anything else couldn't be justifiable deadly force.
Because sight radius.
Because pistols aren't accurate.
Because "the only reason to have a pistol is to fight your way to a rifle."
Because uncle daddy told them.
Because they suck.

Because they never had anyone to teach and show them otherwise...until you. Good on you.

[Coal Dragger]

They just look at me like I’m a weirdo. Pretty sure they learn nothing beyond observing some weird dude shooting targets at 50 yards (sometimes more) with a pistol.

It’s not magic, just applied basics.

[T2C]

I've read other people interpret Rob Leatham believes aiming is worthless on other forums. In this video Rob Leatham said "So, It's pointless to focus on aiming until fire control is in place." If you think about what he said, he has a valid point. Aiming won't do you any good if you move the firearm while pressing the trigger.

I am a firm believer in shooting a handgun at distance to reinforce concentration on basic skills. Shooting at 50 yards, or even 100 yards, with a service pistol helps to reinforce the basics and makes a person much more proficient at closer ranges.

I think clarification on how to hold the pistol tightly is important. On what parts of the grip to apply pressure and what parts of your hands to apply that pressure is a very important concept.