Hello All,
First, I really appreciate your website and all the information offered. I also appreciate the service to our country that apparently many of the SME's have had. My family has a long history of service also.
I would like some consensus input in regards to pistol accuracy as I am in a debate with a NRA instructor on some advice he and another Instructor are giving on a prominent pistol forum. I've been hunting/shooting for nearly 50 yrs and I am considered to be highly proficient with both pistols and long guns, btw. I am an advocate of our sport (hunting/shooting) so it bothers me when inaccurate statements are made that could cause a misunderstanding for others.
Anyhow, I have always considered the platform (means by which you stabilize weapon) to be the most important or first consideration for accuracy. With typical pistol shooting your platform would be your stance, grip and the rest of your body of course. I do however consider focus (concentration) and trigger control the most important factors for the experienced shooter to consider once the basics are fully established.
Some NRA instructors are saying that trigger control alone is sufficient for accuracy and the only real consideration and they diminish the importance that the stance/grip and even aiming (sight alignment/picture) can and does play in regards to accuracy. For me that is a reverse method of teaching which is fine. However, where I completely disagree with them is they place all the importance for accuracy on trigger control while completely negating the importance of the basics (stance, grip, aim) in regards to accuracy.
I challenged them on this notion because I find it irresponsible. You can debate that trigger control is the most important factor to consider for accuracy but you cannot downplay the importance that the stance, grip and sight alignment/sight picture play in regards to accuracy. They then doubled down by quoting Col Charles Askins to support their claim that the basics are insignificant.
“A shooting acquaintance of mine recently asked, "What's the most important principle of handgun marksmanship?" Without a moment's hesitationnI ANSWERED, "Trigger pull." The fundamentals that apply to pistol shooting, stance, grip and sight alignment are insignificant indeed by comparison with the all-important factor of trigger squeeze..." The Art of Handgun Shooting, Col Charles Askins A. S. Barnes & Co., 194, pg. 38
This is a ridiculous notion to me made by a man who was overzealous in his presentation. I consider this a misleading statement because you have to have stability (stance/grip) as well as aim (sight alignment/picture) in at least getting the pistol on target. This also has to be repeatable because if your stance and grip are varying then you could never expect to be consistent or accurate.
Again, I know the great importance of trigger control but without some form of stability and aim that cannot even be a consideration. I believe it takes everything to make accurate and consistent shots (stance, grip, aim, trigger control, follow through) so I have everything more on a level scale, whereas their scale tilts completely or heavily toward trigger control. Can you please give me your professional opinion and please state your experience in doing so, thanks.
God Bless,
Ralph
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