Unsteady Hands

[TheDonna]

Okay heres a question. I've only been shooting once but I've found I don't have steady hands. It takes me forever to line up to the target. I'm not nervous while doing it and the same thing happens when I decorate cakes. My hands just seem to shake and I don't know why.

Is there any way to fix this? Would just more practice at the shooting range help or are there other things I can do as well?

[Switchback]

It's not a big deal at all... that is, if you keep the sights lined-up. For example, if the sights are in line, but you continually drift on and off target, it is really a very minor change in the point of impact (the impact only moves as much as your hands, as the sights are still staying aligned).

However, if the gun pivots (you actually turn the gun, taking the sights out of alignment), it is a much bigger problem. Rather than the sights shifting around the target in unison, your are turning the entire sight axis and you can think of it like standing in the middle of a pic... a little turn at the gun equates to a very wide arch at the point of impact.

So, work on site alignment. You will also (hopefully) learn of a thing called "natural point of aim". While it is very important in prone rifle shooting, it also applies in handgun shooting while standing. The mechanics are the same.

Now, with all that said, at most tactical distances, slight movement is not necessary. Outside of bragging points, there is no benefit to putting the rounds in a hole the size of a silver dollar. All that time you spend on getting a tight group, your threat will be lighting you up! IMO, a good compromise of speed and accuracy is an 8" circle.

[TheDonna]

Okay thank you!! I'm hoping to get in a lot more time at the shooting range before the academy to get more familiar with handling and firing! I definitely need to work on how to fire within a certain time frame and still hit the target HAHA!

[Kimble]

I'm hoping to get in a lot more time at the shooting range before the academy to get more familiar with handling and firing!

As a firearms instructor, I would highly advise against this. Being unfamiliar with firearms, you may develop poor habits that will hinder you. It's actually easier for firearms instructors to work with someone who has never shot a gun before vice someone who has spent lots of time on a range and developed bad habits. My personal opinion is to let the academy firearms instruction teach you the *correct* way so that you don't have to unlearn anything that's become muscle memory by teaching yourself. Even if you're taught by a NRA or other non-LE firearms instructor, they may not be teaching you the technique acceptable for law enforcement in your state, as there are a multitude of firearms techniques (some are equally useful for getting a good pattern on a paper target, but not all are tactically preferred for law enforcement).

[Lantz]

Well, Switchback has already answered this, and he's a hell of a lot more knowledgable than me when it comes to shooting, but I'll just say what helps me. I find that it helps for me to hold my breath once I have the target sighted in, so I don't move as much. I also put the sights above the target, and slowly let the sights drop down onto the target, and squeeze the trigger when the sights are on it. If you can do it smoothly, its a real improvement, definitely cuts down movement. And, also, the Golden rule for rifle shooting.( I dont know if its actually a golden rule, I just think of it as one). If you want pinpoint accuracy, you need something to rest your rifle on, because your hands just arent good enough. Even your knee is better than your hands.
I can shoot pretty well. I can hit a tennis ball at 100 yards with open sights on a rifle(granted, I'd rather use a scope). I'm not sure how good that is, but it's functional. I love shooting though, if you don't, then you won't practice as much, and thus, not be as accurate.
Oh, also, I don't know about anybody else, but handguns are kind of an instinctive thing to me. Like shooting with a shotgun, you just look at the target with your gun, and shoot. Even shooting a handgun, I'd say take a rest when appropriate(as in, rest the gun and your hands on something). And, depending on your arm strength, the lighter the handgun, the more accurate you'll be, cuz you don't have to struggle to hold it up after a few minutes. Not too light though, or the recoil snap will make it hard to stay on target.

That's just my advice. Keep in mind, Im 16,and I have NO experience with LEO.

[kels]

A couple of obvious things come to mind.
1. are you squeezing the gun too tight? try loosing your grip a bit.
2. do you have blood pressure problems? and are you taking your meds?
3. are you taking any other meds that might cause problem?
4. do you have a medical condition that just makes you shake or have tremors?