I found this individual by accident while touring some gun stuff on youtube. I can't put into words how helpful and informative he is. My father was a gunsmith so I have been shooting for sometime now, yet my father has since passed. Sometimes in life (oftentimes) we find ourselves wishing we could ask a loved one who has passed for advice. I can't count how many times I have wished my father was around just so I could pick his brain. Listening to this man, I feel my father would agree on mostly all of his principals. To cut this short, a huge thank you from a shooter who always strives to become better. God bless and don't let anyone deter you from being a great teacher and roll model!!!
Brilliant, simply brilliant. I am a new shooter, and have already watched several of your videos. I have now subscribed. You are an invaluable resource, and I thank you for sharing your expertise. The information you provide is vital to the serious, responsible shooting enthusiast, whether it is for sport, hunting, or personal defense. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I HAVE BEEN PULLING THE TRIGGER WRONG MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!! After watching this video last night, I got up this morning and put a few rounds through a pistol I have been thinking about trading off because of my inability to hit targets with it. Turns out it wasn't the arrow it was the indian! I can not believe the difference pulling the trigger makes. I wasn't using the pad of my finger, I didn't have the gap of light between my trigger finger and the frame, I wasn't squeezing the trigger either! Oh how I wish I had all those pistols back I traded off! I also have a Ruger LC9s that I thought was inaccurate because it was too small for my hands, WRONG! It is too small for my hands but when I pull the trigger using the methods you show in this video, I am lethal at 25 yards with this little pocket pistol! Thank you GunBlue490!
This video took me back to the classes I took with NRA instructors when I was 11 years old. Your teaching format is almost identical to what the NRA instructors used then (1961). Thanks for posting good information.
Ive watched a lot of youre videos, i must say, i would have absolutely loved to have had a grandfather like you. Your grand kids are blessed, hopefully they take full advantage of the absolute wealth of knowledge you share. Thank you.
This is one super video. No one ever told me about where the first joint of my trigger finger should be relative to the trigger itself. I've installed a set of grips that gives this alignment to me and it did make a difference. Thank you much.
Thanks so much for presenting this series. I'm really getting a lot out of it. There's a wonderful common sense to everything you have to say, which I really appreciate. I've heard (and seen) so many crazy notions out there by self-styled "experts" that never made sense, but being a relative novice, I assumed I just didn't know any better. And the proof is in the pudding. After applying your instructions in my own training, I've immediately noticed a huge difference in the accuracy, consistency, and predictability of my shooting. What used to be a bit of a mystery is now completely rational. So huge kudos to you, and please keep these videos coming!
You make more sense than anyone on the net. I have learned more from you in you first 4 or five videos than all the videos I have watched in years. A big THANK YOU , Richard
Your demonstration and explanation of "squeeze" made all the difference in my shooting. Thank you very much. I thought I knew and understood this, but watching you told me I wasn't doing it correctly. None of the other videos I've watched explain this as well as you explained, and illustrated, it. Thank you!
With all of the people on You Tube explaining their so called "expert Advise", you are the only one I have seen that explains the importance of a firearm that fits your hand!
Disagree with author's statement about not buying a gun because it's small relative to large hand. Guns are purchased on many factors, often for function over form; an avid and competent gun owner should (and can) learn to shoot many different trigger styles and fits. Trigger fit and pull has had the least impact on my ability to shoot well. Sights, environment, breathing, distractions, self control, etc have always been more important.
Reminds me of many of the lessons I was taught at The Basic School when I was a young US Marine Lieutenant. This is a great refresher for me. Thank you.
You sir, are the very first person I have seen on you tube that explains the proper grip in relation to the size of the gun to mate with the size of the shooters hand! I have large hands. I shoot both S&W model 19, and Beretta 92fs quite well because the first thing I looked at when purchasing a gun, was a gun that fit me.
Thank you for your clarification about the use of slide serrations. I mistakenly deleted my initial comment (wrong click trying to edit. I hadn't seen your response at that moment) about using the serrations to release the slide. Your comment, (The serrations are intended for drawing the slide. Military training prohibited the practice of using the left hand to release the slide, which is something that has developed quite recently) is greatly appreciated. I am learning a lot from your videos and I truly appreciate your expertise. I DO enjoy all of them. We need more great knowledgeable experts to share their life experiences with others; that is noble and must be greatly admired. I am a teacher and I can tell you you have incredible pedagogical "instincts"...Thanks again!!!
Sir, I surely do wish I knew you personally and that we were friends. I respect you as a professional and as a person. Thank you for your energy and effort to help others, people you don't even know. May God bless you and those you love.
You have reminded this old dog about some important skills that need some brushing up and attention. I have a couple of new shooters that need some proper instruction. I'll be using all of your wisdom to get them on the right path. Thank you Sir!! Stay well and God Bless.
Dear Sir, Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I thoroughly enjoy your insight and your instruction. Your teaching skills resonate perfectly with my learning needs. I cannot understand why more people do not watch your videos. I hope that will not discourage you from producing them. I look forward to as many instruction videos as you are willing to make. God bless, Victor Stella
Victor, thank you. I do have a fairly large number of subscribers and viewers, which grows daily, thanks to those of you who share with others. I am aware of a certain paradox that comes with my teaching; that is, such simple methods that I offer stand in stark contrast to the current commercial trends. I doubt that I'll be receiving, nor do I seek, any sponsorships that would taint or color my ability to pass on clean, unadulterated knowledge. While the big catalog stores are selling pages upon pages of gimmicky potions and gadgets, I'm telling folks that old fashioned shooting skills are honed without any of that. Shooting has no more to do with equipment, than winning the Super Bowl has to do with the paint on helmets. When we get back to raw basics, counting points on paper, we will start winning world class championships for what will be the first time in many decades. I'm not in the least discouraged, and I assure you that you'll see more of my videos, God willing.
I'm super glad your back. Your series helped me greatly with my Remington 700 .270. Thanks for posting these because i'm started to work on my CHL. And the Hickok45 reference was awesome
I am going to say. The confidence that you give us, with your expertise, and every little detail in every video you make, is invaluable. There are a lot of shows on TV that are all about "cool" things that have taken over TV today, many bizarre ones that are fake and make no sense, and so on. There barely is anything serious, worth watching anymore. But I tell you, all of USA and all who wanted to learn about marksmanship would greatly benefit from hearing you. From your advice on gun cleaning, solvents, and oiling firearms, letting us know that we need not go crazy, as most of the population today does. Or your marksmanship videos. All the while knowing that we are learning this from a man with 40plus years of serious professional, dedicated experience. We are all very fortunate to watch your videos. Thank you.
What exactly is the proper finger position on the trigger as far as squeezing from the middle or top or bottom of the trigger? I try to put pressure in the middle of the trigger.. Is this correct? My accuracy has improved dramatically since watching your videos. Thank you
Thanks so much for the new segment. I have tried my best to implement all of the pointers and technical advice you have generously given in your previous videos. I know it has helped me every step of the way. This one is no exception. I do have to watch out for the flinch demon. He is in there just waiting. When it happens I shake my head and curse myself out. You probably suggested it ; but I did the alternate loading of a magazine with snap caps and live cartridges. It proves the point.
Snap caps are a terrific method for auto training. Those who load their own ammo can make them easily with drilled brass, too. Four holes are simply drilled through the brass for easy identification. Thank you for your comments.
Dropping the slide on a unloaded 1911 is discussed by Bill Wilson on Wilson Combat channel. Abt May 2019. Claims that without cushion of chambering a round; can damage some internal parts. Perhaps you could discuss. Maybe even talk to Wilson Combat. Thanks for all your work and information.
Very interesting and informative. A small point, but are you a proponent of a firm or loose hold on the grip of the stock? The strength of "grip" with the fingers pressing back on the front strap to web wasn't mentioned, or position of lower fingers on front strap for stabilizing good sight alignment. We hear so much about "grip as tight as you can" usually in tactical training videos but for marksmanship I lean towards a lighter/calmer approach. Any strong views on this in your philosophy? Pete.
You are 100% correct. I started a 9 mm and developed a flinch that haunts me to this day. I'm pretty good with the rifle but I suck with a pistol when it comes to consistency.
Awesome tutorial class! You don't see many shooters at the range with any trigger and sight control. They just load up a magazine and rip off the whole magazine at once.
Listening to GunBlue490 talk about trigger pull and shooting accuracy, is like listening to Warren Page's book "The Accurate Rifle" on tape! To anyone wanting to learn to shoot, Listen to GunBlue490 and read this book! My uncle, Frank R. Martin, sent me this book more than 20 years ago (long out of print) when he realized I was becoming very serious about hunting and accuracy shooting. This book can found on Amazon to this day. I still go back and refer to it when I feel I'm not quite doing things right on the firing line. As an added bonus, Warren Page is a hoot to read! Not what you'd call politically correct by today's standards. When Warren Page, Frank Martin, and GunBlue490, all give you the same advice..... take it! GunBlue490 is a gift to the shooting world, and I feel that old Warren is looking down on him with a smile as he makes these videos. To you young guys who are just getting into shooting, study everything this man says, and read!
Sir. I see you have a mini-14 with a composite stock. I'm looking to buy one with the wood stock. I respect your opinion after watching a few of your videos. Any reason to pick a composite over a wood stock on the mini-14?
Ive adopted a mindset of approaching the trigger face as if it was a sharp needle point and not suddenly piercing my finger, then keep it going till the trigger makes contact with the back of the guard in one movement. Sometime between the start and finish the sear breaks! It's just another mental picture of pressing the peach fuzz,skin etc while steering the sight alignment on area of aim. The press starts in my mind before actually perfectly on target.
+GunBlue490- my father taught me to ‘Breath’ correctly before taking the shot as I was having trouble as a kid while Squirrel hunting. The few mins or so he spent w/ me on this has stayed w/ me my whole life helping me be a much better shooter. Having said this, w/ my Dad it didn’t seem to matter as he had an extreme self confidence in his own shooting along w/ great in depth eye sight. Funny for me as he could be short of breath & still take a Nat’s eye out at 50 yrds. ☺️ Thank you Sir for teaching the proper techniques that many of us have forgotten about using. IMO, our Lord has truly blessed you w/many skills & thx for sharing some of them w/ your viewers! 👍
Thank you for this series of videos. I grew up with a father who was a military firearms instructor who taught me gun safety and proper shooting technique as a young child. However, with that being said a few years ago I developed a bad case of flinching / target panic due to shooting firearms with heavy recoil. The funny or ironic thing is that it translated into Archery for me. In archery we call it target panic because we are anticipating the release of the shot. It's basically flinching and not following through with the shot. I was able to overcome that with lots of reading about techniques of how to combat it with practice which involved more mental practice than physical. Every shot I had to mentally tell myself to squeeze the trigger and follow through. About two years ago I began reloading for my hunting rifles and have become interested in long range shooting. For this I have selected low recoiling rifles in the 7mm08 and .243 calibers and shooting off of sand bags most of the time. The shooting from the bench on bags along with the aid of strong optics has helped me see that I was still flinching while executing the shot; even with low recoiling rifles. Now, I am having to mentally talk myself through the shot in the same way to correct this. It's a funny thing because I shoot a .22 without flinching at all which tells me that it is felt recoil that has created this habit or condition. At this point I have about corrected it with my rifle shooting but it still rears it's head in my handgun shooting. I once owned a very nice .22 pistol that I shot well; but when I started shooting 9mm and .45 caliber the flinching returned. This is my struggle at this point. For someone that has never had to cope with flinching they do not know how difficult it is to overcome. I developed this from shooting 3" & 3.5" 2oz and 2.5oz turkey loads while doing shotgun patterning. This was before the invent of the Lead Sled we see available today. Because of physical issues with neck and back trouble I switched to a 20ga shotgun last year and killed just as many turkeys as I ever did with any 12ga.I have watched your entire series this morning and it has helped me tremendously.Thank you again I will keep working on this until I get ride of it...
+Thesouth80roost Your experience is a very common one, and you are ahead of the game by being aware of it, while the great majority of shooters continue flinching without having a clue that it has become an issue. It's one of the very reasons that I do not recommend magnum cartridges, because, unless a person has uniquely "grown into" a heavy cartridge incrementally, through much controlled practice, flinching is sure to occur. Bigger is not necessarily more.
+Thesouth80roost I was the opposite. I developed target panic in archery, and it translated over to my shooting of firearms. I have still not overcame the problem in archery, instead I switched to a hinge style back tension release, this completely eliminated the issue. I even have used the back tension release to take all of my deer, and because of that release, I shoot better then anyone I know. However, if I try and go back to a trigger release, the problem comes right back after a few shots. I have however, been able to overcome the problem as it relates to firearms. Its harder with handguns because of the inherent wobble that tends to make you want to "Drive by" shoot. But the way I was able to overcome it was many hours with a scoped .22 from a solid bench rest, actually, a lead sled as you mentioned. The stability of the weapon allowed me to stop trying to drive by shooting and concentrate entirly on breathing and trigger control, and reconditioned my mind to stop trying to drive by shoot, or jerk the trigger. When I fire a weapon now, recoil never enter my mind until after the shot has gone off. Just a suggestion, it worked for me it might work for you.
My first 1911 was a chore for me, I couldn't keep a decent group to save my soul. AN oldtimer was watching me shoot one day and after a particularly bad group, he opined that I should try a flat mainspring housing. I thought the old geezer was nuts, it sticks out 1/4 of an inch at the bottom of the grip, what could that do? Later I had the opportunity to shoot a friends compact, I could group much better. It had a flat main spring housing and I decided to try one on mine. With my own pistol, it cut group sizes by half. Fitting your hand is important to accurate shooting.
I like to point shoot from a personal defense standpoint. If I stand up close to a target the size of a half dollar and cover the target with the muzzle , I do not see the target picture you describe. It I squeeze the trigger, I will shoot the center of the target. So why do I want target picture you describe as it seems I will shot low at 6 o'clock. What am I missing? Thank you
I am teaching marksmanship training that involves precision aiming at precision targets. Self defense combat shooting at arms length has nothing to do with this, and never involves sights. Shooting involves more than practicing to shoot at other people. I guess that's what you are missing.
+GunBlue490, I was just reprimanded at gun store of me slide releasing a 10mm 1911 Colt without a magazine inserted. The store clerk states, you can badly damage the sear if a bullet is not being inserted into the chamber during release and striker fire guns are even more prone to damaging the sear. Also he mentioned, to properly dry fire that you should gently hand release by partially pulling back the slide guide it back. I never have heard of this before. Now in this video, I hear your comment of what I always have believed that releasing the slide is fine. Is this store clerk giving me bull? Can you elaborate?
George Mezines The poor soul is simply uneducated, and perhaps thinks that Mr. Browning designed his wittle gun for gentle ballet dancers, who will not bwuise it.
Certainly not in any gun made to Colt standards. It was made for and used exclusively by the military for most of its first 40 years. Manual of arms for guard mount with a 45 was thus: Sidearm held in right hand, slide retracted, pointed upward next to shoulder, full magazine in palm of left hand, elbow bent, held out. Officer of day walked the line, inspecting arms. On order, every 45 slide was released on an empty chamber, hammers dropped by pulling trigger, still pointed skyward. The magazine was inserted into the gun, and holstered, safety off. By military regulation, most 45 slides never fell on anything BUT an empty chamber, except at the range. Nobody EVER rode the slide forward. Neither the trigger, nor any other part of the grip assembly, is in any way connected to, nor influenced by the slide. The hammer remains cocked. I would not own, nor recommend any 1911 that is so fragile that it cannot withstand the shock of the slide returning to battery on an empty chamber. It's one of the many trivial and ridiculous legends that has been promulgated by an increasingly distressing culture over the last few years. Good grief. It's a war gun, not a toy.
Robert Watson, I thank you for insight and real field experience with a 1911 as it was designed. When this guy scolded me for releasing the slide without a round, I just about lost it. Solid steel is not going to break by a solid slap by a spring. Otherwise, that gun is dangerous to shoot, round or no round. Again Robert and GunBlue490, THANKS! For setting us with truths and not this BS that has been flying around. If it wasn't for you two, the internet would smell full of stench.
George Mezines Robert will appreciate the compliment, I'm sure, but the explanation was provided by me in answer to his posting, above mine. I was the MP who stood guard mount daily at Fort Polk, LA, and Cu Chi, Vietnam, and that was the standard military procedure for inspection. That routine prevented anyone from accidentally discharging his service arm, and insured that the weapons were holstered with an empty chamber, hammer down. Like you, I have encountered those who worry about this or that breaking in a 1911, and it's bunk. The chambering of a round buffers absolutely nothing of consequence, as a properly configured gun must slam forward with authority, and strip the cartridge with no resistance. The military spoke on the matter, and that says more than anything.
I stretch my rifles out to 200 yards quite often. I hit 10 water bottles(16 oz) in a row, the other day, from 200. I was very pleased, with that. I did good to hit a 12 x 12 target, from that distance, when I first started trying it. Shooting takes lots of concentration, discipline, and PRACTICE. I've also found that I shoot my pistols much better, when I place my trigger finger close to the first crease. I was printing left, when using the tip of my finger, or the middle of the pad. This is gonna be different, for different people, of course. You just have to get out and experiment. I shot a 4" group from 15 yards, the other day, with my .357(7 shots). That's much better than I used to be. I just imagine that I'm dry firing, trying to keep the gun perfectly still, as I break the trigger. It works!!! Thanks for your content. It's very informative, and refreshing, in this world of tacticool maniacs.
few years late but, how does one squeeze a trigger quickly when in an altercation? slow steady pressure is great for paper + stationary targets but moving targets?
The answer is quite simple, just as any skilled officer learns to control his handgun, and just as any person learns to avoid an accident in a motor vehicle emergency. Practice leads to confidence and speed. Do you think that jerking a trigger in panic is going to get anywhere in an emergency if it can't strike a paper target? Control has nothing to do with being slow.
glad you're back. I actually forgot about these series. thanks for sharing your knowledge. it bugs me as well seeing people target practicing at 7yards. i do self defense practice at alternating 25 and 50 yards. plinking at 50 - 100 yards. I also compete in small bore pistol shilouette.
Hi GunBlue490, Great videos. I hope they'll be around for many generations to come so that future shooters can benefit from the knowledge you've acquired. There's something I don't understand. And since I want to follow your instructions through to the end of this series of videos, I don't want to overlook any of the building blocks of good shooting along the way. Most handguns are much too big for me and the center of the pad of my finger ends up resting on the corner of the trigger. Handguns I have that seem to fit are a couple of S&W Js, a Kahr 9, a Beretta Neos, and a Colt Commander that I custom built to fit me. I also have a Glock 21 first generation that makes a fine paper weight. I've been involved in the shooting sports for over 45 years. When I shoot my handguns in DA (lately I only use a S&W M36), I find that I can't shoot well with the joint of my finger at the edge of the trigger. I have small hands. However, by using your method to see if a handgun fits, on my M36 the crease at the joint lands about 3/8ths forward of the trigger edge, and the tip goes past the trigger guard by the same amount. So, according to your method my hands are too big for the J frame. But no matter how you slice it, I seem to be able to shoot well only when I use the tip of my finger. That is about where the corner of my nail is. And this seems to hold true for any of my handguns. Any thoughts on this? I hate to progress in your videos without resolving this question and possibly carrying over a bad habit that will prevent me from shooting as well as I otherwise could. Thanks, Tony
Fantastic! It is very present through this entire video that you an expert and excellent teacher. I wish I had discovered these videos sooner as I have a flinch that I'm struggling to correct. I know I am anticipating the noise and recoil. I do this with a rifle as well. I noticed it for sure last weekend at the range when I switched from .303 enfield to Cooey model 84 .22. The movement before round went off using .22 was pretty bad. As I shot a few more I started to lose the flinch. I think I will take you're advice regarding perfecting skill with .22's before going back to 9mm handguns, and high powered rifles. Thanks again!
The Ruger 1911 in the video looks great. I am still deciding on purchasing one the only thing holding me back is the aluminum frame. I'm so scared of cracking after time. I don't have one but would like to know your take on the gun...Thanks for the video it was very educational.
That entire gun is stainless steel. Aluminum frames are a different model. However, high grade aluminum is successfully employed in many 1911 guns and other articles that suffer no cracking under stress, including airplanes that have been flying for over 85 years. Virtually all AR-15s are aluminum.
I'm happy to say that with practice and concentration I shoot all my handguns at 25 yards with many 1 inch or 2 inch groups(not always-lol). With all my rifles I rarely miss a 1 foot target at 200 yards. With my AR I have shot quite a few 2-3 inch 20 shot groups at 200 yards offhand. It took practice and concentration. It still does, for I still have a few days that I can't get in the deadly accurate zone. Especially when I experiment with different techniques and my eyes are aging. But I shoot anything pretty well. Practice and concentration are key. Note: In my earlier shooting days I was not considered a very good shot- practice gets you to becoming one. Not tooting my own horn but a Range master did tell me I was the best offhand shooter at the gun club. I would never make such a claim, but it definitely made me realize that with much practice I became proficient with all firearms. Good enough for my purposes. After all, in my early days I had a hard time hitting a 1 foot target at 50 yards with a rifle regularly -lol.
Glad to see you finally got your new camera! Very informative video, I have the day off tomorrow and will try some of those techniques with a couple different pistols and some fresh hand loads. Good to see you back.
I have shot just as you have shown but found my own style through trial and error but along side other great shooters that encourage you (me) to try harder and look closer. Everything you have mentioned I have experienced. LOL Right down to trigger widths and smoothness. I had to retire my off brand revolvers to stick with one trigger pull style and had my triggers rounded and smoothed over and adding a rubber trigger stop. They are great guns, some with the hammer bobbed off to have the action only tuned for double action pulls. The pull is smooth, the triggers now have no sharp edges and with magnum rounds I don't get trigger pinch. Shooting 150 practice rounds is a pleasure, as it should be. Oh, I am a revolver man as I cannot stand hunting for my empties to reload them later!
GunBlue, I have certainly enjoyed the videos in regards to calibers, bullets etc, but this is the most important topic....it does no good to have a firearm if one cannot sight it and use it. I recently set up a home range and have had my wife and friends shooting. What I have found is exactly what you described. My wife could not hit anything till I figured out she is left eye dominant. Some of our friends will hit the ground, part of the target and somtimes one hits the actual target. I had to insist they move up to only 15-20 feet away lest they scatter bullets gosh knows where. I have been blessed with being able to point and shoot whether it is a bow or a firearm, and I have been frustrated at how to explain how I do it to them. When I was in the Navy, I was able to wear a ribbon for .45 despite no practice....I just went to the range one day and shot with a friend who had been practicing...I qualified and he did not...he was not happy. This series has made the light bulb come on for me. In segment 2, you said that adjustment to sights are secondary to the ability to hold the rear and front sight together. That was brilliant and I believe I can now relate and convey this to others. I will also recommend they watch your series.
I sure like your presentations, there a great help, and thank you for your service. I just bought a New Ruger SR1911 Stainless. I took it to the range and it shot perfectly. From 10 metre I put 6 rounds into a 3" black spot. ( I had two flies from not concentrating) I shot about 100 rounds without a problem. It fit my hand perfectly. I also have a Colt 1911 Gov. Series 70 that I've had for over 30 years. I put a flat spring on the back to make it fit me better. It shoots pretty good, but I found that the Ruger fits me better. I was told not to drop my slide on an empty chamber. Glad to hear it won't hurt my gun to do that.
Thanks for many great vids. I grew up with rifles. Hand guns always freaked me out, but I retired last year and I see hand guns, or replica hand guns, as my new hobby. I have a Baikal Makarov CO2 pistol. Pure Baikal. Pure Russian military. 95% 9/18mm refitted to fire BBs. No, seriously, in the CO2 pistol world this is as real as it gets. I plink with the Makarov and take my Walther to the range. Works for me. Again, thanks for the great content.
Thank you Sir for sharing your endless information, I don't feel worthy to add anything but maybe you will find it interesting. When I was in the police academy, our firearm instructors would load a dummy round at random in the magazines of our Glock 17s to, at first, check for flinching and later on in the course, to clear a misfire. I believe you can purchase them (not the snapcaps for the folks afraid to dry fire) or I suppose they could be hand loaded just without a live primer or powder. Thanks again for your insight help and passion you bring to the sport.
thetoecutter13 I truly appreciate your contribution, and thank you for watching. Yes, I am familiar with such dummy rounds that we used for training with our Sigarms pistols, too. We used commercially made dummies, but they can be easily and inexpensively made by handloading a brass, non-plated case that's loaded with an inert filler such as Cream of Wheat to prevent deepening of the bullet, filling the primer pocket with silicone rubber. Dipping the dummy in Birchwood Casey Brass Black will nicely color the brass case and copper jacketed bullet to identify it. They will last for countless uses. You are entirely correct that pistols may be dry fired without snap caps, unless the manufacturer states otherwise. I know of no such weakness in any pistol, and certainly would not own such an unreliable gun. Please remember to subscribe. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
@GunBlue490 At 5:28 When you talk about using the slide release on the military grade 1911, I'd like to understand this part in more detail. I've heard from some gunsmiths with the "W", that it would cause damage IF done on a empty chamber with an empty magazine, that the dampening of feeding a round isn't given. Would you say that's BS? I mean if the last round is spent and the slide wouldn't lock, you'd have the same issue. Thank you for the videos. I already saw the newer ones but I think the old ones are worth watching as well. All the best with your dog. This video is particularly helpful in choosing a fitting gun.
I agree with those "gunsmiths" about the weaknesses of their products. As I stated in the video, there are certainly 1911 style guns made that are susceptible to damage. Without being technical, they achieve whisper triggers by three doing three sophomoric and simplistic treatments: reduction of the sear and hammer notch contact, reduction of the trigger return spring force, and reduction of the hammer main spring force. Each of those modifications results in a softer trigger pull, but does so by creating a gun that is exactly as weak and prone to failure as their designer says it is, because their hammers don't make firm contact with the sears which results in bouncing and chiselling against each other as the slide lands. The 1911 was designed to have a trigger pull of between 4 to 6 pounds. The NRA and CMP Precision Pistol Rules require the 1911 trigger to lift a 3.5 pound weight because it provides safe contact at the limit of military specifications. Such guns, using high grade parts that are hardened to industry specifications are not damaged by dropping the slide because their hammers don't bounce on their sears in a self destructive manner that shears off the notch and dulls the sear to ruination. Competition shooters have for over 100 years been winning trophies with the 1911 with guns that came from the armory without any specialized treatments, because they home their skills, not hammers.
I want a 1911, but theres so many things to consider when it comes to this platform. I hear when looking for a 1911 platform to look for the models with (forged steel parts) for strength and longevity.
Hi Sir,the things I'm learning from your generous teaching are unbelievable! I have only started watching your videos two weeks ago and has made a big difference down range! Thankyou for your time and great passion,it is immensely appreciated. Thanks again: regards from Mario Sydney Australia (I would like to know your name,I don't think you mention it in any of your videos) God Bless
Was that a Marlin Little Buckaroo? Sure looks like one. That was my first rifle and what I learned on. Talk about a blast from the past, haven't seen one in ages. Great content as always. Thanks so much for all the great videos and teaching.
When you first begin the shooting sport, I highly recommend a surprise break, as you keep your sights on target, the best that you can. However, as you get more familiar with your trigger, you can get better at timing your trigger break, with an exact sight alignment. This has to be done with a steady motion, without jerking the trigger. It's very hard to master, but it will make you a much better precision shooter, with lots of practice. You will eventually learn EXACTLY where the trigger breaks, on YOUR gun. It just takes time...
GunBlue - do you consider a grip safety enough or are you taking about a frame safety? I'm looking forward to your video on breath control. Thanks for the very informative videos. I'm definitely learning a lot.
BoomerGun A safety lever that must be purposefully disengaged is the only form of safety that has any real effectiveness. Grip safeties simply require that one is holding the gun in the hand, which is a condition that can be very far from the determination for firing. Rather than thinking in terms of a handgun, think in terms of carrying a long gun afield with your buddies left and right of you, who might be struck if you tripped or were otherwise caused to pull the trigger unintentionally. When the game flushes, you throw the lever off and fire, without a missed beat. Then apply that same mentality to the handgun.
Dry firing for marksmanship is very beneficial for training. Most guns may be safely dry fired. There are some guns that should not be, because their firing pins are known to break. Lever action guns are susceptible to damage, many double barrel and over/under shotguns as well. Most others are quite durable. If in doubt, pick up the phone and call your manufacturer, and they'll gladly tell you. All US military training involves preparatory dry firing. In any event, you may always use a dummy case, which is clearly dyed with purple machine marker, and drilled with four 1/8 inch holes around the outside lower circumference of the case to identify it. It's best to have someone load a dummy case for you, using a new or resized case. Remove the primer, and fill the primer pocket with silicone rubber as a firing pin cushion. If you want to use it to function the action, cement a bullet in place by smearing a small dab of silicone rubber on the inside of the case mouth before seating a bullet.
I highly recommend that people practice with a double action trigger. Also, if you want to eliminate your "flinch", use a revolver. Load an empty cartridge in one of the chambers, then spin your cylinder. You won't know when the empty is coming, as you're shooting. I promise you, that if you have a flinch, this will expose it. The gun shouldn't move, as you drop the hammer, on the empty cartridge. This is a GREAT practice drill. I see that he went over this, as I kept watching the video. lol
how much pressure would you say when it comes to actually holding the pistol with two hands? 60/40? 70/30? And do you use the thumbs forward method when holding on to the pistol
nono559 It's not about pressure at all. Do you think about pressure when you are passing the cardboard milk bottle or lifting a newborn? Just hold it with your strong hand comfortably, and support it with your other hand. Pressure induces tremors and accuracy errors. Use the same hold for a 44 Magnum as you would hold an ice cream cone. It won't go anywhere. Thumb is wrapped down firmly for double action, which aids straight trigger pull. Thumb is held loosely up for a single action, which aids straight trigger pull. Watch video again.
Thank you for the reply sir, there are so many shooters out there saying that you need a 70% tight grip with your support hand and 30% with your dominant hand or 60/40. I never could understand how people would come up with those numbers. You have explained it very brilinantly thank you sir
been shooting a lot lately (and watching a lot of these videos). just air guns, but still, shooting. i totally got the "flinch demon"! ugh. many years ago, my one uncle thought it'd be funny to hand me a 357 in his yard and have me shoot it. i was totally unprepared! I still have a scar from the scope ring in between my eyes! was a bloody mess! never got that out of my head (no pun intended, haha). now, even with a low-powered, bb pistol, CO2, withOUT blowback, I still flinch! ugh...
Disagree with author's statement about not buying a gun because it's small relative to large hand. Guns are purchased on many factors, often for function over form; an avid and competent gun owner should (and can) learn to shoot many different trigger styles and fits. Trigger fit and pull has had the least impact on my ability to shoot well. Sights, environment, breathing, etc have always been more important. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the video and appreciate the time and effort that went into making it. Keep it up.
Most people do not realize that the cost of keeping the machining running to spec and the time spent keeping cutting dies sharp has a lot to do with cost in firearms manufacturing. As in knife making a steel that is pennies more can up the cost significantly do to the extra time it takes cutting the harder steel. Take AUS8 vs D2 steel cust about the same for material but the manufacturing is more difficult with D2, this is why a D2 blade cost more than a AUS8 blade.
You mentioned that there are no poor quality American firearms manufacturers. Is that true of Marlin, given all the changes that that company has been through in recent years ?
The question is based on a premise that is invalid, misrepresented, and is too often vomited by bloggers who should get off their duffs and stop making up something to complain about. I have a bone to pick with this issue, because it ultimately undermines the jobs of good US workers and even the 2nd Amendment in the long run. I am very familiar with both Remington and Marlin. I have owned many, new and old, and I have lots to say about this so-called quality control issue. Is it even true, as reported, or is it a little bit of truth that grew out of proportion? Read on. Let us understand that both companies were among the first American arms manufacturers, and helped guard our 2nd Amendment rights for many years, long before many of their competitors even existed. Long before Kimber, Dakota, Ruger, or Weatherby. Long before CZ, Sako, Howa, or any foreign imports came into the US. They were defending your gun rights when President Carter was attempting to close the door on guns forever, 40 years ago. Back then there were no guns on shelves except Marlin, Remington, H&R, Winchester, and Savage. That was about it, unless you had a very big wallet, and those were imports that had no voice in American politics. For that alone, they deserve fair support from every one of us, and certainly do not deserve to be kicked when they are down from matters they did not invite upon themselves. Both have suffered serious financial setbacks in recent years that had much to do with the changing anti-gun climate in New York and Connecticut, that abandoned them, after being some of the biggest tax payers in their states. The very states that profited by guns for over a century, turned their backs on them, and attacked their product, and forced terrible taxes on them, so we should not be inclined to blame the victims. Most especially, the dozens of fine small family gun makers in this country owe everything to these American companies that helped keep the 2nd Amendment alive, while they were in diapers, or they would not be in business today. Marlin was a fine gun company and produced millions of some of the finest guns in the world that have been in production since the 1800's. Their collapse was not their fault, as people changed their ideals from lever actions and pumps, which built the gun industry, to bolt actions and autos, which is a relatively new surge of the last 35 to 40 years. In 1970, a guy gave his son a lever action, and chances are that he used one. A bolt gun was a specialist gun used by westerners and crazy woodchuck shooters. A bolt action looked like an Army gun to most guys, and they worried that it could not shoot fast enough. You saw very few scoped bolt guns in the woods in 1965, and rarely saw a scope on anything. These days, a guy buys and gives a bolt action. How is it that when we won't buy a lever gun, we still expect Marlin to hang out in a factory that is over-taxed, employs workers that don't care, in a state that hates guns. They had to be moved to another state and rescued by a company that never made that kind of gun, and by a skeleton group of workers who must wonder why they are making something nobody wants! Fancy that! Before we disparage Marlin quality, remember that if Remington did not rescue the company and pour huge financial resources into saving them, they would have closed forever. But remember that Remington had never built lever actions before, and had to basically start from scratch with whatever help they could get from workers that stayed after they relocated, and most of the skilled workers had already left the company when the writing was on the wall. You don't just pick up a blueprint and learn to build new designs overnight, when you have been making Remington style guns forever. But instead of being a corporate hero, they are sniped at by the gun public for not making perfect guns. But let us look at the reality. I have owned a number of Marlins since my first 336 in 1964, and still do. I also know what they have been producing in the last few years since Remington took over. Though the first efforts were not up to Marlin standards of years ago, NEITHER were the latest JB marked Marlins, before they went out of business. The market for lever guns had dried up, almost overnight, and hey had all they could do to sell even a fraction of their previous production. Factories demand certain things to stay in good production. They must reinvest constantly in training, tooling, and increases in wages, which all demands a profit margin that provides capital. When this ceases, they go out of business, as thousands of factories have done. Marlin, my friend, is still ALIVE, employing US workers, because another American company took a chance on a bad hand, to keep a proud American tradition going, even if it was perhaps at a loss. Marlin did not cause the loss of interest in lever guns that made their company fail, and Remington did not intend to produce substandard guns. Nor did Marlin invite the labor problems that swamped them. In truth, Remington had to turn itself to restart a gun making company that had already dried up. Frankly, I thought Americans would rejoice in their effort, but instead, they nit-pick that the guns are not what Gramps owned. Well, I had those guns, and they were not the works of perfection everyone makes them out to be. How many people out of 100 are even interested in a lever gun these days? Who even wants a 30-30? From what I've seen on the rack, it MIGHT be 1% have any interest. Everyone else is flocking to buy ugly black plastic stocked autos and super magnum bolt guns. That's a complete turn-around from the 60s and 70s, when Marlin was in its heyday, when they were running full centerfold ads in all the sporting magazines. In 1965, a dealer sat on bolt actions and autos and dusted them off every week. The fact that they are making ANY guns is a miracle. Nobody is rushing to buy Marlins, and they laugh at lever guns and sneer at the little 30-30 when they walk past them in the stores. Instead, they admire cheap plastic guns with unfinished and bead-blasted steel that no sane man would have even considered owning up to in his gun cabinet even 20 years ago, and complain when a checkered walnut, blued steel Marlin is not marked with a circled JB and has a rough trigger. And then they call Remington and Marlin names. If it was not for Marlin, Winchester, and Remington, who invented the original designs, none of these other clone companies would be making anything. Anything else is a copy of their art. I HEAR and READ many complaints about Marlin, and they do not match what I've SEEN or SHOT. I have been using a brand new Marlin .44 Magnum, made entirely at the Remington Marlin facility. It is a very nicely made gun, with perfect checkering (none of the old JB Marlins had checkering at all, except for custom models 100 years ago), the metal work and fitting is exceptional. The gun delivers .44 Magnum rounds into 4" groups at 100 yards, which is exactly what my 1964 vintage Marlin did. It functions without a hitch, which is better than my 1964 Marlin 336 in .44 Magnum did. It does not look exactly like the old Marlins of the 60s. True. My 1964 Marlin had silly white line spacers, no checkering, a glossy varnished stock that scratched easily, and a black plastic butt pad. The new one has great checkering, a fancy brown rubber butt pad, and nice scratch resistant, satin finish. It has a cross bolt safety, which was required of them to avoid being sued by the good gun owners that turned on them in the past. I am not required to use it, and can ignore it. Are they as nicely polished as my 1965 Marlin 336? Well, my 1964 was no lustrous Sako. This new Marlin has a satin brushed, deeply blued steel finish that looks quite nice. Nobody who runs around with a bead blasted or camo covered AR or $300.00 bolt gun should be taking pot shots at anyone for how their guns are finished. Do they have wonderful triggers? No. And neither did any lever action rifle, except by pure accident, or because it was tuned afterwards. Any Marlin can still be tuned to a crisp 3-1/2 pound pull by any gunsmith, just as Grandpa did. Finally, the price of guns is far less than it was in 1965, US dollar wise. A Marlin 336 cost $86.95 back then, when most factory workers still only brought home $55.00 after deductions. Few people have to sacrifice an entire week or more of earnings now to buy a $600.00 gun. There was no online back then. You paid whatever Frank sold them for at his store, and that was it. And trust me, pickings were few and far between. Slow reply on a gun repair issue? 50 years ago, if you had a consumer complaint, you went to your priest or minister to complain, because nobody had a consumer relations department. If your gun didn't work when you pulled the trigger, or if the stock had a crack in it, it was your problem. Caveat emptor was the slogan of the day. Buyer beware. The old days were not as good as some imagine or remember, and the new guns are not as bad as some people think they are. They are pretty darn good these days, all around, and far better selection than anyone would have dreamed in 1965. President Reagan said: Never say anything against a fellow Republican. I say, never say anything against a gun manufacturer. Every time a poison word is penned against a gun maker, it hurts their sales and workers, and if they go out of business, the opposition is one step closer to killing your right to bear arms. As Remington goes, so goes America. It will be like the canary dying in a mine. l say it again. They all make good guns. Most of all, they provide huge donations to the NRA and other organizations that stand by your right to own and hunt, and protect yourself with them! Support your American gun makers.
GunBlue490 + Learning a lot from watching your videos....learning still more from reading your responses to other people's questions.... No doubt in my mind my dad would have said "listen to this man." I'm 55 but have little knowledge and experience in the world of firearms. In the last two years I've had an incredible interest and I've been learning all I can. I did learn a few of the most important things about safety when I was younger. Your video "How to choose a defensive handgun" taught me even more about safety. Thank You Sir, God Bless.
GunBlue490 I went back and you said Remington.. Not Bremerton. That's ok.. I believe in the same things you do. Sight alignment as you squeeze the Trigger is one thing. I'm in total agreement. I shoot Bulleseye although I haven't been active in many years in the sport. Shooing at reactionary targets is a lot of fun, However the paper doesn't lie to you. You must be able to control yourself and discipline your mind and actions to shoot correctly with consistence. I'm going through your video series on many of your video's and find that you and I smoke the same cigar on subjects of accuracy. I have started a channel and have some armature videos you are welcome to check out if you want. Dave.
I really enjoy watching your videos, I've learned a lot in how to clean and take care of a gun. I'm also learning how to hold and shoot a gun as a result of your videos. In one of your videos you made a statement about glocks that was kind of negative. I bring this up cause I am in the process of buying a Gen4 glock 19 in the near future.
Michael Maxwell Thank you for your comments. I'm not being negative. I am positively against any gun that is sold before the bugs are out. Having no safety is a very big bug. That company forgot to install a safety in their first generation, and have been putting up a false front ever since, to protect their hide from lawsuits and recalls. They also forgot that un-checkered plastic is slick in wet hands and put texturing on the guns in Gen 2. If you shop around, you'll find there are assortments of very fine polymer-glass framed autos that are similarly sized to the G-19, that are every bit as good and reliable, but with the added benefit of a safety. I will NEVER recommend an auto that has no safety. Besides that, they won't have the limitation of having to fire expensive jacketed-only bullets for practice, required by G's polygonal barrel. And why four generations? Most guns are built right the first time. I've found that folks can't articulate any mechanical advantage the guns have, and it's because they have none. Get a really good, safe gun and don't get lured by slick advertizing that offends the efforts of every other gun maker to make a gun safe to carry. If you like striker fired guns, everyone makes them, and they come with safeties. A safety is not an inconvenience in an emergency, but the lack of one might create a medical emergency. I know all their cliches about the safety being between people's ears, and the other stupid lines their salespeople make. That's an insult to every safe gun handling tenet ever taught for generations of sensible shooters. I'm here to tell you that guns do go off unintentionally when safeties are not engaged.
I have been looking at getting a 22 Revolver and this is one on my list to check out and I would also be interested in your option of the Ruger GP 100. It strikes me as another good choice.
john george Mcleod I might certainly own one someday, myself. I personally approved of, and submitted a recommendation to my department for the then new GP100 service revolvers when they first came out in the 80s. I trained officers with them, and as the department Armorer, found them to be extremely easy to service (which they rarely required), and nearly indestructible. A very fine gun.
Thank you sir. I know they are not cheap and I am not a rich man,but as I hope to pass them on to my Son, daughter and/or Grandkids I figure that I don't want to hand them something that would not be at least capable of acceptable accuracy and have the durability that I want for my personal firearms. I think either one would fit the bill for our needs. We may just get one of each for my wife and myself so long as the fit is right.I just got my better half interested in shooting after she retired and I think I may have created a competitive monster, which is probably a good thing as it keeps me focused. Take care and give Benny an extra treat from me.
john george Mcleod Benny enjoyed his extra treat and thanks you. As a side note, our officers received their first introduction to handguns with 4 inch S&W blued K frame 22 target revolvers, and they fired many thousands of rounds in single and double action, without a single failure. They are very smooth, precisely made guns. Ruger did not make 22 revolvers in those days. You cannot go wrong with either.
Thank you for this and the related videos. I watched them yesterday and today I went to the range and saw the benefit of what you were saying. It sounds simple but when you really squeeze the trigger you don't know when the gun is going to fire and therefore you don't flinch. It takes some practice but my accuracy improved enormously. Dry firing helps get muscle memory and I will practice. Thanks again.
I had a little flinching problem but not any more if I think about it while I'm shooting. I think a good way to see if your buddy is doing it is to load a snap cap first, I usually load five at a time and shoot with good control at NRA bulls eye targets. If I didn't know my last round was a dummy my buddy would see if I was flinching.
+GunBlue490 Oh I was just thinking with an auto, I have a friend who is a new shooter so if i load a mag of five for him I have to load a snap cap first so the action will shut.
@@GunBlue490 I use the Remington golden bullets in my 22 and it simulates the "ball and dummy" technique perfectly due to all the failure to fires! LOL
I found this individual by accident while touring some gun stuff on youtube. I can't put into words how helpful and informative he is. My father was a gunsmith so I have been shooting for sometime now, yet my father has since passed.
Sometimes in life (oftentimes) we find ourselves wishing we could ask a loved one who has passed for advice. I can't count how many times I have wished my father was around just so I could pick his brain. Listening to this man, I feel my father would agree on mostly all of his principals. To cut this short, a huge thank you from a shooter who always strives to become better. God bless and don't let anyone deter you from being a great teacher and roll model!!!
Brilliant, simply brilliant. I am a new shooter, and have already watched several of your videos. I have now subscribed. You are an invaluable resource, and I thank you for sharing your expertise. The information you provide is vital to the serious, responsible shooting enthusiast, whether it is for sport, hunting, or personal defense. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I HAVE BEEN PULLING THE TRIGGER WRONG MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!! After watching this video last night, I got up this morning and put a few rounds through a pistol I have been thinking about trading off because of my inability to hit targets with it. Turns out it wasn't the arrow it was the indian! I can not believe the difference pulling the trigger makes. I wasn't using the pad of my finger, I didn't have the gap of light between my trigger finger and the frame, I wasn't squeezing the trigger either! Oh how I wish I had all those pistols back I traded off! I also have a Ruger LC9s that I thought was inaccurate because it was too small for my hands, WRONG! It is too small for my hands but when I pull the trigger using the methods you show in this video, I am lethal at 25 yards with this little pocket pistol! Thank you GunBlue490!
I guess I better watch segment 2&3 now!
This video took me back to the classes I took with NRA instructors when I was 11 years old. Your teaching format is almost identical to what the NRA instructors used then (1961). Thanks for posting good information.
Mike McIlhenny
I received my training as an NRA Police Firearms instructor, which perhaps explains that.
Thank you for your generosity in sharing your hard-won knowledge - and it's great to see you back!
you sir are a walking encyclopedia of gun knowledge,,thank you for sharing..
I'm a retired state trooper. Your expertise far exceeds that of any instructor I've ever known. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Ive watched a lot of youre videos, i must say, i would have absolutely loved to have had a grandfather like you. Your grand kids are blessed, hopefully they take full advantage of the absolute wealth of knowledge you share. Thank you.
You sir are a great American I'd love to sit down with you and enjoy a beer and cigar and listen to the stories you could tell. GOD BLESS!
This is one super video. No one ever told me about where the first joint of my trigger finger should be relative to the trigger itself. I've installed a set of grips that gives this alignment to me and it did make a difference. Thank you much.
Thanks so much for presenting this series. I'm really getting a lot out of it. There's a wonderful common sense to everything you have to say, which I really appreciate. I've heard (and seen) so many crazy notions out there by self-styled "experts" that never made sense, but being a relative novice, I assumed I just didn't know any better. And the proof is in the pudding. After applying your instructions in my own training, I've immediately noticed a huge difference in the accuracy, consistency, and predictability of my shooting. What used to be a bit of a mystery is now completely rational. So huge kudos to you, and please keep these videos coming!
You make more sense than anyone on the net. I have learned more from you in you first 4 or five videos than all the videos I have watched in years. A big THANK YOU , Richard
rwhdragonmaster You're welcome!
Your demonstration and explanation of "squeeze" made all the difference in my shooting. Thank you very much. I thought I knew and understood this, but watching you told me I wasn't doing it correctly. None of the other videos I've watched explain this as well as you explained, and illustrated, it. Thank you!
You sir, have been a wealth of knowledge, and I enjoy listening to you talk!
Best instructor I've ever seen!
Thank you!
Great teachers like this gentleman need to be greatly valued and praised. Thank you for these videos!
With all of the people on You Tube explaining their so called "expert Advise", you are the only one I have seen that explains the importance of a firearm that fits your hand!
Disagree with author's statement about not buying a gun because it's small relative to large hand. Guns are purchased on many factors, often for function over form; an avid and competent gun owner should (and can) learn to shoot many different trigger styles and fits. Trigger fit and pull has had the least impact on my ability to shoot well. Sights, environment, breathing, distractions, self control, etc have always been more important.
Lars U He is referring to being an excellent shooter. Not just someone who can hit a target. A Marksman, not a plinker.....
Reminds me of many of the lessons I was taught at The Basic School when I was a young US Marine Lieutenant. This is a great refresher for me. Thank you.
You sir, are the very first person I have seen on you tube that explains the proper grip in relation to the size of the gun to mate with the size of the shooters hand! I have large hands. I shoot both S&W model 19, and Beretta 92fs quite well because the first thing I looked at when purchasing a gun, was a gun that fit me.
Thank you. You're a great teacher and generous for taking the time to make these. Thanks
Fantastic advice. Something here for everyone, novice and experienced shooter alike. Thanks Captain!
Thank you for your clarification about the use of slide serrations. I mistakenly deleted my initial comment (wrong click trying to edit. I hadn't seen your response at that moment) about using the serrations to release the slide. Your comment, (The serrations are intended for drawing the slide. Military training prohibited the practice of using the left hand to release the slide, which is something that has developed quite recently) is greatly appreciated. I am learning a lot from your videos and I truly appreciate your expertise. I DO enjoy all of them. We need more great knowledgeable experts to share their life experiences with others; that is noble and must be greatly admired. I am a teacher and I can tell you you have incredible pedagogical "instincts"...Thanks again!!!
Thank you sir for sharing your knowledge! I appreciate your videos and I have learned a lot!
Sir, I surely do wish I knew you personally and that we were friends. I respect you as a professional and as a person. Thank you for your energy and effort to help others, people you don't even know. May God bless you and those you love.
You have reminded this old dog about some important skills that need some brushing up and attention. I have a couple of new shooters that need some proper instruction. I'll be using all of your wisdom to get them on the right path. Thank you Sir!! Stay well and God Bless.
Thank you for these videos, lots of valuable information that you present in a thoughtful, understandable manner.
Dear Sir,
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I thoroughly enjoy your insight and your instruction. Your teaching skills resonate perfectly with my learning needs. I cannot understand why more people do not watch your videos. I hope that will not discourage you from producing them. I look forward to as many instruction videos as you are willing to make.
God bless,
Victor Stella
Victor, thank you. I do have a fairly large number of subscribers and viewers, which grows daily, thanks to those of you who share with others. I am aware of a certain paradox that comes with my teaching; that is, such simple methods that I offer stand in stark contrast to the current commercial trends. I doubt that I'll be receiving, nor do I seek, any sponsorships that would taint or color my ability to pass on clean, unadulterated knowledge. While the big catalog stores are selling pages upon pages of gimmicky potions and gadgets, I'm telling folks that old fashioned shooting skills are honed without any of that. Shooting has no more to do with equipment, than winning the Super Bowl has to do with the paint on helmets. When we get back to raw basics, counting points on paper, we will start winning world class championships for what will be the first time in many decades.
I'm not in the least discouraged, and I assure you that you'll see more of my videos, God willing.
Great to see you back! Really appreciate your wisdom and expertise in the shooting sports. Thanks for your time and efforts.
I'm super glad your back. Your series helped me greatly with my Remington 700 .270. Thanks for posting these because i'm started to work on my CHL. And the Hickok45 reference was awesome
You are excellent. This video is very educational and, in my opinion, is essential viewing for beginner and intermediate shooters.
I am going to say. The confidence that you give us, with your expertise, and every little detail in every video you make, is invaluable. There are a lot of shows on TV that are all about "cool" things that have taken over TV today, many bizarre ones that are fake and make no sense, and so on. There barely is anything serious, worth watching anymore. But I tell you, all of USA and all who wanted to learn about marksmanship would greatly benefit from hearing you. From your advice on gun cleaning, solvents, and oiling firearms, letting us know that we need not go crazy, as most of the population today does. Or your marksmanship videos. All the while knowing that we are learning this from a man with 40plus years of serious professional, dedicated experience. We are all very fortunate to watch your videos. Thank you.
Long awaited. It's nice to have you back again with your invaluable knowledge and great teaching skills.
What exactly is the proper finger position on the trigger as far as squeezing from the middle or top or bottom of the trigger? I try to put pressure in the middle of the trigger.. Is this correct? My accuracy has improved dramatically since watching your videos. Thank you
Great to see you back sir! I am glad! And thank you for doing this!
I'm happy to be back. Thank you.
It is good to see you back.
I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Hope to learn more.
Thank you
I was just practicing my handgun shooting yesterday and used your advice on sight picture. Very good video by the way. It was very helpful
Thanks so much for the new segment. I have tried my best to implement all of the pointers and technical advice you have generously given in your previous videos. I know it has helped me every step of the way. This one is no exception. I do have to watch out for the flinch demon. He is in there just waiting. When it happens I shake my head and curse myself out. You probably suggested it ; but I did the alternate loading of a magazine with snap caps and live cartridges. It proves the point.
Snap caps are a terrific method for auto training. Those who load their own ammo can make them easily with drilled brass, too. Four holes are simply drilled through the brass for easy identification.
Thank you for your comments.
Dropping the slide on a unloaded 1911 is discussed by Bill Wilson on Wilson Combat channel. Abt May 2019. Claims that without cushion of chambering a round; can damage some internal parts.
Perhaps you could discuss. Maybe even talk to Wilson Combat. Thanks for all your work and information.
Very interesting and informative. A small point, but are you a proponent of a firm or loose hold on the grip of the stock? The strength of "grip" with the fingers pressing back on the front strap to web wasn't mentioned, or position of lower fingers on front strap for stabilizing good sight alignment. We hear so much about "grip as tight as you can" usually in tactical training videos but for marksmanship I lean towards a lighter/calmer approach. Any strong views on this in your philosophy? Pete.
Very glad to see you back GunBlue490 ;)
Really enjoyed your original videos and look forward to your new ones...
Thanks for the time you take out of your day to pass on this info I appreciate it
You are 100% correct. I started a 9 mm and developed a flinch that haunts me to this day. I'm pretty good with the rifle but I suck with a pistol when it comes to consistency.
Thank you sir, this is going to be very useful for me. Greetings from Italy!
Awesome tutorial class! You don't see many shooters at the range with any trigger and sight control. They just load up a magazine and rip off the whole magazine at once.
Listening to GunBlue490 talk about trigger pull and shooting accuracy, is like listening to Warren Page's book "The Accurate Rifle" on tape!
To anyone wanting to learn to shoot, Listen to GunBlue490 and read this book! My uncle, Frank R. Martin, sent me this book more than 20 years ago (long out of print) when he realized I was becoming very serious about hunting and accuracy shooting. This book can found on Amazon to this day. I still go back and refer to it when I feel I'm not quite doing things right on the firing line. As an added bonus, Warren Page is a hoot to read! Not what you'd call politically correct by today's standards.
When Warren Page, Frank Martin, and GunBlue490, all give you the same advice..... take it!
GunBlue490 is a gift to the shooting world, and I feel that old Warren is looking down on him with a smile as he makes these videos.
To you young guys who are just getting into shooting, study everything this man says, and read!
Sir. I see you have a mini-14 with a composite stock. I'm looking to buy one with the wood stock. I respect your opinion after watching a few of your videos. Any reason to pick a composite over a wood stock on the mini-14?
Ive adopted a mindset of approaching the trigger face as if it was a sharp needle point and not suddenly piercing my finger, then keep it going till the trigger makes contact with the back of the guard in one movement. Sometime between the start and finish the sear breaks! It's just another mental picture of pressing the peach fuzz,skin etc while steering the sight alignment on area of aim. The press starts in my mind before actually perfectly on target.
+GunBlue490- my father taught me to ‘Breath’ correctly before taking the shot as I was having trouble as a kid while Squirrel hunting. The few mins or so he spent w/ me on this has stayed w/ me my whole life helping me be a much better shooter. Having said this, w/ my Dad it didn’t seem to matter as he had an extreme self confidence in his own shooting along w/ great in depth eye sight. Funny for me as he could be short of breath & still take a Nat’s eye out at 50 yrds. ☺️
Thank you Sir for teaching the proper techniques that many of us have forgotten about using. IMO, our Lord has truly blessed you w/many skills & thx for sharing some of them w/ your viewers! 👍
SIR can you please give my your opinion on the Howa firearm?
Thank you for this series of videos. I grew up with a father who was a military firearms instructor who taught me gun safety and proper shooting technique as a young child. However, with that being said a few years ago I developed a bad case of flinching / target panic due to shooting firearms with heavy recoil. The funny or ironic thing is that it translated into Archery for me. In archery we call it target panic because we are anticipating the release of the shot. It's basically flinching and not following through with the shot. I was able to overcome that with lots of reading about techniques of how to combat it with practice which involved more mental practice than physical. Every shot I had to mentally tell myself to squeeze the trigger and follow through. About two years ago I began reloading for my hunting rifles and have become interested in long range shooting. For this I have selected low recoiling rifles in the 7mm08 and .243 calibers and shooting off of sand bags most of the time. The shooting from the bench on bags along with the aid of strong optics has helped me see that I was still flinching while executing the shot; even with low recoiling rifles. Now, I am having to mentally talk myself through the shot in the same way to correct this. It's a funny thing because I shoot a .22 without flinching at all which tells me that it is felt recoil that has created this habit or condition. At this point I have about corrected it with my rifle shooting but it still rears it's head in my handgun shooting. I once owned a very nice .22 pistol that I shot well; but when I started shooting 9mm and .45 caliber the flinching returned. This is my struggle at this point. For someone that has never had to cope with flinching they do not know how difficult it is to overcome. I developed this from shooting 3" & 3.5" 2oz and 2.5oz turkey loads while doing shotgun patterning. This was before the invent of the Lead Sled we see available today. Because of physical issues with neck and back trouble I switched to a 20ga shotgun last year and killed just as many turkeys as I ever did with any 12ga.I have watched your entire series this morning and it has helped me tremendously.Thank you again I will keep working on this until I get ride of it...
+Thesouth80roost Your experience is a very common one, and you are ahead of the game by being aware of it, while the great majority of shooters continue flinching without having a clue that it has become an issue. It's one of the very reasons that I do not recommend magnum cartridges, because, unless a person has uniquely "grown into" a heavy cartridge incrementally, through much controlled practice, flinching is sure to occur. Bigger is not necessarily more.
+Thesouth80roost I was the opposite. I developed target panic in archery, and it translated over to my shooting of firearms. I have still not overcame the problem in archery, instead I switched to a hinge style back tension release, this completely eliminated the issue. I even have used the back tension release to take all of my deer, and because of that release, I shoot better then anyone I know. However, if I try and go back to a trigger release, the problem comes right back after a few shots. I have however, been able to overcome the problem as it relates to firearms. Its harder with handguns because of the inherent wobble that tends to make you want to "Drive by" shoot. But the way I was able to overcome it was many hours with a scoped .22 from a solid bench rest, actually, a lead sled as you mentioned. The stability of the weapon allowed me to stop trying to drive by shooting and concentrate entirly on breathing and trigger control, and reconditioned my mind to stop trying to drive by shoot, or jerk the trigger. When I fire a weapon now, recoil never enter my mind until after the shot has gone off. Just a suggestion, it worked for me it might work for you.
nonya biness I appreciate your helpful advice, but this is not an interactive public blog site. Please restrict your communications to the host.
My first 1911 was a chore for me, I couldn't keep a decent group to save my soul. AN oldtimer was watching me shoot one day and after a particularly bad group, he opined that I should try a flat mainspring housing. I thought the old geezer was nuts, it sticks out 1/4 of an inch at the bottom of the grip, what could that do? Later I had the opportunity to shoot a friends compact, I could group much better. It had a flat main spring housing and I decided to try one on mine. With my own pistol, it cut group sizes by half. Fitting your hand is important to accurate shooting.
I like to point shoot from a personal defense standpoint. If I stand up close to a target the size of a half dollar and cover the target with the muzzle , I do not see the target picture you describe. It I squeeze the trigger, I will shoot the center of the target. So why do I want target picture you describe as it seems I will shot low at 6 o'clock. What am I missing? Thank you
I am teaching marksmanship training that involves precision aiming at precision targets. Self defense combat shooting at arms length has nothing to do with this, and never involves sights. Shooting involves more than practicing to shoot at other people. I guess that's what you are missing.
+GunBlue490, I was just reprimanded at gun store of me slide releasing a 10mm 1911 Colt without a magazine inserted. The store clerk states, you can badly damage the sear if a bullet is not being inserted into the chamber during release and striker fire guns are even more prone to damaging the sear. Also he mentioned, to properly dry fire that you should gently hand release by partially pulling back the slide guide it back. I never have heard of this before. Now in this video, I hear your comment of what I always have believed that releasing the slide is fine.
Is this store clerk giving me bull? Can you elaborate?
George Mezines
The poor soul is simply uneducated, and perhaps thinks that Mr. Browning designed his wittle gun for gentle ballet dancers, who will not bwuise it.
Certainly not in any gun made to Colt standards. It was made for and used exclusively by the military for most of its first 40 years. Manual of arms for guard mount with a 45 was thus: Sidearm held in right hand, slide retracted, pointed upward next to shoulder, full magazine in palm of left hand, elbow bent, held out. Officer of day walked the line, inspecting arms. On order, every 45 slide was released on an empty chamber, hammers dropped by pulling trigger, still pointed skyward. The magazine was inserted into the gun, and holstered, safety off. By military regulation, most 45 slides never fell on anything BUT an empty chamber, except at the range. Nobody EVER rode the slide forward.
Neither the trigger, nor any other part of the grip assembly, is in any way connected to, nor influenced by the slide. The hammer remains cocked. I would not own, nor recommend any 1911 that is so fragile that it cannot withstand the shock of the slide returning to battery on an empty chamber. It's one of the many trivial and ridiculous legends that has been promulgated by an increasingly distressing culture over the last few years. Good grief. It's a war gun, not a toy.
Robert Watson, I thank you for insight and real field experience with a 1911 as it was designed.
When this guy scolded me for releasing the slide without a round, I just about lost it. Solid steel is not going to break by a solid slap by a spring. Otherwise, that gun is dangerous to shoot, round or no round.
Again Robert and GunBlue490, THANKS! For setting us with truths and not this BS that has been flying around. If it wasn't for you two, the internet would smell full of stench.
George Mezines
Robert will appreciate the compliment, I'm sure, but the explanation was provided by me in answer to his posting, above mine. I was the MP who stood guard mount daily at Fort Polk, LA, and Cu Chi, Vietnam, and that was the standard military procedure for inspection. That routine prevented anyone from accidentally discharging his service arm, and insured that the weapons were holstered with an empty chamber, hammer down. Like you, I have encountered those who worry about this or that breaking in a 1911, and it's bunk. The chambering of a round buffers absolutely nothing of consequence, as a properly configured gun must slam forward with authority, and strip the cartridge with no resistance. The military spoke on the matter, and that says more than anything.
GunBlue490 when it comes to guns, you are the Gospel Truth. Thanks again and will be looking for more.
I stretch my rifles out to 200 yards quite often. I hit 10 water bottles(16 oz) in a row, the other day, from 200. I was very pleased, with that. I did good to hit a 12 x 12 target, from that distance, when I first started trying it. Shooting takes lots of concentration, discipline, and PRACTICE. I've also found that I shoot my pistols much better, when I place my trigger finger close to the first crease. I was printing left, when using the tip of my finger, or the middle of the pad. This is gonna be different, for different people, of course. You just have to get out and experiment. I shot a 4" group from 15 yards, the other day, with my .357(7 shots). That's much better than I used to be. I just imagine that I'm dry firing, trying to keep the gun perfectly still, as I break the trigger. It works!!! Thanks for your content. It's very informative, and refreshing, in this world of tacticool maniacs.
few years late but, how does one squeeze a trigger quickly when in an altercation? slow steady pressure is great for paper + stationary targets but moving targets?
The answer is quite simple, just as any skilled officer learns to control his handgun, and just as any person learns to avoid an accident in a motor vehicle emergency. Practice leads to confidence and speed. Do you think that jerking a trigger in panic is going to get anywhere in an emergency if it can't strike a paper target? Control has nothing to do with being slow.
glad you're back. I actually forgot about these series. thanks for sharing your knowledge. it bugs me as well seeing people target practicing at 7yards. i do self defense practice at alternating 25 and 50 yards. plinking at 50 - 100 yards. I also compete in small bore pistol shilouette.
Sir, you are doing such an excellent job. Thanks
Hi GunBlue490,
Great videos. I hope they'll be around for many generations to come so that future shooters can benefit from the knowledge you've acquired.
There's something I don't understand. And since I want to follow your instructions through to the end of this series of videos, I don't want to overlook any of the building blocks of good shooting along the way.
Most handguns are much too big for me and the center of the pad of my finger ends up resting on the corner of the trigger.
Handguns I have that seem to fit are a couple of S&W Js, a Kahr 9, a Beretta Neos, and a Colt Commander that I custom built to fit me. I also have a Glock 21 first generation that makes a fine paper weight. I've been involved in the shooting sports for over 45 years.
When I shoot my handguns in DA (lately I only use a S&W M36), I find that I can't shoot well with the joint of my finger at the edge of the trigger. I have small hands. However, by using your method to see if a handgun fits, on my M36 the crease at the joint lands about 3/8ths forward of the trigger edge, and the tip goes past the trigger guard by the same amount. So, according to your method my hands are too big for the J frame.
But no matter how you slice it, I seem to be able to shoot well only when I use the tip of my finger. That is about where the corner of my nail is. And this seems to hold true for any of my handguns.
Any thoughts on this? I hate to progress in your videos without resolving this question and possibly carrying over a bad habit that will prevent me from shooting as well as I otherwise could.
Thanks,
Tony
Fantastic! It is very present through this entire video that you an expert and excellent teacher. I wish I had discovered these videos sooner as I have a flinch that I'm struggling to correct. I know I am anticipating the noise and recoil. I do this with a rifle as well. I noticed it for sure last weekend at the range when I switched from .303 enfield to Cooey model 84 .22. The movement before round went off using .22 was pretty bad. As I shot a few more I started to lose the flinch. I think I will take you're advice regarding perfecting skill with .22's before going back to 9mm handguns, and high powered rifles. Thanks again!
The Ruger 1911 in the video looks great. I am still deciding on purchasing one the only thing holding me back is the aluminum frame. I'm so scared of cracking after time. I don't have one but would like to know your take on the gun...Thanks for the video it was very educational.
That entire gun is stainless steel. Aluminum frames are a different model. However, high grade aluminum is successfully employed in many 1911 guns and other articles that suffer no cracking under stress, including airplanes that have been flying for over 85 years. Virtually all AR-15s are aluminum.
I'm happy to say that with practice and concentration I shoot all my handguns at 25 yards with many 1 inch or 2 inch groups(not always-lol). With all my rifles I rarely miss a 1 foot target at 200 yards. With my AR I have shot quite a few 2-3 inch 20 shot groups at 200 yards offhand. It took practice and concentration. It still does, for I still have a few days that I can't get in the deadly accurate zone. Especially when I experiment with different techniques and my eyes are aging. But I shoot anything pretty well. Practice and concentration are key. Note: In my earlier shooting days I was not considered a very good shot- practice gets you to becoming one. Not tooting my own horn but a Range master did tell me I was the best offhand shooter at the gun club. I would never make such a claim, but it definitely made me realize that with much practice I became proficient with all firearms. Good enough for my purposes. After all, in my early days I had a hard time hitting a 1 foot target at 50 yards with a rifle regularly -lol.
Glad to see you finally got your new camera! Very informative video, I have the day off tomorrow and will try some of those techniques with a couple different pistols and some fresh hand loads. Good to see you back.
I have shot just as you have shown but found my own style through trial and error but along side other great shooters that encourage you (me) to try harder and look closer. Everything you have mentioned I have experienced. LOL Right down to trigger widths and smoothness. I had to retire my off brand revolvers to stick with one trigger pull style and had my triggers rounded and smoothed over and adding a rubber trigger stop. They are great guns, some with the hammer bobbed off to have the action only tuned for double action pulls. The pull is smooth, the triggers now have no sharp edges and with magnum rounds I don't get trigger pinch. Shooting 150 practice rounds is a pleasure, as it should be. Oh, I am a revolver man as I cannot stand hunting for my empties to reload them later!
Welcome back! Your videos are great and you are a fountain of good information. Very much appreciate you doing them. thanks!
GunBlue, I have certainly enjoyed the videos in regards to calibers, bullets etc, but this is the most important topic....it does no good to have a firearm if one cannot sight it and use it. I recently set up a home range and have had my wife and friends shooting. What I have found is exactly what you described. My wife could not hit anything till I figured out she is left eye dominant. Some of our friends will hit the ground, part of the target and somtimes one hits the actual target. I had to insist they move up to only 15-20 feet away lest they scatter bullets gosh knows where. I have been blessed with being able to point and shoot whether it is a bow or a firearm, and I have been frustrated at how to explain how I do it to them. When I was in the Navy, I was able to wear a ribbon for .45 despite no practice....I just went to the range one day and shot with a friend who had been practicing...I qualified and he did not...he was not happy. This series has made the light bulb come on for me. In segment 2, you said that adjustment to sights are secondary to the ability to hold the rear and front sight together. That was brilliant and I believe I can now relate and convey this to others. I will also recommend they watch your series.
Im soo glad to see a new video from you. I love all your videos, and hope you keep them coming. Thank you
I sure like your presentations, there a great help, and thank you for your service. I just bought a New Ruger SR1911 Stainless. I took it to the range and it shot perfectly. From 10 metre I put 6 rounds into a 3" black spot. ( I had two flies from not concentrating) I shot about 100 rounds without a problem. It fit my hand perfectly. I also have a Colt 1911 Gov. Series 70 that I've had for over 30 years. I put a flat spring on the back to make it fit me better. It shoots pretty good, but I found that the Ruger fits me better. I was told not to drop my slide on an empty chamber. Glad to hear it won't hurt my gun to do that.
Thanks for many great vids. I grew up with rifles. Hand guns always freaked me out, but I retired last year and I see hand guns, or replica hand guns, as my new hobby. I have a Baikal Makarov CO2 pistol. Pure Baikal. Pure Russian military. 95% 9/18mm refitted to fire BBs. No, seriously, in the CO2 pistol world this is as real as it gets. I plink with the Makarov and take my Walther to the range. Works for me. Again, thanks for the great content.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge,,very informative!
Thank you Sir for sharing your endless information, I don't feel worthy to add anything but maybe you will find it interesting. When I was in the police academy, our firearm instructors would load a dummy round at random in the magazines of our Glock 17s to, at first, check for flinching and later on in the course, to clear a misfire. I believe you can purchase them (not the snapcaps for the folks afraid to dry fire) or I suppose they could be hand loaded just without a live primer or powder. Thanks again for your insight help and passion you bring to the sport.
thetoecutter13
I truly appreciate your contribution, and thank you for watching. Yes, I am familiar with such dummy rounds that we used for training with our Sigarms pistols, too. We used commercially made dummies, but they can be easily and inexpensively made by handloading a brass, non-plated case that's loaded with an inert filler such as Cream of Wheat to prevent deepening of the bullet, filling the primer pocket with silicone rubber. Dipping the dummy in Birchwood Casey Brass Black will nicely color the brass case and copper jacketed bullet to identify it. They will last for countless uses. You are entirely correct that pistols may be dry fired without snap caps, unless the manufacturer states otherwise. I know of no such weakness in any pistol, and certainly would not own such an unreliable gun. Please remember to subscribe. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
@GunBlue490
At 5:28 When you talk about using the slide release on the military grade 1911, I'd like to understand this part in more detail. I've heard from some gunsmiths with the "W", that it would cause damage IF done on a empty chamber with an empty magazine, that the dampening of feeding a round isn't given. Would you say that's BS? I mean if the last round is spent and the slide wouldn't lock, you'd have the same issue. Thank you for the videos. I already saw the newer ones but I think the old ones are worth watching as well. All the best with your dog.
This video is particularly helpful in choosing a fitting gun.
I agree with those "gunsmiths" about the weaknesses of their products. As I stated in the video, there are certainly 1911 style guns made that are susceptible to damage. Without being technical, they achieve whisper triggers by three doing three sophomoric and simplistic treatments: reduction of the sear and hammer notch contact, reduction of the trigger return spring force, and reduction of the hammer main spring force. Each of those modifications results in a softer trigger pull, but does so by creating a gun that is exactly as weak and prone to failure as their designer says it is, because their hammers don't make firm contact with the sears which results in bouncing and chiselling against each other as the slide lands. The 1911 was designed to have a trigger pull of between 4 to 6 pounds. The NRA and CMP Precision Pistol Rules require the 1911 trigger to lift a 3.5 pound weight because it provides safe contact at the limit of military specifications. Such guns, using high grade parts that are hardened to industry specifications are not damaged by dropping the slide because their hammers don't bounce on their sears in a self destructive manner that shears off the notch and dulls the sear to ruination. Competition shooters have for over 100 years been winning trophies with the 1911 with guns that came from the armory without any specialized treatments, because they home their skills, not hammers.
@@GunBlue490
Thank you very much for clearing this up.
I want a 1911, but theres so many things to consider when it comes to this platform. I hear when looking for a 1911 platform to look for the models with (forged steel parts) for strength and longevity.
Hi Sir,the things I'm learning from your generous teaching are unbelievable!
I have only started watching your videos two weeks ago and has made a big difference down range!
Thankyou for your time and great passion,it is immensely appreciated.
Thanks again: regards from Mario Sydney Australia (I would like to know your name,I don't think you mention it in any of your videos) God Bless
Was that a Marlin Little Buckaroo? Sure looks like one. That was my first rifle and what I learned on. Talk about a blast from the past, haven't seen one in ages. Great content as always. Thanks so much for all the great videos and teaching.
When you first begin the shooting sport, I highly recommend a surprise break, as you keep your sights on target, the best that you can. However, as you get more familiar with your trigger, you can get better at timing your trigger break, with an exact sight alignment. This has to be done with a steady motion, without jerking the trigger. It's very hard to master, but it will make you a much better precision shooter, with lots of practice. You will eventually learn EXACTLY where the trigger breaks, on YOUR gun. It just takes time...
GunBlue - do you consider a grip safety enough or are you taking about a frame safety? I'm looking forward to your video on breath control.
Thanks for the very informative videos. I'm definitely learning a lot.
BoomerGun A safety lever that must be purposefully disengaged is the only form of safety that has any real effectiveness. Grip safeties simply require that one is holding the gun in the hand, which is a condition that can be very far from the determination for firing. Rather than thinking in terms of a handgun, think in terms of carrying a long gun afield with your buddies left and right of you, who might be struck if you tripped or were otherwise caused to pull the trigger unintentionally. When the game flushes, you throw the lever off and fire, without a missed beat. Then apply that same mentality to the handgun.
Excellent advice! So glad I found this..
How do you feel about kel-tec products?
I am enjoying your " How to shoot " videos. Could you please comment on ' dry firing ', pros/ cons, dos/ don'ts-Thank you & Happy Holidays !
Dry firing for marksmanship is very beneficial for training. Most guns may be safely dry fired. There are some guns that should not be, because their firing pins are known to break. Lever action guns are susceptible to damage, many double barrel and over/under shotguns as well. Most others are quite durable. If in doubt, pick up the phone and call your manufacturer, and they'll gladly tell you. All US military training involves preparatory dry firing. In any event, you may always use a dummy case, which is clearly dyed with purple machine marker, and drilled with four 1/8 inch holes around the outside lower circumference of the case to identify it. It's best to have someone load a dummy case for you, using a new or resized case. Remove the primer, and fill the primer pocket with silicone rubber as a firing pin cushion. If you want to use it to function the action, cement a bullet in place by smearing a small dab of silicone rubber on the inside of the case mouth before seating a bullet.
I highly recommend that people practice with a double action trigger. Also, if you want to eliminate your "flinch", use a revolver. Load an empty cartridge in one of the chambers, then spin your cylinder. You won't know when the empty is coming, as you're shooting. I promise you, that if you have a flinch, this will expose it. The gun shouldn't move, as you drop the hammer, on the empty cartridge. This is a GREAT practice drill. I see that he went over this, as I kept watching the video. lol
how much pressure would you say when it comes to actually holding the pistol with two hands? 60/40? 70/30? And do you use the thumbs forward method when holding on to the pistol
nono559
It's not about pressure at all. Do you think about pressure when you are passing the cardboard milk bottle or lifting a newborn? Just hold it with your strong hand comfortably, and support it with your other hand. Pressure induces tremors and accuracy errors. Use the same hold for a 44 Magnum as you would hold an ice cream cone. It won't go anywhere. Thumb is wrapped down firmly for double action, which aids straight trigger pull. Thumb is held loosely up for a single action, which aids straight trigger pull. Watch video again.
Thank you for the reply sir, there are so many shooters out there saying that you need a 70% tight grip with your support hand and 30% with your dominant hand or 60/40. I never could understand how people would come up with those numbers. You have explained it very brilinantly thank you sir
Excellent class as always 👏👌👍
been shooting a lot lately (and watching a lot of these videos). just air guns, but still, shooting. i totally got the "flinch demon"! ugh. many years ago, my one uncle thought it'd be funny to hand me a 357 in his yard and have me shoot it. i was totally unprepared! I still have a scar from the scope ring in between my eyes! was a bloody mess! never got that out of my head (no pun intended, haha). now, even with a low-powered, bb pistol, CO2, withOUT blowback, I still flinch! ugh...
Disagree with author's statement about not buying a gun because it's small relative to large hand. Guns are purchased on many factors, often for function over form; an avid and competent gun owner should (and can) learn to shoot many different trigger styles and fits. Trigger fit and pull has had the least impact on my ability to shoot well. Sights, environment, breathing, etc have always been more important. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the video and appreciate the time and effort that went into making it. Keep it up.
Welcome back Blue
thank you very much...great to see you back.
7:58 HICKOK45 🔫👌
Most people do not realize that the cost of keeping the machining running to spec and the time spent keeping cutting dies sharp has a lot to do with cost in firearms manufacturing. As in knife making a steel that is pennies more can up the cost significantly do to the extra time it takes cutting the harder steel. Take AUS8 vs D2 steel cust about the same for material but the manufacturing is more difficult with D2, this is why a D2 blade cost more than a AUS8 blade.
You mentioned that there are no poor quality American firearms manufacturers. Is that true of Marlin, given all the changes that that company has been through in recent years ?
The question is based on a premise that is invalid, misrepresented, and is too often vomited by bloggers who should get off their duffs and stop making up something to complain about. I have a bone to pick with this issue, because it ultimately undermines the jobs of good US workers and even the 2nd Amendment in the long run. I am very familiar with both Remington and Marlin. I have owned many, new and old, and I have lots to say about this so-called quality control issue. Is it even true, as reported, or is it a little bit of truth that grew out of proportion? Read on.
Let us understand that both companies were among the first American arms manufacturers, and helped guard our 2nd Amendment rights for many years, long before many of their competitors even existed. Long before Kimber, Dakota, Ruger, or Weatherby. Long before CZ, Sako, Howa, or any foreign imports came into the US. They were defending your gun rights when President Carter was attempting to close the door on guns forever, 40 years ago. Back then there were no guns on shelves except Marlin, Remington, H&R, Winchester, and Savage. That was about it, unless you had a very big wallet, and those were imports that had no voice in American politics. For that alone, they deserve fair support from every one of us, and certainly do not deserve to be kicked when they are down from matters they did not invite upon themselves. Both have suffered serious financial setbacks in recent years that had much to do with the changing anti-gun climate in New York and Connecticut, that abandoned them, after being some of the biggest tax payers in their states. The very states that profited by guns for over a century, turned their backs on them, and attacked their product, and forced terrible taxes on them, so we should not be inclined to blame the victims. Most especially, the dozens of fine small family gun makers in this country owe everything to these American companies that helped keep the 2nd Amendment alive, while they were in diapers, or they would not be in business today.
Marlin was a fine gun company and produced millions of some of the finest guns in the world that have been in production since the 1800's. Their collapse was not their fault, as people changed their ideals from lever actions and pumps, which built the gun industry, to bolt actions and autos, which is a relatively new surge of the last 35 to 40 years. In 1970, a guy gave his son a lever action, and chances are that he used one. A bolt gun was a specialist gun used by westerners and crazy woodchuck shooters. A bolt action looked like an Army gun to most guys, and they worried that it could not shoot fast enough. You saw very few scoped bolt guns in the woods in 1965, and rarely saw a scope on anything. These days, a guy buys and gives a bolt action. How is it that when we won't buy a lever gun, we still expect Marlin to hang out in a factory that is over-taxed, employs workers that don't care, in a state that hates guns. They had to be moved to another state and rescued by a company that never made that kind of gun, and by a skeleton group of workers who must wonder why they are making something nobody wants! Fancy that!
Before we disparage Marlin quality, remember that if Remington did not rescue the company and pour huge financial resources into saving them, they would have closed forever. But remember that Remington had never built lever actions before, and had to basically start from scratch with whatever help they could get from workers that stayed after they relocated, and most of the skilled workers had already left the company when the writing was on the wall. You don't just pick up a blueprint and learn to build new designs overnight, when you have been making Remington style guns forever. But instead of being a corporate hero, they are sniped at by the gun public for not making perfect guns. But let us look at the reality.
I have owned a number of Marlins since my first 336 in 1964, and still do. I also know what they have been producing in the last few years since Remington took over. Though the first efforts were not up to Marlin standards of years ago, NEITHER were the latest JB marked Marlins, before they went out of business. The market for lever guns had dried up, almost overnight, and hey had all they could do to sell even a fraction of their previous production.
Factories demand certain things to stay in good production. They must reinvest constantly in training, tooling, and increases in wages, which all demands a profit margin that provides capital. When this ceases, they go out of business, as thousands of factories have done. Marlin, my friend, is still ALIVE, employing US workers, because another American company took a chance on a bad hand, to keep a proud American tradition going, even if it was perhaps at a loss. Marlin did not cause the loss of interest in lever guns that made their company fail, and Remington did not intend to produce substandard guns. Nor did Marlin invite the labor problems that swamped them. In truth, Remington had to turn itself to restart a gun making company that had already dried up. Frankly, I thought Americans would rejoice in their effort, but instead, they nit-pick that the guns are not what Gramps owned. Well, I had those guns, and they were not the works of perfection everyone makes them out to be.
How many people out of 100 are even interested in a lever gun these days? Who even wants a 30-30? From what I've seen on the rack, it MIGHT be 1% have any interest. Everyone else is flocking to buy ugly black plastic stocked autos and super magnum bolt guns. That's a complete turn-around from the 60s and 70s, when Marlin was in its heyday, when they were running full centerfold ads in all the sporting magazines. In 1965, a dealer sat on bolt actions and autos and dusted them off every week. The fact that they are making ANY guns is a miracle. Nobody is rushing to buy Marlins, and they laugh at lever guns and sneer at the little 30-30 when they walk past them in the stores. Instead, they admire cheap plastic guns with unfinished and bead-blasted steel that no sane man would have even considered owning up to in his gun cabinet even 20 years ago, and complain when a checkered walnut, blued steel Marlin is not marked with a circled JB and has a rough trigger. And then they call Remington and Marlin names. If it was not for Marlin, Winchester, and Remington, who invented the original designs, none of these other clone companies would be making anything. Anything else is a copy of their art.
I HEAR and READ many complaints about Marlin, and they do not match what I've SEEN or SHOT. I have been using a brand new Marlin .44 Magnum, made entirely at the Remington Marlin facility. It is a very nicely made gun, with perfect checkering (none of the old JB Marlins had checkering at all, except for custom models 100 years ago), the metal work and fitting is exceptional. The gun delivers .44 Magnum rounds into 4" groups at 100 yards, which is exactly what my 1964 vintage Marlin did. It functions without a hitch, which is better than my 1964 Marlin 336 in .44 Magnum did. It does not look exactly like the old Marlins of the 60s. True. My 1964 Marlin had silly white line spacers, no checkering, a glossy varnished stock that scratched easily, and a black plastic butt pad. The new one has great checkering, a fancy brown rubber butt pad, and nice scratch resistant, satin finish. It has a cross bolt safety, which was required of them to avoid being sued by the good gun owners that turned on them in the past. I am not required to use it, and can ignore it. Are they as nicely polished as my 1965 Marlin 336? Well, my 1964 was no lustrous Sako. This new Marlin has a satin brushed, deeply blued steel finish that looks quite nice. Nobody who runs around with a bead blasted or camo covered AR or $300.00 bolt gun should be taking pot shots at anyone for how their guns are finished. Do they have wonderful triggers? No. And neither did any lever action rifle, except by pure accident, or because it was tuned afterwards. Any Marlin can still be tuned to a crisp 3-1/2 pound pull by any gunsmith, just as Grandpa did.
Finally, the price of guns is far less than it was in 1965, US dollar wise. A Marlin 336 cost $86.95 back then, when most factory workers still only brought home $55.00 after deductions. Few people have to sacrifice an entire week or more of earnings now to buy a $600.00 gun. There was no online back then. You paid whatever Frank sold them for at his store, and that was it. And trust me, pickings were few and far between. Slow reply on a gun repair issue? 50 years ago, if you had a consumer complaint, you went to your priest or minister to complain, because nobody had a consumer relations department. If your gun didn't work when you pulled the trigger, or if the stock had a crack in it, it was your problem. Caveat emptor was the slogan of the day. Buyer beware. The old days were not as good as some imagine or remember, and the new guns are not as bad as some people think they are. They are pretty darn good these days, all around, and far better selection than anyone would have dreamed in 1965.
President Reagan said: Never say anything against a fellow Republican. I say, never say anything against a gun manufacturer. Every time a poison word is penned against a gun maker, it hurts their sales and workers, and if they go out of business, the opposition is one step closer to killing your right to bear arms. As Remington goes, so goes America. It will be like the canary dying in a mine.
l say it again. They all make good guns. Most of all, they provide huge donations to the NRA and other organizations that stand by your right to own and hunt, and protect yourself with them!
Support your American gun makers.
+GunBlue490 ---AMEN!
+Major Payne 👍
GunBlue490 + Learning a lot from watching your videos....learning still more
from reading your responses to other people's questions....
No doubt in my mind my dad would have said "listen to this man." I'm 55 but have little knowledge and experience in the world of firearms. In the last two years I've had an incredible interest and I've been learning all I can. I did learn a few of the most important things about safety when I was younger. Your video "How to choose a defensive handgun" taught me even more about safety.
Thank You Sir, God Bless.
Good instruction.. Did I understand that you said that you were from Bremerton?
Thorsaxe777
No, but I wonder what I may have said! I grew up just outside of Boston, and have since lived in New Hampshire most of my life.
GunBlue490 I went back and you said Remington.. Not Bremerton. That's ok.. I believe in the same things you do. Sight alignment as you squeeze the Trigger is one thing. I'm in total agreement. I shoot Bulleseye although I haven't been active in many years in the sport. Shooing at reactionary targets is a lot of fun, However the paper doesn't lie to you. You must be able to control yourself and discipline your mind and actions to shoot correctly with consistence. I'm going through your video series on many of your video's and find that you and I smoke the same cigar on subjects of accuracy. I have started a channel and have some armature videos you are welcome to check out if you want. Dave.
Oh, and after thinking deeply for a few moments, enjoy your Veterans Day.
Could you do a segment on shooting technique on the 1911?
Great video as always! I also have a ruger sr1911, its a fine handgun.
This is a great journey.
Thanks
Utmost respect! Thanks for everything.
nice one!!! {I like hickok45 too!}
I really enjoy watching your videos, I've learned a lot in how to clean and take care of a gun. I'm also learning how to hold and shoot a gun as a result of your videos. In one of your videos you made a statement about glocks that was kind of negative. I bring this up cause I am in the process of buying a Gen4 glock 19 in the near future.
Michael Maxwell Thank you for your comments. I'm not being negative. I am positively against any gun that is sold before the bugs are out. Having no safety is a very big bug. That company forgot to install a safety in their first generation, and have been putting up a false front ever since, to protect their hide from lawsuits and recalls. They also forgot that un-checkered plastic is slick in wet hands and put texturing on the guns in Gen 2.
If you shop around, you'll find there are assortments of very fine polymer-glass framed autos that are similarly sized to the G-19, that are every bit as good and reliable, but with the added benefit of a safety. I will NEVER recommend an auto that has no safety. Besides that, they won't have the limitation of having to fire expensive jacketed-only bullets for practice, required by G's polygonal barrel. And why four generations? Most guns are built right the first time. I've found that folks can't articulate any mechanical advantage the guns have, and it's because they have none. Get a really good, safe gun and don't get lured by slick advertizing that offends the efforts of every other gun maker to make a gun safe to carry.
If you like striker fired guns, everyone makes them, and they come with safeties. A safety is not an inconvenience in an emergency, but the lack of one might create a medical emergency. I know all their cliches about the safety being between people's ears, and the other stupid lines their salespeople make. That's an insult to every safe gun handling tenet ever taught for generations of sensible shooters. I'm here to tell you that guns do go off unintentionally when safeties are not engaged.
I want to thank you for your reply, and I appreciate your input on the matter.
Enjoyed the video, thanks very much!
Great video, information and presentation, thanks much
What are your thought on a SW 617 vs a semi auto 22 for skill development? Thank you.
97jsousa
In 22 LR, that is a superb handgun, of the highest quality, and fine target gun.
I have been looking at getting a 22 Revolver and this is one on my list to check out and I would also be interested in your option of the Ruger GP 100. It strikes me as another good choice.
john george Mcleod
I might certainly own one someday, myself. I personally approved of, and submitted a recommendation to my department for the then new GP100 service revolvers when they first came out in the 80s. I trained officers with them, and as the department Armorer, found them to be extremely easy to service (which they rarely required), and nearly indestructible. A very fine gun.
Thank you sir. I know they are not cheap and I am not a rich man,but as I
hope to pass them on to my Son, daughter and/or Grandkids I figure that I
don't want to hand them something that would not be at least capable of
acceptable accuracy and have the durability that I want for my personal
firearms. I think either one would fit the bill for our needs. We may just
get one of each for my wife and myself so long as the fit is right.I just
got my better half interested in shooting after she retired and I think I
may have created a competitive monster, which is probably a good thing as
it keeps me focused. Take care and give Benny an extra treat from me.
john george Mcleod
Benny enjoyed his extra treat and thanks you. As a side note, our officers received their first introduction to handguns with 4 inch S&W blued K frame 22 target revolvers, and they fired many thousands of rounds in single and double action, without a single failure. They are very smooth, precisely made guns. Ruger did not make 22 revolvers in those days. You cannot go wrong with either.
Thank you for this and the related videos. I watched them yesterday and today I went to the range and saw the benefit of what you were saying. It sounds simple but when you really squeeze the trigger you don't know when the gun is going to fire and therefore you don't flinch. It takes some practice but my accuracy improved enormously. Dry firing helps get muscle memory and I will practice. Thanks again.
You will go far!
I had a little flinching problem but not any more if I think about it while I'm shooting. I think a good way to see if your buddy is doing it is to load a snap cap first, I usually load five at a time and shoot with good control at NRA bulls eye targets. If I didn't know my last round was a dummy my buddy would see if I was flinching.
+reptilianresearch In one of my segments, I explain the training system of "ball & dummy", which is exactly that.
+GunBlue490 Oh I was just thinking with an auto, I have a friend who is a new shooter so if i load a mag of five for him I have to load a snap cap first so the action will shut.
@@GunBlue490 I use the Remington golden bullets in my 22 and it simulates the "ball and dummy" technique perfectly due to all the failure to fires! LOL