Yuxin Hu

精益求精，掌握、駕馭一個新技巧並感受從中獲得的激動人心的新智慧體驗是真正的意義。

The purpose of this article is to document my initial experience with shooting.

I would love to try  CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING in the UK next time.

Stepping into the Shooting Range

The moment I stepped into the shooting range, a mix of excitement and nervousness washed over me. The real firearm in my hand was a weighty reminder that this was no longer a game. After the shooting instructor briefed us on the basic safety rules, I embarked on my first live ammunition shooting session. Standing at the shooting position, I tried to recall the shooting stance taught by the instructor: a stable stance with slightly bent legs and a slightly forward-leaning upper body to better counteract the recoil. In practice, everything was more challenging than I had imagined. Each time I raised my arm, my heartbeat quickened. The loud bang and the recoil of the bullet firing made my arm numb, and the target seemed to sway in my vision.

Initial Struggles

In the early stages of training, my performance was dismal, with hardly any bullets hitting the bullseye. Friends around me joked, “Are you shooting at the ground?” Although it was embarrassing, I understood that giving up was not a solution. Every expert started as a novice and grew step by step. Perseverance would eventually lead to improvement.

Continuous Practice and Improvement

I diligently practiced the basic actions. From stance and grip to aiming, I carefully scrutinized every detail. My body would tense up involuntarily, my arms stiff, and the gun barrel wobbled noticeably. The instructor emphasized that shooting was not just a physical task but required a calm mind.

I began practicing maintaining steady breathing and relaxing my entire body during shooting. Gradually, I noticed that I could hold my aim more steadily for longer periods, and the gun barrel no longer wobbled as much.

Classic Shooting Stances

Isosceles Stance

The isosceles stance is one of the most classic and fundamental shooting positions. With feet shoulder-width apart and toes pointing towards the target, the arms are fully extended, and the gun is positioned at the center of the chest, forming an isosceles triangle. This stance is advantageous for its stability and ease of use.

Weaver Stance

The Weaver stance is more suitable for situations requiring flexible movement. With feet staggered, the dominant arm is almost fully extended while the support arm is bent, creating a push-pull grip. This stance exposes less body area and helps better control recoil.

Proper Handgun Grip

When gripping the handgun, the web of the shooting hand should fit snugly against the top of the grip, known as the beavertail. A high grip is essential for counteracting the handgun’s recoil. The wrist should remain straight, aligned with the slide of the handgun. The palm of the support hand should fit into the indentation at the top of the grip, forming a solid two-handed hold.

Aiming Technique

When aiming, the principle of aligning three points in a straight line is crucial. The dominant eye focuses on the front sight, then adjusts the rear sight to align it with the front sight on the same plane. When shooting a handgun, keeping both eyes open can more effectively aim and observe the target and its surroundings.

Trigger Control

Trigger control is the most critical step in shooting. The trigger has a free travel phase, and slowly squeezing the trigger until encountering resistance before applying even pressure to fire. The first quarter of the index finger’s first joint should contact the trigger, with the applied force directed precisely opposite to the muzzle direction.

Maintaining Natural Breathing

During shooting, maintaining relaxed and natural breathing is essential. Overthinking breathing and heartbeat can affect shooting stability. Holding one’s breath or tensing up can negatively impact accuracy.

Correct Trigger Reset

Proper trigger reset involves keeping the finger in contact with the trigger after the shot, allowing it to reset to the initial engagement point before proceeding with the next shot.