shooting fundamentals blogs

7 Fundamentals of Marksmanship
Credits: The Range 702

Marksmanship is a precise skill that requires focus, practice, and routine steps for safe and accurate shots. Learning to handle a firearm properly and refining your craft will help you become a safer, more precise gun handler. Our certified firearms instructors share the fundamentals of marksmanship and why each is important.

Instructor Helping Someone Learn How To Shoot

Gun Safety Comes First
Before you learn to shoot a gun, there are some critical gun safety rules to follow every time you hold the rifle. Whether you're heading to an indoor shooting range or outdoor target practice, always keep these basic safety measures in mind:

1. Handle all firearms as if they are loaded.
   Keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
   Don't point the gun at anything you don't intend to destroy.
   Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
   Know your target and what is beyond your target.
   Want a professional instructor to help you learn the basics of shooting? Register for a 1:1 training class for expert guidance!

The 7 Shooting Fundamentals
If you're new to shooting, you'll be learning about the seven fundamentals that make up a good shot. Each of these elements should be followed for every attempt to improve and maintain consistency. Here's what you need to know:

1. Stance
Stance is the first fundamental for every shot. Stance refers to the position of your feet and body in relation to the target. All other shooting fundamentals are built upon a steady position when firing. Different shots require different stances, including:

Bullseye - For the bullseye shooter using only one hand on the gun, the stance is at a 45-degree angle to the target with the feet shoulder-width apart. The thumb of the non-firing hand should anchor securely in the pocket to prevent the free arm from swaying and throwing your shot off-balance.
Weaver - This stance is for the action shooter with both hands on the gun. The feet are at an angle to the target, the strong arm is straight, and the weak arm is bent. The weaver stance helps lock in the upper body and provides tension in the pistol grip for better recoil control.
Isosceles - The body is facing directly toward the target in this stance. Both hands are on the gun, and arms are straight out in front of the shooter. The upper body leans slightly forward.

2. Grip
When it comes to grip, the most important thing to remember is that you want to grip with enough strength to prevent the pistol from moving during the shot but relaxed enough so that your hand doesn't shake from the pressure. Here are some tips for better gun grip:

Make a "v" with your dominant hand; your thumb should be on one side and all the other fingers on the other.
The gun is placed in the center of the v with the middle, ring, and pinky fingers wrapped around the pistol's grip.
Place the area between the joint and the tip of the index finger pad on the trigger. Do not over insert the finger; otherwise, it may cause the other fingers to move and interfere with your shot when you squeeze the trigger.
Firing A Gun With Correct Grip &Amp; Stance

3. Sight Alignment
Sight alignment refers to the process of lining up the rear and front sights on the gun. For a well-aimed shot, the shooter must pay attention to the rear sight aperture and how it lines up with the front sight, with most of the focus on the front sight post. The actual target will appear blurry if done correctly as the shooter's attention is focused on the front sight post.

Not all guns have sight-aligned requirements for accuracy, such as red dot sights, which emit an illuminated dot, or a prism sight where the sight places target objects in a circle for aim. If there are no sights to align, the shooter then focuses on a sight picture to prepare the shot.

4. Sight Picture
Any shooter who wants a well-aimed shot must have the correct sight picture1. The sight picture is the image seen when the sights align with the target. This is true for all types of sights when holding a rifle, handgun, or any other firearm. Sight picture does not rely on the natural ability to shoot. Instead, the shooter utilizes a precise system to center objects in preparation for a shot.


5. Breathing
In any type of shooting, breath control is extremely important. In general, it's good to keep a calm, regular breath throughout your preparation, aim, and fire. This helps to:

Oxygenate the blood - Regular breathing adequately oxygenates the blood, which sharpens vision and keeps you alert.
Relaxes the nerves - Regular breaths help to relax the muscles and nerves for optimal shots.
Steady movement - Prevent jerky movements and forced breathing that can quickly mess up your shot.
The optimal moment to pull the trigger is when your breathing cycle reaches a natural pause, like at the end of an exhale. Your aiming breath should be calm and consistent, and the ideal shot fits into your breathing rhythm.

It's not a good idea to hold your breath in or force your breath out. This can create unnecessary tension in your chest muscles or make your body feel like it needs to gasp for air. Working with your natural breathing rhythm allows for a more relaxed shot with less tension and movement in the body.

6. Trigger Control
Trigger control involves pressing the trigger to complete the shot without upsetting your sight alignment. There are two main issues when it comes to proper trigger control:

Pulling - Pulling the gun is caused by placing too much finger on the trigger, causing a hooked finger that pulls the gun to the side when the shot is discharged. This causes your shot to hit to the right of the target.
Pushing - Pushing is caused by too little finger in the gun, which creates a side push of the trigger instead of straight back, producing a shot that will be hitting left of the target.
The ideal trigger control position allows for independent movement of the index finger with trigger contact on the finger's pad. This part of the finger is most sensitive and allows for accurate control and discharge of the gun.


7. Follow Through
Once you've discharged the gun, you want to be sure to follow through with each shot. Follow-hrough is when you end the shot by keeping the trigger finger fully depressed until your gun has completed recoil and the shooter's sights are back on the target. Once your sights are back on target, then you can release the trigger.

Follow-through is especially important when more than one shot or sustained fire is the goal. With each follow-through, focusing on trigger control, breath, grip, and aim prevents the shooter from abandoning the shot too early, as well as returning to a pre-firing position to prepare for the next shot.


 

4 Rules for Gun Safety...

1.Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
2. Always maintain proper muzzle control.
3. Keep finger off the trigger until on target and ready to shoot.
4. Know your target and what is beyond it.

CONCEALED CARRY FOR WOMEN: WHERE SHOULD YOU START?
Credits: gungoddess.com

The number of women starting their concealed carry journey is on the rise. According to a recent study, this year, women are just over 29% of the carry permit holders in the 15 states that report data by gender. That's a 28% increase over 2021. Carry permit numbers also grew more than 115% faster for women than for men.

With violent crime going up over the last year, you may be thinking about carrying a gun for the first time in your life. Making the decision to carry a firearm is a big deal. It's not something to enter into lightly, as the consequences of your decision can be life-changing..

If you're thinking about carrying a gun for self-defense, there are several things you need to consider before you start. It's not just about the firearm--it's about you and your safety. You need to decide whether or not concealed carry is right for you, and if so, how best to do so safely.

If you're ready, it's important to plan your journey carefully. This guide will help you understand what you need to know about carrying concealed and how to move through each part of the process. Here are the steps you should take if you want to carry a gun for self-defense.

STEP 1: CONSIDER THE PERSONAL AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF CARRYING A FIREARM
Deciding to carry a gun doesn't start with running out and buying a bunch of gear and a new gun, it starts with sitting down with yourself and thinking through the realities of being a concealed carrier. It's important that you make this decision with a full understanding of the potential implications, which include the possibility of ending someone else's life..

Ask yourself these questions - are you proficient with a firearm? Are you willing to take on the responsibility of carrying around a gun all day? Would you be able to harm someone who is trying to hurt you to protect yourself and possibly your loved ones?

It can be stressful to think about these things, but it's important to have this sorted out before you actually start carrying. If the answer to any of these questions is no, you may not be ready for concealed carry.

STEP 2: KNOW THE LAW
Learn the concealed carry laws in your state, city, and local area. About half of the US states require a permit to carry, while the other half have enacted "Constitutional Carry," which means no permit or registration is required to carry a concealed firearm. There's no consistency in gun laws from state to state, so you need to study the laws in your immediate location. You can find the most up-to-date information at handgunlaws.us.

In addition to knowing your local and state laws, you'll need to understand federal firearms laws. These laws don't change as much as state laws, so you don't need to study them as often. But it's still important to be aware of federal firearms laws and know how they apply to you and your situation.

STEP 3: DECIDE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO CARRY
The next step is to decide how you'll carry your firearm. You can always change how and where you carry down the road, but you'll need to start with a basic plan. Your decision on how to carry your firearm should be based on several factors. These include your lifestyle, your body type, and the clothing you wear. Choosing a carry style that is right for you will make all the difference when it comes time to conceal a gun under your clothes.

Your holster needs to be comfortable and easy to use, but also be designed for your specific firearm. There are two primary types to consider — on your body or off body in a concealed carry purse. If you choose on-body carry, decide if you want a traditional inside-the-waistband holster or an alternative style holster like a belly band, corset holster, or using holster-integrated clothing like leggings designed for concealedcarry. You'll then need to figure out where on your body to place your holster and gun. You have a lot of choices, so we recommend reading our guide to understanding waistband positions.

STEP 4: CHOOSE THE RIGHT GUN
Now that you know where you'll carry, it's time to find the right gun. Not all handguns are designed to be used for concealed carry, so it's important to choose one that will work well with the method of concealment you've chosen.

The best way to choose a firearm is by getting your hands on them. We recommend going to a range that rents firearms and trying several out to see what feels best to you. Once you've found the gun that feels right, make your purchase.

STEP 5: GET PROPER CONCEALED CARRY TRAINING
The importance of training cannot be overstated. Even if you have been shooting for years at the range, perhaps even competing, there are skills specific to concealed carry you need to learn. A good place to start is with a concealed carry course. There are many of them available, but we recommend taking one from a reputable instructor in your area. These courses will not only teach you about firearm safety and handling protocols but also how to draw from concealment, proper trigger management, and other tactics specific to concealed carry.

STEP 6: PRACTICE CARRYING YOUR GUN
The next step is to practice carrying your gun. This is something you can do by wearing your unloaded gun and holster around the house (triple check before doing this to make sure it's not loaded). This will help you get used to the feel of having a firearm on your body and how it affects your movements. You’ll also want to practice drawing from concealment while wearing different types of clothing so you can get used to how it feels. We recommend using dry fire practice to speed up the process, here's our guide to getting started with dry fire..

Once you feel comfortable with your gun on your body, you can start carrying it with you outside of the house. Don't feel like you have to rush to start carrying — take your time and get used to the feel of having your gun on you before attempting to carry it in public.

STEP 7: WORK ON YOUR SHOOTING SKILLS
Regular live fire shooting practice is the only way to improve your skills and make sure you're ready for a real-world situation. Shooting skills will degrade quickly if you don't practice them, so you need to head out to the range frequently..

Training will also help you avoid being in a situation where you have to think about what to do next, which can be detrimental to your safety. When you're trained, your body can simply react to the situation without having to think about it first.

Overall, the decision to carry a concealed weapon is a personal one. Anyone considering concealed carry (man or woman) should carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks. The decision to carry a concealed weapon is a personal one, and it should be made after careful consideration of all the pros and cons. Even if you decide not to carry a concealed weapon, you can still take steps to improve your personal safety, like working on your situational awareness.

CONCEAL CARRY ETHICS

Carrying a concealed weapon comes with the ethical obligation to protect others in dangerous situations. In situations where innocent lives are at risk, individuals who are legally carrying a concealed weapon may have a moral duty to intervene and use deadly force if necessary.

Embracing Responsibility: The Ethical Implications of Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Embracing Responsibility: The Ethical Implications of Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW)
Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) is not just a legal right; it's a profound ethical responsibility. In this blog, we delve into the ethical considerations every CCW holder should contemplate to ensure they carry with conscience and awareness.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW)
The Weight of Responsibility: Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW)
The decision to carry a concealed weapon comes with significant moral weight. You hold the power to potentially end a life in self-defense. Understanding and respecting this power is crucial. Always remember that a firearm is a tool of last resort, not a first response.

The Role of Training in Ethical CCW
Effective training goes beyond handling and shooting skills. It should also address the moral and ethical aspects of CCW. Quality training programs, like those offered by In Focus Training, often include discussions on the judicious use of force and the legal and emotional aftermath of a defensive shooting.

The Role of Training in Ethical CCW
Situational Awareness: More Than Just Vigilance
Situational awareness in the context of Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) extends beyond being alert. It involves understanding situations where de-escalation is preferable to drawing your weapon. Avoiding a conflict is often the most ethical choice, and awareness is key in making these decisions.

Legal Awareness: A Pillar of Ethical CCW
Staying informed about CCW laws is not just a legal necessity but an ethical one too. Knowing when and where you can legally carry and use your firearm is fundamental. Misunderstandings can lead to tragic consequences, both legally and morally.

The Psychological Preparedness of CCW
Carrying a concealed weapon requires mental preparedness. Being psychologically prepared means understanding your own capabilities and limits. It involves having a clear mindset about the gravity and consequences of using your weapon.

The Impact of CCW on Society
As a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) holder, you're part of a broader community. Your actions reflect on the entire community of responsible gun owners. Upholding high ethical standards helps improve public perception and maintains the rights of CCW holders.

Continuous Reflection and Education
Ethical CCW is a journey, not a destination. Regularly reflecting on your motivations, decisions, and responsibilities is important. Continual education, through advanced courses and staying abreast of discussions in the CCW community, is crucial.

Conclusion: Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW)
Carrying a concealed weapon ethically means more than just following the law. It's about understanding the profound responsibility you carry every day. By focusing on training, awareness, legal knowledge, and continuous self-reflection, you can ensure that your decision to carry concealed is as responsible as it is right. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Carry wisely, carry ethically.