(d) Decide at what point in sequence you are going to take up slack in trigger and apply initial pressure.
(e) Here you take final deep breath, exhale and hold only part of it.
(f) Remind yourself to maintain sight alignment and a minimum arc of movement while;
(g) Positive, uninterrupted trigger pressure is being applied.
(h) Concentration must shift to and remain unbroken on sight alignment while positive trigger pressure is being applied.
(i) The pistol will seem to almost fire itself because positive trigger pressure is almost involuntary.
(j) The surprise shot is now a possibility because with the employment of positive trigger pressure,
the normal reaction time suffices to delay anticipatory reflexes that could disturb sight alignment, until all the
continuously applied control factors can bring about the delivery of the shot on the target. This is, in effect, follow through.
2. Plan the Shot
a. Stance
(1) Stable balance.
(2) Immobility.
(3) Head position.
(4) Uniformity.
(5) Position of feet.
(6) Body erect.
(7) Shoulders level.
(8) Legs firmly straight.
(9) Hips level.
(10) Head level.
(11) Rest non-shooting arm and hand.
(12) Solid firm shooting arm and hand.
(13) Center of gravity slightly forward.
b. Natural Position Orientation.
(1) Start at 45 degree angle.
(2) Turn only head to target.
(3) Extend arm.
(4) Close eyes.
(5) Raise arm and settle.
(6) Open eyes.
(7) Shift trail foot in direction
of error if necessary.
(8) Recheck.
c. Grip.
(1) Natural sight alignment.
(2) Firm to prevent shift.
(3) Unchanging tightness.
(4) Independent trigger finger.
(5) Uniformity.
(6) Comfortable.
(7) Recoil straight to rear.
(8) Avoid fatigue of hand.
d. Breath Control.
(1) Systematic.
(2) Oxygen retention.
(3) Minimize movement.
(4) Respiratory pause.
(5) Comfortable.
(6) Concentration aided.
(7) Prior to and during fire commands.
e. Sight Alignment (Relationship of Front and Rear Sights, not Sights to Target).
(1) Front sight point focus.
(2) Rear sight awareness.
(3) Exclusive concentration.
(4) 6 to 8 Seconds Duration.
(5) Coordination with other control factors.
f. Trigger Control.
(1) Positive uninterrupted trigger pressure.
(2) 2 to 5 second duration.
(3) Based on perfect sight alignment.
(4) Undisturbed sight alignment.
(5) Coordinate with optimum perception and minimum arc of movement.
g. Shot Sequence.
(1) Extend arm and breathe.
(2) Settle into minimum arc of movement.
(3) Pick up sight alignment in the aiming area.
(4) Take up trigger slack and apply initial pressure.
(5) Take final breath and hold part of it.
(6) Maintain sight alignment and minimum arc of movement.
(7) Start positive uninterrupted trigger pressure.
(8) Concentrate point of focus on front sight.
3. Relaxation
a. No unnecessary muscular tension.
b. Relax each major portion of body:
(1) Neck
(2) Shoulders
(3) Non-shooting arm
(4) Abdomen
(5) Back
(6) Buttocks
(7) Upper legs.
4. Deliver Shot
a. As planned — Do not compromise. Apply all control factors.
b. Follow through — continue to apply all control factors.
c. Shot will fire as a surprise — no reflex action.
5. Shot Analysis
(Use a target center to plot shot calls)
a. Follow through check.
b. Call shot — Describe sight alignment.
c. Compare hit location with call.
d. If shot or call is bad, determine cause.
e. Watch for error pattern to form.
f. If analysis is vague or unsure, ask yourself some or all of the following questions:
(1) Did shot break in minimum arc of movement?
(2) Hold too long?
(3) Positive trigger pressure?
(4) If shot could not be fired & shooter benched weapon, what was wrong?
(5) Lost concentration
(6) Surprise shot break?
(7) Worried about results?
6. Positive Correction (If Necessary)
a. Promptly applied.
b. Agreement between coach and shooter.
c. Incorporate into plan for next shot.
CHAPTER V. TECHNIQUE OF SLOW FIRE
A. GENERAL
1. A technique is the method of performing the procedures of an operation.
2. A technique of slow fire that will permit a pistol shooter to compete successfully will include:
a. Painstaking preparation.
b. Thorough planning.
c. Systematic relaxation of muscular system.
d. Intense concentration.
e. Coordination of all the fundamental factors in delivery of an accurate shot.
f. Analysis of shot delivery.
g. Correction of errors.
h. Strict uniformity of execution of the above is required to insure duplication of a good performance time after time.
3. The factors regarding the technique of slow fire shooting should not be regarded as hard and fast which demand strict execution of each point. In competitive shooting, as in any other sport, there are no established rules on technique that apply to all persons.
4. The shooter should accept the material in this chapter in a critical manner, using it as a guide in finding his own style of shooting — a style that fits his temperament, individual ability and physical construction.
B. TECHNIQUES IN SLOW FIRE CONTROL
The best technique of control is slow fire, for each individual shooter, is the proper employment of a combination of the fundamental factors that contribute toward attaining satisfactory performance.
1. Dry Firing Before Shooting: A shooter should rarely shoot the first time he settles to aim. Form the habit of firing a “dry” shot or two before the first shot. This will aid in attaining the sharp, clear focus necessary for a smooth, coordinated performance. Avoid dragging out a shot which results in increasing the arc of movement and dulling of the vision. A shooter, after trying unsuccessfully for five or six seconds, should stop dry-firing, take his finger from the trigger and rest, and then make another attempt to dry fire a satisfactory shot. Do not do this too many times, however. A long day’s shooting will make heavy demands on the muscles and eyes.
2. Carefulness: Great care is one of the mainstays of the control of slow fire shooting. Every shooter will get a certain percentage of good shots, the rest will be mediocre to poor. The poor shots result from carelessness. Accepting conditions as almost good enough is a form of carelessness. There are few top shooters who are absolutely without some compromise. The shooter who is not willing to devote himself fully and fails to pick up the tie breaking point is the one that loses the match. The principal damage that carelessness inflicts on controlled performance, strikes at the point where it can be least afforded; uniformity. For example, the failure to properly re-grip the pistol for each new attempt to shoot, violates the stipulation that if a good performance is to be repeated, you must uniformly duplicate the employment of all the fundamentals.