Thoughts on Aiming?

[Magwell]

So, I can hit the broad side of a barn. I'm guessing it will be normal for most to be able to shoot larger weapons with greater accuracy. That being said, what's your favorite or best method for mini accuracy? (Under 100 yards)

[To Old To Run]

I've always thought that the grips is a good place to start to help with the accuracy issues.

[PaPa K]

I find you really need to get the hand to grip connection solid. You can change to a grip you like and then I found I need to shoot a lot to get a reliable solid connection to the mini. As to sighting, with my Pug you get the tritium on the mass and you are good for close work, distance work is toughest with the pug. My BW with fixed sites (3 dot style) is much better out to 15-20 yards. My sidewinder is close to the BW if I do my part, but with my older eyes, the sights are a little harder to pick-up. My old combo falls in the middle of the group. I am sure a mini master or a Hogleg would be better for distance, but I have a Ruger Shopkeeper for that.

[pietro]

.

Once upon a time, I came across a tutorial article published in an annual (Gun Digest, Shooter's Bible - I forget) on the most effective way to shoot a Mini, and after some practice have found the method to be very good.

The article stated that most folks that complain about the small size have issues because they attempt to shoot one like they shoot a larger SA revolver.

The method for a Mini involves holding the gripframe in the tightly-closed fist of the shooting hand, then wrapping the off hand around the front of the closed fist (ala: weaver stance)

The hammer/trigger is manipulated for firing by the off hand.

Here's a You Tube video on how it's done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFBAcz16GvU


.

[Ruger]

Pietro - nice Hickok45 video, but are you sure it has anything to do with what you described?  Guess I just missed it.

[EvilWayz]

A lot of the videos  I've seen the shooter cocks with offhand for faster follow up shots.   I've started practicing  like that and it seems practical enough I guess I'll find out at the range. 9

[zburkett]

I need to be snake head accurate at ten feet, usually under bad light.  I start by painting my front sight bright orange with Testor's model paint.  For ease of carry and ease of hitting what I'm shooting at I use a folding holster grip or a Black Widow grip on my minis.  Then I practice by throwing out spent brass in front of me and practicing a lot.

[pietro]

Pietro - nice Hickok45 video, but are you sure it has anything to do with what you described?  Guess I just missed it.

The video shows shooting with this gripping method.

The mechanics of the grip method I described previously look like this:


   

   


.

[zburkett]

I forgot to mention that different minis have slightly different sight pictures when you are trying to shoot one hole groups.

[lefty dude]

for fixed sights the Wasp is the best.

[E-Stop]

My greatest accuracy is a firm two-handed grip with the right hand thumb, followed by the left hand thumb, pushing down on the grip.  Keeps my thumbs from getting bloodied up by the cylinder and allows for easy follow up shots, cocking the hammer with my left thumb.

Like any and all guns, getting to know the point-of-aim @ different distances is key.

22LR with stock grips shown.

[Magwell]

Just ordered CVangs for the 22Mag. So that should help. I have 2 22lr with 2 different barrel lengths. Having such a small weapon to control seems to be a good trainer as to the impact of grip and pressure's effect on point of aim.

[grayelky]

Any time you are learning a new grip or new technique, dry firing is your best friend. During commercials, with the cylinder removed, you can dry fire your mini. This will not only work on hand-eye co-ordination and finger dexterity, it will also polish the moving parts and (slowly) improve your trigger.

[Canoeal]

My take? Find something you can hold onto, and practice. Making too many changes to your grip, for only your mini, means a bit of confusion when you need it.
But seriously practice. Any gun you keep on you needs to feel like part of your hand, and that comes with practice.

[grayelky]

zburkett-
Next time you are touching up a front sight, or get a new gun, before painting the orange, put a coat of gloss enamel on. Your orange will be brighter, and last a little longer. As you may guess, also works for other colors.

[Canoeal]

Should that be gloss white enamel?

[Bigbird48]

I wonder if white titanium paint would work well?

[zburkett]

Anything that makes the front sight more visible is an improvement.  The brighter the better.

[riadat]

I ground my front sight down and put some orange paint on what is left.

Once you get aiming down the real issue is trigger pull.

Some dry firing with the cylinder out can address that.

I can do head shots at 10 feet all day long.  I can hit torso area out to 20 feet.

Good enough for intended purpose.

[grayelky]

Canoeal- Good catch. Thanks for bring that up. Yes, my brain thought white enamel, but my fingers could not type fast enough!

White titanium? Can't help with that, don't know.

[Canoeal]

Most white paint uses titanium for the brightness. So yes, white titanium works well. It is what they use to make golf balls white.

[OV-1D]

  How do you get the dimples out ? It is some tough durable paint but always use a primer first like was said .

[bbgun]

My theory is if you want to target shoot, get another gun -- not a mini.  I train strictly for self-defense.  Hold the gun exactly the same every time (or almost).  One handed point it at the target, fire.  It will go all over the place.  Roll your hand so the knuckle of your thumb and the knuckle of your index finger form a "V".  Fire again.  Roll the wrist right or left as needed to bring the barrel toward the target.  You will soon be able to tell how to judge the V. and which knuckle should be higher.  Then you don't have to use any sights.  the V is your sight.  You can bring the gun up fast and point the V at the target.  It is like "punching" the target.  Works good for me. 

[Canoeal]

I like target shooting my BW and I can do so pretty well. Something that is nice to know if you ever need it.