Before you even pick up that brand-new weapon you just got, let's take a moment to talk about the four fundamentals of marksmanship. Whether your target is at 20 meters or 200 meters, these are the fundamentals you need to hit your target. They won't instantly turn you into a trick shot or a sniper but will improve your knowledge and shot over time.
What Exactly Is Marksmanship?
Credit: iStock
Marksmanship is the ability to fire a gun accurately and consistently.
Good marksmanship is the capacity to accurately hit a target at a distance with the minimum shots fired. It involves using firearms to fire precisely at set targets while moving or standing still. For instance, someone who hits a bullseye at close range after using multiple rounds would not be considered a good marksman, in contrast to a sniper who strikes a bullseye from a considerable distance with a single shot.
The Importance of Good Marksmanship
Credit: US Navy
There are various factors that make good marksmanship important. Consistently hitting your target is the main goal of good marksmanship. This is important in self-defense and hunting situations. To stop your assailant in self-defense, you must be able to hit them. When hunting, you must be able to hit your target accurately in order to kill it. Both scenarios require good marksmanship.
Another argument in favor of the significance of good marksmanship is the potential risk to the public's safety. Military forces, police officers, and those on the firing line must be able to hit their target in order to defend the defenseless. Good marksmanship literally saves lives in these circumstances.
Last but not the least, good marksmanship provides satisfaction. There is a great lot of joy in continually hitting your target. Whether you're shooting targets for fun or competing in events, having good marksmanship is a prize in and of itself.
What Are the Four Fundamentals of Good Marksmanship?
If you are new to shooting, you should be aware of the four fundamentals of a good shot which are listed below:
1) Steady Position
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The first rule of good marksmanship is to hold a steady position. To sustain your handgun or rifle, you need a strong foundation. If you are not properly supported, your shots will be less accurate.
The three primary shooting positions are prone, standing upright, and kneeling. Each position has advantages and disadvantages of its own.
- Prone: Although it is not always practical in a real-world context, the prone posture is the most precise and steady.
- Standing: Standing upright gives you the most movement and firing range, despite being in the least stable position.
- Kneeling: Kneeling strikes a balance between mobility and stability.
Most basic handgun safety education and other recreational safety education courses teach you how to maintain a steady position. It can be risky and even fatal to have your gun in an unstable position.
2) Aiming
Credit: Mathew Spaulding
Now that you have mastered the critical ability to hold your gun steady, you must consistently align it with the target before each shot.
Aiming your gun towards the target is essential. It entails proper sight adjustment and lining up the front sight post of your front sight aperture with it. When firing, you should have your eye directly above the middle of the rear sight.
3) Breath Control
Credit: USA Carry
The third fundamental talks about breath control. At any stage of the breathing cycle, you must learn to manage your breath. Most people frequently use one of two types of breath-control techniques.
The first method is used when you have the time. According to the instructions, you should fire the shot just before inhaling and after the majority of the air has been released from your lungs during the normal pause in breathing. Breathing should stop once the bulk of the air from the usual breathing cycle has been exhaled. Before you experience any discomfort, the bullet must be fired.
The second technique entails briefly holding your breath prior to firing a shot.
4) Trigger Control
Credit: Field & Stream
The last and final fundamental in gun and rifle marksmanship is trigger control or trigger squeeze. Trigger control is used to execute the shot without interfering with your sight alignment. There are two primary issues with effective trigger control:
- Pulling: When the trigger is pulled excessively with force, a hooked finger forms, which pulls the gun to one side as the shot is fired. As a result, your shot will land to the right of the target.
- Pushing: When a gun's trigger is pulled with a finger that is too small, the shot will strike the target to the left because the trigger is pulled to the side rather than back.
The best trigger control position enables the index finger to move independently while maintaining trigger contact with the pad of the finger. The most sensitive area of the finger enables precise pistol control and firing.
Do We Require Marksmanship Training?
Credit: USA Today
There are a few factors that could necessitate marksmanship training and handgun education courses. For instance, it is imperative that you understand how to use a gun safely and properly if you intend to use one for self-defense.
Marksmanship training can help you improve your accuracy and proficiency in hobbies like shooting and hunting that are popular nowadays. Many online recreational safety courses teach you the basics of handgun safety education and firearm safety rules. The choice of whether or not to access these recreational safety education materials ultimately rests with the individual.
Summary
A key step in developing the ability to shoot a gun consistently and accurately is learning the principles of marksmanship. But knowing the fundamentals is not enough, you need to practice your shot and you can do this by target shooting. With the help of EasyShot shooting targets, you can improve your aim and become the seasoned pro you've always wanted to be. Come shop with us today!