Basic Handgun Marksmanship Skills- Part 2, by Mark Bunch

In “Part One of Basic Handgun Marksmanship Skills”, we looked at some firearms 101 and gave instructions for a test to determine if you are right eye dominant or left eye dominant. We also went over bone support and stance as well as safety procedures and basic rules to prevent accidental shootings. Today, we will dig into the basics of handgun selection, ammunitions, and becoming proficient in the use of your handgun. I will also share my recommendation for how to train under pressure. This is a means to prepare for the stressful situation of a self defense scenario.

Choosing a Handgun

For many people, choosing a handgun is confusing. I always ask people who are interested in buying a handgun for the first time, what they are interested in using it for. Most people I encounter in my gun store tell me that they are looking for a gun for concealed carry purposes. They are typically interested in something in the .380 class or slim single stack 9mm or .40. I always make sure to explain what they are getting. They are then not surprised the first time they pull the trigger on that compact concealed carry gun. The smaller the gun, the larger the felt recoil is going to be. As a general rule, accuracy is not going to be spectacular either. Although for typical ranges that you would be in need of defending yourself, these small guns are more than acceptable.

For novice shooters, I always let them know that they are generally better served with something in the mid-size class. A Glock 19, 23, Ruger SR9C or SR40C, or Smith and Wesson Shield works well. This class of handguns is much easier to shoot accurately. It is not so unwieldy to not be able to be carried concealed.

Hunting

If you plan on using your handgun to hunt with, you need to choose something of at least 40 caliber. However, a good .357 revolver makes a fine side arm, and some of the newer models from Taurus and Smith & Wesson hold eight rounds while allowing you the ability to also shoot .38 special rounds for practice. There is no substitute for quality either. So once you know what your intended use for a hand gun is and you are clear on the advantages and the associated limitations of each type and size, try to buy the best handgun you can afford. Revolvers and autoloaders in the 10mm class or .44 Magnum class are great for self defense in bear country. However, the cost of ammunition and the felt recoil are not for the feint of heart.

There are several different types of handguns available for you to choose from. Below, I will go over the various types and some recommendations.

Semi-Automatic Handguns

Semi-automatic handguns are by far the most popular these days. They offer you, the shooter, the most modern designs in the most modern materials with extended magazine capacities. There are basically four types of semi auto handguns. Traditional ones, like a Beretta 92 or Smith & Wesson 4506, are both single and double action capable. Handguns like a Colt 1911 or clone by Remington, Ruger, Kimber, et cetera are considered single action. Some semi-auto handguns are considered to be double action only. They have a much longer trigger pull than any other type of semi-auto handguns do.

Handguns, like the Glock line or Springfield XD line, are what are referred to as striker fired. These give you, the shooter, the same trigger pull/feel with every shot. Semi-auto handguns eject the spent cartridge, and they load the next cartridge automatically after you have loaded the first round into the chamber, hence the term semi-automatic.

Revolvers

Revolvers are named for their center-mounted revolving cylinder. The cylinder spins in either a clockwise or counter clockwise manner each time you pull the trigger or cock the gun. Most revolvers are both single and double action capable. The double action pull is much longer and harder than the single action pull. The upside to revolvers is that they are generally less prone to malfunctions and can handle more powerful rounds than can semi-automatic handguns, as a general rule.

Single Shot Break Open Handguns

Single shot break open handguns, like the Thomson Contender series, are able to use multiple different barrels and calibers, and they can handle more powerful cartridges. I am not a big fan of this type of handgun, as it still isn’t as powerful as a rifle. Additionally, oftentimes you need more firepower than a single shot break open handgun can provide for you.

Derringers

Derringers are usually very small. They were the first conceal carry guns available to people. They are small and easy to conceal; however, they are notoriously unreliable. Additionally, they have rudimentary, if any, sites, which makes them point blank use only handguns. I would never recommend anyone purchase or carry one of these pieces of junk for self defense purposes.

Ammunition

I always recommend people stay with popular and proven cartridges, such as 9mm, .380, 38 special, .357 magnum, 40 S&W, 22LR, .44 magnum, .45 ACP, et cetera. A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t buy ammo for it at Walmart, don’t buy the gun.

Getting Used To Your New Handgun

The best way to get used to handling your new handgun is to simply handle it. I instruct everyone who purchases a new handgun to make sure it is unloaded and then to keep it near them when they are watching TV. I tell them to pick it up and get their hands set in the proper firing position without having to actually look at what they are doing. Your finger should be off the trigger with the gun held in your strong/dominant hand with both thumbs aligned against the side of the handgun’s frame as demonstrated in this picture by my beautiful fiancé, Nikki.

Picking up your handgun in the proper position needs to become an automatic response, and that is what muscle memory from practice will give you. For example, if you are driving down the road when out of the corner of your eye you see a child chasing a soccer ball, you don’t have to think about hitting the brakes. You simply take action and do so. This is the type of autonomic response you need to have with your handgun as well.

Becoming Proficient With Your Handgun

As with anything in life, you are going to perform as you have practiced. If you never practice, you will never be very good. Once you have decided on a handgun that fits your hand and that you can handle easily, and you’ve figured out what stance you do the best with the handgun, it is time to learn how to shoot. Becoming proficient with any firearm is about the elimination of all the variables that cause you to shoot inaccurately. Poor stance, poor position, holding your breath, and jerking the trigger all cause you to shoot erratically. These are the things that will drive your instructor crazy.

One of the best things you can do is dry firing. Although, with regard to dry firing, make sure that this practice will not harm your chosen handgun first. Place a quarter on a piece of paper and trace the outline of it, filling in the circle with a magic marker so you have a solid black circle. Then, tape this piece of paper on the wall and mark off 15 or 20 feet. Practice picking up your handgun, getting into the correct stance, and slowly squeezing the trigger as you maintain proper aim on your target. This will teach you how to effectively manage and eliminate all the variables that make you shoot poorly.

Under Pressure

Finally, adding pressure to your situation will help you hone your skills and get you used to having to get your firearm into battery for life and death situations. Go to a gun range and enter into handgun competitions that are timed. Yes, this activity will make you uncomfortable. However, the benefit of this is that if you ever find yourself in a movie theater or super market when some wacko shows up and starts shooting up the place, your training and pressure drills just may save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

(Mark Bunch is an NRA certified firearms instructor in handgun, shotgun, urban rifle, sub gun, and long range rifle disciplines and has been instructing students for over 30 years. He owns and operates his own gun shop and 1 mile gun range with his partner Mike Brizendine.)

See Also:

• Basic Handgun Marksmanship Skills- Part 1, by Mark Bunch

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been part two of a two part entry for Round 71 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value),
3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
5. An infrared sensor/imaging camouflage shelter from Snakebite Tactical in Eureka, Montana (A $350+ value),
6. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
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1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
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4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
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9. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

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1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
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6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
7. Montie Gear is donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a $125 Montie gear Gift certificate.,
8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value), and

Round 71 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.