Suddenly forgot how to shoot . . .

[JNG]

I typically practice a few hundred rounds a month with my sidearm, in addition to regular dry-fire. This level of practice has afforded me a certain level of consistency in my shooting that I've come to take for granted. I know how fast I can shoot and hit As, and I know what kind of accuracy I can expect slow fire.

But today . . . . I went out to practice some, and couldn't hit anything. So I go through the diagnostic routine, eliminate complicating factors like draw, movement, and time pressure, and just work on basic marksmanship at 7 yards--grip, front sight, trigger press.

And I still couldn't hit my point of aim, and the shots were scattered within a zone that can only hypothetically be called a "group".

It was a deeply disturbing incident. Any competitors on here have a similar experience? Or, even better, advice for how to train out of this sudden, severe, inexplicable rut?

[Coach]

Put the gun on a table and sand bags and rule out that it is not the gun.
Next question I would ask is it the ammo. Reloads? Cheap stuff? Really really old stuff?

Then if it is not the gun or the ammo it has to be you. Sometimes sights break and sometimes they more.

7 yards is pretty close for it to be just you is my initial thought.

However, sometimes we just have bad days in any venture. It could be a bad day.

What is your background? You talk of shooting A's and that sound like competition.

[JNG]

Coah, background PM'ed.

Per your advice, I sandbagged the gun at 15 yards--the 5 shot group was about 7" and fairly random--way, way, way too big for a Sig.

I'm going to have another shooter sandbag it to confirm that it's the gun and not me. I sure hope it's the gun . . . .

If another shooter sandbags it and shoots a 1.5" group, that would clearly indicate some serious problems on my part.

[Coach]

Does your grip look similar to this?

[JNG]

I'm about the same height on the gun, but I use the DTI "thumbs up" position instead of the "thumbs forward" in the picture.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by JNG

Coah, background PM'ed.

Per your advice, I sandbagged the gun at 15 yards--the 5 shot group was about 7" and fairly random--way, way, way too big for a Sig.

I'm going to have another shooter sandbag it to confirm that it's the gun and not me. I sure hope it's the gun . . . .

If another shooter sandbags it and shoots a 1.5" group, that would clearly indicate some serious problems on my part.

Sounds like gun trouble.

[rvb]

Originally Posted by JNG

But today . . . . I went out to practice some, and couldn't hit anything.... just work on basic marksmanship at 7 yards--grip, front sight, trigger press.
...
Or, even better, advice for how to train out of this sudden, severe, inexplicable rut?

One bad practice is not a rut. With that kind of negative talk in your head your destined for another bad practice.
Sometimes it is better to go home. Usually the fundamentals can get me back on track, but if frustration has set in, it's time to call it a day. and it sounds like you were frustrated

While it's typically the shooter, it's possible it's the gun or the ammo. Check your ammo and components closely and maybe pull a few or if factory try a new lot (or if reloading try some factory). Check your sights aren't moving around. Check nothing major wrong with gun/bore (and it would have to be MAJOR to open it up to 7" @ 15yd).

way, way, way too big for a Sig.

Have you sandbagged the gun before and what kind of accuracy did you get? Your statement implies you expect more because it's a sig, not because you have previous data points (and experience shooting off bags).

-rvb

ps the guy in the picture should be a hand model. haha

[JNG]

Originally Posted by rvb

Have you sandbagged the gun before and what kind of accuracy did you get? Your statement implies you expect more because it's a sig, not because you have previous data points (and experience shooting off bags).

-rvb

ps the guy in the picture should be a hand model. haha

Previous sandbagging of this gun yielded 5-shot groups of around 2" at 20 yards. The barrel is locking up good and tight, the sights aren't moving, and the crown looks okay. I'm going to reinspect the gun when I get home, and also have another shooter sandbag it. That ought to help clarify whether man or machine is at fault here.

[JNG]

This just got weirder. I was at the range and figured I might as well try again with the gun I was having trouble with. Shot three different 5 shots groups with the "problem" gun of 2", 2", and 1.5" of the bag. Stood up, closed to 7 yards, and shot with the kind of accuracy I would expect.

Now I'm really bothered. A bad day is one thing, but a day so bad I can't even shoot accurately off sandbags is worrisome. I wish I had videotaped myself shoot--I can't think of what I was doing so poorly to cause yesterday's problems.

[ryanbr]

Sounds like maybe you got yourself frustrated and psyched yourself out. Took a little time and cleared your head, shot on sandbags and got your confidence back. Now keep up the good shootin!