Being in the business of less lethal tools and training, we don’t normally talk much about firearms on the ASP Trainer Talk blog. But since so many of us are also (or have been) firearms instructors at our agencies, it’s a topic we do know a thing or two about, and one that we enjoy discussing. So for my post this week, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on marksmanship fundamentals—especially for recruits, new officers and others who may not have much experience in this area yet.
Marksmanship, quite simply, refers to the skill of accurately shooting a weapon at a target. And like all skills, competency in marksmanship starts with mastering fundamentals of marksmanship, and making them second nature through constant practice and repetition.
Not surprisingly, if you ask ten shooters for their best tips, you’re likely to get ten different answers. But to my mind and experience, there are four classic fundamentals that always hold true: stance, grip, sight alignment and trigger control. Let’s take a quick look at each.
Stance
Unless shooting from a rest, the shooter is the entire platform for the firearm—and therefore, the foundation of good shooting is a stable and balanced stance. The body should be positioned in a way that supports the firearm and properly absorbs recoil. Common stances include:
• Isosceles— both feet shoulder width apart, fairly squared off, arms extended forward
• Modified isosceles—weapon side leg back, similar to the pyramid stance we teach in ASP training
• Weaver—a traditional stance with one foot slightly behind and to the side of the other, body angled, arms slightly bent with “push-pull” isometric tension to steady the gun
Each stance is different to different shooters in terms of stability, speed, and the ability to move and shoot. It largely comes down to personal experience and preference, and of course agency training; but the bottom line is that the shooter must always provide a solid base from which the firearm can be effectively employed.
Grip
If the body/stance provides the overall support as just discussed, the grip provides the direct interface with the firearm. In principle—barring significant wind or other factors—if you were to put a gun in a vise and fire it, the rounds will hit exactly where the weapon is aimed, every time. So the hands must hold the gun in a way that maintains point of aim and allows for recoil absorption (including controlling “muzzle flip”). A strong, consistent grip helps to stabilize the firearm during the shot, and importantly, prevents cycling malfunctions caused by improper grip (“limp-wristing”). I like the isometric push-pull concept—pushing the firearm with my weapon hand while pulling back with my non shooting hand—and pointing my thumbs towards the target. I find that both of these techniques help with stability and accurate shot placement.
Sight Alignment
This refers to the proper positioning of the front and rear sights. The shooter should align the front sight inside the notch of the rear sight and ensure they are level and centered (often referred to as “equal height, equal light”). Sight alignment becomes increasingly critical with distance, but with decent alignment at typical defensive/combative engagement distances, the shooter can be imperfect and still hit the target.
Trigger Control
To me, the most critical aspect of marksmanship is a smooth, controlled trigger press. The trigger should be squeezed steadily with the pad of the index finger; it should never be jerked or slapped, as these errors will almost certainly move the muzzle and affect precision and accuracy. Combined with the other fundamentals, trigger control is the final “user interface” step that helps ensure the shot breaks without disturbing the firearm’s alignment.
By mastering these basics, both new and experienced shooters can improve their accuracy, consistency, and overall performance with firearms. Regular practice, along with a focus on these principles, will help develop the muscle memory and discipline required for effective marksmanship.
By the way, I should put in a plug for ASP Red Guns—they are a great way to practice stance, grip and sight alignment anywhere, any time, with absolute safety.
