One of the most important life skills you can learn is how to shoot. Not knowing how to shoot and picking up a gun for the first time without any proper training can be a big risk to yourself and those around you.
That’s because it’s very easy to create unsafe habits when you pick up a gun for the first time without knowing what you’re doing…habits that could potentially be a threat to your life. You should always learn how to shoot from someone who is more experienced and knows what they’re doing for this reason.
To help you get started, we’ll go over the top shooting mistakes that can get you (or somebody else) killed and that must be avoided at all costs:
Not Following the Four Cardinal Rules of Gun Safety
The four rules of gun safety are the most fundamental rules that you need to memorize and practice. Following these rules will decrease the likelihood of you having a serious accident at the range.
The four cardinal rules of gun safety are:
- Always ensure your firearm is pointed in a safe direction
- Treat all firearms as if they are loaded
- Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are prepared to shoot
- Always be aware of your target and what lies beyond it
Improper Stance
Having a proper stance is the foundation for shooting safely. You need to make sure that you are standing in a balanced and steady manner, and you also want to ensure that you are ‘leaning into’ the gun while shooting. A good stance is to place your non-shooting leg in front of your other leg when positioning yourself to shoot.
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For example, if you’re right handed and shooting with your right hand, your left leg should be held in front of you to position yourself.
Then lean forward slightly to lean into the gun. If you’re firing a rifle or shotgun, you’ll want to keep the stock of the weapon pressed tightly against your shoulder while your torso is leaning into the gun. In other words, your torso should be pushing out while your arms are pulling back in in order to stabilize the weapon. If you’re firing a handgun, you’ll likewise want to lean forward slightly as well.
You never want to be standing up directly straight or leaning back when shooting, because this limits how well you can control the recoil of the firearm and increases the odds that you can lose control over the weapon and potentially send a bullet flying where it shouldn’t be.
Not Having a Firm Grip
Always tightly grip your firearm before shooting. When holding a handgun, get a high two-handed grip over the firearm with your thumbs forward. You never want to have your thumb positioned behind the weapon, because in the case of a semi-automatic pistol, the slide will come back and can potentially slice your thumb. And while a revolver doesn’t have this problem, it’s still not a good habit to practice.
You also want to avoid practicing the teacup grip, or where your non-dominant hand is held under the grip. While a common sight in films, it’s a very poor grip to practice in reality.
Instead, grasp the handgun firmly with your shooting hand and while achieving as high of a grip as possible.
Then wrap the fingers for your non-shooting hand over the fingers of your shooting hand tightly, and with the thumb of your non-shooting hand under the thumb of your shooting hand. Both thumbs should be held forward.
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Not having a firm grip over your weapon can cause you to lose control over it. If the recoil of the firearm surprises you, an improper grip can cause the muzzle of the gun to flip back and up…and if your finger is over the trigger, it’s possible to shoot another round potentially directly under your skull.
Poor Trigger Control
On that same note, it’s very important to practice proper trigger control on your firearm. Remember one of the cardinal rules of gun safety: only place your finger on the trigger when you are prepared to shoot.
It’s very crucial to practice proper trigger discipline by keeping your index finger off of the trigger and against the frame or grip of the gun above the trigger. Additionally, when you are done shooting, make it a habit to immediately take your finger off of the trigger as well. Ensure that your finger remains off of the trigger when reupholstering a handgun as well.
Shooting the Wrong Caliber in Your Gun
This is an easy mistake to make if you’re not familiar with basic firearms calibers, and yet it can be devastating if you make it.
If you shoot the wrong kind of bullet in a firearm, it can potentially cause the firearm to explode, resulting in serious injury or death to you or anyone around you.
You need to familiarize yourself with firearms calibers and know the exact kind of ammunition to fit into your pistol. Initially, it can be confusing to know which calibers are what. For example, you may have heard of a .45 before, without knowing that there are two primary types of .45 calibers that are used: .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt, both of which are very different from one another.
Besides the type of caliber, you also need to be aware of the type of ammunition of that caliber that you can safely use in your gun as well. For example, there are many handguns that are rated to handle +P ammunition. +P ammunition is ammo that has been loaded to a higher internal pressure in order, and is commonly used in self-defense cartridges.
However, +P ammunition also inflicts more wear on the gun shooting it, and certain guns are not rated to handle +P ammo. This is something you’ll want to carefully research when buying a new gun.
If you have purchased a firearm, go ammunition shopping with someone you know who’s experienced and can tell you the correct type of ammo you need to have. If you don’t know anyone personally who does, speak to someone at the sporting goods store or outlet who can help you out.
Knowing how to shoot is an excellent life skill to have. If you haven’t done any serious shooting yet, make sure you receive the proper training from someone you know. It’s very important to create good shooting habits so you don’t make any of the above potentially life threatening mistakes.
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Good article, but I did not know that guns had seat covers. I will re-holster a pistol, but I think “reupholstering” one may be difficult and pointless.
All kidding aside, gun safety is something that should be taken very seriously, and familiarity with your weapon is a must, I have a .22 that has a hair trigger, and a 9 mm that requires a very strong pull to fire. I think the .22 is a lot more dangerous because of the soft trigger, and have accidentally fired 2 bullets in rapid succession. I have since learned and pay closer attention to actions.
you ND your firearm ? yIkes
the Article was cute…. proper stance and proper grip…. yet you need to learn to shoot from “uncomforable and poor stances because the world isn’t a flat one way shooting range. You will need to bend or fire from odd spots or get into strange positions .
article is a typical 2 out of 10 type …
I bet you know all the strange shooting positions, probably #2?
Think your all talk, no grit.
use a 9 hole board my friend.
YEP!
I have never reupholstered any gun! ;))
i have been a shooter for several decades and consider myself a safe shooter. i’ve been cowboy action shooting since 2001 but the other day after a match a shooter wanted to try my winchester73. i loaded it with 10 rounds and they tried it. when i was putting it back in the jeep i levered the action to check it and a loaded round came out. i figured they’d shot 9 times instead of 10 times. i dropped the hammer very sloppily and put number 10 completely through my jeep. the bullet is still in the firewall. 50 years when the jeep is scrapped and a bullet rolls out, it’ll make for some tall tales. my point to this story ALWAYS practice gun safety and don’t be sloppy like i was.
I do wish that folks giving advice also give their credentials for giving what amounts to an “expert” opinion here. It is evident that this article is strictly for a new shooter/beginner or a target shooter.
Well said. I think that is good advice for those stroking their own bravado in the comments section. I have been shooting for sixty years under various conditions, from war in foreign climes to high risk warrant service, competition and more, and I learn something from almost everything I read…if nothing else, what others think is important.
I am literally the best shooter. My knowledge is fast and my skills are wide. You will never be at my level but you can grovel at my shoes. Be grateful that I even acknowledge you .
na-na na-na boo-boo, I am just as good as you!
Another troll, this website is cursed with trolls.
Now that’s a real man! Guide and protect me, oh wise one. —actually, Anti Virus is just stating what everyone else is thinking. Get over yourselves and lighten up.
I agree, pedigree is incredibly important when receiving training or advice.
In my opinion when addressing the subject of any safety-critical skill; those with pedigree should be the ones doing the talking, and not the other way around.
Will you only be happy if someone tells you they have a degree? Tell me your credentials first… if and only if you have ???? degrees or ??? Certifications before I listen? The articles if you know how to read are for discussion purposes and that it stated frequently. Mistakes and accidents happen to erudite snobs as well as dumb local yokels. I don’t have a degree so disregard this.
Training the key
Stand, Speak Up , Tell someone , Do your research , Do your do dilligence
but most of all Practice Good Habbits
Carelessness is Failure and will cost
Good Stance , Good Eyes , Good siting , Great Products
always Chck your weapons
Always assume loaded and ready
Never put your finger on the trigger until absulutly ready to shoot
and dont trust the safety as your stop gap , they can slip or be changed in a moment of terror
So Plan , Prepare , Stock up , and make sure you have the right ammo
Talk to your professionals and get a multitude of council , advice on current law of your state and risk you will have to face when you do have to protect your self
Proper Stance, Proper use , Proper advice
Everyone is not your expert
only two rules of gun safety
1.Look cool doing it
2.Never look uncool
NOW T H A T will get get someone killed.
what will ?
You sound uncool
Usually people learn shooting principles from their hunting family members and from NRA hunter safety classes.
Believe the mass shooters were never properly educated in the responsibility of gun ownership. They probably were educated on social left wing media of the bad things to do with a gun.
————————————————————————
Off topic current event news for preppers:
For those deciding the whether the Lone Wolf or a large prepper group is a better choice.
See this quote;
Never underestimate the power of Stupid People in large groups. – George Carlin
California is being run by Chinese nationals, here is proof: “Only a total immigration moratorium can begin to reverse this damage. https://t.co/X6Eq0hB0qH — The Columbia Bugle (@ColumbiaBugle) February 19, 2024”
“A woman who doesn’t even have the ability to legally vote in the United States was sworn into San Francisco’s Elections Commission on Wednesday.”
“Northern California public news site KQED reported Thursday that Hong Kong immigrant Kelly Wong “is believed to be the first noncitizen appointed to the commission,” after San Francisco passed a measure in 2020 removing the citizenship requirement to serve on city boards, commissions and advisory bodies.”
William, has a point I was wondering where all those Chinese national crossing the open border were going to; California.
I have some ammo stocked up previous to these California politicians restricting how much ammo to buy here. I am trying to save up enough money to move, but they keep taxing us seniors, to barely save any money.
I don’t want to give up my guns in California to these stupid laws they make against the 2A. Be glad CA gov Newsom is not president he hates Americans owning guns.
The nra is a trash group
Hey William Tuckner,
I saw that video a Chinese female can’t talk English and the liberals elected her to public office. I think California is lost to the Chinese nationals flooding our country.
Very chilling!
Our guns are next to be attacked so we can not defend against their military age males.
To clarify “NOW THAT will get someone killed”. People trying to “look cool” with a gun is more dangerous than “playing with a gun”. I think it is totally F-ing STUPID for someone to more or less say. Forget SAFTY, just go for “looking cool”. Someone concentrating on making sure they LOOK COOL instead of making sure they are safely using a gun will get themselves or someone else killed or injured. Yeah, just go ahead and look cool, holding that gun sideways like a gangsta and smile to show off that gold tooth cause it makes you look even more cool. Meanwhile I’ll call the Stick & Spoon Squad to pick up the bodies. Especially the cool looking one with the gold tooth with half of his brains splattered on the wall behind him.
Raven, your not cool!
Ravens are smart pretty useful birds…..
Ravens are also bottom feeders too. They don’t live long attacking pets or chickens, cousin of the crows.
Good advice man
Holy shit WTF happened to this forum ?? Looks like a bunch of high school adolescents from across the border invaded the forums, Raven you know better than that, don’t be a hold out man, lets get the fuck outta here dude, this place smells like The DC White House!!
FU you too fool!
Shooting the wrong ammo from your gun
Well, in case you did not know, you can fire .38spc from a .357mag and you can fire .40SW from a 10mm. Not vice versa
Very obvious that we have a troll in this discussion (Raven…) making stupid comments just to get attention with nothing positive to add. Probably someone with a demented 10 year old brain????
Leave it to Raven to stir up shit with stupid and irrelevant
comments. Hence the moniker “Raven Piece of Shit.”
If you don’t have a strong wrist and hand when firing a
large semi-auto a stove pipe jam is inevitable. Many police
departments found this to be true when they started
hiring 103 lb. girls in comfortable shoes.
Practicing center of mass is the way to go.
Just a little anecdotal story for you, dealing with firearm safety. I was deer hunting on a remote logging road. My 30-30 was loaded but no round in the chamber, setting to my right on the floor board pointed up (very small mini truck). I spotted a fat grouse on the trail. I stopped, got out and shot the grouse, and immediately chambered another round as normal when hunting deer. Being such a tight small truck, I got in and brought my 30-30 from my left to my right, muzzle pointed up, with that round in the chamber and the hammer cocked. I’m quite amazed I didn’t poop my pants when I realized what I had done. That muzzle past right under my chin, about where your carotid artery would be I imagine.
I unloaded the gun immediately and drove home with my tail between my legs!
I’ve been shooting for nearly 60 years. I practice gun safety at ALL TIMES. I preach it to anyone who is interested in firearms. I’ve had tons of training and practical experience…….
NEVER take your knowledge of firearm safety for granted!!! One dead grouse in my bag was enough for this “expert” to nearly become a statistic !
Coaster,
it happens. i had a AD about 2 years ago with a glock, fortunately it was pointed in a safe direction, it just went off. maybe my finger was inadvertently on the trigger. been hunting and shooting for as long as i can remember.64. but that was a first for me, maybe i have become complacent in my old age but i got rid of that glock at my first opportunity.
you got rid of a Glock because your incompetent
I was a police officer for 27 yrs. And went the range 4 times a yr. We shot at man targets from many different distances and different positions and barriers. Also at different times of day and night including night time with no lights ( very difficult) but duable and weather conditions including rain, snow , gusty winds , and facing the sun at sunrise. Someone who maybe could be involved in a deadly gunfight at moments notice or ambushed never stops learning or reading shooting articles. I think this was a good article to refresh or inform new shooters or experienced shooters. Also remember that you cannot learn to much.
Ah yes the tyrants with a badge
As a past instructor (NRA Certified Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Instructor, Rifle Coach and several more), and a 30yr Competitor shooting at the National Level in Action Sports, I feel qualified to comment.
This article is a start. It covers a few of the basics, but does have its shortcomings. It could be strengthened by adding information on available places to seek formal instruction by certified Instructors, beginning with the basic classwork and perhaps in a follow-on with places to get advanced help.
A Hunter Education Program is a great place to start!
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