How to Improve Your Pistol Accuracy

This clip is taken from my online coaching group, where I host livestreams and Zoom calls with group members. Learn more at / coachingsquad

[@OG03]

I trained with Pat a few times 5 or 6 years ago. I went into the Guard a couple of years ago and competed at our state TAG Match and did pretty well (2nd Place Overall on Pistol and 4th Overall for the whole match). The entire time I was competing at our state match I was repeating all of Pat's sports psychology mantras he taught me ("Water off a duck's ass", etc) and honestly, I think it's the only reason I did so well. I got invited to the state shooting team and just competed for my first season this year. I still keep in my mind all of his teachings on how to stay focused on performance and letting go of my desired outcome whenever I'm competing. I shot the National Match for Service Pistol for the very first time at All-Army this year and got my Hard Leg. Going to crush it next year. Everybody take notes on what Pat says. Thanks for all the wisdom Pat!

[@JaredAF]

"25 yards is where pistol marksmanship *starts*" Love it

[@alijaffery7735]

Shit man, idk why the instructors in the classes I’m taking say there’s no point in shooting out that far with a pistol and say to keep most of my training at 5-10 yards.

[@professor10193]

Because they cant shoot well enough to look good at 25 yards so they say its pointless.

[@nateporteractual]

This is why I listen to Mac. The nuances of psychology both overtly and subtly employed in developing personal performance standards, are in my opinion somwhat underrated out there. For me this is where the magic sauce gets stirred and we invite the opportunity to really evolve as shooters. Awesome.

[@Niedzwiedz1M]

Was visiting my family last month and went to the shooting range after 6 years of not shooting, I live in UK, we don't get shooting ranges here. 25 yards, glock 4th gen iron sights. 10 shots. 90 points. I was taught to shoot by my dad and guys who were retired in anti-terrorist units. Basically they say similar things to what Patrick is saying, it works.

[@DOC_HARPON]

Exactly Pat, you dont want to gas yourself up, if you want to stay cool.

[@dwightswift8727]

Great stuff! My old bullseye coach (AMU) would have us in our shooting position and ask if we could hold the barrel of the pistol inside a coffee cup without letting the barrel touch the sides ... if so, the only reason we aren't shooting Xs is because our sights aren't aligned when we let off the shot. Humbling.

[@joie0]

I don't shoot bullseye but I do shoot USPSA very regularly. Bullseye vs practical is an interesting comparison. On each side of the spectrum(speed & accuracy) you have to accept “good enough" at some point. If anyone is interested in getting “good” at shooting in general, I certainly recommend the practical shooting sports. The average USPSA B-class shooter would be considered an expert pistol shooter to most firearms owners. Accuracy and speed are obviously both important. However, when it comes the utility of carrying a firearm for self protection, I have to admit that I selfishly think disciplines like uspsa and idpa are going to be a little more worthy of one's time. Hope this isn't taken the wrong way because in no way am I suggesting marksmanship is a wasteful skill to have. Love the vids Mac! Keep shooting!

[@jcar1417]

Yes I agree with the practical shooting, but bullseye is the bare bones fundamentals, when you build a house you start with a good foundation.

[@jerrycroner9221]

I have had the fortune of going to many shooting courses & non professional shooting events. Including instructor courses. Some with nationally renowned, well respected instructors. I took the most from & was most awed by the Pat Mac course i attended.

[@1olddirtroad]

Hear doubt but don't Listen to doubt. Sage Advice

[@lisaharrisonlpc7286]

Really good! Thanks, Pat

[@Gunge-vq2ik]

priceless knowledge thank you PAT!

[@orlandosilva1295]

Great coaching and instruction...

[@Graydog-sx6le]

Very awesome and informative. Got a lot out of it.

[@Gothic1Actual]

This is awesome info. Thanks for sharing.

[@albertpaxton4855]

Great video!!

[@jpminj5746]

I appreciate you, man

[@Patrick_Cannon]

Dry-firing on a blank wall, then dry-firing on a vertical line on a Post It note, horizontal line, plus sign, and dot is a good progression... pushing yourself to be smooth on the trigger with a hard focus on the top edge of the front sight. Doing the same progression with live fire... only the sights with no target reference, adding a vertical line, going to a horizontal line, plus sign, and ultimately the black bull. When you are shooting lines, you are scoring yourself off the line. On a vertical line, you can let your wobble/hold/arc of movement go up or down but your attention is the width of the group size. When shooting a horizontal line, it's the same but you're paying attention to your sights being level on the up and down axis. You can make transparencies with lines that are the width of the 10 or the X ring so when you overlay it on your target, you can "score" yourself. You can make a transparency with the scoring rings as well for shooting the plus sign so that you can "score" your group. Trying to stay process oriented, breaking the shot down into component parts, working on those parts, and then the score comes afterwards. What you do behind the firing line determines what happens down range, so staying process oriented and scoring group size afterwards. You asked great questions.

[@mikegalanti]

I’m definitely trying that.

[@anthonyluisi7096]

awesome lessons learned

[@CitizenCarrier]

See! This is what I’m talking about! I go to the range and everybody is always FAST FAST FAST! Constantly. They’ll be at 7 to 10 yards and start celebrating over hitting the A zone and counting line breaks going for the fastest Bill drill they can get. That’s fine and has it’s place. But they always give me crap because I’m out at 15 yards concentrating on slow fire hitting the “X” on a B8. Then I’ll run it out to 25 and do the same thing. And they always say bring it in and go FAST FAST FAST. I can pull the trigger fast. I’m more about shot placement and accountability. It’s fun to do a fast Bill drill, but hitting a big A zone anywhere in it just doesn’t! feel like I’m doing my job. I feel if I work at marksmanship and accountability, that will help me when running fast drills. But I have to say, my Walther PDP trigger is not “springy” at all. It’s very very crisp. Almost as crisp as my Canik Elite Combat. Solid wall, crisp break.

[@Rooster-q3x]

Truth

[@j.gthomason7245]

“Slow is smooth and smooth is fast”

[@andershilmo1866]

My favorite drill is first thing when I get out to the range is set up small targets 5 x5 or 4x4 targets at 35 to 50 yards. And run a mag through. This drill tells you at what skill you are at un warmed up. And what you can expect real performance to be. Run a few bill drills, failure to stop. And then back out to the 35-50 to see where I am at. the end of training.

[@CitizenCarrier]

@@andershilmo1866 Sounds like a decent plan. I do OCCASIONALLY like to do a cold run on how fast I can do a draw to first hit or Bill drill. The speed stuff can be fun for sure. But I guess I’m more old school about marksmanship and shot placement and accuracy and not so much of the gamer stuff. Sounds like you are of the same mindset. 👍🏻

[@andershilmo1866]

@@CitizenCarrier Yup two things that counts in a gun fight speed and accuracy. One without the other isn’t much good. One of my fav quotes someone famously said you can’t miss fast enough to win a gunfight.

[@chrischiba9336]

Back in my USPSA days, that I still strive for now is, touch holes.

[@Asymmetrical.athlete_]

Holy shit! What’s up Cory?! Me and this dude smoked cigars together in Kabul at the Texas house. We contracted together. How’s life my man?!

[@other4819]

100% at 15 yards....good to know, this is kinda the stuff Im looking for as someone trying to learn...don't move on from there until 100%. where can I go to see how to progress to 15 yards?

[@shooterll7936]

Awesomeness! 👍👍

[@dalehenry4694]

Pat Mac is the best 🔫

[@gokuryu]

PDP has a 2 stage and a definitive wall.

[@Rooster-q3x]

Blaze. On.

[@dannyhardesty3692]

When pulling the trigger---does Pat Mac tighten his core or relax his core? Thanks!

[@clockworknunez-dv2yh]

Algorithm buster

[@brettlaw4346]

100% at 15 yards is a good stepping stone standard. A gatekeeper to downrange.

[@KCnoSurrender]

I must say I’m not quite sure Pat Mac is familiar with the trigger on the Walther PDP Pro. It feels very similar to a 2-stage trigger and really has no mush like a factory Glock trigger. Also, he is so dang inspirational. Pat Mac is a man I aspire to be like in so many ways.

[@v.german11b]

I agree with you. The Walther PDP Pro SD has the best striker-fired trigger of them all. It feels like a two staged single action hammer trigger.

[@themetalwoodsman]

My club only allows paper targets. When I started taking my wife and son shooting, she found "fun" targets. Tic tac toe and battle ship! Not only is it fun, it also promotes marksmanship. Also... my bullets are never cold, all wear JACKETS!!! B.D.S.😂

[@rogerkulpnik]

Our club has the same rule so I set up a used target at 25 yards then I shoot small sticks and rocks at the bank which is at 50 yards. Great fun one handed with two people. Also the puff of dust in the dirt tells you instantly where you hit.

[@southern842]

Check out Nightstalkers by Megadeth 🤘

[@FesJenkins]

What is this shooting exercise called?

[@docgillygun9531]

Got a question. Been struggling with my accuracy of late. I did an experiment. Once I got my front sight lined up I closed my eyes and then started shooting. Damned if my accuracy wasn't spot on. Is that normal?

[@Platoon_Guide]

🇺🇸

[@Gatsquatch.300]

What’s the target called? Bulls? Meaning a simple bullseye target?

[@daveb7408]

"B-8 Bullseye". If you search for it you will find it. Should be able to download them, too.

[@Gatsquatch.300]

@@daveb7408 love you sir thanks!!!

[@Cid-hq1ro]

👏👏👏🎖🎖🎖

[@jordantheokay3168]

I have this exercise I do to test myself. I bring a 35lb kettlebell to the range. I do 20 snatches per arm finishing on my dominant hand, I draw and shoot. What I'm shooting at is a milk jug at 80 yards with a standard polymer service sized 9mm. I give myself 3 rounds to hit it.

[@mikec5259]

I may have missed it but is this using a rds or irons? Edit: finished the video, question answered. RDS for the win!

[@Rooster-q3x]

I celebrate Irons. Fundamentally sound foundation.

[@jeffreylucas3421]

Learn to shoot uspsa

[@jeffreylucas3421]

I focus on long distance because it magnifies your faults

[@jimbonecrusher1]

I just started shooting USPSA. It is quite a bit of fun and I've found it to be more instinctive firing versus deliberate aim. The moving and strategy increase the challenge. What I like is watching the hits on far targets. Some shooters are really fast, but they get a lot of Ds on long targets.

[@CitizenCarrier]

@@jeffreylucas3421 Shooting USPSA is fun, no doubt about it. But bull shooting is a different discipline. More shot accountability than fast fire big A zone. Nothing wrong with working on both.

[@goodluck2522]

Notice how no one said anything about how fast these shots are being fired? This standing there slowly shooting bullseyes is proving nothing. Who cares if you can drive tacks... that's not realistic or useful for anything

[@patmcnamara]

You know who says what you just did? People who can't shoot.

[@alwaysfighting8676]

thats the basics

[@chito6464]

@@patmcnamara get eeem’ 🔥

[@-joe-davidson]

What advice do you have?

[@wittmer341]

It’s not useful… until you have to make an accurate 25 yard shot