How to Shoot a Gun

Target shooting is a sport that takes skill to master, but can be enjoyed by people of any experience level. Learning to shoot well takes time and practice, and understanding the fundamentals is crucial. Knowing the rules of safety and the basics of marksmanship will help build a solid foundation to expand on. Whether you are just getting started with target shooting or want a refresher, here are some basic points to remember.

Things You'll Need

  • Target firearm Safety equipment Instructional course Safe target range
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Instructions

  1. Firearm Safety

    • 1

      ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This means that even if the firearm were to discharge unintentionally, it would not cause any injury or damage. Always know where the barrel is pointed.

    • 2

      ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Your finger can rest along the trigger guard or along the side of the gun.

    • 3

      ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until you're ready to use it. Assume every gun is loaded until you prove otherwise. When you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety, remove the magazine and check that the chamber is empty. If you do not know how to safely check a firearm, do not pick it up.

    • 4

      Know where your target is and what is beyond it. Be aware of the area and your surroundings. Think before you fire.

    Getting Ready to Aim and Fire

    • 5

      Determine if you are right-eye or left-eye dominant. Your dominant eye is the eye you prefer to aim with. Most right-handed people are right-eye dominant and most left-handed people are left-eye dominant. But some people are cross-dominant, preferring to aim with the opposite eye. (Try this: With both eyes open, point your finger at an object in the distance. Close only the left eye, then close only the right. Your finger will stay lined up with the object with your dominant eye open.)

    • 6

      Know your shooting positions. There are four main shooting positions: standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. Firing from the prone position means lying on the ground. Each firing position has advantages and disadvantages. Standing is the least stable and least accurate, but allows you to move quickly. Kneeling and sitting provide more stability, and firing prone is usually the most accurate.

    • 7

      Practice the different positions and get comfortable with all four. You may find you prefer one in particular (the stability of the prone position is often recommended for beginners).

    • 8

      Set your sight alignment. This means lining up the front and rear sights. Getting the right "sight picture" means both sights and the target should line up perfectly.

    • 9

      Practice trigger control. When you are ready to fire, squeeze the trigger slowly and smoothly. Don't jerk it or you will lose sight alignment. Also try to relax and breath slowly.