The Fundamentals of Marksmanship
As the name implies the Fundamentals of Marksmanship are the recognized “industry standard” for how to properly and effectively engage in the art and science of ballistic employment. They are not only the basis for how to do the act/actions but they are relatively the same across disciplines (handguns, long arms, naval guns, etc.) and it is thus universality that makes them “fundamental.”
1. Grip
The first of the fundamentals. The shooting hand should be as high on the back strap as possible and firm enough that the weapon does not shift during recoil. The support hand should wrap around the shooting hand and fill in any open space on the grip. The index finger of the support hand should be UNDER the trigger guard. Both thumbs should be parallel to the slide and laid against the frame. You should grip as high on the frame and as close to the action as possible without impeding the action.
2. Body position/Stance
An aggressive position that puts your body weight behind the weapon will provide passive resistance and aid in the management of recoil. Feet about shoulder width apart and ball of the gun side foot slightly +/- 4 inches behind the ball of the support side foot. This provides stability in all directions and mobility in all directions. Knees broken as opposed to bent or locked. Hips square to the target and over the feet, weight off of the heels. Back straight, shoulders square rather than hunched and over the toes. Neck straight, head up over the shoulders, not turtled forward. Arms extended straight and sights brought to the level of your eyes. Natural, efficient, and mobile.
3&4. Sight Alignment/Sight Picture
Alignment is the front sight, rear sight, and your eye all being on the same plane. Addition of the fourth point of contact creates the Picture. The top of the front sight should be level with the top of the rear sight with equal light on either side of the front sight. Where the tops of the sights are level is where the bullet will strike. The focus should be on the front sight. As the eye can only focus on one thing at a time. In regards to optical sights (red dots), the focus changes. In this instance the focus is on the target, specifically where the desired bullet strike is, and the reticle is superimposed over that point. This results in the reticle being slightly out of focus. Important to note is that the point of aim should be the center of whatever your target is. This provides the greatest margin of error when making the shot.
5. Trigger Press
A well executed press starts with proper placement of the trigger finger. The raised point where the fingerprints come together is the center of the finger pad. This point is placed in the center side to side and top to bottom of the trigger. This placement allows for maximum consistency and leverage during the press. The pad should move straight back toward the frame of the weapon and only the middle joint of the finger should flex. The pad joint and knuckle should not flex or close. Too much or too little finger on the trigger or engaging the pad joint or knuckle will likely move the weapon and change the sight picture. A proper trigger press is smooth, steady, and does not influence the sight picture.
6. Breathing
Oxygenating your blood, muscles, brain, and eyes is the most important thing about breathing. That said, natural respiratory pause occurs at the top and bottom of a breathing cycle and is when your body is most at rest. This is the sweet spot for accuracy as there is the minimum influence from you on the shot. This is most relevant in long gun shooting as you typically have the stock against your shoulder or chest and the rise and fall of your breathing changes the sight picture. For most handgun applications, just breathe.
7. Follow Through
This is the last of the fundamentals and with good reason. Follow Through is the act of ensuring that you make the current shot while setting up for the next one. You’ve ensured a proper grip and body position, established an excellent sight picture, engaged in proper trigger press, are oxygenating your body and the shot broke. The bullet left the barrel, recoil happened and cycled the weapon, the recoil energy exerted on you dissipated, and gravity/physics has brought your weapon naturally down onto target. Now acquire a good sight picture at center mass, reset the trigger by riding in forward just enough to engage the sear and ask these questions; Did I hit the target? Was my shot effective? If I press the trigger now will I hit the same spot on the target? Once you’ve answered those questions the Follow Through is complete and you may move on to the next task. Failing to conduct proper Follow Through will always result in a missed shot.
The Fundamentals of Marksmanship are universal and relevant to all ballistic endeavors.