How to Aim a Handgun

Learning how to aim a handgun is one of the most basic skills you will learn when you first acquire your weapon. Properly aiming the handgun is not only a basic part of it’s normal use, but is also a vital part of basic gun safety. Whether you are using a revolver or a semi-automatic, learning how to aim a handgun is an important step in gun ownership, and one that should not be taken lightly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A hand gun
• Ammunition (if shooting)
• A Target
• Safe Area for Handgun Use

How to Aim a Handgun

1. Set up your target and take position down range, directly across from the target. An average distance for those first learning how to aim a handgun is 35 to 40 feet away. You may try to aim the handgun from farther away if you wish, but it is easier to learn precision aiming from the shorter distance. The handgun is also more accurate at closer distances.

2. Grip the handgun in the manner that is most comfortable to you. Start by holding the handgun’s grips with your shooting hand, which will be the hand you right with. Your index finger should be free so that it can reach the trigger guard, with your other fingers being wrapped around the grip to hold the weapon securely. What you do with your other hand is a matter of personal preference. Some people like to also wrap it around the handgun grip, held over the fingers of your shooting hand, while other people like to place their second hand under the butt of the handgun to help support its weight. The choice is purely a matter of what feels more natural to you.

3. With a firm grip on the handgun, and with the barrel of the gun still pointed to the ground, carefully analyze the shooting area and take note of where everyone is located. There should be no one behind the target area or anywhere within the line of fire, including off to the side. Everyone present should be positioned safely behind you before you begin to aim the handgun.

4. Raise the weapon and point it in the general area of the target. Again, there are two basic methods of pointing the handgun, with the one you choose depending on which feels more comfortable and natural to you. Some people like to hold the handgun with their arms fully outstretched, with their elbows straight. Other people like to have the handgun mostly outstretched with a slight bend in the elbow. Try to aim the weapon using both methods and see which works best for you.

5. Use the sights on the top of the handgun to line up your shot with better precision. The sight closest to you will be notched, while the sight at the end of the barrel will be a small bead. You want to position the handgun so that you see the bead when looking through the notch. You may need to close or squint one eye to adjust the focus of your vision on the sights. When you can see the bead through the notch, adjust it so that it is also positioned over the center of the target. You have now taken aim on the target with your handgun and are ready to fire (assuming you are shooting and not just aiming).

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to fire the handgun. This will help prevent an accidental discharge of the weapon.
• It goes without saying that a handgun is a lethal weapon and should be treated as such. Never play with your handgun or twirl it, always assume its loaded even if you are confident that its not, and never, under any circumstances, point the handgun in the direction another person.

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[chrisplitt]

on 11/11/2009 Spelling isn't even up to par. I may RIGHT a new article to help this person out.

[Bobotonto]

on 10/9/2008 How to
use a shooting range