Mr. Hickok, I remember something you said years ago. That was, some newer shooters want to learn to shoot quickly and get them all on target. The best advice I took from that was your statement: "Slow down. The speed will come." Practice managing the recoil first, no matter how slowly you have to fire... then work on the rest. Excellent advice.
Grip is truly tested when it is tested till it comes apart. What sticks around after 2-3 rounds may fall apart between 5-8. Testing if it works, testing changes for a few range visits, retesting. It depends on the use case if it is beneficial to control it at all.
I'm an amateur blacksmith. We get kids showing up at our association meetings 'wanting to forge a sword' but they've never so much, and I mean this literally, never so much as have driven a nail ito a board. They are utterly, dangerously uncoordinated. They have no muscle tone, no strength, no practical experience with anything. It's astonishing. I helped roof a house before I was nine. I split wood with an ax. I had all kinds of chores. Apparently, kids these days don't do anything but putter with game controllers. Physical work is essential to proper development. Practice.
As a former competitive target shooter at the Canadian national championship level, I think a big part of recoil issues is the mind's/body's anticipation both of the sound/shock/muzzle blast of the firearm's report, and of the physical impact, in combination, and the resulting tendency to flinch. Aside from the obvious points of ensuring the firearm is held firmly against the shoulder in proper position, ensuring that sufficient eye relief from the scope has been achieved (where applicable), and trying to get body mass and weight/stance behind the weapon to the extent possible, I think breathing/breath control, proper ear protection, adopting a meditative state of mind, and when necessary, training with a mixture of live and dummy rounds in random order (ie loaded into mags and into the weapon by another person in a controlled setting) and lastly, video capture of the shooter flinching with the dummy and live rounds are among the best mechanisms to actively work through flinching. I strongly believe in the process of actively working through the tendency to flinch is the key, and toward that, the idea of psychologically adopting a strong, purposeful, deliberate and resolute mindset of "embracing" or "meeting" the recoil and report is among the most important suite of tools. I often equate it to learning to use a larger chainsaw - a certain hardening of the mind and the purposeful, deliberate adoption of a mindset that "I am the master over this implement" is necessary in the moment. My biggest current struggle in continuing to try to develop shooting skills for hunting is the physical challenge of getting my bolt-action .30-06 Sprg rifle back on target faster after the shot goes off. The gun really jumps with that cartridge, and for hunting of course, the need to re-acquire the target immediately is extremely important.
I do enjoy your attempt to be very precise in language. Communication is vital whether written or spoken. Sadly it is waning in exercise. Been watching for many years. Been a collector for fifty+ years. I love the old stuff. Life is good
I just want to tell you that I respect your knowledge. I am 62 and have learned a lot from you. You are a well of knowledge, humble, decent and a great human being. I want to thank you and I consider you a wonderful public service. Thank you !
I build up my wrist and hand strength by going up slow on calibers. My first revolver is the SP101 327. I started shooting 32 long till it hardly moved in my hands. Then up to 32 mag. Finally I can shoot the 327 with ease. 9mm became easy. 38+p was easy after. Now working on 45ACP. When I get that under control then I will go to 357. Unless I can find a SR40. Then 40 cal then 357.
Your giant hands help a lot! Seriousl, i taught a beginer that had huge hands, and he picked it up fast. He became a master class IPSC shooter in just one year! XL hands make a huge difference.
Strength and size both play a major part of recoil control. I'm a 6'2" high steel rigger with hand strength out the wazoo, and recoil has never bothered me. That being said, I have seen guys of smaller stature use huge firearms better than I use a fork! Jerry M is a great example.
As a young man and baseball player, Al Kaline counseled me on the magic of practice in a conversation that has stuck with me through the decades. I imagine Hickok nailed that secret here too. Do it over and over until it becomes purely natural.
I had the pleasure of watching Al Kaline throwing out runners attempting to score from his right field position. That was when it was called Briggs Stadium! What a time that was!
I was introduced to revolver shooting at a "single digit" age. (It was a reward for doing a good job at my piano lessons, LOL!!) As time went on, I experienced larger calibers and was never put in a position to be afraid of the firearm. A good grip, but not a "DEATH" grip, is what I was taught, and to let the firearm do what physics demands, but keep it under control. I've been shooting now for more than sixty years, and continue to enjoy the sport. Any firearm, any caliber. You're so correct - experience is the key. Thank you for sharing, Hickok45!!
All about muscle memory, experience and wrist strength. Having bigger hands helps as well, to have a stronger grip but people have a tendency to think it is more important than it is. Gotta have a strong wrist, gotta have a hand that is used to shooting and has muscle memory of it, gotta have experience. Also, don't squeeze the gun with all you've got like you're trying to subdue it, your hold over it must be just right. Not loose, firm. Like driving a car, if you grab the steering wheel harder than you should it gets harder to control the car.
You don’t necessarily need to have a “strong” wrist, per say because your hand isn’t firing that bullet… the gun is. Your just tapping that trigger.😉You just gotta know how to lock your wrist & arm correctly is all. Yes, I agree with you on that with you stating not to grip your firearm too tight though. When I see folks white knuckle their guns when they shoot, I refer that as a missed overkill LMAO
@@gheangel_quinn Yes, of course. By a strong wrist I meant the ability to react to that kick and properly control it. A strong wrist in the context of shooting. One doesn't need a wrist like a bodybuilder or a buff guy to control recoil, even a woman whose wrist is as thin as it gets can control a big gun if she knows how to handle her shooting arm, from the wrist to the elbow and it can go the other way, I've seen huge guys with arms size of my head handling a 1911 like a .50 Desert Eagle
Great advise. I didn’t start shooting handguns. until I was well into my 20s. I’m now in my 70s and I think what you said about shooting lots really holds up. Firm grip but stay relaxed.
I’m no expert either, but I have been shooting for about forty years. I would agree that experience is the way that I got used to recoil. After a while, you just know what to expect and adapt how you hold and fire the gun. I’m a .45 fan, and so I control the recoil well; I also have a Mossberg 30.06 that has a formidable kick to it, so I have to pull the rifle in tighter to my shoulder pocket. Steady hold is one of the four fundamentals of shooting I was taught in the Army, and I adjust my hold based on previous shooting experiences I’ve had.
Hey Greg, I love your channel. I've shot guns here and there in my life, I am your age and just started buying and shooting my own guns. You are a humble man and you are an expert!
Firm, not excessive grip. Expect the recoil and allow it to move back, knowing that you are strong enough to bring it back to target. Fighting the recoil often brings flinching, or pushing in anticipation. Know what to expect with differing calibers.
Hand Squeezer. Even with a great grip and fundamentals, hand and body strength makes a big difference. I notice a difference when I'm doing more hand exercises.
I've learned to embrace the recoil. My reacquisition of the target isn't real quick since I don't shoot a lot, but I can get a decent grouping with a pistol. I just learned to let the gun recoil and not anticipate the recoil (flinch). I works for me, but I agree, you need to get out and shoot more to get accustom to everything.
Your correct about the firm hold and a manual work hand type person.I can do what you do with a 9 anyway.Keeping that forward thumb stiff and engaged must be done.
Appreciate the talk. I have noticed how you use muzzle rise to absorb recoil of powerful pistols. I too am old school and worked with my hands most of my life, but arthritis has 'happened' so recoil is a big issue, especially as I imagine a self-defense scenario.
Hickok45, IMO every one of your talking points was valid, and could be useful to others. You speak the truth, Sir. What works for me is shooting the same model pistol since the 90's. I say the same model because a 1990's Sig P220 45ACP alloy anodized , and a 2000's Sig P220 ST 45ACP stainless with rails shoot identical enough for personal defense. Both Sigs are fitted with the same aftermarket grip that fits my hand perfectly, makes both guns a point shoot weapon for me (gotta love free proficiency)! Tho expensive, I shoot only one brand and load of ammo, the ammo I carry for defense is the same ammo I shoot for training. I have settled on a grip that is somewhere between GI Joe with a kung fu grip, and a light grip a golfer would place on a club. These are just a few of the elements that make up my technique that works for me. Thanks for a great video HIckok45.
I'm Old. Shot a lot. Best info I had... Was the shot blast . Should surprise you. To squeeze the trigger. I've had auto's. Over my years. The more You shoot you learn the trigger pull. On your guns.... I helped a guy that want to get qualified for a police job? I went to a range with them. Told them to load up my reloads. Shoot the target. They were allowing for recoil. They shot the bottom of my target stand up. They made it. I'm far from being as good as You are. Enjoy Your Stuff.... Thank You.
Good discussion. I’d appreciate your thoughts. I’ve heard women are often naturally more accurate shooters because they don’t try to over control the gun. I often tell new shooters I’m taking to shoot to let the gun do its thing and don’t try to prevent the muzzle flip. I say this because I often see people (guys mostly) anticipating the muzzle flip and jerking the gun down to compensate. But letting the gun do its thing might make follow up shots slower. Thoughts?
Do you know the secret to recoil control?? Shoot ALOT. I remember when I used to watch these guys shooting an AR15 and the muzzle would hardly ever jump at all. And when I would shoot, it would go all over the place. After shooting a few thousand rounds, I noticed that I wasn't doing that anymore. There are so many little things that you're doing, anticipating etc. that have to be "practiced out". And sometimes it just takes a lot of shooting. Not just shooting a 20 round box of ammo every four months lol. Another great video by a legend! Thank you.
You sound like me. Dad was the foreman at a sawmill. So I worked there at around 12. I couldn't be around the equipment. We get box cars that were hand stacked to the ceiling. So I would try to keep up with the sawers feeding the 2x4's. Dad didn't let me screw around. I had a test at the doctor's office where they checked my grip. The nurse was dumb founded that my pounds of grip was 180 pounds LoL. I was probably 120 pounds soaking wet and fifteen at the time.
I think experience has a lot to do with it. I'm YT-trained and the first time I shot .357 and I was blown away how much more recoil it had then after shooting .357 again and again it's not that that it recoils any less, but I'm used to it and more relaxed while shooting, therefore less of an impact on my hand. If it hurts, it hurts, I think shooting .357 from something like a Ruger LCR sucks regardless of who you are, but experience would help you manage it better in that you're at least loose and can kind of roll with it, the same way a boxer learns to roll w/a punch.
I have an interesting format for my more experienced students: We start with ten or twenty rounds each with 45-70 in the Henry, THEN immediately go to precision pistol shooting. It's interesting to watch guys do this for the first time, and often can't even get close to the B-16 until after taking a long break. It's primarily a mental game, but the guys and girls that earn a living doing physical work usually do better. I believe that the guys who grow up on the farm make better snipers because they grew up doing hard physical work, not because they grew up hunting.
Definitely helps; I have small hands and short fingers-my ideal trigger reach is about 2-1/2”, but most handguns have a trigger reach 1/4” beyond that, so I end up twisting my grip so that only a portion of my shooting hand is on the backstrap
Interesting. Used to be MP, sentry dog in the late 60s. We trained with 1911, M14 and M16 and very brief...M60. At the pistol range, I qualified first time but...half of us did not! Thrilling to go out with a partner where the sergeant gave him ammo but then ... "put it in your pocket." If you didn't qualify, you could not load. egad. Like Barney Fife. At the pistol range, I noticed that some were scared of the 1911 and held it ...daintily. When they fired, the action would move the back of the pistol up and the barrel down so that sometimes, shooting at a target 50 meters away, they hit the ground ~7 feet in front of their toes! In the worst case, the pistol leaped out of their hands (imagine what an MP sergeant instructor does then!). I did not qualify at the top of the group so I bought my own 1911 and took it home to practice for 30 days before Vietnam highlands. It was totally different with the M16. Everyone qualified first off. It was better than with the M14. The M16 had a vanishingly small kick and easy to use sights. It was light and a good fit. It might have been developed to enable twice the carried ammo but it also made it easy for neophytes to fire it. And that makes it no fun to shoot.
For EVERY action there’s a re’act’shun spun! Although, having precision aim seems to run in my bloodline. My grandfather was a Master Sargent who was invited by his Chief Sargent (whom took a liking to my Grandfather) to go shooting at the shooting range, for his 1st time shooting. Let’s just say, he became a Sniper Trainer almost overnight. My uncle is a member of the Native Tribe of shooters, which are the Best of the Best. Like my grandfather, he found out learning to shoot at the shooting range, he too has phenomenal targeting ability. Needless to say, a member of the Native Tribe of shooters oversaw his learning “practice” shooting and approached him. I found out my 1st time shooting a firearm (a 22LR & Glock45), on old friend’s Private property, way out in the County, I also have that Gene 🧬 of precision shooting ability, “coincidentally”. Plus, we are also Angelic Beings😇 with Angelic Genes🧬. Our Ancestors were wrongfully accused & executed in Jerusalem (Salem), MA back in her’story (not history because Im a her/she not a him/his). I’m not young though. I’m aged & Seasoned to a perfected 45 Live. I was 23 the 1st time I shot anything. I am my own EVERYTHING though. I’m my own Mechanic, Taxi Driver, Horticulturist, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC Specialist, Chef, Butcher, Baker and Gingerbread Maker. I get plenty of X’er’size daily. I can’t wait to go with my uncle to fire off his AR15 for my 1st time! It’s going to feel GREAT!
I’m sure everybody’s different but one weird thing that helped out my accuracy a great deal, was shooting one round at a time from a low ready position. I struggled for a long time always shooting low-left and just barely missing my intended targets. I was so bad for a while, I actually stopped carrying because I felt like I would do more harm than good in a real life self defense situation. But one day I hired an instructor to correct me and show me how to shoot better and he basically told me “Your technique is fine. You’re just thinking too much about it.” Then he told me to bring it up from a low ready and just shoot as soon as I “feel” it’s on target. I was hitting bullseyes and 1 inch groupings with a crappy early market 9mm Taurus almost every target. Now when I shoot, I make sure my fundamentals are good at the start but from there, I go by “feeling” rather than constant micro corrections as I shoot. Which I guess can only come from experience as well. Lol
Makes perfect sense. Repetition. You get to know the firearm and how it's going to react. Then you work with it and control it. You said the word "kick" which usually gets the same response from a certain type of person when someone calls a magazine a clip. These videos are worth watching.
When I started shooting handguns more regularly, I had a Berretta that I was sure was shooting low...naturally over time and thousands of rounds later; it's operator error. I'm still recoil sensitive somewhat but I can shoot 357 magnum pretty decent though trigger makes a huge difference.
Mr. Hickok,you are an in speration, over the years I have learned a lot from you. In the comments below I noticed,no mention of DRI-FIRE ( ALWAYS PRACTISE SAFETY UNLOADED WEAPON-& NO LOADED AMMO IN THE PRACTICE AREA) this will LEAD too better GRIP & TRIGGER & PRESENTATION SKILLS!
Experience counts for a lot. The world's strongest man, Eddie Hall, has appeared on Kentucky Ballistics a few times shooting enormous guns. He's a tank of a man, but being British, he has no experience with firearms. You can see how the recoil affects him much more than Scott, who is a big guy himself, but only half the size of Eddie. Scott has the experience.
I agree with you that the main thing is experience. I am by no means an expert. I started shooting "real guns" (larger than a BB gun or Pellet gun) when I was in the 5th grade. Back then believe it or not I was able to take a Hunter's Safety course at my elementary school taught by our P.E. coach in the school cafeteria. A couple of things that I learned back then and still try to teach new shooters today: When shooting a pistol, use what is called a "weaver" stance with the shooting arm pretty much straight forward and the second arm/hand tucked in and down. Also stand more-or-less at a 45 degree angle to your target. That technique to me seems to control recoil better. As far as long guns go, almost the same stance (not facing straight at your target, more of an angle). Also keep the butt of the firearm tucked in tightly to your shoulder area.
"I don't think I like that one so much Dad" - As a kid of about 17 or so, I fired a 44 revolver with an 8' or 10" barrel. I think it was a Ruger, old western style with curved handle and 90 degree corner/steel portion of the frame just above the grip. It spun in my hand and the frame tore into my hand just where my thumb joins....with a little blood. I didn't let go of it...but it tried hard to leave my grip. (google images = looks like the handle on superblackhawk)
As someone who is past the 3/4 century mark, sometimes you just have to adapt. I have always had jobs requiring grip strength (running a spray gun or sander for 8 - 10 hrs a day, etc). Not all that long ago, I could grip and hold a 300 lb bathroom scale at the maximum. Not even close today. That comes at a price as you age, especially when arthritis makes you pay for the past abuse. As you stated with high power caliber and ammo, you will have to live with it and go with it. Good fundamental grip and muscle memory, you will come back on target. Maybe not quite as fast, but still accurate. Added grip texture is your friend, keeping your hand in the same contact, even if arm and wrist are getting kicked around some. Barring competition, if your first shot is on target, you have the time for the second one. A fast double tap is useless if it goes where the first missed shot went.
I had lots of hand strength but then got arthritis bad. It disabled me from my pro firefighter carer. I sold my pre M29 5 inch 25 years ago. Should have kept it for today's price but the 4 inch M19 357 keeps me shooting
Have to agree with this vid 100% (something I rarely do) I am probly the same age as Hickok and maybe shot somewhere in the 'range' of the same number of (handgun) rounds. in the early 70's two things happened I went from mostly 22 and 38 handguns to a Ruger SBH in 44 mag... that led to increasing my handloading/bullet casting etc. I have also always worked with my hands. I notice that most of my friends who are mechanics and construction workers tend to FLINCH yes.. that is the word... less than most. Sooo back to 44 mag. Loved that gun and actually made ivory grips. At one point I think I was shooting more than 1k rounds a month of fairly hot rounds. One time someone noticed I was bleeding from the web of my hand... The SAA flips in your hand the Ruger has some sharp spots lol... it did not bother me. which gets to FLINCHING Everyone flinches eventually. From so much shooting It would take maybe 100 44 mag loads to make me actually flinch.. and then it was not a huge flinch (if that makes sense) Now? LOL... maybe 30 rounds or so of hot loads? to me still a .357 or 45 acp in a 1911 is gentle kiss to the web of my hand.. and.. I do find myself shooting .357 and 45 acp more. Bottom line.. aging makes me more flinch prone sooner. Ways to mitigate? Always bring a light recoiling gun with you... like that K frame 38 spl or even a K frame 22.. When I start flinching I shoot a couple of cylinders of 22 or 38 Of course... it does involve diminishing results.. works for a while and lets me shoot another 10 or so rounds of 44 mag but at some point? I am done for the day.. and that is fine. I had a great time.
Concentrate and focus on establishing and maintaining the correct sight picture until the round has left the muzzle and has successfully gone downrange to the target. Any questions ?
I would love whatever insight you may have...I am recoil sensitive...but here is the thing...I am fine with my Redhawk 44 magnum...I am fine with my 10 gauge shotgun...It isn't the energy that bothers me...but a 357 magnum or a 308 rifle does...it has something to do with the speed of recoil that messes with me...as opposed to the total energy. Any thoughts?
After I realized that I was pulling down and left, I came up with my solution: I took my single action army, put one round in, spun the cylinder, and put another in, and spun again. I essentially played roulette until I stopped pulling down/left
The real secret is how you hold the firearm period. For example with a Marlin 45-70 lever gun. Just medium hold on the forearm stock, and medium push back toward your shoulder , with a medium grip on the trigger stock. With this way of purchasing the firearm doesn’t matter how beefy the rounds the recoil will be mild.
If I can add something. I think beginners focus to much on recoil therefore feel it more. I think its about focusing on your target and letting go of the recoil. Before you know it, you don't notice it so much. Just my two centavos
The big trick for me was just getting a good grip. It too longer for me than I'd like to admit, but that may have been partially because I started off with powerful revolvers.
I think I once seen you pick up an old railroad cross tie on here now that thing weighs something . if he can do that I don't think recoil will bother him much.
Teach me how to hit that "Gong" like you do. When I first watched your ch I thought, no way will he hit that very many times, but I was mistaken. Good shootin' Mr. Hickok!
The True CRAFT of Painting is strictly allied with Hand, Eye Cordination, and one may wonder how that fits with shooting pistols, muscle memory and developed skill....
! To handle recoil what you must do is not carry around or buy a 44 magnum, you should try different gun calibers and stick with the one that you most feel comfortable with. men and women come in different sizes and hand strengths so we should never buy what Bob or Jane buys! we should buy what we can handle and get good shot placement on a target with easy follow-up shots. PS, not an expert, but I do have a little experience with weapons. US Army Veteran 1966 / 1969 also past LEO and I visit the range at least 4 times a month. Be safe and shoot what you can handle.
I've been chuckling for years at people complaining about the recoil from 9mm's. To me, 9mm is a pop gun. Of course, a lot of these people buy guns with "lightening cuts," which reduce the weight of the slide, then want to put compensators on them to reduce recoil because it's too "snappy" now that they took all that weight out of the gun! I don't have anything against 9mm and I own many guns in that caliber, but I've always said 9mm is an excellent round for women and small-framed men 😄.
Average shooter - Keep a straight line from the end of the barrel to the shoulder. Handgun grip must be kept high as safe and comfortable. Long gun stock should not have too steep an angle. Quick accurate follow-up requires one foot behind shoulder. Comfortable shooting is allowing the energy to move the body mass and/or the weapon mass. Professional shooters will have trained bodies and automatic situational adjustments.
I have definitly not shot as much as you, but for me it differs a lot with the gun type. A rifle, a shotgun and a handgun are a lot different, for me. For a rifle (I have a fairly big caliber for hunting), I can grasp it farily sturdy and make a controlled shot. The recoil doesn´t disturb me. For a shotgun and when it needs to go fast, a ton of "dry" practise helps (as with any gun), but you need that shotgun to kind of "glue into your shoulder". Then, lean into the shot, almost like you stab the target with a spear. Otherwise, you get a bruise or two. For handguns, I have only tried them a couple of times, and they feel way too flimsy for me. For my feeling, the recoil of a handgund also goes up, while with a rifle or a shotgun, it goes more "back". I totally agree with practise. That is how you learn about recoil.
i have shot a lot of pistols over the past 40 years, i have to wonder if all that shooting is what gave me the real bad arthritis that i have in my wrists now.
Mr. Hickok, I remember something you said years ago. That was, some newer shooters want to learn to shoot quickly and get them all on target. The best advice I took from that was your statement: "Slow down. The speed will come." Practice managing the recoil first, no matter how slowly you have to fire... then work on the rest. Excellent advice.
Grip is truly tested when it is tested till it comes apart.
What sticks around after 2-3 rounds may fall apart between 5-8.
Testing if it works, testing changes for a few range visits, retesting.
It depends on the use case if it is beneficial to control it at all.
Slow is fast. Fast is slow.
I'm an amateur blacksmith. We get kids showing up at our association meetings 'wanting to forge a sword' but they've never so much, and I mean this literally, never so much as have driven a nail ito a board. They are utterly, dangerously uncoordinated. They have no muscle tone, no strength, no practical experience with anything. It's astonishing. I helped roof a house before I was nine. I split wood with an ax. I had all kinds of chores. Apparently, kids these days don't do anything but putter with game controllers. Physical work is essential to proper development. Practice.
That's also called old man strength. And yes, it is real. I've experienced both ends. I'm now 58.
Thats all well and good, but young people need opportunities and mentorship from older people, as you no doubt did as a youngster.
@@catchasmurf762No, we only talk about how weak children are these days and refer to when we had to walk to school uphill both ways.
I appreciate your videos. It's nice to see a gentleman representing the sensible use of firearms!!
It’s either that or irresponsible use. The latter is a major problem in the world.
As a former competitive target shooter at the Canadian national championship level, I think a big part of recoil issues is the mind's/body's anticipation both of the sound/shock/muzzle blast of the firearm's report, and of the physical impact, in combination, and the resulting tendency to flinch. Aside from the obvious points of ensuring the firearm is held firmly against the shoulder in proper position, ensuring that sufficient eye relief from the scope has been achieved (where applicable), and trying to get body mass and weight/stance behind the weapon to the extent possible, I think breathing/breath control, proper ear protection, adopting a meditative state of mind, and when necessary, training with a mixture of live and dummy rounds in random order (ie loaded into mags and into the weapon by another person in a controlled setting) and lastly, video capture of the shooter flinching with the dummy and live rounds are among the best mechanisms to actively work through flinching. I strongly believe in the process of actively working through the tendency to flinch is the key, and toward that, the idea of psychologically adopting a strong, purposeful, deliberate and resolute mindset of "embracing" or "meeting" the recoil and report is among the most important suite of tools. I often equate it to learning to use a larger chainsaw - a certain hardening of the mind and the purposeful, deliberate adoption of a mindset that "I am the master over this implement" is necessary in the moment. My biggest current struggle in continuing to try to develop shooting skills for hunting is the physical challenge of getting my bolt-action .30-06 Sprg rifle back on target faster after the shot goes off. The gun really jumps with that cartridge, and for hunting of course, the need to re-acquire the target immediately is extremely important.
Switching from a lightweight 9mm where I was consistently shooting low to a 22lr where I was consistently shooting flat was an eye opener
I do enjoy your attempt to be very precise in language. Communication is vital whether written or spoken. Sadly it is waning in exercise. Been watching for many years. Been a collector for fifty+ years. I love the old stuff. Life is good
I just want to tell you that I respect your knowledge. I am 62 and have learned a lot from you. You are a well of knowledge, humble, decent and a great human being. I want to thank you and I consider you a wonderful public service. Thank you !
I build up my wrist and hand strength by going up slow on calibers. My first revolver is the SP101 327.
I started shooting 32 long till it hardly moved in my hands. Then up to 32 mag. Finally I can shoot the 327 with ease.
9mm became easy.
38+p was easy after.
Now working on 45ACP. When I get that under control then I will go to 357. Unless I can find a SR40. Then 40 cal then 357.
I think the real secret is we old farts learned to shoot with revolvers.
I’m a young fart who believes this old fart just spit truth.
I just revisited the revolver. Now trading off autos for SS revolvers.
HEY!!! I resemble that remark! 😂😂
Single action baby. Hit something.
1st gun i shot was a .22 magnum at 7 years old and a bolt action 16 gauge👌 for me it helped starting young and with smaller guns
Your giant hands help a lot!
Seriousl, i taught a beginer that had huge hands, and he picked it up fast. He became a master class IPSC shooter in just one year!
XL hands make a huge difference.
You're a treasure Mr Hickok. Thank you for just being a real man!
Strength and size both play a major part of recoil control. I'm a 6'2" high steel rigger with hand strength out the wazoo, and recoil has never bothered me. That being said, I have seen guys of smaller stature use huge firearms better than I use a fork! Jerry M is a great example.
I heard JM say on one of his videos, Don't let it recoil.
As a young man and baseball player, Al Kaline counseled me on the magic of practice in a conversation that has stuck with me through the decades. I imagine Hickok nailed that secret here too. Do it over and over until it becomes purely natural.
Mr Tiger is a great reference!❤
I had the pleasure of watching Al Kaline throwing out runners attempting to score from his right field position. That was when it was called Briggs Stadium! What a time that was!
@@epswar716 I went to Tiger Stadium as a kid a few times before moving to Marquette, then listened to Ernie on WJR.
He is such a humble, and kind man, that neglects to mention that he is HUGE
he surely has huge hands which helps I think.
Thanks Professor!
I was introduced to revolver shooting at a "single digit" age. (It was a reward for doing a good job at my piano lessons, LOL!!)
As time went on, I experienced larger calibers and was never put in a position to be afraid of the firearm. A good grip, but
not a "DEATH" grip, is what I was taught, and to let the firearm do what physics demands, but keep it under control. I've been shooting now for more than sixty years, and continue to enjoy the sport. Any firearm, any caliber. You're so correct - experience is the key. Thank you for sharing, Hickok45!!
All about muscle memory, experience and wrist strength. Having bigger hands helps as well, to have a stronger grip but people have a tendency to think it is more important than it is. Gotta have a strong wrist, gotta have a hand that is used to shooting and has muscle memory of it, gotta have experience. Also, don't squeeze the gun with all you've got like you're trying to subdue it, your hold over it must be just right. Not loose, firm. Like driving a car, if you grab the steering wheel harder than you should it gets harder to control the car.
You don’t necessarily need to have a “strong” wrist, per say because your hand isn’t firing that bullet… the gun is. Your just tapping that trigger.😉You just gotta know how to lock your wrist & arm correctly is all. Yes, I agree with you on that with you stating not to grip your firearm too tight though. When I see folks white knuckle their guns when they shoot, I refer that as a missed overkill LMAO
@@gheangel_quinn Yes, of course. By a strong wrist I meant the ability to react to that kick and properly control it. A strong wrist in the context of shooting. One doesn't need a wrist like a bodybuilder or a buff guy to control recoil, even a woman whose wrist is as thin as it gets can control a big gun if she knows how to handle her shooting arm, from the wrist to the elbow and it can go the other way, I've seen huge guys with arms size of my head handling a 1911 like a .50 Desert Eagle
Great advise. I didn’t start shooting handguns. until I was well into my 20s. I’m now in my 70s and I think what you said about shooting lots really holds up. Firm grip but stay relaxed.
I’m no expert either, but I have been shooting for about forty years. I would agree that experience is the way that I got used to recoil. After a while, you just know what to expect and adapt how you hold and fire the gun. I’m a .45 fan, and so I control the recoil well; I also have a Mossberg 30.06 that has a formidable kick to it, so I have to pull the rifle in tighter to my shoulder pocket. Steady hold is one of the four fundamentals of shooting I was taught in the Army, and I adjust my hold based on previous shooting experiences I’ve had.
Hey Greg, I love your channel. I've shot guns here and there in my life, I am your age and just started buying and shooting my own guns. You are a humble man and you are an expert!
Firm, not excessive grip. Expect the recoil and allow it to move back, knowing that you are strong enough to bring it back to target.
Fighting the recoil often brings flinching, or pushing in anticipation.
Know what to expect with differing calibers.
Experience talking , and much appreciated.
Goodtalk and relaxing educational pointers
Hand Squeezer. Even with a great grip and fundamentals, hand and body strength makes a big difference. I notice a difference when I'm doing more hand exercises.
I've learned to embrace the recoil. My reacquisition of the target isn't real quick since I don't shoot a lot, but I can get a decent grouping with a pistol. I just learned to let the gun recoil and not anticipate the recoil (flinch). I works for me, but I agree, you need to get out and shoot more to get accustom to everything.
Your correct about the firm hold and a manual work hand type person.I can do what you do with a 9 anyway.Keeping that forward thumb stiff and engaged must be done.
thank you for sharing your wisdom
Appreciate the talk. I have noticed how you use muzzle rise to absorb recoil of powerful pistols.
I too am old school and worked with my hands most of my life, but arthritis has 'happened' so recoil is a big issue, especially as I imagine a self-defense scenario.
Hickok45, IMO every one of your talking points was valid, and could be useful to others. You speak the truth, Sir.
What works for me is shooting the same model pistol since the 90's. I say the same model because a 1990's Sig P220 45ACP alloy anodized , and a 2000's Sig P220 ST 45ACP stainless with rails shoot identical enough for personal defense. Both Sigs are fitted with the same aftermarket grip that fits my hand perfectly, makes both guns a point shoot weapon for me (gotta love free proficiency)! Tho expensive, I shoot only one brand and load of ammo, the ammo I carry for defense is the same ammo I shoot for training. I have settled on a grip that is somewhere between GI Joe with a kung fu grip, and a light grip a golfer would place on a club. These are just a few of the elements that make up my technique that works for me. Thanks for a great video HIckok45.
Wax on, wax off, paint the fence -- best training for recoil control...and kung fu. 😃
I'm Old. Shot a lot. Best info I had... Was the shot blast . Should surprise you. To squeeze the trigger. I've had auto's. Over my years. The more You shoot you learn the trigger pull. On your guns.... I helped a guy that want to get qualified for a police job? I went to a range with them. Told them to load up my reloads. Shoot the target. They were allowing for recoil. They shot the bottom of my target stand up. They made it. I'm far from being as good as You are. Enjoy Your Stuff.... Thank You.
The big fella....love your work.
Sir, you are an expert.✌🏼
Good fundamentals, lots of practice, and time.
So this is what retirement looks like! (Good job, old friend!)
Totally agree with you sir .
Good discussion. I’d appreciate your thoughts. I’ve heard women are often naturally more accurate shooters because they don’t try to over control the gun. I often tell new shooters I’m taking to shoot to let the gun do its thing and don’t try to prevent the muzzle flip. I say this because I often see people (guys mostly) anticipating the muzzle flip and jerking the gun down to compensate. But letting the gun do its thing might make follow up shots slower. Thoughts?
I love the talks channel I grab a cup of coffee and I could listen all day.
A flat-face trigger guard..preferably with stippling or frictioning serrating grooves
Do you know the secret to recoil control?? Shoot ALOT. I remember when I used to watch these guys shooting an AR15 and the muzzle would hardly ever jump at all. And when I would shoot, it would go all over the place. After shooting a few thousand rounds, I noticed that I wasn't doing that anymore. There are so many little things that you're doing, anticipating etc. that have to be "practiced out". And sometimes it just takes a lot of shooting. Not just shooting a 20 round box of ammo every four months lol. Another great video by a legend! Thank you.
You sound like me. Dad was the foreman at a sawmill. So I worked there at around 12. I couldn't be around the equipment. We get box cars that were hand stacked to the ceiling. So I would try to keep up with the sawers feeding the 2x4's. Dad didn't let me screw around. I had a test at the doctor's office where they checked my grip. The nurse was dumb founded that my pounds of grip was 180 pounds LoL. I was probably 120 pounds soaking wet and fifteen at the time.
Iron Mind has some great exercise gear and tips for the hands and wrists. Not promoting for them, just a fan of their gear and ideas.
Remember the old saying, "Practice, Practice, Practice"
I think experience has a lot to do with it. I'm YT-trained and the first time I shot .357 and I was blown away how much more recoil it had then after shooting .357 again and again it's not that that it recoils any less, but I'm used to it and more relaxed while shooting, therefore less of an impact on my hand. If it hurts, it hurts, I think shooting .357 from something like a Ruger LCR sucks regardless of who you are, but experience would help you manage it better in that you're at least loose and can kind of roll with it, the same way a boxer learns to roll w/a punch.
I don't have much problem with handling recoil but I do have trouble getting back on target quickly. Any thoughts on that?
I have an interesting format for my more experienced students: We start with ten or twenty rounds each with 45-70 in the Henry, THEN immediately go to precision pistol shooting. It's interesting to watch guys do this for the first time, and often can't even get close to the B-16 until after taking a long break. It's primarily a mental game, but the guys and girls that earn a living doing physical work usually do better. I believe that the guys who grow up on the farm make better snipers because they grew up doing hard physical work, not because they grew up hunting.
I saw you shoot that 375 HandH magnum. You handed it with ease. I was amazed. You are a large man
Massive strong hands , like our friend here.
Definitely helps; I have small hands and short fingers-my ideal trigger reach is about 2-1/2”, but most handguns have a trigger reach 1/4” beyond that, so I end up twisting my grip so that only a portion of my shooting hand is on the backstrap
some of it is when you're six and a half feet tall, a 9mm in your hand is like a .22. good tip on very tight grip though, i'll try that some
Having the right grips can make a big difference. Switching from Pachmayr to Hogue grips made of world of difference for me on my Redhawk.
Interesting. Used to be MP, sentry dog in the late 60s. We trained with 1911, M14 and M16 and very brief...M60. At the pistol range, I qualified first time but...half of us did not! Thrilling to go out with a partner where the sergeant gave him ammo but then ... "put it in your pocket." If you didn't qualify, you could not load. egad. Like Barney Fife.
At the pistol range, I noticed that some were scared of the 1911 and held it ...daintily. When they fired, the action would move the back of the pistol up and the barrel down so that sometimes, shooting at a target 50 meters away, they hit the ground ~7 feet in front of their toes! In the worst case, the pistol leaped out of their hands (imagine what an MP sergeant instructor does then!). I did not qualify at the top of the group so I bought my own 1911 and took it home to practice for 30 days before Vietnam highlands.
It was totally different with the M16. Everyone qualified first off. It was better than with the M14. The M16 had a vanishingly small kick and easy to use sights. It was light and a good fit. It might have been developed to enable twice the carried ammo but it also made it easy for neophytes to fire it. And that makes it no fun to shoot.
For EVERY action there’s a re’act’shun spun!
Although, having precision aim seems to run in my bloodline. My grandfather was a Master Sargent who was invited by his Chief Sargent (whom took a liking to my Grandfather) to go shooting at the shooting range, for his 1st time shooting. Let’s just say, he became a Sniper Trainer almost overnight.
My uncle is a member of the Native Tribe of shooters, which are the Best of the Best. Like my grandfather, he found out learning to shoot at the shooting range, he too has phenomenal targeting ability. Needless to say, a member of the Native Tribe of shooters oversaw his learning “practice” shooting and approached him.
I found out my 1st time shooting a firearm (a 22LR & Glock45), on old friend’s Private property, way out in the County, I also have that Gene 🧬 of precision shooting ability, “coincidentally”. Plus, we are also Angelic Beings😇 with Angelic Genes🧬. Our Ancestors were wrongfully accused & executed in Jerusalem (Salem), MA back in her’story (not history because Im a her/she not a him/his).
I’m not young though. I’m aged & Seasoned to a perfected 45 Live. I was 23 the 1st time I shot anything.
I am my own EVERYTHING though. I’m my own Mechanic, Taxi Driver, Horticulturist, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC Specialist, Chef, Butcher, Baker and Gingerbread Maker. I get plenty of X’er’size daily.
I can’t wait to go with my uncle to fire off his AR15 for my 1st time! It’s going to feel GREAT!
What helped me was, increasing the grip size. If your gun comes with additional back straps to make the grip bigger, try experimenting with those.
I’m sure everybody’s different but one weird thing that helped out my accuracy a great deal, was shooting one round at a time from a low ready position. I struggled for a long time always shooting low-left and just barely missing my intended targets. I was so bad for a while, I actually stopped carrying because I felt like I would do more harm than good in a real life self defense situation.
But one day I hired an instructor to correct me and show me how to shoot better and he basically told me “Your technique is fine. You’re just thinking too much about it.” Then he told me to bring it up from a low ready and just shoot as soon as I “feel” it’s on target. I was hitting bullseyes and 1 inch groupings with a crappy early market 9mm Taurus almost every target. Now when I shoot, I make sure my fundamentals are good at the start but from there, I go by “feeling” rather than constant micro corrections as I shoot. Which I guess can only come from experience as well. Lol
Makes perfect sense. Repetition. You get to know the firearm and how it's going to react. Then you work with it and control it. You said the word "kick" which usually gets the same response from a certain type of person when someone calls a magazine a clip. These videos are worth watching.
Thanks , upkeep , to get better if you need to be better .
When I started shooting handguns more regularly, I had a Berretta that I was sure was shooting low...naturally over time and thousands of rounds later; it's operator error. I'm still recoil sensitive somewhat but I can shoot 357 magnum pretty decent though trigger makes a huge difference.
Mr. Hickok,you are an in speration, over the years I have learned a lot from you. In the comments below I noticed,no mention of DRI-FIRE ( ALWAYS PRACTISE SAFETY UNLOADED WEAPON-& NO LOADED AMMO IN THE PRACTICE AREA) this will LEAD too better GRIP & TRIGGER & PRESENTATION SKILLS!
Experience counts for a lot. The world's strongest man, Eddie Hall, has appeared on Kentucky Ballistics a few times shooting enormous guns. He's a tank of a man, but being British, he has no experience with firearms. You can see how the recoil affects him much more than Scott, who is a big guy himself, but only half the size of Eddie. Scott has the experience.
I agree with you that the main thing is experience.
I am by no means an expert. I started shooting "real guns" (larger than a BB gun or Pellet gun) when I was in the 5th grade. Back then believe it or not I was able to take a Hunter's Safety course at my elementary school taught by our P.E. coach in the school cafeteria. A couple of things that I learned back then and still try to teach new shooters today:
When shooting a pistol, use what is called a "weaver" stance with the shooting arm pretty much straight forward and the second arm/hand tucked in and down. Also stand more-or-less at a 45 degree angle to your target. That technique to me seems to control recoil better.
As far as long guns go, almost the same stance (not facing straight at your target, more of an angle). Also keep the butt of the firearm tucked in tightly to your shoulder area.
"I don't think I like that one so much Dad" - As a kid of about 17 or so, I fired a 44 revolver with an 8' or 10" barrel. I think it was a Ruger, old western style with curved handle and 90 degree corner/steel portion of the frame just above the grip. It spun in my hand and the frame tore into my hand just where my thumb joins....with a little blood. I didn't let go of it...but it tried hard to leave my grip. (google images = looks like the handle on superblackhawk)
As someone who is past the 3/4 century mark, sometimes you just have to adapt. I have always had jobs requiring grip strength (running a spray gun or sander for 8 - 10 hrs a day, etc). Not all that long ago, I could grip and hold a 300 lb bathroom scale at the maximum. Not even close today. That comes at a price as you age, especially when arthritis makes you pay for the past abuse. As you stated with high power caliber and ammo, you will have to live with it and go with it. Good fundamental grip and muscle memory, you will come back on target. Maybe not quite as fast, but still accurate. Added grip texture is your friend, keeping your hand in the same contact, even if arm and wrist are getting kicked around some. Barring competition, if your first shot is on target, you have the time for the second one. A fast double tap is useless if it goes where the first missed shot went.
I had lots of hand strength but then got arthritis bad. It disabled me from my pro firefighter carer. I sold my pre M29 5 inch 25 years ago. Should have kept it for today's price but the 4 inch M19 357 keeps me shooting
Did a lot of dedicated forearm exercises for freestyle wrestling. Lifted a lot of heavy things and heavy weights. What recoil
Have to agree with this vid 100% (something I rarely do) I am probly the same age as Hickok and maybe shot somewhere in the 'range' of the same number of (handgun) rounds. in the early 70's two things happened I went from mostly 22 and 38 handguns to a Ruger SBH in 44 mag... that led to increasing my handloading/bullet casting etc. I have also always worked with my hands. I notice that most of my friends who are mechanics and construction workers tend to FLINCH yes.. that is the word... less than most. Sooo back to 44 mag. Loved that gun and actually made ivory grips. At one point I think I was shooting more than 1k rounds a month of fairly hot rounds. One time someone noticed I was bleeding from the web of my hand... The SAA flips in your hand the Ruger has some sharp spots lol... it did not bother me. which gets to FLINCHING Everyone flinches eventually. From so much shooting It would take maybe 100 44 mag loads to make me actually flinch.. and then it was not a huge flinch (if that makes sense) Now? LOL... maybe 30 rounds or so of hot loads? to me still a .357 or 45 acp in a 1911 is gentle kiss to the web of my hand.. and.. I do find myself shooting .357 and 45 acp more. Bottom line.. aging makes me more flinch prone sooner. Ways to mitigate? Always bring a light recoiling gun with you... like that K frame 38 spl or even a K frame 22.. When I start flinching I shoot a couple of cylinders of 22 or 38 Of course... it does involve diminishing results.. works for a while and lets me shoot another 10 or so rounds of 44 mag but at some point? I am done for the day.. and that is fine. I had a great time.
I learned that posture and the way you hold your gun (rifle or pistol) and arms is the most important. And of course physical strength.
Concentrate and focus on establishing and maintaining the correct sight picture until the round has left the muzzle and has successfully gone downrange to the target. Any questions ?
I would love whatever insight you may have...I am recoil sensitive...but here is the thing...I am fine with my Redhawk 44 magnum...I am fine with my 10 gauge shotgun...It isn't the energy that bothers me...but a 357 magnum or a 308 rifle does...it has something to do with the speed of recoil that messes with me...as opposed to the total energy. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the tutorial. And yes experience is our friend!
Good advice.
humble expert for sure
“Talk back to me.” I tried but you act like you can’t hear me, so I sent this message. 😂
After I realized that I was pulling down and left, I came up with my solution: I took my single action army, put one round in, spun the cylinder, and put another in, and spun again.
I essentially played roulette until I stopped pulling down/left
The real secret is how you hold the firearm period. For example with a Marlin 45-70 lever gun. Just medium hold on the forearm stock, and medium push back toward your shoulder , with a medium grip on the trigger stock. With this way of purchasing the firearm doesn’t matter how beefy the rounds the recoil will be mild.
I think its about knowing what to expect when it goes off and not being scared of that
If I can add something. I think beginners focus to much on recoil therefore feel it more. I think its about focusing on your target and letting go of the recoil. Before you know it, you don't notice it so much. Just my two centavos
Great vid!
The big trick for me was just getting a good grip. It too longer for me than I'd like to admit, but that may have been partially because I started off with powerful revolvers.
I think I once seen you pick up an old railroad cross tie on here now that thing weighs something . if he can do that I don't think recoil will bother him much.
All of what you said is true AND that your hands are 30% to 50% bigger than the average man.
Teach me how to hit that "Gong" like you do. When I first watched your ch I thought, no way will he hit that very many times, but I was mistaken. Good shootin' Mr. Hickok!
The True CRAFT of Painting is strictly allied with Hand, Eye Cordination, and one may wonder how that fits with shooting pistols, muscle memory and developed skill....
A ex=has been and spert=a drip put under pressure so an expert is a has been drip put under pressure!!! lol love the talks channel
Dude has gigantic hands people.
you know what that means don't you? It means he uses giant gloves :)
@@Maleekus getting a little south track there
! To handle recoil what you must do is not carry around or buy a 44 magnum, you should try different gun calibers and stick with the one that you most feel comfortable with. men and women come in different sizes and hand strengths so we should never buy what Bob or Jane buys! we should buy what we can handle and get good shot placement on a target with easy follow-up shots. PS, not an expert, but I do have a little experience with weapons. US Army Veteran 1966 / 1969 also past LEO and I visit the range at least 4 times a month. Be safe and shoot what you can handle.
Pull ups are the best thing for recoil control. They work your grip and your back.
So do push ups
I've been chuckling for years at people complaining about the recoil from 9mm's. To me, 9mm is a pop gun. Of course, a lot of these people buy guns with "lightening cuts," which reduce the weight of the slide, then want to put compensators on them to reduce recoil because it's too "snappy" now that they took all that weight out of the gun! I don't have anything against 9mm and I own many guns in that caliber, but I've always said 9mm is an excellent round for women and small-framed men 😄.
Exactly what I've been saying. These are the same people who want a 10mm. If you're complaining about 9mm, you can forget 10.
Don’t forget, each person is different, one size does not fit all
The Goat💪🏾
Average shooter - Keep a straight line from the end of the barrel to the shoulder. Handgun grip must be kept high as safe and comfortable. Long gun stock should not have too steep an angle. Quick accurate follow-up requires one foot behind shoulder. Comfortable shooting is allowing the energy to move the body mass and/or the weapon mass.
Professional shooters will have trained bodies and automatic situational adjustments.
Hands like frying pans can't hurt...
Painting. Sounds like the Wax on Wax off discipline.
I have definitly not shot as much as you, but for me it differs a lot with the gun type. A rifle, a shotgun and a handgun are a lot different, for me. For a rifle (I have a fairly big caliber for hunting), I can grasp it farily sturdy and make a controlled shot. The recoil doesn´t disturb me. For a shotgun and when it needs to go fast, a ton of "dry" practise helps (as with any gun), but you need that shotgun to kind of "glue into your shoulder". Then, lean into the shot, almost like you stab the target with a spear. Otherwise, you get a bruise or two. For handguns, I have only tried them a couple of times, and they feel way too flimsy for me. For my feeling, the recoil of a handgund also goes up, while with a rifle or a shotgun, it goes more "back". I totally agree with practise. That is how you learn about recoil.
I think the secret is being 6’8”!
There are a lot of shows people shooting!
Firm grip and no high heals .... L.I.G! 🤣🤣🤣
Let's never forget he's about 6'8'' too. He's a big unit.
I’ve noticed WAY more ads watching your videos (all 3 channels) since yall said there was a “problem”. Is it just me?
Well, if you’re not an expert…you’re very good.
i have shot a lot of pistols over the past 40 years, i have to wonder if all that shooting is what gave me the real bad arthritis that i have in my wrists now.
I want to go , phew,phew,phew, really fast thats why i got a langdon tactical trigger job .