First of all, you MUST think SAFETY all the time.  Whether the gun is in your hand or someone else's hand, think SAFETY!  And . . . do not be afraid to point out someone's bad manners.  It could save a life, YOURS!

The next three safety rules will keep you and everyone around you alive.  They are universal.  They are the foundation and backbone of safe shooting.  Follow them.

1.  Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction!

2.  Always keep your finger off the trigger until the gun is pointed at the target.

3.  Always keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to shoot.

I guess I should tell you that I have been shooting for over 50 years.  (Geez, that is a half a century.  What the heck have I been doing?)  I have been an N.R.A. Certified Instructor for Handgun, Rifle, and Shotgun for over 25 years.  I am also an N.R.A. Certified Range Safety Officer.  I have been working in or managing shooting ranges for 30 years.  And, I shoot.  I actually pull a trigger.  Usually more than 50,000 rounds a year.  I am telling you this so that you know that the information and advice I am giving here might actually work.

OK.  Let's give some advice.  (Understand this, these tips must be used with common sense.  I am not responsible for your stupidity or carelessness.  As with all things in life, use your head and think about what you are about to do before you do it.)  Make sure your gun is unloaded!

CHECK TO BE SURE THE GUN IS UNLOADED!

CHECK IT AGAIN!

Handgun shooting.

When you shoot a handgun the three things that affect your shooting the most are:

the (1) grip,

(2) sight picture,

and  (3) trigger control.

Let's start with the grip.  You should place the gun in your hand so that the frame, that's the barrel, top strap, and back strap line up with the bone in your arm.  Your hand should be just as high on the grip of the gun as you can get it.  If you shoot an auto get right up high and crowd the overhang at the top of the grip frame.  (While you are doing this use a little common sense.  If you have a hand the size of a car door and are shooting a PPK make sure the slide isn't going to slice into the web of your thumb.)

Walt Sippel

Leather Creek Holsters