Navy SEAL Pistol Shooting Tips

Learning to shoot a pistol can be very easy.

Learning to shoot safely and hit your target when your life depends on it can take a lot longer.

Check out a few basic tips from Navy SEAL “Taco Actual” and some recent video from the Spartan Seven FreakFrog event in Montana.

Try to get out at least once a week and improve your skills on the range.

Video—Navy SEAL teaches pistol shooting at Turning Steel

Check out the Tapco Intrafuse Slot Muzzle Brake for AR-15 @ Amazon.com

TIP #1: FIRM GRIP

Establish a good firm grip with the weapon at the beginning.

Having a sloppy grip – or over gripping – will not allow for a good shot.

I recently tried this idea with a broken wrist and was not able to get a good grip and of course my accuracy suffered (see the video below).

Navy SEAL pistol shooting close in accuracy (note broken wrist)

TIP #2: FRONT SIGHT FOCUS

This may sound really basic but aligning the sights is very important.

Too many beginners just try to point down range and at the last minute forget to align the sights. Breathe in—hold and pause —align the sights and pull the trigger.

Get a 2nd sight picture after you fire your round. You will shoot much better.

Video—Navy SEAL teaches pistol walk in drill at Turning Steel

Check out Magpul Industries MBUS Generation II Sight Set @ Amazon.com

TIP #3: TRIGGER PULL FAMILIARITY

Know your trigger pull with your weapon.

Taking out the slack in the pull of the trigger will allow you to not anticipate the “bang”.

Beginners often try to anticipate the bang of the weapon and flinch not knowing the pull of the trigger.

You don’t want to pull a trigger back suddenly.

What you want to do is gradually add continuous steady pressure to the trigger, until the pistol fires. This is also called a “surprise break”.

Navy SEAL pistol obstacle course at Turning Steel

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SHOOTING TIP #4: RELAX

Breathe deep and hold your breath in a pause before pulling the trigger.

If you’re breathing heavy—panting—or erratically this will alter your shot. You want your body paused and still.

After a time this will become habit.

Video—Navy SEAL gives tips on how to create accuracy

Want more tips and info?

Watch this video from the Spartan 7 Adventure pistol shooting course, run by Dan Cerillo, former Navy SEAL.

QUESTION: I want to become better at shooting. I am currently not able to get out to Turning Steel—how can I learn a few basic shooting tips from Navy SEALs?

ANSWER:  Check out the book How to Shoot Like a Navy SEAL: Combat Marksmanship Fundamentals.

QUESTION: Can you please give me your tip tips for how to get ready for BUD/S?

ANSWER: Check out this article: How Do I Prepare for BUD/S Training?

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