Prone pistol shooting

[frostfire]

Gents, see if you can help one of your own here...

I'm helping a buddy to shoot in to SFARTEC slot for his next "assignment." IIRC, 170 min score out of 200 is required. Standing, kneeling, crouching, prone combination for total of 40 rds at 25 m. G19 or M9. We decided to stick with M9

He's squared away already. We went through all 7 fundamentals, SOFCEP materials, ball/dummy, and other drills. One ragged hole at 5 to 7yds, no prob. Controlled pair less than 3" spread at 5 to 7 yds. No prob. Solid position, no break noticeable at wrist at all. No flinch at eyes before, during, and after click or bang.

Then he did the prone part and it was all over. The best group was 5" all to the left at 3 score zone. Did the entire ball/dummy, controlled-pair dry fire, etc on prone and he's still solid. So I can only guess it's a "seeing" and not "squeezing" problem. We tried lying flat with forearm, fist, and pistol completely resting on ground....a little eye strain looking up at the sight from this position. We then tried propping the R hand on L like a golfer's grip for less eye/face/neck strain. Still no go. Next time , I plan to have him try the rollover method where you cock your L foot and have a cheekweld on your R bicep.

Much to my embarrassment, I did not fare well either on prone. That is not how I remember my prone grouping using M9 during German badge prep. I admit I haven't shot prone in almost a year, but I don't get how I stay <4 " all in 5 zone at 25m or torso grouping at 100m standing and all over in prone. The most frustrating part is the diagnostic failure. At the end, I could only attribute it to mental fatigue. We had been shooting for 2 hours non-stop before doing the prone, falsely assuming in the beginning it will be piece of cake.

Suggestions?



...and no TS, we can't get leave pass to go to Arizona

[Lmmsoat]

The problem I see is trying to change when there's no change needed. He's holding a good group firing all other iterations so ask yourself what has changed? Instead of having him use the ground for support, try to bring him as close to his normal firing position as possible. I tell my guys to just prop their elbows on the ground and fire as if nothing has changed from standing. Sight line is the same, trigger squeeze is the same, only difference is your belly is on the ground. Same for kneeling. Some guys will try to prop their elbows on their knees. Why? If you can drill holes from the standing, why introduce changes? Just kneel and present as if you are standing. And always provide a check on short range grouping. Your first and last drill of the day should be at 25 meters. At least that was the standard when i attended SFARTEC. Anyone can punch holes at 7 meters. $.02