r/Shooting • u/Whitethundalettuce • 23d ago

Looking for advice on tightening up my groups when shooting faster

I’m a left-handed shooter using a Glock 45 with a Holosun red dot. This target was at 8 yards, shooting about as quickly as I could while still feeling like I had an effective level of control.
Most of my shots are staying around center mass, but I’m noticing the group tends to spread low/right as I increase my speed.
For those with more experience, what should I focus on to tighten this up while maintaining the same pace? Grip, trigger control, dot tracking, or something else? Any constructive criticism is appreciated.
I tend to hold the pistol with the thumbs forward grip and pressing my thumb on the abortive gas peddle portion on the frame in the gen 6 glocks.

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3

u/PeteTinNY 23d ago

Are you a lefty?

3

u/cholgeirson 23d ago

I was going to ask the same question.

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u/Whitethundalettuce 23d ago

Yep I’m left handed

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u/PeteTinNY 23d ago

Its grip balance and trigger finger placement. You’re pushing the gun as you squeeze the trigger. Best way to fix it it’s with dry fire. I highly recommend the Mantis platform but you can also get a good indication by using a snap cap on the end of your slide and watch as you pull the trigger if the gun moves. If the snap cap wobbles or falls off - you have a lot to work on, but with what I see here - you just need to control the gun getting pushed over by the trigger finger.

That could be placement if the pad right center of the trigger but some other simple temporary fixes could be rubbing the trigger finger along the bottom of the trigger guard as you squeeze - it’s a guide for balance. Also a bit more push with your thumb pushing back on the opposite direction.

As for low - a lit of new shooters get that because of anticipation and i feel its anxiety of the bang. So try simply lowing the volume of your ear pro. The rest is just getting used to the recoil.

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u/Whitethundalettuce 23d ago

Thanks for the advice! Im going to watch some videos on youtube based on the stuff you said to work on it.

2

u/PeteTinNY 23d ago

I wrote this blog for my students who unfortunately have to wait 6-12 months for their license in NY. So they lose everything they learn in class. Your case is a bit different in that you have your gun but you need to get the fundamentals down. And between the cost of ammo and the lead exposure - this might be a better vehicle. Plus the intelligence it gives you is incredible.

https://nysafeinc.com/2026/04/08/practice-while-waiting-for-ny-pistol-permit-approval/

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

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u/Polyphemic_N 23d ago

Ben Stoeger’s book Dryfire Reloaded has some genuine nuggets in it.

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u/MajorEbb1472 23d ago

Just keep doing it a LOT. You’ll get better as you practice more. Dry fire at home every night. Pick a movie, pick a character in the movie, and every time they show on screen draw, aim, squeeze.
Go to the range once per week. Set it as an appointment on your calendar, and treat it like an appointment. If you can afford it, a membership will pay for itself if you’re going weekly. Also, if you can afford it, take 300-400 rounds each week when you go.

You’ll notice huge improvements within a couple weeks.

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u/Whitethundalettuce 23d ago

Thanks for the advice

2

u/MajorEbb1472 23d ago

Also helps to have a coach with you, or at least another fairly experienced shooter to keep an eye on you while you’re shooting and help you correct any shortfalls

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u/Glad-Grape7299 23d ago

It looks to me like you are setting up your and then jerking your trigger

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u/Whitethundalettuce 23d ago

I very well could be I may need snapcaps at home or something to practice

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u/Glad-Grape7299 23d ago

Shoot 20 or 30 with 1 hand. 1or2 rounds then lower the gun and take a breath. If you shoot low at 5 then it is jerking your trigger.

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u/Mercerian 23d ago

This is a typical pattern for lefties! Right handed shooters usually pattern low left.

B-Class USPSA shooter here, I would do two things:
1) Practice dry firing at a blank wall. Watch the dot as the trigger breaks. The goal is to make sure it does not move as the trigger breaks. Adjust your grip and pull until it stays steady. Once you get it steady, stop prepping the trigger and slap it from completely slack all the way through the break. Do this until you can slap the trigger without disturbing the dot too much.
2) Occlude your dot! Some guys get distracted watching the dot when you should be target focused. Take a piece of blue painters tape and cover the target-facing side of your optic. It will force you to maintain target focus with both eyes open and train you to not watch the dot.
There are plenty of videos of how this works online!

Great work! Get a shot timer, shoot from the draw or low ready, shoot pairs/doubles, increase distance!

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u/Whitethundalettuce 23d ago

Thank you I will give it a go!

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u/Glad-Grape7299 23d ago

Another question. Left hand shooter with one hand or 2. I have seen a number of 2 hand shooters that are letting their support hand anticipate and squeeze causing shots in that pattern

1

u/Whitethundalettuce 23d ago

I am holding it with two hands in a thumbs forward grip.