Ask most people how to shoot accurately and they’ll explain how to aim the firearm, using the appropriate technique for the type sight system you have, and then press the trigger without disrupting the sight picture. What most people don’t realize is that this is only half of the process. The second half of the sequence is the follow through – recovering from the recoil and reacquiring a sight picture, and resetting the trigger, allowing the trigger to only travel forward far enough to reset the internal components. The follow through, what happens after the bullet leaves the barrel, is just as important as firing the shot.

In a confrontation we follow through in preparation of firing another round. We don’t know how many hits will be required to stop the threat; after every shot we get ready to shoot again. To follow through in a fight you have to do it on the range. With single shot marksmanship drills, firing one accurate round at a time, you follow through, asking yourself “do I need to shoot again?” before coming off the trigger and target to see where the shot went.

The visual aspects of the follow through are important for efficiency. Studies have shown that it takes one-tenth of a second to shift your visual focus from one spot, say to target, to a closer object, the front sight. When you shoot, then look at the target, one-tenth of a second, then refocus on the front sight to fire again, another tenth of a second, you’ve just wasted two-tenths of a second, basically the amount of time required to fire another round.

Follow through improves accuracy. If you don’t follow through you can start moving your body before the bullet comes out of the barrel. This is the opposite of recoil anticipation, which normally throws a right-hand shooter’s shots low and left. As some people press the trigger they will immediately bring their head up and off the sights to see the target and usually at the same time dropping the arms and tilting the wrists so the barrel points upward. The problem is they do this before the bullet comes out the barrel, so the shots go high.

For precision shooting with a rifle follow through is mandatory. Accuracy depends on consistency. Surgical accuracy requires you to be machine like in your actions, providing a stable platform for the rifle. As the rifle fires it is pushed back, tilted up, twists, the barrel whips, and about six or seven other things occur. If your platform isn’t consistent, which includes the follow through, you won’t get predictable results.

The same follow through applies with moving targets. If you’re not following through, tracking to keep the sights on target you’ll fire where the target was, or always be behind trying to catch up to the target to fire additional shots.

Shooting accurately is like playing music. You have to hit the notes in the proper sequence, but equally important is the time between the notes, the follow through after the shot. Just like a musician it takes plenty of practice to play a lethal instrument.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of “The Book of Two Guns,” a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. and designer of the Shootrite Katana. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org
www.facebook.com/pages/Shootrite-Firearms-Academy/156608611038230?ref=ts

[The Tactical Wire]

When Tracy Hughes decided to bling out her own M&P pistol for a zombie shoot by painting the removable backstrap orange with glitter, little did she know it would turn into a new business. First she painted a few for friends who took a liking to her gun. Then sometime around the first of the year, Tracy posted a photo of her work in response to a call for fan photos on the Smith & Wesson Facebook page, and that’s when demand for her work exploded and BrilliantBackstaps.comwas born. Now Tracy carries all three sizes of backstraps for both the standard M&P and Compact M&P pistols. Turnaround time is 3-5 days – a little more for custom orders – and prices range from $30 to $50 depending on the number of colors. Currently the most popular design is the American Flag motif. While most of her customers are men, Tracy says that the majority of Brilliant Backstraps’ end users are women. However, realizing that more men might want the custom look she offers, sans the girlie glitter of course, Tracy added to her lineup a texturized backstrap with a feel similar to grip tape. In addition to customized backstraps, Tracy offers magazine basepads to match the backstrap design, as well as bejeweled M&P slide cover plates. Like the backstraps, both products are regularly stocked and made to order. You can see more examples of current and future Brilliant Backstraps designs on their Facebook page, especially you Glock owners as Tracy is looking at expanding into Gen-4 backstraps. [The Shooting Wire]

If you thought that double barrel handgunwe posted a while back would help to improve your accuracy, you wouldn’t even have to be looking at your target to hit it with this triple barrel revolver.

Details on the mad gunsmith who crafted this bizarre piece are unknown, except that it was made in Spain and appears to be a one-off creation. The fact that it only has a single trigger makes us assume the gun fires all three 6.35mm rounds at the same time, making it easy to get off 18 shots in no time. So even if you’re a terrible shot, the gun’s quantity over quality approach all but guarantees at least one round will find its mark.

[Gizmodo via Horst Held via Neatorama]

Thanks to the courtesy of LaserLyte® and Laura Burgess Marketing, I was able to receive one of the brand new LaserLyte® Zombie Killer Edition Pistol Bayonets to try out for my own.

I didn’t have a pistol with a rail on it to be able to try out the bayonet, but I was able to borrow friend Tim Morrison’s Ruger P95 9mm pistol (thanks, Tim!).

The Ka-Bar® bayonet slid easily onto the rail and locked into place firmly.  You can’t miss it on your pistol; it’s florescent green, also known as “zombie green”.  The blade comes with a clip-on plastic sheath that is easy to use.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to stab any zombies with it, but if they do come for me, I’m ready.

Here’s the press release from Laura Burgess Marketing:

The new LaserLyte® Zombie Killer Edition Pistol Bayonet is another LaserLyte original. The fully functional, razor-sharp Ka-Bar® blade on a 30% glass-filled nylon blade handle in Zombie-attracting neon green fits on any medium to large pistol with a rail. The universal quick-detachable design allows the pistol bayonet to slide on and off easily with the press of two buttons.  The 2.75 inch blade is a full-tang design with an aggressive serrated top. The blade is made from carbon steel and sharpened to a fine edge and finished with a black Teflon® coating for long-lasting protection. The overall length of the pistol bayonet is just 5.75 inches and it weighs 2.6 ounces. A custom polymer sheath is included. MSRP is $19.95.

On the front of the shirt, innovative pocket designs help keep equipment safely stored until the appropriate moment. The right chest pocket includes separate mesh compartments; one accessed by hidden zipper and the other is a catch pocket conveniently positioned for carrying a cell phone. The left chest pocket includes a hidden pocket with zipper under the flap and a sunglass hoop. Both pockets feature reverse pleats and are designed with added expansion if needed. A hidden pocket under the beltline offers additional, discreet storage.

The Women’s Lightweight Tactical Shirt provides comfort as well as function. Designed for extreme performance in warmer climates, the shirt features eyelets and an internal mesh liner for ventilation. Gussets under the arms provide for an excellent range of motion and the long sleeve version offers internal button fasteners to retain rolled-up sleeves.

Durable and Lightweight with Intelligent Storage Options
The Women’s Lightweight Tactical Pants are constructed from a 6.5 polyester/cotton blend and are treated with DWR to fend off stains, wrinkles and fading. A double layer of fabric on the seat, knees and hem offer sustained durability. A hidden, expandable waistband and a diamond gusset on the crotch provide comfort and a wide range of motion, while a silicone grip inside the waistband keeps shirt tucked into position.

Angle-cut front pockets allow for vertical storage of a knife or flashlight without restricting access. A hidden zipper pocket behind the front-right pocket gives discreet storage, while each of the cargo pockets at the thigh feature segmented webbing for “intelligent” vertical storage of magazines and flashlights. An external, vertical zipper on the cargo pockets also provides easy access while seated.

The new line of BLACKHAWK! Women’s Tactical Apparel is now available at retailers across the country or at BLACKHAWK.com.

BLACKHAWK! Women’s Lightweight Tactical Shirt
Long Sleeve:$59.99
Short Sleeve:$56.99
Colors: Black, Khaki, Olive Drab, Navy, Chocolate Brown
Sizes: SM-2XL

BLACKHAWK! Women’s Lightweight Tactical Pants
$64.99
Colors: Khaki, Olive Drab, Navy, Chocolate Brown
Available in even waist sizes: 26” – 40”
Inseam: 31” and 35”, both hemmed