How to AIM a Revolver like an Accomplished Shooter?

This article will try to solve one of the common questions about aiming a revolver, and that is, “How to aim a revolver like a pro”?

Well, susseccful aiming requires a lot of practice. Recoil, positioning, the bullet’s weight, the type of gun, and many other factors play key roles in you taking the perfect shot.

You should also take proper safety measures to avoid accidental firings.

It is advised to hire professional shooters for learning to aim. It is not that people who own guns can go to their backyard and start shooting for practice.

Guns might backfire, recoil may get you out of control while firing, and not hitting the target at the point are some of the disadvantages without proper learning.

Let us understand what factors play a key role in aiming a pistol and how to master them.

How to Aim a Revolver: Everything You Need to Know

Factors That Matter While Aiming With a Revolver

Here are the factors that impact aiming and are as follows.

• Type of gun and its ammunition
• Weight of bullet
• Barrel length
• Grip
• Body posture
• Breath

Understanding Key Factors of Aiming A Revolver

Let’s get deep into these factors that are critical to choosing a revolver.

1. Type of Gun and Its Ammunition

If we observe, there are many types of guns in the revolver category using different types of ammunition, such as 9MM, .44 Magnum, .45, etc.

Recoil is different for each of these guns. Some guns have less recoil and some have more recoil. Get to know about all guns and then recoil control will be easier.

2. The Weight of the Bullet

More weight of a bullet makes more damage but travels less distance. Less weight of bullet travels more distance but deals less damage.

This knowledge will make you decide whether to hit a target from a long distance or get closer based on the weight of the bullet.

3. Barrel Length

The barrel length of the gun makes a key difference in aiming. Shots are accurate with longer barrels on the gun.

4. Grip

A firm grip on the gun is necessary before shooting the gun. It helps in controlling recoil. Recoiling of the gun is nothing but the backward movement of the gun after shooting.

The bigger the gun is the more recoil. As we are dealing with revolvers here, a good grip around the gun should control recoil easily.

5. Body Stance

There are a few positions to get into before shooting the target and are as follows.

1st Position

• Stand straight with your legs spread at some distance
• Take the revolver and stretch your arms forward
• Bend down a little to have a firm support

2nd Position

• Put your right leg back with an angle of 45 degrees from the left leg
• Take a revolver and stretch your arms forward
• Bend down a little to have firm support

You can try with the opposite leg too (having left leg back instance).

Make sure to shoot with both eyes open and try to feel the recoil. This way you can modify the stance to your comfort level.

6. Breath

Shooting involves focus and patience. Out of anxiety or other issues, people subconsciously stop breathing and just focus on the target.

They don’t breathe and don’t even know that. So, inhale and exhale air as normal during aiming.

Always make sure to check whether you are breathing or not. Few people commit the mistake of stopping breathing just before pulling the trigger.

That would lose the grip of the hands and affects the aiming.

Breathe as normal, aim the gun at a target, focus on the front sight and pull the trigger. Heartbeat and breathing affect the accuracy of shooting.

How to Aim a Revolver: Pro Tips

We have just gone through some of the factors that will aid in good aiming, which is a prerequisite to accurate shooting.

But there are more things to focus on for an accurate shot.

Front and rear sights are available on top of the gun with which you will position the gun towards the target.

You may get tensed, your hands may shiver, your body feints left or right and these uncontrollable activities will affect the aiming.

They can be mastered with daily practice. Along with them, here are the three-step instructions for a perfect shot on target.

1. Identify Your Dominant Eye

A quick test for you. Place your finger right in front of you and you will see two fingers. This will affect the aim as when you hold the gun, you may see two primary sights or targets.

This is the reason we have to find out the dominant eye. Follow the steps to find your dominant eye or read here for more information on it.

• Place an object at a certain distance
• Make a triangle with your hands and place it before the eyes
• Make sure both of your eyes are open and that object is visible clearly
• Now close the left eye
• If you are seeing the object without any change, your right eye is dominant
• But if you observe your hand’s position getting shifted (possibly covering the object), then your left eye is dominant

The advantage of knowing your dominant eye will help in good timing.

But this practice should be done only at the start. Eventually shooting with both eyes open is important and should get perfect in that.

2. If You Are Aiming for a Single-Action Revolver

We have to take into consideration a few things like front sight, rear sight, a loaded gun, and hammer rule.

Front and Rear Sight

We cannot focus on two different objects at the same time. When we try to focus on one thing, surrounding objects will become blurred.

While shooting at targets, we are often confused about what to focus on and end up focusing on targets. So, the target is clear but the front and rear sights become blurred.

The correct way to do it is to focus on the front sight. This may make the target blur to some extent but place the gun where you want to shoot first.

Then focus on the front sight. Grab the gun firmly, pull the hammer back, and shoot. This will help in accurate aiming.

Loaded Gun

Make sure that the gun is loaded before shooting. Also, make sure to unload the gun after practice for accidental firing.

Hammer Rule

Unlike new weapons, it just won’t work if you just pull the trigger for the single-action revolver. The first step would be to pull the hammer back.

Now, pull the trigger. Hammer goes back to the initial position. For the second shot, you need to pull the hammer back again.

Do not forget to cock the hammer otherwise pulling just the trigger will not shoot the bullets.

Take Your Aim

Now that you have known the do’s and don’ts while practicing, let’s go over the process as a whole. Find your dominant eye.

Get to know about front and rear sights. Focus on the front sight while shooting the target.

Clock the hammer before shooting the gun every single time.

Recoil will be more and it will take time to get used to it. With daily practice, you can aim a pistol just like an accomplished shooter.

Do not rush and skip things in order to quickly become a pro in shooting. Practice and develop from the mistakes day in and day out.

Maintain proper standing or sitting position before shooting otherwise you will be surprised by the recoil of the gun.

Now you know everything about aiming a revolver the proper way. Don’t forget to take safety measures. Happy Shooting!