What is the Best Handgun Caliber?

Many people ask what is the best handgun caliber? This is a difficult question to answer for many reasons. For the purpose of this discussion we will stick to general use. Most law enforcement agencies prefer the 40 S&W or 45 ACP. This is due to the stopping power of the 40 S&W and the 45 ACP, but this is not necessarily what most people consider to be a priority. In general you really should not consider anything smaller than a 9mm for home protection, but remember that when it comes to home protection the key is accuracy rather than stopping power. The 9mm is also relatively easy to shoot for both men and women. Remember that the best handgun caliber is the one that you're most comfortable with. 

What is the Best Handgun?

People often ask what is the best handgun? This is a difficult question to answer for many reasons. One of the first issues to consider is what is the intended purpose of the handgun? In general most people own handguns for home protection. Because of this reason, a semi-automatic handgun would be better suited for this purpose. This is said however with the caveat that the best handgun for you is the one that is most comfortable. This is why even though a semi-automatic handgun holds more ammo and in general is easier to reload, the best handgun for you may be a revolver.

Shooting Should Be Comfortable

One thing that people often forget about when shooting is doing what is comfortable. We had previously discussed being comfortable with your shooting stance, but there are also other areas where comfort is necessary. A lot of people seem to think that closing one eye will improve their aim, but would you normally close one eye when trying to focus on an object? The answer is no and you should therefore keep both of your eyes open when shooting. Another area that comfort should be considered is breathing. People seem to come up with all sorts of strange breathing techniques when shooting, some people even go to the extreme of holding their breath. You should breathe normally, because that is what is comfortable. Like anything else, shooting is about comfort and if you do what is comfortable the likelihood is you will have better accuracy.

Finding Your Shooting Stance

The first thing to remember when finding your shooting stance is that it should be comfortable. I have seen countless shooters trying to shoot in very awkward and uncomfortable stances. Your shooting stance should mirror the way you normally stand and walk. It always puzzles me when I see people who seem to have come up with new ways to twist their bodies into awkward positions. There's no reason for you to stand sideways or to tilt your head to one side. Another thing to remember is that you should not be too rigid in your stance. I think if you just try a shooting stance that mirrors your normal walking stance you will find it more comfortable and it is likely that your shooting will also improve.

Transporting Your Firearm

I often have people ask how to properly transport their firearm from their house to the range. I have seen people bring their firearm in wrapped in a towel or in a plastic bag. When transporting your firearm to the range always make sure that the firearm is unloaded and stored in a locked container. The term "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. Also make sure to store your ammo in a container separate from your firearm.

Awareness in shooting

Experiencing awareness in your shooting is being aware of what you and the gun are doing on each shot.  It will quickly show you how well you're exercising your technique.  Don't analyze what you're doing as you're experiencing the shooting, because that would immediately take you away from the experience.  After the shooting, you can think back on your experience and accept anything that works for you and discard anything that doesn't.

growth in shooting

I've been asked a lot of times what separates a shooter who continues to become better, from shooter who stay the same.  The difference is that one understands that he never really learns anything.  He continues to learn every time he shoots.  His mind is always open, every time he fires, his mind is always ready to incorporate anything new that he learns.  Whereas the other had built himself up to a certain point and had learned the fundamentals but then he stop and don't retain the open-mindedness that will allowed him to grow and be better.