Before you start, make sure you have read my safety blog, have gone through the process via dry firing first, and have the correct safety gear, such as ear and eye protection.
1 . Start With Proper Grip
With your dominant hand, keep your grip high and tight but never behind the slide. Also, keep your thumb relaxed but grip firmly with your other three fingers.
Now, with your non-dominant hand, place it parallel to the slide as shown below. Do not be afraid to touch the side. The main pressure on the grip should come from the large muscles at the base of your thumb. Think of that part of your hand rolling into the top of the firearm frame firmly.
2. Next up, Arms
Don't lock your arms out! There should be a good bend in both arms enough to use your arm muscles to apply pressure to the firearm. "when in doubt, chicken wings out."
3. Don't forget stance
Your stance should feel stable yet mobile. Think of a position you would take if you were about to catch a ball. Faced towards your target, feet a little more than should be length apart and slightly bent forward, never leaned back.
4. Load up
Load your magazine; if you are struggling, I recommend using a Maglula, Uplulu Speed Loader and then racking the slide to get a round into the chamber.
After you have a magazine loaded, firmly insert the magazine bullets facing forward and confirm the magazine is fully seated by tugging on the bottom of the magazine.
To rack the slide firmly, hold the firearm with your dominant hand close to your body for stability, then pull back on the top of the slide with your non-dominant hand, and quickly let go!
*If you are struggling to pull back on the slide, try pushing forward on the firearm grip with your other hand at the same time.
* Yes, it is OKAY to pull back on the slide by your optic!
5. Get on target
Bring your firearm to your field of view by pushing your arms straight out, then find your sights.
*If you are shooting irons, this is what you should see vs what you should see with a red dot.
6. Time to shoot
Squeeze the trigger slowly and steadily, making sure to keep your sights aligned with the target. Don't jerk the trigger or anticipate the recoil.
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