How to Stop Your Hands from Shaking when Shooting a Pistol
Navy SEAL Sniper Instructor, Chris Sajnog, teaches you How to Stop Your Hands from Shaking when Shooting a Pistol.
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Learn how to stop your hands from shaking when shooting a pistol from a Navy SEAL firearms instructor. Instantly shoot like a Navy SEAL using these 3 expert tips to stop shaking hands!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:56 - Keeping proper sight alignment and proper front sight focus
1:40 - Grip it with a hundred percent and a percent grip
2:47 - Getting oxygen into your muscles
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In 2009, I came home from a deployment and my oldest son, who was 3 or 4 at the time, wouldn’t eat for almost 2 weeks... Being a father I was obviously concerned, so I asked him about it and his answer really hit me hard… He said, “Dad, if I eat I’ll grow up and if I grow up I’ll become a daddy. And if I become a daddy, I’ll have to leave my family.” My boys barely knew who I was and I couldn’t let them grow up without a father... I realized at that moment my family needed me a lot more than the Navy needed another SEAL. So I put in for retirement the next day… Back then I knew I wanted to be with my family more than anything, so I made changes in my life that allowed me to be at home. We all want more time to spend with the people we love or doing the things we love. That’s why I’m here to help! That's why I am giving you my top 3 training videos (for FREE) to help you learn how you can stay at home, and save time and money while you improve your shooting! I really want you to watch them so you can see how it is helping thousands of people just like you! So click the link now and go see what all the fuss is about: chrissajnog.com/freevideos/
Hey Big guy, You may remember me from a Joke I told you that cracked you up a Few years ago. Being a Former Squid myself my joke on you was " Yeah, You Think your so bad because you were taught to kill with Guns and Knives and Explosives, WHERE I learned over 2,000 ways to Kill with a Swab and bucket and Clean up the evidence like I was never there " Well I have a Question that I feel you may help answer whether your 7 Steps to a better Shooter may help or not. Here is my Delima. 1) My Father is a Former AF Special operator that Worked with a K9 unit that Guarded one of the Most Top Secret Nuclear Missile Bases in the World for the time it existed which believe it or not was only 4 years and Has long since been Declassified. It was located in Lousiana and was shown on a Map as an abandoned airstrip. Even the Local residents Had NO IDEA a Military installation was located there. My Dad taught me How to Shoot and He was a Stickler on Breathing and Heartbeats. Well Now unfortunately He has just turned 80 and Has Alzheimers and I can No longer go to Him for instruction. My Problem is I Love to Do Extreme Minimal Survival Camping and for the First time EVER this Year My Wife wants to come along and Learn, Well over the past 5 years there has been an EXTREME INFLUX of Black Bear on my Uncles Property . To the Point that He has obtained a permit to Shoot ALL BOARS ON SITE ( Due to the Heavy Damage to His Orchard and buildings on His Land ) I will not be taking a Long Gun out there and instead purchased a Springfield XDM 10mm in a 4.5 Barrel. I attached a Streamlight Tactical Light / Laser Combo For any potential Night time Shots should our Camp be disturbed. I have Never had a Problem Shooting a .44 Magnum or a .45 ACP yet for some reason I am un able to tighten up my Groups inside of 5 and 1/2 inches. My usual CCP is a Walther CCP in 9mm which is a great Gun for that purpose. However for any Bear 9mm is not an option, Do you think that 7 steps program is the right Choice or would you possibly make another Recommendation ? God Bless and I look forward to your response. .
God bless you sir
I love you. Gonna try the toe wiggle thing the next time I need to relax on a range. Even as an Army Vet, as well as a close protection contracting Vet, I ABSOLUTELY appreciate golden nuggets like this...and yes...I get shakes, nervous, etc...just being on the range sometimes, shooting around others. Its literally nothing like combat, and sometimes way more stressful. So, yeah...try this stuff out. I'm gonna.
A tip: you can watch movies at flixzone. I've been using them for watching a lot of movies these days.
@Axl Brayan Yea, been using Flixzone} for since december myself :)
I say "if your wobble is bigger than the target - Go closer" lol
Sniper go brrrr.
Or improve your odds of hitting: drop more lead downrange 😂
This guy has taught me soooo much in such a short time. I’ve been shooting for about 6 months now and I’m staying inside of a 3” target at 25 yards. I love this guy!
This guy loves you back!
What distance did you start at your first days at the range @marlon?
Hey Jeoffry, Started at 7, then 10, then 15, now I’m at 25. Using my PPQ m1
Thank you sir.
I have been shooting 50 years and his tips have helped me.
Chris, I appreciate your straight forward videos with good advice. I am an 80 year old with an inherited form of neuropathy and as a result I have to deal with “wobble”. A friend who has great credentials as a shooting instructor told me to take each of my handguns to the range and very carefully analyze how much wobble occurs with each gun. I found a dramatic difference, for me, in how the weight of the gun affects movement. There are also the obvious factors of how well the gun fits my hand as well in the grip area and how well balanced the gun is in my hands. I have found that I need a gun of at least 25-27 ounces to shoot well. I have gone through my collection of guns and sold off my polymer framed, lightweight handguns in favor of metal framed hammer fired guns including a couple in the 48 ounce category. I am now shooting better than I have since my Dad taught me to shoot in the early 1950s. I may be an oddball in this regard but now having guns that fit my hands well naturally, balance well for me and are on the heavier side has been a real game changer for me. For the record, I shoot variants of the Beretta 92, several Sigs and CZs. I am having a great time at the range these days.
That sounds great! 👍
Gripping too hard is actually more common than you'd think. Good to see that as the first point brought up.
I’ve been a firearm instructor for several years, I use Chris’s techniques on my range days. Very helpful information. I learn something from every video.
I hope you don't mind a question but I was wondering if you ever worked with people who have essential tremors and what has been your experience? It is genetic and my hands have constant tremors with some moments greater than others. For the past four months I have been back in the gym weight lifting 5 days a week along with a cardio regiment so I have gained my strength back. In other words, gripping a hand gun isn't an issue but focusing on the front sight can be a bit difficult.
I love the tip on moving your toes, they do not teach that in nursing school, but it works. Thank you Chris.
Perfect timing Chris, I was wondering if I was the only one with this problem. Thank you.
Thank you so much! You are the first Range master that I’ve seen, that has addressed “shaking” and given techniques for this problem. I appreciate all of your information and look forward to your videos.
Excellent advice, it didn't realize I stopped breathing while making the shot which was causing a lot of tremors. Greatly improved when I was conscious of this and also adjusting my grip force . Thank you
Thank you Sir for your service to our great country!
Thanks, Cliff!
It was great, 2 years ago.
Thank you. I'm really glad I found your channel. I honestly believe my skills have improved since I found your channel.
I have to agree with you Chris. I wasn’t focused on my front sight and I was putting to much pressure on my strong side. Causing a shake to occur. After I watched your video about sight alignment the shake went away because of my change in focus. My shooting has also improved a lot. Great videos.
Wiggle your toes - interesting. I'll try it today at the range. Thank you as always!
So incredibly useful! You're awesome Chris!
@Chris Sajnog - Fantastic advice, I'm seeing significant improvements. Mr. Sajnog, you da man!
Wiggling your toes is an EXCELLENT tip. My chiropractor even uses this trick to get patients to relax their body for an adjustment. I had forgotten all about this, and it actually helps to reduce pain as well. I was searching for videos that would help me when my body is feeling weak. This video was a great reminder of simple things I was forgetting. Thanks. And I get needing to be home for your kids...I was an OTR Own/operator, and one day I realized my daughter was struggling, and I immediately made a change to be home every day.
Thank you Chris. This is very helpful.
This is some this that I struggle with. Especially if it has been a while since I have been to the range. Thanks for the advice.
You teach like a Seal! Thank you for your service and the education. Bravo!
As always great video and very informative.
Definitely helped I was gripping way harder than I should have. ThanksA
Thank you for sharing your tips! I have shared your tips to others on occasion. Always learning, always practicing makes for a safe enjoyable life!
Your videos are pure gold. Get all the views in the world
Thank you for the tips Chris. I've been watching your videos while waiting for my DROS to go through. I found your stance video very helpful. I practiced in front of a full length mirror and found i needed to bring my right foot back about an inch to be squared up. Thank you for your service to our country and the service you are providing here to new shooters to learn good habits.
Excellent advice! Thank you!
Thank you for the tips!
Thank You. I over gripped because I always feared a fail to eject due to limp wristing. I gotta get out now and practice.
Great stuff man! Thanks
I have PTSD, so I've found this to be a problem for me. But I want to keep trying, because the only way to get over something is to retrain your brain to view something that has turned into a negative, back to a positive. So thanks for these tips. I really appreciate it! And its nice to know I'm not the only one.
I had PTSD for a couple of months and it's gone. I realized it was a common natural reaction to a bad situation. There was nothing wrong with me. The situation was wrong. I also stopped hanging around those who had it because they seemed to enjoy the victimhood. I am around fun, enjoyable, kind people.
Simple but effective tips
Great tips! Thank you for your time and your service to this great country! Semper Fi Brother! WOW, that bio was hard hitting! Out of a 20 year career, I was deployed for 9 years, so I know where you're coming from!
Thank you for the advice!!
I tried the toe wiggling and by God it works !! My target groupings improved by 50% immediately! Thank you!
Thank You !! Very Informative !!
Very helpful tips sir . I am a big fan of yours .Thanks & Regards
Big tip Is definitely over gripping Definitely helped and very stable now
LOVE your vids Chris !!!
Thanks for your Tips ..Mabuhay ka
Great video. When I'm taking my breaks at home or even at work. I practice this. It. SO COOL, how wiggling your toes does help. I'm looking forward to getting your shooters string that I ordered last Saturday. Start training my eyes
Brian Zins is a bullseye acquaintance of mine and he never mentioned the toe wiggle discipline. I'm going to definitely try it. Thank You.
After gripping too hard, the next most common cause of shaking is recoil anticipation. Have a shooter shoot with a laser sight and film over the shooter's shoulder so you can see both the gun firing and the dot on target. Watch your video in slow motion. Shooters subconsciously know that they're going to flinch and know they don't want to. The result is a small build-up of shaking just prior to the gun firing, as the shooter increases pressure on the trigger. Because this is a mental issue rather than a physical issue, it takes time to fix--I know, because I've been there! If this is you, stay patient and dedicated. Dry fire at home. On the range, do some honest ball-and-dummy drilling, and also engage in practice where you spend 5+ seconds increasing pressure on the trigger, not knowing when the shot will break. If you shake, stop and start over. It took me over a year to conquer this. It's worth it though, because once you overcome this problem, you're also conquering your flinch, and your shots will stop going low and left (for right-handed shooters). Message me if you want clarification. I love helping people through this. I'm not the greatest instructor in the world, but I've helped enough shooters through this issue to know it's cause and the remedy. My best wishes to us all!
Defossion - this is exactly what I’m experiencing now. Thanks for sharing your experience. It makes me feel better knowing that this is a common issue. I just bought some snap caps to practice with. I’m a new gun owner with a Ruger LC9s and only about 300 rounds of experience. It’s more difficult than I expected. I need a lot of practice. Thanks again.
@@BrainGainzOfficial Stay with it, Brain. It takes time and practice--LOTS of both! Ammo is getting scarce and expensive. If you know somebody who reloads, have them make you some dummy rounds. You can mix in several with a couple live rounds and then do some slow fire drills that will really help, without burning through a ton of ammo. You might struggle for a year or even two, but one day, everything will start to click. When that happens, your accuracy will improve exponentially. Speed will follow. The LC9 is kind of a kicker due to its low weight. It's a good gun, for sure, but make no mistake: It recoils. So stay with your practice regimen and be patient. Results might seem slow in coming, and improvement might be measured in fractions of millimeters, but you'll get there. Good luck!
I’m a new shooter, I go to the range every weekend since I got my gun about a month ago and this exact thing happens to me!! 😭😭😭
This newbie to CCW thanks you!
Excellent video
👍 thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the help the toe wiggle works
Great tips!
Thanks Chris.
Thank you so much.
The wiggling toes advice is a good one!
I expected some pompous bs here but Chris gives excellent advice. I have never like to hold my pistols tightly, as I started out shooting with one hand using a single action revolver. As I got older, I have worked on strengthening my hands with simple exercises, and keeping a high position on a pistols to help absorb the recoil (got to watch those PPK types that bite your hand web though).
Thank you I got it 🥰
Over exerting to reduce recoil and end up shaking! Makes sense. I’ll try wiggling my toes. Can’t hurt. Thanks for the tips!
Awesome tips! Thanks Chris! I over squeeze my pistol every once in a while. That wiggle your toes trick will definetly come in handy. 😀🇺🇸
Thanks! Just acquired a Beretta 9mm and am learning how to be proficient with it . Pistols are not as forgiving as shot guns , for sure . This helps a lot , thanks,!
Thank you I am going pistol shooting for the first time in a while with my dad soon and this really helped me out
How’d it go?
@@ironpatriot344 dang 2 years ago! I don't remember much but I was pretty bad lol. Still am I don't pistol shoot much though thanks for asking!
@@tristanw7981 no doubt. Good luck my friend 👍🏾
Can't wait to get to the range with my new Glock G45 after watching your videos and see how i do. Thank you for the awesome and very informative videos. God Bless. And as always... God Glock and Country
Wiggling your toes is a great tip! thanks!
I like the toe technic. It helped me out.
good tips
Great! Thanks!!!
I’m new to shooting I go with my dad and it’s fun but I always shake thanks for the tips I hope all is well 🙂
Hes a Great range expert!
Good tips. I have a slight chronic injury on my left arm's tendon - the one that goes across the arm and all the way to my thumb and index finger. Get's worse when my arm is bent with my hand facing upwards, that's why it's even more of an issue when shooting rifles. In terms of how to stop my hands from shaking, I would add avoid drinking tea or coffee before shooting... and definitely don't hit the range on a hangover!
I am going to use that toe wiggle trick for everything where I need to relax now
I tried your tip (in another of your videos) about pointing the trigger finger knuckle at the target. WOW! 50% improvement. I was always taught that finger tip pad placement on the trigger was the most important discipline. I now know why I always shot better with my fatter gripped pistol that my thinner gripped pocket pistol. My finger had to stretch a little farther on with the bigger grip and thus my knuckle came into better alignment. Can’t wait to loosen up a little and wiggle my toes!
Let's work on that other 50%!
I'm going to try these tips today! My hands shake no matter how much or how little grip I have, so I'm definitely going to try the toes thing and see if it helps. I know I need to work on the relaxing thing, so I will only work on those two things today.
Like the nerdy anatomy facts!
Thanks for the tips. Will implement them next time at the range. Think I’m guilty of all u mentioned
Good job
I'm gonna try the toe wiggle tip next time out. Thanks!
I'm French. And your english is very clear. Continue! :)
That's OK, nobody is perfect.
Wow the wiggling toes trick really worked for me thank you lol
Thx Chris as always great info never thought about wiggling the toes to relax another great tip god bless be safe
As soon as I finished watching this video I hit the target right on
That last part about the toes made a world of difference
Your first Truth alone made the video worth watching..I think many of us,or I know Myself, think perfect marksmen have no shake, thanks for debunking that
Toe wiggle! Can’t wait to try it. 👍👍👍
One thing that helps me is to think of your hands as the two sides of a vice grip. Basically grip your gun with your actual hands and leave your fingers relaxed and wrap them around the grip. Seems like the wobbles are more excessive when you are trying to overpower the gun with overpowered finger gripping... If that makes sense.
I have this problem from time to time at the range. It's probably 2 of the 3 things that cause my hands to shake, breathing and not being relaxed. In 1994 I bought a brand glock 19 and had a friend at the range with me and he noticed I was having a problem even hitting the paper he said loosen the death grip I had on my glock. Boy what a difference, from that day forward regardless of the handgun I was using at the range I always remember that, I will say the advice given in this video is good. Still have that G19 BTW but haven't shot it since the 90's. I have several other pistols that I use.
Not interested in shooting at all, but these tips are great for shaking in general. Thank you
Wow, …….instant fix…. ….Whoaa……thank you…… thank you..
You are So F**ckin cool!
I’m planning on joining the marines and hopefully be good enough to get into sniper school, and I want to have as steady aim as possible
Once more I must laud you on your teaching methods and videos. Also, once more I will share this one with fellow airgunners from around the world, on FB. Your methods are so logical and far outweigh those of others. With each consecutive video of your which I find and watch, I learn the little points of what I am have not been doing correctly. I do not say wrong, for I was following the methods of others. It may work for them, but if people follow your examples, it can work for anybody. DOC P.S. I end my KZhead videos with 'Keep Smiling, Keep having fun, Keep having fun, but most of all Keep Safe.
Hooyah!
Wiggle the toes gotta try this relaxation ! 👌🏻
The flinch just before pulling the trigger gets me more times than I want to admit
I think you're missing the mark here. Someone that shoots a lot does not consider the shooting range to be a stressful environment, but a new shooter that has performance anxiety with an unfamiliar firearm with recoil and loud noises can be, even if just on a subconscious level that its EXCITING. I don't have hand shakes when shooting, but I DO have bad hand shakes when I'm stressed and/or know that I'm about to get in a fight with someone, and probably would in a combat situation, as I can feel my breath get shorter, my heart starts to race, and my hands shake. I would wager that's the thing most people need to learn how to manage, and I'd bet 99% of the population that are otherwise steady in a sterile environment would get shaky during an armed robbery.
DumbDuck44 it’s the same way with me, but sometimes if my adrenaline is pumping it doesn’t happen until everything is over. Hopefully if I ever did get in a bad situation my adrenaline would keep me from shaking so bad.
Personally it sounds like a breathing issue. First learn how to breathe properly, I’m so serious, anxiety can be a monster, a proper grip and not over-gripping ( which comes from fear), relax, relax, relax. Start with a smaller caliber to eliminate the anticipation of recoil. Build your confidence from little to large. Focus on sighting, a medium grip ( no trembling) “dry firing” and then add some small caliber .22 rounds. Overgripping comes from the anxiety that the gun is going to do something strange… guess who’s in control… the gun. Take back control and enjoy the sport. Otherwise, invest in a shotgun using 00 buckshot. Relax, relax, relax and don’t over-grip. Peace. 😅😅😅
I have a blue gun that I hang weights from so I can hold the gun out longer and with more stability. Fine motor skills and training the muscles responsible need to be strong and conditioned. I also use grippers to improve grip strength.
I wanted this video
"wiggle your toes". Didnt see that one coming!
Especially for new or “not often” shooters, find a handgun platform that is a decent size and weight (think G17 etc something with a full size frame that still fits your hands ok). This will dramatically ease the hand tremors. And always choose a caliber you’re able to control easily. Over the last 20 years, I’ve seen too many “cool” guys choose a subcompact in 45 and wonder why they can’t hit the broad side of a barn door. I’m not a fan of the pocket cannons. Low capacity and lower control.
Just came back from reds shooting range in Texas shaking terribly especially now finding batteries for my laser I was shaking appropriately 10 inches on a 2x3 paper either from my hand broken in last to Metro dorsal bone or something like that my firearm is a smith&wesson m&p40 even the small grip had more better but still shaking shooting hopefully I can get it down or will hafto consider other options
1:13 😂 You got that 💩 right 💯
J'ai hind 🇮🇳 love from India very helpful video navy seals are ausome.
Thanks, I will try these techniques. My issue is that my hands start shaking after I have fired a few shots. I seem to be ok initially.
I hadn't been to the range for awhile so when I did go I found myself shooting low and a little left. After 10 or 12 rounds I figured out I was jerking the trigger instead of squeezing.
WOW,
I tried bullseye shooting last night and ended up shooting weak hand because it was more stable than my dominant hand. It was rough - I had misses on every course of fire. Granted, it was my first time trying bullseye, but geez... I know I wasn't gripping too hard, and I continued breathing while shooting. I'll have to try wiggling my toes next time to see if that helps.
Can you Teach me how to shoot a running target with minimum shaking?