Posted by TCooper on January 04, 2001 at 22:44:09:
For the last year I have been using the six o'clock hold for 10m air pistol shooting.
I was recently talking to an experienced pistol shooter who recommmended a center hold for all pistol shooting (even AP). He said that the eye will automatically center everything and the "center hold" is more natural than aiming below your intended POI.
What does everyone else use for an aiming point?
Which is best?
Thanks,
Todd
Posted by Steve Maly on January 04, 2001 at 23:04:16:
Hi Todd,
I usually use the old 6 o'clock hold (as I have for the past 23 years), but last summer, on the Canadian Forces CISM team I tried the center hold, and it seemed to work. My guess is that it is a matter of preference. You can find out which one suit you better, but just as whenever you change something, you should stick with it for a while to get used to it. Often, as soon as you change, your scores will drop a little, but they may eventually rise beyond what they were previously. Maybe, measure a group of 100 shots (on the same target) in your present form, then switch. Then you'll probably need a month or two of practice in the new aim, before you fire your 100 shot group. I'll have to try the same thing, since I'd like to know also!
Posted by Wayne Cornwall on January 15, 2001 at 15:41:39:
I have tried both 6 o'clock and center hold in all the different disciplines since I shoot them all. I have settled on the center hold due to the fact that I shoot with a red dot for bulls-eye unless I am using the 280 with irons. I found that by using a center hold it was most natural since I was so used to centering that dot on the bull. I now use center hold for standard, free, air and bulls-eye when I use the irons. Also makes sight changes between different bull sizes unnecessary. I do have very good eyesight and am able to clearly see the sights against the black of the bull.
Wayne
Posted by Rodm on January 05, 2001 at 08:54:24:
In Reply to: Center Hold or Six O'clock Hold ??? posted by TCooper on January 04, 2001 at 22:44:09:
I used a center hold for years back when I was shooting bulls eye. I felt that it gave me an advantage on timed and rapid fire as well as I didn't need to change my sights from 50 to 25 yd. Actually it seemed as if the same sighting worked for 50ft as well. I retired from BE years ago and once again started air pistol a couple of years ago. I started with my old center hold for the first year. Than I decided to try a center hold as I wouldn't have the problems associated with BE, sight changes and timed and rapid shooting. After changing to a sub 6 hold I realized that I was having a much easier time seeing and focusing on the front sight. In air pistol most of the shooting is indoors. It is much easier to see the sights against a buff background than black on black, especially in poor lighting.
You will find that your area of aim is no more difficult to establish or to hold if it is the center of the black or the bottom of the 5 ring, once you have established it. Mine is the 5.5 ring but you will need to establish your own. I have no more difficulty holding there than I did when it was the center of the black, only now it is easier to focus on the front sight.
Go ahead and try both but keep in mind that the name of the game is to have a clear front sight and good sight alignment not a good sight picture. Maintain good sight alignment and let the shot off when the gun is in your area of hold and you will do your best.
Rodm
Posted by Marilyn on January 05, 2001 at 10:35:54:
I used to use the sub-six hold for precision, but changed to center hold for rapid fire in sport/center fire. At the Canadian Nationals a couple of years ago I mistakenly moved my sights the wrong way. Compounding the problem, my first sighter on rapid fire was late, which rattled me and resulted in 5 meaningless sighter shots. It wasn't until we shot for score that I discovered my error. Now I shoot center hold for everything!
That same match, I knocked my box off the bench during prep time and also had someone pick up my gun case by mistake and move it down the line. It was 10 minutes before it was discovered. (Another shooter owned both a Pardini and a Walther, but had only brought their Pardini. A helper thought my Walther was theirs. Walther cases are pretty common.) Today I carry my shooting gear in a large bag that doesn't leave the floor and my Walther case has more stickers on it to make it unique than you can imagine.
I call that match 'My get 'em all out of the way Giant Learning Experience'!!
Posted by Jay V on January 05, 2001 at 14:03:47:
I use center hold mostly for simplicity. Shooting air, free, std, and cf the same day gives you enough things to remember - without thinking about changing your hold or sight adjustments. Center hold was recommended by Erich Buljung and John Bickar at the recent pistol clinic in MN (mostly for simplicity). Michael Douglass also used it for air pistol in Sydney. That said, some top shooters use six and sub-six, so it must be what is the most comfortable for you - especially if you plan to shoot only air pistol.
Jay V
Posted by Mike McDaniel on January 05, 2001 at 18:50:04:
Todd:
I use a center hold for ALMOST everything. It's what I was trained with, and those of us who shoot the same gun on UIT and NRA targets can really get hosed by changing zeros to accommodate a 6-o'clock hold on different sizes of black. The one exception is my .45 - I use a center hold at 50 yards, and a 6-o'clock at 25 yards. It seems to work without adjustments.
A tip - try fluorescent orange poster paint on the front sight. On a well-lit range, it really makes a center hold work.
V/R:
Mike McDaniel
Posted by Sandy Eisele on January 07, 2001 at 12:30:08:
I am 56 years old and very far sighted. Front and rear sights look like one big
ball of fuzz. With corrective glasses or an iris, it is difficult to use a
center hold. I just can't find the sight in the black. Using the white background
of the paper allows for a clearer sight picture. I may try the bright orange paint!
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