So, you’ve chosen your first firearm and made it to the range. Now what? Before you start blasting away, take time to learn the fundamentals of marksmanship. This post walks you through the basics every beginner should know.

A strong, controlled grip helps you manage recoil and improve accuracy.

• Use both hands. Your support hand wraps around your dominant hand.
• Keep thumbs forward and away from the slide.
• Grip firmly, but don’t white-knuckle it.
   

Practice holding your gun at home (safely and unloaded) to get comfortable.

Two beginner-friendly stances:

• Isosceles: Feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended.
• Weaver: One foot slightly back, support arm bent.
   

Both are solid choices. Whichever you choose, lean forward slightly and keep your knees soft.

Most guns have iron sights:

• Line up the front sight between the rear sights.
• The top of all three should be level.
• Your target should sit just above the front sight.
   

Pro tip: Focus on the front sight. It might feel unnatural at first, but it helps you stay accurate.

• Use the pad of your finger, not the joint.
• Press straight back—slow and steady.
• Don’t jerk, slap, or anticipate the recoil.
   

If you’re pulling shots off-target, your trigger finger is probably the culprit. Dry-fire practice (no ammo) at home can work wonders.

Good breathing leads to good shooting:

• Inhale, exhale halfway, then fire.
• Don’t hold your breath too long—it’ll make you shaky.
   

After the shot, keep your sights aligned. This is called follow-through, and it’s key to staying in control and ready for the next shot.

Marksmanship is a skill built over time. Focus on fundamentals—not speed. Use paper targets to track your groupings and improvement.

Marksmanship isn’t about being fast or flashy—it’s about safety, precision, and control. Master the basics and you’ll become a confident, capable shooter in no time.

Ready to hit the range?
Be sure to read our First Time at the Range guide for tips on what to bring, what to expect, and how to stay safe.