Tips On How To Find Your Natural Aiming Area

by
posted on November 4, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bz-aiming-4.jpg

All effective firing positions in pistol shooting incorporate the shooter's natural aiming area (NAA). NAA refers to the natural alignment of the shooter and the gun in any position.

To determine your NAA, first assume your position, with your eyes open and your gun aimed at a target. Next, close your eyes. With your eyes still closed, make a circle with the pistol, and then settle into the position that feels most stable and comfortable, and take several breaths. Then, open your eyes and observe where your gun's sights are pointed in relation to the target. Ideally, the sight picture will be aligned with the target. If the sight picture is aligned to the right or left or slightly high or low, you will have to modify your foot position or some other aspect of your stance to achieve the proper natural alignment.

Of course, the sight picture does not stay perfectly still, as it is impossible to hold a pistol without some movement. When proper NAA is achieved, the "wobble area" of the sights will be centered on target.

Repeat the NAA exercise until your stance is adjusted for the proper natural alignment. You should make every effort to adopt this same alignment each time the stance is assumed in order to take advantage of your NAA. Also, periodically repeat the NAA exercise, as changes in shooting experience, posture, age and so forth can affect the body's natural alignment.


See more: Bullseye Pistol Aiming with Brian Zins

Latest

Rangeready 1
Rangeready 1

What a 21-Time Bianchi Cup Champion Can Teach You About Range Day

Real Avid’s free Range Ready portal pairs a 26-page field guide and worksheets with lessons from 21-time Bianchi Cup champion Doug Koenig.

Longshot Cameras Adds Dandy Trickler to Portfolio

Longshot Cameras has acquired Dandy Products and its $140 2-speed Electric Powder Trickler, a battery-powered tool for topping off weighed powder charges.

Collegiate Rifle: No. 2 Kentucky Stays Ahead of No. 15 Akron

No. 2 Kentucky beat No. 15 Akron 4718-4693 in Lexington, but the Zips posted their highest team score of the season.

New: WOOX Hand-Finished Grips for Your 1911

WOOX’s new 1911 grips come in American walnut ($89) or Micarta ($79), each with Plain, Diamond or X-Grip textures.

Canik Unveils Onyx, Phantom Optics Lineup

Canik launches four pistol red dots in open-emitter Onyx and enclosed Phantom families, priced at $259.99 and $299.99.

Collegiate Rifle: Muller, Perkowski Shoot Perfect 600s in NCAA Air Rifle

Alaska-Fairbanks’ Teagan Perkowski and WVU’s Océanne Muller shoot perfect air rifle 600s, Muller’s third of the season and a program record.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.