Off topic somewhat but.

Friend of mines Daughter wants to get on the Police force. She failed the pistol test. Did well on everything else. Failed on markmanship only no saftey or handling problems. She can re-test Pistol only in a month. He is asking for some help.  Other that watching her dry fire to see whats going on I wonder were I should start. I suspect the test is not very hard but you do need to know how to shoot. 

Any ideas ? I am not much of a pistol shooter but when I have had to shoot one my offhand rifle methods did ok for me.

Boats

Boats,

I'll try and help although there are as many thoughts on this subject as there are experts  and I'm just another expert , although I did manage to get several folks who were having trouble through qualification.

1.  Some folks have to overcome the Recoil/Noise result of pulling the trigger.  This can only be done by practice and mental concentration.  Some can do fine with a  .22 and fall apart with a centerfire.

2.  Both arms outstretched, body centered to the target and locked with the body center of gravity forward.  

3. 70% (more or less) of pressure holding the pistol comes from the weak hand with 30% from the strong hand.  Both thumbs up along slide but not touching the slide.  Little if any holding pressure from thumbs and both should have a locating reference.  Trigger finger should provide zero pressure and be totally free for trigger control squeeze.  Do not use the index finger of the off hand to grip the front of the trigger guard.  Weak hand fingers should lay over strong hand fingers.

4. Front sight should be the focus of concentration and be used as a pointer.  The rear sight should automatically seek proper reference to the front after a short practice time.  the eyes(both open if at all possible) should see the front sight as a pointer to where you want the bullet to impact, (ALWAYS CENTER OF MASS), much like using your finger to point at an object. 

5. Trigger finger position on trigger should allow for constant straight back travel with no pressure to push to either side. After initial shot, release trigger only far enough to re-engage the sear.

6. Mental preparedness is paramount.  Accuracy is paramount.  I have been extremely disappointed over the years with the ability of MOST Officers to shoot accurately.  I always told them the the best shot should get to go through the door LAST!  God Forbid, if you can't shoot accurately, Someone who is relying on YOU, be it fellow officer or civilian, may die as a result.  You Have to be the BEST.(Period)

I was taught this method by two experienced Officers and Instructors who are not only the best I've ever seen, but they studied hours of dash cam tapes and worked from there.  It enabled me to normally qualify at or near the top of the pile.

The department where she has applied may have there own way of doing things and some Instructors are adament about "there's is the only way", so it may be that this won't be of much help.

Let me also qualify that I was only a Reserve Officer but they paid me to help those that had problems. 

Feel free to PM me if you wish and I'll send you my phone number.

Boats:

Check your PM

R.  Dupraz

If time is a consideration I wouldn't waste it dry firing, or shooting .22's! She needs as much time as possible on the range, with the same gun and ammo that she will use for testing!
Time spent on smaller bores or dry firing will not prepare her much for the real test. In fact they might throw her off when she tries to pass the real test.