3 Shooting Myths That Are Holding You Back

Even if you’ve only been shooting for a little while, you’ve probably heard a lot of advice—some good, some bad. But how do you know the difference?

I’m Chad with Code 7 Tactical, and I’ve heard plenty of myths floating around, even among experienced shooters. Let’s break down three of the most common ones and what you should be doing instead.

1. You Can’t Buy Skill

One of the biggest mistakes I see on the range is people trying to buy their way into being a better shooter. They take a solid, quality firearm—like a Glock 17—and start throwing upgrades at it:

• Compensators

• Custom slides

• Extended slide locks

• Magwells

Look, I get it. Modifying your gun can be fun, and there are certainly some upgrades that can improve performance. But if you think that slapping new parts onto your gun will make you shoot sooner and more accurately, you’re mistaken.

The best way to improve is by investing in quality training, range time, and ammunition. You can’t buy skill—you’ve got to put in the work.

2. Training Without a Plan

Another mistake I see at every skill level is going to the range without a plan. Think about it: you wouldn’t go to the gym and just randomly start using machines without a workout goal. So why would you do that at the range?

When you step onto the range, have a clear goal in mind. Pick one or two skill sets to focus on, and set up drills to sharpen those skills.

For example, if I’m working on target transitions, I might:

1. Start with two targets and practice moving between them.

2. Increase the number of targets.

3. Change up target distances.

4. Spread them out to add movement and challenge.

Sure, it’s fun to plink steel and chat with your buddies. But if you want to improve, you need structure. Show up with a plan, and you’ll see results sooner.

3. Not Adjusting for Target Difficulty

A lot of beginner and intermediate shooters don’t factor in target difficulty when taking their shots. Here’s what I mean:

• If you have a man-sized target at 3 meters, you don’t need to be hyper-focused on keeping your red dot perfectly still in the center. You can be a little more aggressive with your shooting.

• If you’re shooting at a target 25+ meters away, you need to demand more visual feedback. That means reading your sights, watching your dot’s movement, and ensuring you're actually confirming what you need to before breaking the shot.

Failing to adjust for target difficulty will cost you points in competition and give the bad guy a fighting chance in a real-world defensive situation. Know when to push the pace and when to dial it in.

These are just three of the many myths and misconceptions I hear all the time. If you’ve heard some crazy shooting advice, drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear it!

I’m Chad with Code 7 Tactical. See you at the range.