[mrerick]

I also have a favorite device for training. I call it a .45 or 9mm pencil...

I take a regular round #2 pencil (for 9mm) or a slightly larger round children's school pencil (for .45 caliber), put some shrink wrap tubing around the metal eraser attaching sleeve (to protect the barrel), insert them eraser first - all the way against the face of the breech and then shoot them out of the barrel. Position yourself about six inches away from a sheet of paper taped to the wall, that has a 1/8 inch red dot printed on it. This should appear about the width of the front sight when you are aiming.

You take aim at the red dot, doing sight alignment then forming a full sight picture, then fire the pencil at the paper on the wall. This will leave a small graphite dot where the pencil hits. It will be below the red dot on the paper, but should (after several shots) begin to show a grouping. Practice until the grouping gets very small.

This practice exercise helps you work through trigger control, grip, aiming and follow-through fundamentals. And, each "shot" costs essentially nothing.

Marc