These are great tips and recommendations, thank you both!! I learned on a Beretta Elite II (Thank you Ernest!!) which was an extremely well balanced and accurate firearm. It also helped joining my local IDPA group to practice under simulated and safe conditions. You have to think and count and plan there. I think you develop your own most accurate method of shooting in the end, and it may change over time. I started seeing the whole process of placing the bullet on the target. When I saw it as a responsibility to guide that bullet and place it where I chose on the target, my groupings got tighter. I have put over ten thousand rounds through that gun alone; and as long as I keep my grip consistent, develop that muscle memory, I can focus on my commitment to the target. Practice practice practice....and have fun!
Just my 2 cents: The more frequent you are at the range, the more you'll get accustomed to it, but good active hearing protection helps a lot too, especially on enclosed ranges. When I wasn't at the range for a while it comes back. If your own shooting makes you want to close your eyes, have a save, close target and just watch the pistol under recoil. Understanding and seeing turns down the subconscious reflex. Get comfortable that the recoil is going to happen and mentally accept it instead of omg the next one could be "now!", which also aids your flinching. Make sure you stand with your weight on the balls of your feet, maybe over correct it at first to make it a habit if you find yourself leaning back to 'get away' from the volume an recoil.
There will be three things that can help you with flinching or blinking. One, dry fire, lots of dry fire. Two, double up on hearing protection to reduce the noise and blast from the gun. Three, time behind the gun. Basically just getting used to shooting and the sound and blast of the gun.
