not bad for the first time...
 

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That is with a .22 revolver. Had fairly similar results with an HK 9mm, Sig 40SW and 1911 (not quite as tight, but bigger holes ;) )

There was a huge difference in kick between the .22 and the others, but I didn't notice that much difference between the 9, 40 and 45. I think I kinda like the 40SW, although it was a Sig 229 which is compact. I like the full sized grip instead.

Off to the dark side...

What distance?

I don't know...aways down the range. It was not a huge distance, but seemed to be where most of the other people on the range were shooting. 20'?

Actually that is quite a few rounds. After running through the various guns I went back to the .22 with a fresh target and put 10 very tight upper left. Then I spent the rest of the round trying to compensate for the sights and my position.

Damn that looks like fun!

nice grouping!

that's pretty damn good for a first timer? Looks like you have pretty good control and no flinch.

Impressive.

rjp

Thanks. I think it helps that my hands are pretty strong/accurate from playing guitar/bass for so long. In fact with bass my R index finger is used to plucking which is a similar motion to pulling the trigger. A little bit of shake still, and I had to get used to focusing on the rear sight and let the target go fuzzy as opposed to focusing on the front sight. The other advantage is I used a stance that is very close to a standard "left front" stance in martial arts, so I had a very comfortable and stable platform.

Now the question is 9mm v. 40SW v. .45ACP. Not like that has ever been discussed before :p

Not bad for a first session.

At one of the local indoor ranges I noticed lots of holes in the side of the booth walls. Literally inches from the gun barrel....now that's scary.

very cool and very good

.40S&W!

Regarding one's shooting stance, I always smile when I hear the Robert Redford line in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid:

"Can I move?"

:)

Did you wear ear muffs? Helps to keep you from flinching until you are used to it. Nice grouping, especially to start out with.

Good enough to protect yourself and family...

JoeA

First timers usually do pretty good.... because they have not formed any bad habits!

A .22 revolver is great for learning and practicing your trigger control. (Squeezing, not pulling) Get out there and do it again, and concentrate on your sight picture and your trigger control. Do it single action, so you're not moving so much (that means thumb the hammer back, then fire). With concentration, you should get much smaller groups.

It's the trigger pull...so I opt for the 1911...

Nice job, nostatic. Saw your post over on glocktalk too. I'm thinking about a 17 or a 19 also. I shot in an IDPA match yesterday with my 9mm Hi-Power, and had a great time. It's quite eye-opening to go from a controlled shooting range, where you take everything a slow and predictable step at a time - compared to having to move about, select and identify several targets and no-shoots, reload at least once, shoot accurately, and do it all in the least amount of time. Quite a blast. I learned more about actual firearms handling in one competition of IDPA than all my years at the practice range. However, all the years at the range have given me the shooting skills to handle IDPA.

I actually had tighter groups per loading (that is a lot of rounds), but I was trying to compensate for the sights. I also did those double action...I agree about single action. But I'm also just getting everything sorted, so lots of practice is in order.

Had ear muffs, but need to get something more comfortable. After an hour they were killing me. Luckily my old clear lense Oakleys from my bicycle days are still in good shape so I had that covered for now. My buddy in Iraq is still saying I should go .45ACP.

Try out the .357 next time.

No matter how many times I shoot one, the word '*****!' usually comes out of my mouth the first time I pull the trigger. Just a bit more recoil than the .22.

O yeah, go out to the woods, load the gun with a mixture of dummy rounds and live ammo, forget the earmuffs and have at it.

Go to the range and have a buddy mix up your clip with dummys.

I used work with an ex Marine guy who is an excellent pistol shot. He practices with his front sight missing. Claims no better way to learn hand positioning.

rjp

I remember when I first started shooting. I couldn't even hit the PAPER at 10 yards. I was a laughingstock.

Took me a full year of consistent practice to get it right. Now I can double tap and throw all kinds of groups and shoot equally well both handed.

rjp

That is way better than allright for first time.

You have now taken your first step over to the darkside;););)