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;););)

Nice work!

I know this has been beaten to death, but I'm a fan of Glocks. Very simple. Have to keep them away from kids, there is no real safety to engage. I've never had my Glock jam, but I never use reloads or off-brand cartridges.

By the way, I've been around guns all my life and it would be a rare thing for me to get a pattern as tight as yours. Good work.

Nice shooting, Todd.

So what gun(s) are you thinking about getting? Last I saw, you were looking at a Ruger .22.

I am still considering the .22 target pistol, and also thinking about whether I've been a good enough boy to ask Santa for a 1911. Want a Colt alloy Commander - but would be a bit complicated as it is not a certified gun in CA.

It occurs to me that, instead of many rounds from a pistol, those targets could also be just one or two shells from a shotgun. Scary.

Edit: Like Moses, I too am a Glock fan. Rugged, extremely reliable, unfussy about ammo, simple to use, double stack magazine, not too expensive, lots of accessories. Glock 19 here.

Edit2: Hi from Taipei, by the way. Going to bed.

I almost missed the target completely with the first bullet from a Kel-Tec .380...........................nice shoot'n Tex.:)

Was it a P3AT? What do you think about it? Handful, huh?

I'm sure if the target moved much downrange, my grouping would be a bit more...loose. As for what gun, I'm going to rent a few and see what fits my hand best. I thnk I like the full frame ones better than compact, but I'll have to try some more. My buddy in Iraq is pushing Glock too. I was thinking G17, but he keep saying G21 (.45) Maybe split the difference with G22 (40S&W). I still like the Sigs though, and CPO units can be found. I can get a certified Sig P226 for about the same price as a new Glock.

P3AT - yes.

Handful?

I have small hands and can hardly get a grip on it.

I'm iching to try my buddies Glock, but I cut my shooting hand doing dishes - of all things. Waiting to heal.:(

Sorry... I meant when she pops. Not the gun itself. :)

Oh yea, that too.

I've got a method where I don't grip it too tightly and let it pop/rock up and down (moderately).

You can get a tight cluster if you just go with the flow instead of fighting it all the time.

They will go where you point, just can’t clinch up on it.

One of each of course!

The 9mm has cheap ammo for lots of shooting. Get a nice subcompact .40 for CCW (try the CZ Rami, great little pistol), and a nice 1911 so you have a real firearm. Then toss in a nice .357 revolver and 12 guage and you should be ready to go. of course with Cali's gun lawsthis will take about 6 months to accumulate!

A 22 and a 45 are the best start point. If you buy quality and look after it, you will always be in a good position to trade up as well.

Then a 357 for a wheelgun, a 32 seecamp for your vest pocket, a couple of shotguns, a 30.06, a 30.30 and then you can start thinking about the luxuries like reloading gear and exotics like a 22 remington jetfire and a custom built racegun:D

hmmm.... centermass!

todd, you look competent enough to skip the .22!
at this point the only reason for you to buy a .22 is for the cheap shooting. if you have the means, i would get a 40. you know, for close encounters.

then knowing your uncanny ability to jump in with both feet, look into a Dillion progressive reloader. nice new slippery slope.

nostatic... you should try an outdoor range. I rarely use indoor ranges any more for that reason. It's so much more comfortable outside. You just don't get the reprocussion and reverb off the cinderblock walls. It seems like every time I use an indoor range the guy next to me is shooting some kind of freaking cannon that shakes the ground every time he gets a round off. Outside = no walls, much less soudn impact on you.

pbs911.... do you have or have you shot a CZ Rami? I was just looking at those yesterday. Looks like a good candidate.

I have one, and I have to say it is a wonderful pistol. Very nice ergonomics and plenty of grip to wrap your hand around. The Rami doesn't even feel like a sub compact pistol and doesn't have much more recail than a "plactic" 9mm. Surprisingly, I find the pistol to be even more accuarate than my S&W 1911. But then again, it just might be my ability. ;)

Edit: It is also a great CCW pistol. What it loses in width (which really isn't oo much) because of the double stack clipi, it wakes up for in length.

pbs911... I'm going to go look at the Rami today. What does the description of the action being "SA or DA" mean? I thought a handgun would be one or the other. Description says "selective DA or SA mode depending on user preference". I like the SA of my Hi-Power. How can you change the action on the Rami?


Sorry... don't mean to hijack the thread. Uhhh... nice shooting, nostatic.

afaik DA/SA means the first pull is double action (long trigger pull). The subsequent pulls are single action (short/light). DAK is a new option on Sigs that has equal trigger pull every time. Glocks work that way too.

Yea, I got that, but I don't understand what they mean by "selective". Maybe I'm just not familiar with that term being used to apply in the above situation.

trigger pull = 1911

You can set the RAMI so it will be in the hammer down position for DA after each shot. I have never used this personally and always have the pistol cocked and loaded for SA.

BTW, you may read about problems with FTE with the .40. I never had the problem after about 1000 rounds. I did let a friend shoot the pistol and he had a FTE on the 2nd shot. I suggested firming up hi wrist and the problem never returned. It's a small gun so you can't limpt wrist or your wrist will aborb the engery nececassry for the slide to opperate.

BTW, nice shooting Todd. I'de skip the the .22. It's too much like a bb gun for me.