OK...Range time. HOW do you shoot?

[VanceMack]

When it comes to target shooting and plinking, that can be a lot of fun. I can literally spend hours with 40-50 rounds working on sighting, accuracy, etc. I shoot with my kids, family, and several friends.

One thing I find amusing (nt annoying but amusing) is seeing the guys at a gun range that will take many seconds and even minutes sighting in and shooting slowly and deliberately with a defensive handgun. Not my place to say anything, but I have to wonder what exactly it is they are trying to achieve. If you are practicing for a practical self defense scenario...that will never help. So...when you are 'training'...how do you train? Do you do clearing exercises at home? Do you practice drawing from concealed holsters? What do you feel is your greatest strength and greatest weakness when it comes to defensive use of a firearm?

Again...not interested in the opinions or comments of those that dont shoot.

 

[longview]

When it comes to target shooting and plinking, that can be a lot of fun. I can literally spend hours with 40-50 rounds working on sighting, accuracy, etc. I shoot with my kids, family, and several friends.

One thing I find amusing (nt annoying but amusing) is seeing the guys at a gun range that will take many seconds and even minutes sighting in and shooting slowly and deliberately with a defensive handgun. Not my place to say anything, but I have to wonder what exactly it is they are trying to achieve. If you are practicing for a practical self defense scenario...that will never help. So...when you are 'training'...how do you train? Do you do clearing exercises at home? Do you practice drawing from concealed holsters? What do you feel is your greatest strength and greatest weakness when it comes to defensive use of a firearm?

Again...not interested in the opinions or comments of those that dont shoot.

I know I am not a top shooter, because I know a few, and they are exceptional,
but I think with a little practice, most people should be able to hit a silhouette target with a
decent pistol at 50 and 100 yards. (I want to exclude things like .25 acp, and short barrel .32)
The 15 yard qualifying distance, should almost be able to be done without aiming, just pointing.

 

[Rico Suave]

I went to a range once with a gun nutter buddy who was trying to sell me his gun. A LOT of weird people there.....

 

[Crovax]

When it comes to target shooting and plinking, that can be a lot of fun. I can literally spend hours with 40-50 rounds working on sighting, accuracy, etc. I shoot with my kids, family, and several friends.

One thing I find amusing (nt annoying but amusing) is seeing the guys at a gun range that will take many seconds and even minutes sighting in and shooting slowly and deliberately with a defensive handgun. Not my place to say anything, but I have to wonder what exactly it is they are trying to achieve. If you are practicing for a practical self defense scenario...that will never help. So...when you are 'training'...how do you train? Do you do clearing exercises at home? Do you practice drawing from concealed holsters? What do you feel is your greatest strength and greatest weakness when it comes to defensive use of a firearm?

Again...not interested in the opinions or comments of those that dont shoot.

I just mostly shoot my ar style .22 and usually make it into a drinking game

 

[VanceMack]

I know I am not a top shooter, because I know a few, and they are exceptional,
but I think with a little practice, most people should be able to hit a silhouette target with a
decent pistol at 50 and 100 yards. (I want to exclude things like .25 acp, and short barrel .32)
The 15 yard qualifying distance, should almost be able to be done without aiming, just pointing.

I typically will have the kids shoot on the move to cover at a paper plate. Thats pretty much center mass and anything on the plate is likely to end the fight. From cover you can focus more on shot placement but still...center mass. And you have to figure if you are in that environment you would have to be prepared for inbound as well, then pretty much any shot on target will be effective.

 

[Fledermaus]

When it comes to target shooting and plinking, that can be a lot of fun. I can literally spend hours with 40-50 rounds working on sighting, accuracy, etc. I shoot with my kids, family, and several friends.

One thing I find amusing (nt annoying but amusing) is seeing the guys at a gun range that will take many seconds and even minutes sighting in and shooting slowly and deliberately with a defensive handgun. Not my place to say anything, but I have to wonder what exactly it is they are trying to achieve. If you are practicing for a practical self defense scenario...that will never help. So...when you are 'training'...how do you train? Do you do clearing exercises at home? Do you practice drawing from concealed holsters? What do you feel is your greatest strength and greatest weakness when it comes to defensive use of a firearm?

Again...not interested in the opinions or comments of those that dont shoot.

Problem is some ranges have limited/banned holster draw shooting. They may discourage rapid fire as well.

The slow fire may be to see the overall accuracy of the weapon.

I fire from the bench to work out windage/drop on a given weapon. THEN I fire for effect. Normally two or three rounds as quickly as I can accurately place the rounds.

As far as holster drills, I do that at home with an unloaded weapon.

 

[Fledermaus]

I went to a range once with a gun nutter buddy who was trying to sell me his gun. A LOT of weird people there.....

Right.... Yeah.

 

[soot]

Training builds muscle memory.

Slow and deliberate training builds correct muscle memory.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

 

[Fledermaus]

I typically will have the kids shoot on the move to cover at a paper plate. Thats pretty much center mass and anything on the plate is likely to end the fight. From cover you can focus more on shot placement but still...center mass. And you have to figure if you are in that environment you would have to be prepared for inbound as well, then pretty much any shot on target will be effective.

Funniest thing I saw was a guy who pulled out a .38 Snubbie and a box of antique 200-Grain Round Nosed Lead.....

More missed than hit at 15 yards. Poor shooting skills, One handed shooting. the whole shebang.

He then said only one hit would matter since his rounds were real "man killer" slugs.

I offered him a few .38+P loaded rounds. Warned him of the extra blast/flash. Kid nearly **** himself. I then explained his "manstopper" rounds could possibly be defeated by a heavy jacket. (Historically correct). IF he was going to use that snubby he should upgrade the rounds or get REALLY close and hope the other guy doesn't take to snubbie away and beat him to death with it....

 

[VanceMack]

Problem is some ranges have limited/banned holster draw shooting. They may discourage rapid fire as well.

The slow fire may be to see the overall accuracy of the weapon.

I fire from the bench to work out windage/drop on a given weapon. THEN I fire for effect. Normally two or three rounds as quickly as I can accurately place the rounds.

As far as holster drills, I do that at home with an unloaded weapon.

Im uber careful with holster draws. I know firsthand that if you arent careful bad things happen. I used to do the wild west stunt shows when I was a much younger man at an amusement park. I made the mistake of cocking the weapon prior to the draw in one gunfight and somehow managed to get the leather strap back over the hammer so when i drew, the weapon never cleared leather and I pulled the trigger inadvertently (I was supposed to win the gunfight and die in a later exchange). 45 blanks hurt like hell...just for the record. It drove wax and paper about 6 inches into the back of my thigh.

 

[Fledermaus]

Im uber careful with holster draws. I know firsthand that if you arent careful bad things happen. I used to do the wild west stunt shows when I was a much younger man at an amusement park. I made the mistake of cocking the weapon prior to the draw in one gunfight and somehow managed to get the leather strap back over the hammer so when i drew, the weapon never cleared leather and I pulled the trigger inadvertently (I was supposed to win the gunfight and die in a later exchange). 45 blanks hurt like hell...just for the record. It drove wax and paper about 6 inches into the back of my thigh.

My father tells the story of a Marine on Guard Duty who played quick draw. .45 ACP down the right thigh. Said the guy remained on post until the relief appeared. he had done field dressing of the wound. Stood, made his report, then asked permission to go to sick call....

 

[VanceMack]

Funniest thing I saw was a guy who pulled out a .38 Snubbie and a box of antique 200-Grain Round Nosed Lead.....

More missed than hit at 15 yards. Poor shooting skills, One handed shooting. the whole shebang.

He then said only one hit would matter since his rounds were real "man killer" slugs.

I offered him a few .38+P loaded rounds. Warned him of the extra blast/flash. Kid nearly **** himself. I then explained his "manstopper" rounds could possibly be defeated by a heavy jacket. (Historically correct). IF he was going to use that snubby he should upgrade the rounds or get REALLY close and hope the other guy doesn't take to snubbie away and beat him to death with it....

Odds are...he isnt going to be shooting at 15 yards. But I definitely get your point and thats why I started this thread. I was at a range on Tuesday just hanging out with some friends and we were watching people shooting. Some folk...man...those guys should go stand WAY over there.

I used to have a Rossi .38 Spcl snub nosed revolver. Loved it. 'Accurate' (a relative term with any snubbie) to about 7-10 yards (accurate meaning center mass). 'Loaned' it to a friend of mine who then lost it in a divorce. The wife shot it more than he did. C'est la vie.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

I don't hunt or sport shoot. I own guns purely for defense. When I go to the range I usually just shoot my primary carry weapon, a Taurus 85, 5 shot revolver. Most of my time is shooting targets 21 feet away or closer. The most important shots I fire are the first ones I shoot when I get to the range. So my first round of shots are fast and with me drawing from my holster. I figure those first shots are the most reflective of how I will shoot in a real scenario since I haven't "warmed up" yet.

I then use my aim and grouping success from that round of shots to guide my practice for rest of my time there. I'll do a lot of dry draws, practicing getting my gun on target as smoothly and quickly as possible. Then I'll do the same with live fire. The primary purpose of my sessions is to fine tune and refresh my muscle memory.

Sometimes if I have some rounds left I'll put the target out way past my comfort zone and take my time aiming. But that is just for fun. It doesn't reflect a realistic shooting scenario I am likely to get into with my little snub nosed revolver.

 

[VanceMack]

My father tells the story of a Marine on Guard Duty who played quick draw. .45 ACP down the right thigh. Said the guy remained on post until the relief appeared. he had done field dressing of the wound. Stood, made his report, then asked permission to go to sick call....

I bought a closed end leather holster first thing after that. Valuable lesson learned and only really cost me a new pair of pants and some humility.

 

[VanceMack]

I don't hunt or sport shoot. I own guns purely for defense. When I go to the range I usually just shoot my primary carry weapon, a Taurus 85, 5 shot revolver. Most of my time is shooting targets 21 feet away or closer. The most important shots I fire are the first ones I shoot when I get to the range. So my first round of shots are fast and with me drawing from my holster. I figure those first shots are the most reflective of how I will shoot in a real scenario since I haven't "warmed up" yet.

I then use my aim and grouping success from that round of shots to guide my practice for rest of my time there. I'll do a lot of dry draws, practicing getting my gun on target as smoothly and quickly as possible. Then I'll do the same with live fire. The primary purpose of my sessions is to fine tune and refresh my muscle memory.

Sometimes if I have some rounds left I'll put the target out way past my comfort zone and take my time aiming. But that is just for fun. It doesn't reflect a realistic shooting scenario I am likely to get into with my little snub nosed revolver.

Nice. Do you ever do any drills in your car? I think thats massively overlooked by people in an environment thats actually likely to be needed at least once in a lifetime.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

Problem is some ranges have limited/banned holster draw shooting. They may discourage rapid fire as well.

The slow fire may be to see the overall accuracy of the weapon.

I fire from the bench to work out windage/drop on a given weapon. THEN I fire for effect. Normally two or three rounds as quickly as I can accurately place the rounds.

As far as holster drills, I do that at home with an unloaded weapon.

My range only allows holster draws after you demonstrate popular technique. But they flat out ban holster draws from positions rear of strong side.

 

[Winchester]

When it comes to target shooting and plinking, that can be a lot of fun. I can literally spend hours with 40-50 rounds working on sighting, accuracy, etc. I shoot with my kids, family, and several friends.

One thing I find amusing (nt annoying but amusing) is seeing the guys at a gun range that will take many seconds and even minutes sighting in and shooting slowly and deliberately with a defensive handgun. Not my place to say anything, but I have to wonder what exactly it is they are trying to achieve. If you are practicing for a practical self defense scenario...that will never help. So...when you are 'training'...how do you train? Do you do clearing exercises at home? Do you practice drawing from concealed holsters? What do you feel is your greatest strength and greatest weakness when it comes to defensive use of a firearm?

Again...not interested in the opinions or comments of those that dont shoot.

Do they have their pistols in a rest when they're doing this? If so my guess is they are working up handloads for their firearms and farting around with which bullet/powder/primer combination is going to give them the most accurate round for their gun. Maybe you've seen me at the range, lol.

 

[Tanngrisnir]

Training builds muscle memory.

Slow and deliberate training builds correct muscle memory.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

Or, as they said at the academy yeeeears ago....

"Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast".

 

[Crovax]

I don't hunt or sport shoot. I own guns purely for defense. When I go to the range I usually just shoot my primary carry weapon, a Taurus 85, 5 shot revolver. Most of my time is shooting targets 21 feet away or closer. The most important shots I fire are the first ones I shoot when I get to the range. So my first round of shots are fast and with me drawing from my holster. I figure those first shots are the most reflective of how I will shoot in a real scenario since I haven't "warmed up" yet.

I then use my aim and grouping success from that round of shots to guide my practice for rest of my time there. I'll do a lot of dry draws, practicing getting my gun on target as smoothly and quickly as possible. Then I'll do the same with live fire. The primary purpose of my sessions is to fine tune and refresh my muscle memory.

Sometimes if I have some rounds left I'll put the target out way past my comfort zone and take my time aiming. But that is just for fun. It doesn't reflect a realistic shooting scenario I am likely to get into with my little snub nosed revolver.

Seems like you have gotten the 21 foot rule backwards

 

[VanceMack]

Do they have their pistols in a rest when they're doing this? If so my guess is they are working up handloads for their firearms and farting around with which bullet/powder/primer combination is going to give them the most accurate round for their gun. Maybe you've seen me at the range, lol.

Nah. I get the guys that are using the gun rest and theres nothing wrong with sighting in a weapon (or testing out handloads...hadnt thought about that). No...these are usually just guys that wanna go shootin. Nothing wrong with anyones personal pref. My son likes to take his 12 gauge and crank through rounds. I just look at him like...dooood..... And he just looks at me like "that was awesome!" And I'm like...whatever.

 

[Fledermaus]

Nah. I get the guys that are using the gun rest and theres nothing wrong with sighting in a weapon (or testing out handloads...hadnt thought about that). No...these are usually just guys that wanna go shootin. Nothing wrong with anyones personal pref. My son likes to take his 12 gauge and crank through rounds. I just look at him like...dooood..... And he just looks at me like "that was awesome!" And I'm like...whatever.

I was often seen in the old days with 10-15 baggies of rounds I had loaded up on the bench.

Reloaded .357/.38

110Gr through 180grain. Some 9mm slugs as well. Different powders and different loads.

Settled on a couple of loads for plinking.

 

[Mark F]

When it comes to target shooting and plinking, that can be a lot of fun. I can literally spend hours with 40-50 rounds working on sighting, accuracy, etc. I shoot with my kids, family, and several friends.

One thing I find amusing (nt annoying but amusing) is seeing the guys at a gun range that will take many seconds and even minutes sighting in and shooting slowly and deliberately with a defensive handgun. Not my place to say anything, but I have to wonder what exactly it is they are trying to achieve. If you are practicing for a practical self defense scenario...that will never help. So...when you are 'training'...how do you train? Do you do clearing exercises at home? Do you practice drawing from concealed holsters? What do you feel is your greatest strength and greatest weakness when it comes to defensive use of a firearm?

Again...not interested in the opinions or comments of those that dont shoot.

How I shoot depends on what I am shooting at, with what and why.

When shooting my Ruger Elsiepea its all rapid fire from 7 yards trying to keep them all on center mass.
My other 9mm handguns basically the same deal except 15 yards, sometimes 25 yards (I'm useless farther out than that).
If I'm shooting one of my military long guns I'm mostly just trying to see how much damage I can do to gallon water jugs. Precision isn't much of a factor.
Only if I'm shooting with a scope rather than iron sights (rare) do I go for much in the way of precision. But minutes between shots,....no way.

My usual routine at the range is to start with about 100 rounds through the Ruger Mk II to warm up, then some pistol shooting with whatever is in the bag, then some rifle shooting with whatever I carted along - typically a .22 and a few others. I once brought about half my collection to the range and fired all of them at least a little. Didn't enjoy the hours of cleaning afterward so now I only bring a few with each outing.

I mostly shoot either by myself or with my boss and/or friends. My boss is very pedantic when it comes to shooting and wants absolute precision with every shot. He spends ridiculous amounts of money on custom target guns that seem little more accurate than what I can shoot with nothing fancy off-the-shelf models. I'm much more of a plinker, a practical rather than a precision shooter. I just enjoy the experience really. My wife has never fired a gun even though she grew up around them and her dad was an avid hunter (hunting/shooting was a man thing apparently). I keep telling her she should come to the range with me but I like to go before the church crowd on Sunday's and she can't motivate that early. I keep threatening to buy her a gun of her own - purple with sparkles on it (EAA Witness Pavona) - as enticement. She seems un-amused.



I don't use any of my firearms for self or home defense although the Elsiepea will eventually become a carry weapon when I can be bothered to get the permit, so other than target practice I do not do any self defense training with firearms.

 

[chuckiechan]

Most people will never have to raise their gun in defense. So why not just have some fun?

 

[PirateMk1]

Or, as they said at the academy yeeeears ago....

"Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast".

Amen.

 

[Cryptic]

I rarely go to ranges. Once I ensure what is behind my target, I shoot at trees, cans (my favorite), telephone poles, and other fun objects such as a dead washing machine that was tossed into a creek or my old bar b que grill.

I usually work towards developing muscle memory and shoot until I get tired or sadly, need to leave. My site picture is wierd though. I find that the more accurate I get, the less I am able to describe how I aim.

This man is my hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0