GDGeorge
Member
Today, for the first time in about 20 years I made it out to the range. I got voted in to Berwyn last night, built my target stand first thing, drove over and shot four pistols, a (new-to-me) SA 1911, a Ruger MkII, a Makarov, and an old H&R .22 revolver. I think all-told, that I put about 300 rounds down-range.
I started out with the .45. Had a blast (no pun intended) and got some great tips from another shooter. I was a bit loose at first, but saw some improvement by the time I was ready to leave. I was having two problems. The first is that I discovered that I was not only anticipating the shot, but actually flinching! Never done that before. I switched out the action to my Kimber .22 conversion and that helped with both. (WWB ammo made a lot of smoke but ran the action just fine. After a bit, I went back to the .45 and got my groups tightened up a bit. OK, they're not great, but it's a start. (and no, I'm not telling just how tight they weren't! Suffice to say that I stayed at 25' this time.)
The second problem is (didn't resolve this one yet) that I'm shooting low and left on a regular basis. I'm fairly sure it's me and not the weapon as I was doing the same thing with both the .45 and the .22 actions. Another shooter suggested grip and I realized that I don't know where I picked up my technique. I think we shot one handed when I learned the .45 (USMC, early '80s) but really don't remember. Any thoughts?
With the MKII I did OK, mostly in the black right off and tightened things a bit fairly quickly.
Revolver was a bit weird. This was my Dad's and is one of the first things I ever shot. Teeny-tiny sights though. All over the paper. Went bang though.
The Makarov is my wife's pistol. It's fun to shoot and I was mostly in the black right off. (Remember: 25'... I'll move the target next time.) The thing I don't like about this one is that the magazine is a real PITA to release. You almost need a second thumb on your third hand.
Anyway, all-in-all a decent morning. Met some nice folks, had a good time. And learned just how much I've forgotten / don't know about shooting! Looking forward to going back.
Cheers!
I started out with the .45. Had a blast (no pun intended) and got some great tips from another shooter. I was a bit loose at first, but saw some improvement by the time I was ready to leave. I was having two problems. The first is that I discovered that I was not only anticipating the shot, but actually flinching! Never done that before. I switched out the action to my Kimber .22 conversion and that helped with both. (WWB ammo made a lot of smoke but ran the action just fine. After a bit, I went back to the .45 and got my groups tightened up a bit. OK, they're not great, but it's a start. (and no, I'm not telling just how tight they weren't! Suffice to say that I stayed at 25' this time.)
The second problem is (didn't resolve this one yet) that I'm shooting low and left on a regular basis. I'm fairly sure it's me and not the weapon as I was doing the same thing with both the .45 and the .22 actions. Another shooter suggested grip and I realized that I don't know where I picked up my technique. I think we shot one handed when I learned the .45 (USMC, early '80s) but really don't remember. Any thoughts?
With the MKII I did OK, mostly in the black right off and tightened things a bit fairly quickly.
Revolver was a bit weird. This was my Dad's and is one of the first things I ever shot. Teeny-tiny sights though. All over the paper. Went bang though.
The Makarov is my wife's pistol. It's fun to shoot and I was mostly in the black right off. (Remember: 25'... I'll move the target next time.) The thing I don't like about this one is that the magazine is a real PITA to release. You almost need a second thumb on your third hand.
Anyway, all-in-all a decent morning. Met some nice folks, had a good time. And learned just how much I've forgotten / don't know about shooting! Looking forward to going back.
Cheers!
