New Girl Goes Shooting

[Trigger]

Went to the NRA Range in Fairfax today. Passed the test, got a membership card and fired a 9mm and a 380. Lots of fun shooting the targets. I did my best when the targets were moving toward me.

[Palladin]

That's good - don't shoot the perps when they're running away!

[Trigger]

Thanks for the advice. I did shoot one target in the head twice. I want to practice defensive shooting.

[Palladin]

You'll find a lot of good, valid opinions on techniques on here. As you read, remember competence and confidence with your weapon(s) of choice will go far in seeing you through a tough situation. Practice effectively and realistically.


For example, some folks will shoot at clay targets with shotguns mounted on their shoulder, muzzle pointed at the ground, yell 'pull' and swing the barrel up and shoot. I personally prefer calling 'pull' and the bringing the shotgun into action from the various positions I carry it in the field. That way my practice will serve me best for when I'm hunting. Interpolate that juicy tidbit to defensive situations, and you get my drift.

Carry on!

[gunderwood]

Thanks for the advice. I did shoot one target in the head twice. I want to practice defensive shooting.

I like steel for defensive practice, but unless you have land that probably isn't an option. Paper works fine too and is good training if your range has the ability to move the targets for drills.

Practice effectively and realistically.

For example, some folks will shoot at clay targets with shotguns mounted on their shoulder, muzzle pointed at the ground, yell 'pull' and swing the barrel up and shoot. I personally prefer calling 'pull' and the bringing the shotgun into action from the various positions I carry it in the field. That way my practice will serve me best for when I'm hunting. Interpolate that juicy tidbit to defensive situations, and you get my drift.

I agree, but I think it is important to work your way up to that. Isolate different aspects and get those down pat first. For example, drawing a gun, quickly acquiring a good grip, presenting the firearm, acquiring a sight picture, etc. are all different skills. Yes, practicing bringing up your shotgun as you describe is better practice than having the butt already in your shoulder, but I recommend people work up to that. I'm working on being able to shoot an AR while moving. I can shoot it just fine if I move, stop, shoot, but have a hard time hitting 8.5x11" paper at 10-35 yards reliably if I don't stop. I haven't learned to properly isolate my aiming with my feet continuing to move. Learning to shoot while moving is hard enough without first learning how to properly use the trigger/sights (target shooting), then move, stop, shoot, etc.

Start slow and deliberate, then add speed.

Edit: I apply the same philosophy to light loads. I don't hate them and I think they are useful to work up to the recoil of full power loads, but I caution against thinking that because you can shoot .38Sp training loads well that you are ready to use .357Mag +P for SD.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Went to the NRA Range in Fairfax today. Passed the test, got a membership card and fired a 9mm and a 380. Lots of fun shooting the targets. I did my best when the targets were moving toward me.

Congrats! I heard that range is pretty nice.

[Palladin]

@g - all of that is so very true. Mine was offered as a caution not to think that just because you can punch holes in paper, one is ready to employ a handgun in defensive applications.

You spoke of philosophy, to me shooting any weapon - be it bow and arrow, firearm, heck even a sling and stone - is very similar to learning to play an musical instrument. With proper training and practice, the instrument (or weapon) becomes an extension of the body that requires no conscious effort to press it into service. One simply thinks of the end result, music here, bullet there, and the components of the body work in concert to produce the desired result.

Now running and shooting... That ain't no Turkey in the Straw - That's a CONCERTO!




Right after I watch Bill shoot a stuck bullet out of his Ruger, I'll slide on over and watch you do your running drills...

[gunderwood]

@g - all of that is so very true. Mine was offered as a caution not to think that just because you can punch holes in paper, one is ready to employ a handgun in defensive applications.

You spoke of philosophy, to me shooting any weapon - be it bow and arrow, firearm, heck even a sling and stone - is very similar to learning to play an musical instrument. With proper training and practice, the instrument (or weapon) becomes an extension of the body that requires no conscious effort to press it into service. One simply thinks of the end result, music here, bullet there, and the components of the body work in concert to produce the desired result.

Exactly.

Now running and shooting... That ain't no Turkey in the Straw - That's a CONCERTO!




Right after I watch Bill shoot a stuck bullet out of his Ruger, I'll slide on over and watch you do your running drills...

Running is a slight exaggeration. At the moment is is more of a quick walk and I've just started. I did some when CowboyT came out and shot. I still need a lot of practice!

[Chasbo00]

Consider giving IDPA a try. Even though it's not tactical training, you will get to work on the fundamentals of defensive shooting including shooting on the move. It's fun too!

[CowboyT]

That was a lot of fun walking and shooting with gunderwood. Yes, it's a totally different thing when you're moving and firing. You really have to have land for that, or a range that will let you do that.

+1 to the idea of IDPA. That is very cool stuff.

Welcome to the sport! And don't forget to try out a wheelgun or two sometime as well.