How often do you go to the range?

Riposite · Post by **Riposite** » Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:39:36

Hi. I am just curious as a new shooter, how often most of you get to the range. I know I was going once a month at first, but now that I have the glock as opposed to just the revolver, well i've gone 3 times in one week : )
(also not counting any lessons i also may have taken in that time period)

What does everyone feel is the right amount to stay technically proficient, 200 rds a month, 200 rds a visit twice a month, etc?

Just want to know where I fall in the scheme of things and what is normal etc

Also what are people's opinions on joining a range? worth it?

Chasbo00 · Post by **Chasbo00** » Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:47:37

I make it to the range about once a week on the average. However, I don't think the number of trips one makes to the range is necessarily related to maintaining proficiency. In my case, I'm trying to improve various aspects of my pistol shooting and I have lots of room for improvement. If I were only interested in maintaining my current level of proficiency, I would make fewer trips to the range, probably about once a month.

I think you first have to define what level of proficiency you are seeking. I like to this with multiple objective standards. A simple, single example standard would be to perform the FAST Drill in under 8 seconds:

FAST Drill wrote:Drill begins from the holster, pistol loaded with exactly two rounds. On the buzzer:
draw
fire two rounds into a 3×5" box at 7 yards
perform a slidelock reload
fire four rounds into an 8″ circle at 7 yards

There are time penalties for misses and some constraints such as concealment. Here is a complete rundown on the FAST Drill at this link:
http://pistol-training.com/fastest

Once you have defined your desired proficiency level with standards, you need to measure how you stack up against those standards. By doing this you can quantify how much you need to improve various skills and identify specifically those things you need to work on. Armed with this knowledge, you can analyze your shortcomings and develop an efficient and tailored training plan. Execute the training plan with your range trips and measure your rate of improvement. If you want to improve more rapidly, then increase your range trips. Once you have arrived at your desired level of proficiency, you already have a set of objective standards that you can use to see if your proficiency is being maintained with whatever frequency of range trips you desire. Going to the range without a training plan and measurable standards to work towards may be a highly enjoyable outing, but, it won't build or even maintain proficiency very well at all.

Also, I try to attend a least one challenging pistol course a year. Since you are a new shooter, I recommend you get some professional instruction early on. Hopefully, you will avoid developing some the bad habits I'm now having to work hard at overcoming.

ProShooter · Post by **ProShooter** » Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:57:30

The number of rounds fired or trips to the range doesnt matter. Its what you learn while there that matters.

Riposite · Post by **Riposite** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:55:31

@Chasbo 00

I defintely am it's a bit expensive but I am right now getting personal lessons from an instructor via Blue Ridge Arsenal

it is defintely helping with my form at least ; )

good points about needing to define what standards one is trying to achieve and making a plan for it

thanks

Jakeiscrazy · Post by **Jakeiscrazy** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 03:28:45

Not often enough! I go about once a month, I would say that even only going once a month your likely shooting more often than most people that own a gun. I have a relative that carries everyday but hasn't shot in 7 years! I'm still trying to get him to come with me sometime.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

ProShooter · Post by **ProShooter** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:23:40

[quote="Riposite]

I am right now getting personal lessons from an instructor via Blue Ridge Arsenal

it is defintely helping with my form at least ; )

[/quote]

Kudos to you for taking lessons. I have a few students that I regulary see for private instruction. I wish more people took lessons to better their skills.

frankD · Post by **frankD** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:45:49

ProShooter wrote:The number of rounds fired or trips to the range doesnt matter. Its what you learn while there that matters.

Amen!

I go at least once a week.

M1A4ME · Post by **M1A4ME** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 08:12:31

I don't go nearly enough to be happy about it. I don't live in the mountains anymore (where I could step out of the house and shoot in the backyard or ride down on one of the big reclaimed strip mines and shoot hundreds of yards.

You can still do a lot of practice away from the range. Dry firing is free and can be done anywhere (just make double sure the gun is empty first). I used to take my M1 Garand into the back yard, back lot every evening while walking the dogs and practice. Prone one day, sitting the next, standing the next day (have to have the wife there to keep the dogs off me when I'm trying to get some prone practice in, you know how it is, get on their level and they figure you must be wanting to play.)

You can practice drawing your handgun from your holster. You can practice magazine changes (be sure to get some of those snap caps so you can chamber a round after inserting the magazine).

I know an old Navy Rifle Team shooter who often tells folks - "never waste range time doing something you could have done at home."

Yes, you can learn some bad habits practicing by yourself but once you've got the good stuff down you can also get better.

Don't forget those plastic target bullets/cases that Speer makes/sells. I used to use them a lot and need to get the "indoor range" set up in the garage again as I have a couple of younger folks with new guns that could use the practice. They have plastic bullets in .357/.38 caliber, .44 calber and .45 caliber. The have plastic cases in both .38/.357 and .44. With the .45 you've got to use some regular brass cases. The plastic cases use large diameter primers. PRimers are all that is needed to send that plastic bullet on its path to the target. You need a good backstop (old blankets, foam padding, carpen pieces, or something like these to stop the bullets after they pass through the target and cardboard backer. The bullets will fall to the ground (or funnel into a box if you hang the backstop just right) and can be reused over and over if you don't step on them or shoot them into something hard that damages them.

Have fun, improve, pass on the skills and knowledge to the new shooters.

Kreutz · Post by **Kreutz** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:44:17

Typically once every two or three months. I generally shoot 50-100 rounds when I go, then I get hungry or bored and pack it up.

I'd shoot a little more if I had a place to pop off some ammo with the shotgun and/or rifle though.

My logic is a pistol has a pretty simple user configuration and for the average person not currently in Deltaspecialsealsopsforces you don't need to be some tactical ninja master.

If I were retired or something I guess I'd get more into it for fun/kill time, but IMO there's simply a big industry around shooting, so someone is always trying to sell you some product or service you probably don't need.

Chasbo00 · Post by **Chasbo00** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:52:46

Riposite wrote:@Chasbo 00

I defintely am it's a bit expensive but I am right now getting personal lessons from an instructor via Blue Ridge Arsenal

it is defintely helping with my form at least ; )

good points about needing to define what standards one is trying to achieve and making a plan for it

thanks

The below link has a good collection of pistol drills. Some may not be doable due to range limitations (for example, can't shoot on the move or have widely spaced multiple targets) and some are really only suitable for advanced shooters. For a new shooter practicing at Blue Ridge Arsenal, I would consider these:

3×5 Card Drill (at close range)
Ball & Dummy Drill
Pyramid (at close range)

At home, give the Wall Drill a go - it's surprisingly effective.

http://pistol-training.com/drills

Stay safe and shoot well.

VAman · Post by **VAman** » Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:40:58

I try to go once every 2 weeks if not more often. I usually end up going once a week, but lately it's been every 2 weeks.

pratt · Post by **pratt** » Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:12:09

It has been interesting to see all of the replies to this topic. I fortunately live about five minutes from my range. I shoot as often as I can and go about once a week. I sometimes even drop in for a few minutes when my wife sends me on a grocery errand.

ProShooter · Post by **ProShooter** » Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:02:32

I expect to see everyone who wants more trigger time and is posting here to sign up for our Defensive Handgun I course in Doswell on September 10!

/subtle hint

m4a1mustang · Post by **m4a1mustang** » Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:31:12

I would love to be able to get to the range every weekend but I am just far too busy. At best I can get there 1-2 times a month. If I'm lucky I might make it out 3 times.

I'm trying to work up some sort of consistency so I can justify a range membership at BRA.

Diomed · Post by **Diomed** » Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:57:58

Not nearly as often as I should. I belong to two ranges and hardly ever go to either one.

I get out for ICORE every month they have it, but that's usually it unless I have something I need to test.

vooduchkn · Post by **vooduchkn** » Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:35:19

gun range/archery range. Every other weekend respectively when I can manage. The rest of the time I practice draw and dry fire (the firearms of course) or draw consistency and target picture with my bow (can't shoot arrows where I live). Gotta keep these aging shoulders in shape.

@ whoever said it, doesn't matter how often but if/when you learn something and can apply it to future visits.

bryanrheem · Post by **bryanrheem** » Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:03:12

I also don't make it out as often as I would like. Probably twice a month but I've been getting distracted by doing a lot of clay shooting at Bull Run.

I do try to do dry fire practices at home, concentrating on proper holster draws and sight alignment.

Riposite · Post by **Riposite** » Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:07:04

Heh i've been there three times since i put up this post -though one was for a lesson : )

I think once i get the level of skill most of you have already I'll be content to go less

(then again it is very fun and zen so maybe I won't stop)

I do notice I get more out of the instruction then going myself, though my shooting always improves every time after a lesson.

JayDT · Post by **JayDT** » Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:48:31

Not enough. Every 6 weeks or so. I do dry fire every day which helps. Sometimes life gets in the way of fun.

gibbs1911 · Post by **gibbs1911** » Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:04:08

You cant make it to the range enough, finances permitting.

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