My first range visit

[rbensi]

Use the heavier loads, besides shooting a little.softer they will cycle a newer gun with stiffer.springs better. As far as the followers go, you'll know if there is an issue within the first 5 rounds. If you do experience.FTE's and stovepipes call Glock and they will send new followers. Also, if you don't already know, do not remove the copper factory lube on the slide. Its all you'll need for the first.1,000 rounds at least.

Thank you! I did field strip it, ran a bore snake through it a couple times, followed by clean patches. I did oil it as recommended and wiped up the excess. Stayed away from the magic copper stuff, all looks good.

[Squirly]

For break in, I shoot 100 rounds of a quality FMJ, then started running reloads... Now I shoot 50 rounds of my home defense rounds (including my loaded mags) and 1-2 hundred reloads every range trip... Gives me security mt HD rounds cycle w out issue and cost effective round down range. I run HST +p 45 acp 230g glock 30 chambered in my home. My g19 runs hst 147g +p.

[Nipple Twister]

Just ignore all that numbers/weight game......dump what you have in a pile, mix them up and load the mags, now go train and learn to shoot with what's in front of you.....train and train hard and often......... defensively, put the rounds down range and on target and you will be a force to be reckoned with!

[Squirly]

You be amazed at white lithium grease on the slide. It's vis able for a long time. All fuzzy inside knowing it's there.

Thank you! I did field strip it, ran a bore snake through it a couple times, followed by clean patches. I did oil it as recommended and wiped up the excess. Stayed away from the magic copper stuff, all looks good.

[Chapped Hide]

Just ignore all that numbers/weight game......dump what you have in a pile, mix them up and load the mags

Great advice

[Lead Waster]

Congratulations and welcome to the forums!

Glad to hear you are taking a class. Maybe even take the class before your first outing.

Youtube is great BUT also filled with a whole bunch of info. I suggest listening to your live teacher and shoot a bit so you can tell what is bs and what has value on youtube, but once you figure it out, there is a lot of good advice on there.

Glock 19 is an excellent choice, and it's mostly dummy proof. Just remember your safety rules.

ANd as a new shooter, I would recommend that you use both earplugs and ear muffs to "double up" your ear protection the first time out ... the lesser gunfire sound will help you to not develop a flinch and to be able to filter out the sound of other people shooting around you.

Be safe and have fun!

[Lead Waster]

Just ignore all that numbers/weight game......dump what you have in a pile, mix them up and load the mags, now go train and learn to shoot with what's in front of you.....train and train hard and often......... defensively, put the rounds down range and on target and you will be a force to be reckoned with!

Eh, I recommend not doing that. Shoot one box at a time so that any variation from shot to shot you know is not due to different ammo and that it is in fact your shooting form. Why introduce unknown variables?

Sure eventually go a head and mix them up if you really want to.

But different ammo shoots to different points of impact. Light fast ammo (115) might hit higher than slower heavy ammo (147) especially with different brands. If you shoot one round and it goes high ... was it the ammo or did you flinch? Was it you or the ammo? How on earth can you tell if you mix all your ammo into a pile?

So no, please don't do that.

The only helpful "mix it up" drill is if you introduce snap caps into your magazines, then you can see if you flinch if you pull the trigger on a snap cap (dummy round) and you wiggle the gun for no reason.

[rbensi]

ANd as a new shooter, I would recommend that you use both earplugs and ear muffs to "double up" your ear protection the first time out ... the lesser gunfire sound will help you to not develop a flinch and to be able to filter out the sound of other people shooting around you.

Be safe and have fun!

Thanks!
I'm all over the hearing protection. I'm going to use "hearos" on the inside with my "Howard Leight" muffs on the outside. One of the reasons I"m going to Metcalf is it's an outdoor range. I really didn't feel comfortable with the rentals at the indoor range. I know I'll be back to indoors, just want to try the outdoor range. It's close to the house, and the fees are for all day. As long as the mags work, I can enjoy a few hours of shooting at my own pace.

[Legasat]

As you get to know her, try some other premium ammo and see which is more accurate. The Hornady is fine ammo, but it may turn out your pistol likes other ammo better (never know until you try). Federal HST, Speer Gold Dots, Winchester Rangers are all worth a look.

Enjoy!

[rbensi]

Thanks again! I absolutely love the great advice I'm being given.
You guys have no idea how much I've been reading on this site!
This platform is fantastic for learning!

[JDay]

I disagree with not wearing hearing protection. When the adrenaline is pumping you will not hear your shots.

[jyo]

Congrats on your new pistol! Even if you don't take a self-defense course, I recommend, at least, a basic pistol class---you can develop many bad/incorrect habits---learn it right the first time…

[balmo]

Congrats OP on your new pistol. I remember when I was trying out different pistols as my first handgun and G19 is the only compact gun that I felt I was still handling a full size gun. I would probably pick 147gr FMJ to start out to compliment your 135gr+P for HD. But once you get used to all the functions and the pistol, and the different bullet weights, shoot the cheapest (115gr) so you can have in more range time.

Per Lead Waster, a dummy round into the mix if live rounds is an excellent way to check for flinching and see your progress as you come along. Also, don't overlook the value in dry firing. Nothing replaces live firing, but its a very great compliment and is free. Plus you can dry fire anytime at your home.

[Wordupmybrotha]

rbensi, welcome to the sport and to the forum. I posted a thread about basic indoor range gear for new shooters that might help you.

http://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1018285

[Lead Waster]

I would like to say DO NOT SHOOT WITHOUT HEARING PROTECTION!

The chances of you actually needing to fire your gun in a self/home defense scenario is extremely extremely extremely slim, maybe even never if you are lucky.

The chance of damaging your hearing by firing a gun without ear protection is close to 100%.

So every time you do it, you damage your ears a bit more and more. When you need it, it won't be there.

If a home invader breaks in and you don't even hear it, you're in trouble. And forget that, you can't even hear music or other people speaking without ringing in your ears?

Please do NOT shoot without ear pro. If you ever do need to do it ... what value is it that you are "used to it?" You only get used to it if your hearing is so damaged that you can't hear it.

Preserve your hearing! If you want to sort of get used to gun fire, get some electronic ear muffs, they'll let you hear the sudden sound and get you familiar with it without the volume and hearing damage. Yes, the real thing is much louder, but so what?

And my last advice is ... go shoot some USPSA competitions, it's an extremely FUN way to learn how to shoot quickly and practice malfunction drills on the spot, plus you'll "get used to" gunfire from other guns and learn tons and tons of stuff.

Be safe and filter internet advice (including mine!) with common sense.

PS. No offense to you sfarchitect, I just am stating that I'm 100% against the idea of shooting with no hearing protection. There are a lot of veterans on this board who ahve had to fire guns in real life and death situations without hearing protection ... ask them about hearing damage!