It is so perishable - back to shooting groups!

[rodralig]

It is so perishable - back to shooting groups!

Due to ammo shortages, work, etc. I had my membership to the local range expire. Although there were lots of restrictions (size restrictions on targets, no targets with photos of people, even Zombies, no shooting from a bench, to rapid fire, no holster, etc.) - it was convenient. It is open until 11pm and is about 5~10-mins from my place.

Anyways, I really haven't shot that much indoors, and simply focussed dry practice while participating in a local USPSA/IDPA match say once a month or two...

While reading one of the books from Steve Anderson, the "Dry Fire Guy," I am reminded that action pistol shooters should also learn to slow down and focus on untimed group shooting. The key that Steve emphasizes is that it is NOT bullseye - the get an acceptable sight picture, forget aiming, break the shot mantra should get, to quote, "soup can lid sizes."

So, I set out yesterday to work through his set...

• 5 round group at 15-yards, freestyle. Four sets.
• 5 round groups at 10-yards, strong hand only. Two sets.
• 5 round groups at 7-yards, weak hand only. Two sets.

It was so bad!!! I was a bit anxious and couldn't control my breathing, my hands were trembling, and was jerking the trigger when I see the "perfect" sight picture.

It was so bad that I really felt a bit depressed the remainder of the day. Not only were the groups way larger than 3-inches ("soup can lid") - I just plunked down 100-rounds of 9s!

Whoa!?! Skill with firearms is just so perishable...



Anyways, this afternoon I felt a need to redeem myself. Went back to the range and spent about 90-min with just a box and change of factory 9s (Fiocchi 115GR). Sets of both live and dry fire made for a mental/physical workout, in particular the hands as was gripping hard (at least to find out what I can get away with the trigger with the grip pressure that I have).

My last 15-rds was my best group for the day - pushing out to 25-yards offhand freestyle... 3.671 inches.




I wasn't going for bullseye - group was more or less "soup can lid." Got home happy, redeemed and now enjoying some popcorn while enjoying Godzilla duke it out with Kong!


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[IVC]

The ones in the white don't count?

[bb557]

The ones in the white don't count?

they don't count if you don't want them to

[rodralig]

The ones in the white don't count?

they don't count if you don't want them to

[emoji15][emoji849][emoji28]

That was the first shot of the string. Really surprised me - a true surprised break... [emoji23]







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[rlewpolar]

[Dvrjon]

Me prepping for next range session of soup can lid targeting....

[keepitlow]

You guys are nuts. OP...any of the shots would have hit the body.

Get some laser ammo. I use them in the revolver. Only thing it...revolvers are sht now that the filthy dems have massive groups of organized zombies. You need 24, 33 and 50 round drum mags at the least.

I still have a dozen revolvers in case the dems outlaw semi auto and we still have to follow laws. If that be the case I will carry a bag of them in the car and a few snubs on my body.

[robert101]

keepitlow, I like your backup. I have revolvers as well. I would not put it passed the Dems to outlaw all semi-autos in the near future. They call them automatics. It is said that this new group will try, and might succeed, in redefining the terms or definitions of our guns. Terms like automatic, semi-automatic, clips/magazines, assault weapons, military arms, high capacity magazines, etc.

They are now coming after ammo and soon our reloading components.

I'm not changing my definitions that are tried and true.

[Dvrjon]

It is said

By whom? Where? When?

that this new group

will try, and might succeed, in redefining the terms or definitions of our guns. Terms like automatic, semi-automatic, clips/magazines, assault weapons, military arms, high capacity magazines, etc.

They are now coming after ammo and soon our reloading components.

Uh...that ammo stuff happened in CA a couple of years ago, constricting and controlling sales. However, it specifically set aside reloading components for non-prohibited persons.

I'm not changing my definitions that are tried and true.

[Dvrjon]

[painkiller]

Unfortunately,I believe it is a perishable skill.I literally was working 3 jobs for a few years, and didnt spend free time shooting.back to the range in January and i found out the hard way.thankfully things are back to normal and im doing my part in depleting the range of its paper supply

[rodralig]

Oh! I dry practice a lot! At least 30-mins daily 5 times/week. I also have the MantisX X10 Elite, which I use Open Training/Compressed Surprised Break at 25-yards to a 5-inch target every other day for about 5-mins each. My average for Open Training is always 95+ and for the latter, 92+ with splits of 0.21~

The problem that I deal with is the brain begins recognizing the difference between LIVE and DRY fire, as I would see it explained (don't ask me - I don't understand) - it creates separate neural pathways. Hence, dry fire cannot replace live fire nor the other way around. They complement each other...

One way I can validate this is that my "brain/body" reacts differently when it knows that it is live. Hence, in yesterday's session, I really had to consciously focus on fundamentals while going back-n-forth between live and dry.

Me prepping for next range session of soup can lid targeting....

https://ohiomagazine.imgix.net/sitef...press%2cformat

It's really good that you meet a few creative individuals that can think outside a box. I wish had your sense of funny-ness...

I really don't have a sense of humor...

You guys are nuts. OP...any of the shots would have hit the body.

Get some laser ammo. I use them in the revolver. Only thing it...revolvers are sht now that the filthy dems have massive groups of organized zombies. You need 24, 33 and 50 round drum mags at the least.

I still have a dozen revolvers in case the dems outlaw semi auto and we still have to follow laws. If that be the case I will carry a bag of them in the car and a few snubs on my body.

Although I am 46, I am more or less a "young in years" shooter - just started in mid-2016 and only got my first revolver last year. The M&P TRR8. Unfortunately because of COVID19 - no ammo, and I haven't shot it, yet...

As for laser ammo - yeah, I have those. I also have a SiRT. Each has its own use and value for different drills, etc.


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[rodralig]

OP: If I may suggest,

Yes, I understand the "shoot small, miss small" concept, as well not finding the perfect sight picture. There won't be - there will be an acceptable [to target complexity/difficulty] sight picture.

The primary objective of mine with this "group shooting" drill is to "refresh" my trigger control, ie., always go back to basics, instead of just "running and gunning."

I am quite capable of making hits to steel silhouettes out to 250-yards. Done it several times in some defensive/tactical classes, even with a sub-compact Glock 26 standing offhand freestyle (it is extremely hard and mentally taxing, though)...

Then again - these are still slow fire... My goal is to do it on demand at speed. In action shooting - at 90~95% of all Alphas in a stage (USPSA) or a Down Zero (IDPA).

Unfortunately,I believe it is a perishable skill.I literally was working 3 jobs for a few years, and didnt spend free time shooting.back to the range in January and i found out the hard way.thankfully things are back to normal and im doing my part in depleting the range of its paper supply

You are absolutely correct! Slack a little with practice (in my case - live fire, even if I do lots of dry practice) - the skill will go downhill.



Definitely need the supply/price of ammo to go back to normal... And, maybe win the lottery so I can retire outside CA and build myself a private range. #weCanDream


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[hambam105]

For a 12 gauge double ought buck nine pellet pattern I wouldn't complain.

[JTROKS]

Me prepping for next range session of soup can lid targeting....

I can hit the Os on that can right there!