First Time Shooter Range Report

[dmourati]

Hi Guys,

First off, thanks for the wealth of information you've put together on this site. It has been truly helpful.

I'm brand new to shooting and decided to jump in after spending a bunch of time researching handguns online for the past month or so. I signed up for a First Steps Pistol Course at Reeds. The class was taught by Bill Tidwell, a USMC expert teacher with 20 years experience and all around good guy.

The class met Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (today) for 2.5 hours each night. The first class was entirely classroom. On day 2, we got to shoot .22 pistols.

The .22's we shot were a S&W revolver and a Ruger P512MKIII. I got pretty good with the Ruger.



@7 yards, right handed, and left handed

On day 3, we shot the .22 again and we got to shoot a bunch of higher caliber weapons.

Walther PPK .380. (I missed way high and left with this, worst shot of the course for me)
S&W Model 19, 1 .357 and 1 .38 special. (OK as I remember)
Beretta 92F 9mm
Glock 22 40S&W (one shot, decent)
Springfield 1911A1 45ACP (Bullseye)
Ruger Super Blackhawk 44Mag (Bullseye)

Overall the course was a great experience. I'm feeling pretty jazzed with my shooting. Towards the end, a classmate and I went up and rented the Sig p229 (226 was out) in 9mm. Boy, it was tough to load that magazine!

I shot okay with it, but honestly, did better with everything else. I liked the gun and want to try it again.

[bigbearbear]

Nice shooting! I like going to Reeds myself, did my HSC and bought my pistol there too.

How much did you pay for the class? I was there last Sunday testing a new shotgun and there was a class going on, it looks packed. Their classes must be really popular.

[Yerman]

Welcome and I applaud your approach into shooting by signing up for a class and learning proper handling and shooting techniques.

Shoot as many guns as you can before you make your first purchase then buy lots of ammo and have fun and be safe.

[dmourati]

Nice shooting! I like going to Reeds myself, did my HSC and bought my pistol there too.

How much did you pay for the class? I was there last Sunday testing a new shotgun and there was a class going on, it looks packed. Their classes must be really popular.

Thanks!

The class was $140 for the first two nights, then $65 for the last night. Ammo/range time/guns included.

One more target:



Second night, S&W .22 revolver. Got a little arm bling after the first time on the range.

[Mr. Magoo]

Renting that Sig at the end of the day probably seemed like you were just "ok" with it but your arms were probably tired!

[balmo]

Welcome to Calguns! Great step by taking a pistol class. Reed's is also the range I went in to rent out as many handguns as I could before getting my first pistol. Have fun and post your first pistol here.

[Ladyrr]

Welcome and nice shooting, careful, shooting is sorta like a crack addiction. You are always checking the budget to see if you can purchase more rounds.

You get a great high when you have them and the time to shoot and then when you are out you can have a real low. LOL ask me how I know this...

[bigbearbear]

Thanks!

The class was $140 for the first two nights, then $65 for the last night. Ammo/range time/guns included.

Second night, S&W .22 revolver. Got a little arm bling after the first time on the range.

That is a pretty good price. If I recall correctly, Reeds charges $16 per hour for the lane, $19.95 for a box of 9mm ammo and $10 for a typical pistol. So it is already $45.95 just for the lane, pistol and ammo. And that isn't counting the targets you have to buy (about $1.50 each).

Enjoy your shooting, we might run into each other at Reeds sometime. I usually shoot on Sundays, if I'm not at Reeds I'll be at Los Altos (outdoor range).

[SILENT GUNMAN]

First off welcome to calguns and the wonderful world of shooting.

For a first gun I would stay away from the 1911 platform. The awesome triggers on them make them mask bad technique. Most people would recommend a polymer gun for your first purchase. (Glock, Springfield XD, smith and Wesson m&p). These have a constant trigger pull for every shot and are relatively easy to master. They have their merits and are all great guns. Personally I think something double action/single action in either a revolver or auto pistol is a better choice. (Sig 226/229, Beretta m9, CZ 75). The double action trigger pull will force you to focus more on your trigger pull. Yes it will be harder to get used to. And the transition to single action after the first shot is going to throw you off a little bit at first if you get one of the autos, but the disadvantage to them is also their strong point. By forcing you to focus on your trigger pull more will build your skills more than any other gun. If you can master a double action trigger you will find that you will shoot well with any gun you pick up. To me light triggers tend to build bad habits in new shooters. Longer/heavier triggers help to reinforce the fundamentals that make good shooters great. Of course this will require more training than the polymer guns will. Rent whatever you can get your hands on and see what works for you. And ask yourself if you want to shoot one gun well or all guns well. Have fun and be safe.

[ruchik]

When you finally get the scratch for your first gun, get you an M&P 9. Sorted.

[Raider888]

Great start! Congrats!!

[Vin63]

Welcome and I applaud your approach into shooting by signing up for a class and learning proper handling and shooting techniques.

Shoot as many guns as you can before you make your first purchase then buy lots of ammo and have fun and be safe.

X2...very intelligent approach and nice shooting.

[ruddogg]

great job!

[RANCID 518th]

Good stuff ... when I read about new shooters getting training I get a warm and fuzzy.

[dmourati]

Good stuff ... when I read about new shooters getting training I get a warm and fuzzy.

I appreciate this sentiment and that voiced by many others chiming in here. Thanks all.

My point of view is I know nothing, I know I know nothing, and that makes me uncomfortable. The best way to learn is from those who have been there and done that. Bill certainly meets that description.

I was impressed with the opportunity to go from zero to .44 mag in three days. Now I have some decisions to make.