Practice HD shooting

[kAnJii]

Is there any ranges in the Bay Area where I can practice HD shooting? They say instead of wasting ammo on paper targets, you should practice SHOOTING. I could just buy an airsoft or bb gun, but still, I'd like to get used to the recoil also than just muscle memory.

[Bill Carson]

best to practice with what you would actually use, that includes ammo, even hollow points.

[kAnJii]

best to practice with what you would actuallyuse, that includes ammo, even hollow points.

True, but where can I practice it in the Bay Area? Something for self defense would help too. Like 3 targets, using holster maybe, etc...stuff you see on Best Defense TV, or Personal Defense TV, etc...

[thevic]

Take a class or become a member of a range and do it when no one else is using the range maybe? I doubt theres any places that let you shoot freely on the field up here

[asgalindez]

Is there any ranges in the Bay Area where I can practice HD shooting? They say instead of wasting ammo on paper targets, you should practice SHOOTING.

Uhmm...the ghetto streets of Oakland?

Find a class that teaches using force-on-force. Usually they teach with airsoft but you get put in real life situations with someone actually attacking you.

Who are "they" and are they qualified to be giving that kind of advice?

[XYZ]

I'd try a few classes as this would give you practice with HD shooting. Check out the training sub forum:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=19

There are some courses offered at Metcalf:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=323330&highlight=metcalf

[Black Majik]

Give IDPA a try. Chances are very slim you'll actually draw from a holster in a HD situation but it gives you good practice on follow-up shots and gets you used to reloading from cover (also unlikely you'll reload in a HD situation).

Self defense classes are also plentiful, it's a good idea to take a few classes maybe prior to starting IDPA if you feel a bit initimidated by a competitive atmosphere.

[Greg-Dawg]

A HD class would be best, since most ranges don't know their customer's level of training...therefore don't allow drawing from the holster. You can always sign up for 3-gun.

[kAnJii]

Uhmm...the ghetto streets of Oakland?

Find a class that teaches using force-on-force. Usually they teach with airsoft but you get put in real life situations with someone actually attacking you.

Who are "they" and are they qualified to be giving that kind of advice?

"They" are the instructors from these self defense tv shows....yes, I think they are qualified. Too bad they are not in California.

[j1133s]

Is there any ranges in the Bay Area where I can practice HD shooting? They say instead of wasting ammo on paper targets, you should practice SHOOTING. I could just buy an airsoft or bb gun, but still, I'd like to get used to the recoil also than just muscle memory.

You can practice for HD/SD at indoor ranges. There's Jackson Arms (I've never actually been there before) that allows rapid firing. Indoor range is important as you want to have the ability to shoot targets from 1-3yds and out to 15yds.

Try the following:
1. put target at 3 yds
2. with gun loaded and safety engaged on bench
3. on signal (which can the the firing sound from your next lane), pick up gun and fire 1 round into center of target as fast as you can.
4. If range allows rapid fire, empty the gun into center as fast as you can
5. increase target distance and repeat

You can also practice reloading.
1. fire 1 round as above
2. eject mag and insert new mag
3. fire 1 round

You can also practice weak hand, strong hand, and flashlight.

[kAnJii]

You can practice for HD/SD at indoor ranges. There's Jackson Arms (I've never actually been there before) that allows rapid firing. Indoor range is important as you want to have the ability to shoot targets from 1-3yds and out to 15yds.

Try the following:
1. put target at 3 yds
2. with gun loaded and safety engaged on bench
3. on signal (which can the the firing sound from your next lane), pick up gun and fire 1 round into center of target as fast as you can.
4. If range allows rapid fire, empty the gun into center as fast as you can
5. increase target distance and repeat

You can also practice reloading.
1. fire 1 round as above
2. eject mag and insert new mag
3. fire 1 round

You can also practice weak hand, strong hand, and flashlight.

Good advice. To save $, would you invest on a good heavy 1911 airsoft or . conversion?

[PsychGuy274]

Is there any ranges in the Bay Area where I can practice HD shooting? They say instead of wasting ammo on paper targets, you should practice SHOOTING. I could just buy an airsoft or bb gun, but still, I'd like to get used to the recoil also than just muscle memory.

I use an airsoft S&W 1911 for HD practice. I just added a few pieces of metal in various areas to simulate weight better.

Obviously not a good idea to practice shooting it for accuracy (although they are surprisingly accurate). I use it mainly to practice mechanics such as draw, mag change, target acquisition, etc. It actually improved my accuracy and speed a bunch the next time I went to the range.

[j1133s]

Good advice. To save $, would you invest on a good heavy 1911 airsoft or . conversion?

I've never practiced with an airsoft. I did shoot airsoft once and was told to use the pellets' trajectory to "aim", which wouldn't be good practice for pistols.

A 22 is very good for practice because (besides being cheap) it has almost no recoil and is pretty accurate.

[inbox485]

Give IDPA a try. Chances are very slim you'll actually draw from a holster in a HD situation but it gives you good practice on follow-up shots and gets you used to reloading from cover (also unlikely you'll reload in a HD situation).

Self defense classes are also plentiful, it's a good idea to take a few classes maybe prior to starting IDPA if you feel a bit initimidated by a competitive atmosphere.

Those chances go up quite a bit as do the chances of surviving if you carry at home. Just saying...

[sti2011]

+1 at Jackson Arms. They do self defense classes. There is actually a class today at 6pm. Check it out and ask one of the instructors. After taking the class you can draw from your holster, no shoulder holster or rapid firing.