Hi everyone, last week I posted a thread looking for advice on improving my handgun marksmanship. There was a ton of useful information there that I've put into practice and I'm happy to report that this week there have been some substantial improvements (smaller groups, far less fliers, overall feeling more consistent). I think the dry-firing practice has been helping. I try to squeeze in 15 minutes a day, so thanks for the tips on that. I still have a hard time getting my eyes to really focus on the front sight consistently, especially after a shot, but when I manage to do it my shooting is drastically better.
I'm back to the well for more information this week. I'm looking for specifics on how you guys approach range trips/time with regards to training to improve your handgun handling. I guess I'd like to know your overall routine. Right now, here's what I'm doing:
I don't know if that's laughably over-organized or sounds incredibly lazy, so let me know. Anyway, the biggest questions I have here are with regards to time and ammunition you guys spend. How many rounds are you usually putting downrange, and how long are you shooting for? I usually an on site for about 90 minutes once a week and put 50 to 100 rounds out of each centre fire handgun. Is this quantity way too little for meaningful training? Do you more experienced/superior shooters prefer to do longer range sessions less frequently, or the opposite? I know the 'stay longer and shoot more' is great for the billionaire playboys out there but for working scrubs like myself, the cost in both ammo and time spent away from other responsibilities makes this a pretty tough proposition. I also don't know how much I'd benefit from staying at the range much longer since, like I admitted earlier, I'm kind of an itty bitty baby and tend to get tired/lose focus.
As with the previous thread, suggestions and experienced advice are totally welcome. I only log in here once every few days so I apologize if I'm not responding to all the great ideas but I do absolutely read them and I can absolutely say this forum has been super-helpful.
I'm back to the well for more information this week. I'm looking for specifics on how you guys approach range trips/time with regards to training to improve your handgun handling. I guess I'd like to know your overall routine. Right now, here's what I'm doing:
- Warm up: Usually I kick things off with some .22LR, both out of my 10/22 and my Model 17. I use the 10/22 because it's fun and it's also the only non-shotgun firearm I do any kind of hunting with, so I like to shoot at least a bit with it just to keep the skills up. The .22 revolver's trigger is heavy so I feel it's a good way to start things off.
- Switch Firearm: Get out whatever handgun. I usually shoot my CZ75 first, then the 686.
- Dry Fire: When I'm first going onto a target I usually do a bit of dry firing just to make sure I'm not making an obviously correctable error on my stance, grip, or sort of falling into a rhythm and losing concentration. People probably think I'm a weirdo but I think it helps keep me focused, and also helps me practice sight picture.
- Live Ammo: The actual shooting. I usually start off shooting a big bullseye or a silhouette target.
- Break: I'm a weak baby and my arms get tired, but this also helps me stay focused.
- Evaluation Target: This is the point where I hang up a five-point target (one big bullseye with four smaller circles in each corner). I shoot each circle in a pattern, hitting the targets with either five or six shots (five from the CZ, six from the revolver). This is the target I keep so I can compare to my next range day.
- Return to 'Switch firearm'
I don't know if that's laughably over-organized or sounds incredibly lazy, so let me know. Anyway, the biggest questions I have here are with regards to time and ammunition you guys spend. How many rounds are you usually putting downrange, and how long are you shooting for? I usually an on site for about 90 minutes once a week and put 50 to 100 rounds out of each centre fire handgun. Is this quantity way too little for meaningful training? Do you more experienced/superior shooters prefer to do longer range sessions less frequently, or the opposite? I know the 'stay longer and shoot more' is great for the billionaire playboys out there but for working scrubs like myself, the cost in both ammo and time spent away from other responsibilities makes this a pretty tough proposition. I also don't know how much I'd benefit from staying at the range much longer since, like I admitted earlier, I'm kind of an itty bitty baby and tend to get tired/lose focus.
As with the previous thread, suggestions and experienced advice are totally welcome. I only log in here once every few days so I apologize if I'm not responding to all the great ideas but I do absolutely read them and I can absolutely say this forum has been super-helpful.
