First trip to the range!

[Daniel N.]

My Grandpa finally found some time to go, and we went this morning to an indoor range.

We rented a Glock 17 which is a 9mm.

I have never shot before, and they said that this was a good gun to fire for the first time.

It is a 17 round magazine had 50 bullets so that made 2 - 17 rounds and 1 -16 round.

I took the first magazine ann was it fun! Here is a picture of the resulting target. http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=4475&success=2&failure=0

My Grandpa shot off the second 17 round magazine, and then I shot the last 16.

At about the 5th shot of my second magazine, the gun jammed. Easily and quickly cleared and then continued to fire fine.

Here is the second target. http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=4475&success=2&failure=0

Overall a good day, I can't wait to go again.

[Daniel N.]

First target.
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v97/135/4/594223273/n594223273_95194_4601.jpg

Second target .
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v97/135/4/594223273/n594223273_95193_3819.jpg

[TonyU]

At what distance were you shooting?

[Daniel N.]

Oh 7 yds/21 ft.

[Webmaster]

Not bad for the first time to shoot a pistol, but from 7 yards, you should be shooting consistently in the "X" ring with itty-bitty groups. Probably the reason you are shooting all over the place is that you are not focusing on the front sight and letting your focus shift from rear sight, front sight and target. Ideally, you should entirely focus on the front sight, don't get too anal over having your sights aligned perfectly (that will come) and the target should be a blur.

[Cliff Hargrave]

A Glock is really not a good first gun to shoot unless you have someone there to teach you some things. The malfunction was most probably "limp wristing" it, which is very common with Glocks. Also, there is a certain technique to shooting the Glock where you release the trigger only to the point that is re-sets before firing the next shot.

Glad you had fun. Watch out, it's addicting. :D

[Erik]

I had the same problem shooting a 9mm Glock.

Got a lot of flack from a certain Texan LEO for "limp wristing" as I'm from the San Francisco area. :laugh:

I found the 9mm Browning High Power worked well for me. I had a hard time hitting accurately with the Barretta 9mm though no jamming problems.

Maybe try a few different weapons if you can.

[Daniel N.]

I will be going back hopefully often.

Kind of strange that at 18 you can rent any of their rifles shotguns and the such. Including an AR-15 on your own.

But you must be 21 to rent any of the handguns.
So for now I will be shooting the long guns unless someone 21+ will go with me.

I want to go back now.

What is limpwristing? and how exactly should I correct it?
There was a guy who walked us through how to use the Glock before we shot it.

[David Craik]

Limpwristing is not holding the wrist firmly when you fire. Some firearms don't return to battery properly unless the wrist is rigidly held - which is how it should be held when firing any pistol anyway. The handgun should be as an extension of your arm - ideally one could draw a straight line from the center of the muzzle all the way down your forearm. I have never owned a Glock, but from what I understand they are touchy about this.

From your shot pattern on the first target it looks like you may be (if you are right-handed) squeezing your other fingers in addition to your trigger finger at the moment of fire causing your rounds to strike low and to the right.

[Cliff Hargrave]

Without seeing you shoot and just looking at the target I would guess you are a left hander. If not, then what David said is correct.

[David Craik]

If you are a southpaw I would guess you are either flinching, jerking the trigger, or possibly squeezing your thumb at the moment of fire. Like Cliff says, without watching you fire it's hard to say.

It is sometimes hard to diagnose technique problems with an autoloading handgun without a dummy round or snap-caps. When I teach people how to shoot I choose a revolver and load one empty case to be 'fired' on about the 4th or 5th shot - but dont tell the shooter where it is or even that there is one. On that 'shot' you can tell exactly what they are doing when they anticipate the piece going off - it's usually so pronounced that they can tell right away what they are doing at the moment of fire all by themselves. With this pattern at only 7 yards you may consider trying this (have your Grandpa load), as the flinch or jerk is likely very noticeable. You may be anticipating the shot..the best shots you will ever fire are when the shot is completely unexpected.

This will come with time and practice, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to the range, hopefully it will be the first of many.

[Daniel N.]

I am right handed. I have a lot to learn and look forward to getting a tighter cluster.

[Dennis Monk]

Looking at the targets I was going to say that you might be anticipating recoil.
Oh, and I am just being picky here.
These are bullets
http://rs.tacklewarehouse.com/tac/ProductImages/TTBW.JPG

These are rounds of ammunition.
http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/d/5830-2/win9jhp.jpg
:D

[Daniel N.]

My bad rounds. I will remember that.

I have never been around guns before in my life, my parents wouldn't even let me play with toy guns.

So the first time I heard one shot, was when it was in my hand.
I am sure that I am no where near where I want to be, but I will hopefully be able to get better.

Thank you for all of the comments.

[Daniel N.]

Well I just got back from my second trip.

Fired 50 rounds out of an AR-15.

All single shot. One Magazine at 25 yds, the rest at 15 yds.

I shot really well with the AR-15, I had a very nice cluster all in the 5x circle on the silhouette minus 4 or so.

I really enjoyed the rifle, but I hope to shoot hanguns as well, as I want to carry one. I have 2 years until then though so I guess I can shoot anything there for fun and practice.

[David Craik]

Hehe..at 25 yards with a rifle, they should all be going through the same hole!

Just yankin' your chain..:D

[Daniel N.]

Eventually they all will.

I still can not believe that at 19 I can go rent or buy the AR-15 on my own, but I can not rent or own a hand gun.

Haha the AR-15 shoots a 9mm round, I can't buy the rounds but I can buy the gun.

Time for a little law reform?

[Dennis Monk]

Hehe..at 25 yards with a rifle, they should all be going through the same hole!


Some people would believe the same it were 250 yards. :D
http://www.imt.net/~mele/images/hathcock.jpg