Francis
01-07-2017, 04:35 PM
Hello. I’m new here as a non-LEO / non-Mil participant but have been lurking for a couple of years and trying to absorb enough info to properly vet and carry a semi-auto for personal and family protection. Let me say first how grateful I am for having discovered PF. The experience, knowledge, civility and generosity of members is extraordinary.
I'm a fly-over country, suburban family man, in my mid fifties and only became interested in firearms 8 years ago. My experience level is definitely novice but I want to learn and improve. I’ve had a couple of handgun classes, the most valuable being Dave Spaulding’s Essential Pistol. Shot some IDPA matches for the experience shooting under pressure. Where I’m at now is I want to become more structured and intentional in my training and make the most of my range and dry fire time. I need some guidance in setting priorities and expectations.
For instance, today I had 1 hour. My plan was to shoot the 3x5 drill @ 3, 5, 7 and 10 yards 2 times, 25 yd for groups, 3-Two-1 and Typewriter. I ended up having a little extra time so I did a 6622 (my from memory version of the 26662) with what ammo and time I had left. Did I try to do too much?
I’ve never shot @ 25yds from a rest before and the sights are so blurry through my 50 some year old eyes that the best sight picture I could get was to lay a blurry orange ball over a blurry bull’s eye, drill the dot style. I can not see a defined edge along the top of the sight. Given that, what kind of groups should I expect and/or strive for? My groups today ranged from 3.25 to 6.75 for 5 targets (G26 w/ OEM 12rd mag). And groups were generally high of the bull’s eye since my hold was over the bull’s eye.
Other questions are:
Given an hour at an indoor range, is it best to focus on one of either accuracy or speed, or should they be split 50/50? I can draw and rapid fire but can not move about. I don’t have a shot timer yet.
At best, I can probably get 2 hours a month live fire. What’s the best way to use those 2 hours. I’m already doing things like planning the session, prepping targets and loading mags ahead of time. I need to learn though, what is the best way to work and on what should I work for that hour?
Regarding dry fire, what’s the best approach? Several different skills each day or one skill a day with different drills?
Apologies for the basic and rambling questions, trying to sort through all of the things that need to be learned and what the priorities should be feels like sipping through a fire hose right now.
I'm a fly-over country, suburban family man, in my mid fifties and only became interested in firearms 8 years ago. My experience level is definitely novice but I want to learn and improve. I’ve had a couple of handgun classes, the most valuable being Dave Spaulding’s Essential Pistol. Shot some IDPA matches for the experience shooting under pressure. Where I’m at now is I want to become more structured and intentional in my training and make the most of my range and dry fire time. I need some guidance in setting priorities and expectations.
For instance, today I had 1 hour. My plan was to shoot the 3x5 drill @ 3, 5, 7 and 10 yards 2 times, 25 yd for groups, 3-Two-1 and Typewriter. I ended up having a little extra time so I did a 6622 (my from memory version of the 26662) with what ammo and time I had left. Did I try to do too much?
I’ve never shot @ 25yds from a rest before and the sights are so blurry through my 50 some year old eyes that the best sight picture I could get was to lay a blurry orange ball over a blurry bull’s eye, drill the dot style. I can not see a defined edge along the top of the sight. Given that, what kind of groups should I expect and/or strive for? My groups today ranged from 3.25 to 6.75 for 5 targets (G26 w/ OEM 12rd mag). And groups were generally high of the bull’s eye since my hold was over the bull’s eye.
Other questions are:
Given an hour at an indoor range, is it best to focus on one of either accuracy or speed, or should they be split 50/50? I can draw and rapid fire but can not move about. I don’t have a shot timer yet.
At best, I can probably get 2 hours a month live fire. What’s the best way to use those 2 hours. I’m already doing things like planning the session, prepping targets and loading mags ahead of time. I need to learn though, what is the best way to work and on what should I work for that hour?
Regarding dry fire, what’s the best approach? Several different skills each day or one skill a day with different drills?
Apologies for the basic and rambling questions, trying to sort through all of the things that need to be learned and what the priorities should be feels like sipping through a fire hose right now.