I just returned from the gun range. Many interesting tales to tell.
First, if you wish to contribute to the “Buy John a 4×4 pickup truck” fund, I would be so happy. 🙂 We’ve had a lot of rain lately and the ground is a mess; rarely do we get enough time to dry out before it rains again. I’m not complaining about the rain as we are still technically recovering from the drought of the past 2 years. But it has made things messy and muddy and my poor little car got stuck in the mud.
Second, gun folk can be some of the nicest folk. There was only one other person at the range and he was on the other side of things. But he heard and saw my car stuck in the mud and he packed up and came over to help me out. Turns out it was John Schaefer, brother of Tom Schaefer. John remembered me from my CHL class and also we took our NRA Instructor classes together last year. He helped me get out of the mud, and it was nice to see him again.
As for the shooting, it’s been a month since my private lesson. I’ve been working on the techniques at home in dry fire and it was high time I go to the range and see where I am. Instead of doing the Central Texas Standards I opted to do the Two Target No Reload Standards. I ran it twice: first time was OK, second time was better and I almost shot it clean. I didn’t have a timer but I did put time pressure upon myself to shoot as fast as I could but with a focus on accuracy. I wanted only good hits and on the second run only had 2 “not-A-zone” hits. What I took from my shooting:
- #1 thing is I need to get on the trigger faster. This is something Karl specifically spoke to me on at the private lesson. Need to get on the trigger during presentation not after having presented.
- Still need to work on trigger control because when pressure is on I will yank. More group shooting at longer distances is needed. I actually shot decently today, better than I have in the past. Just need more. It should be a mix of no time pressure to shoot the best possible, but then also slight time pressure.
- My eyes were an issue today. It may have been in part due to the 30º temperatures and 20+ MPH chilly wind, so my eyes would squit and water a lot. But all the squinting makes it hard to see the front sight clearly. I’ve struggled to shoot with both eyes open and had given up on it, but I want to try again and pursue it more seriously.
- My presentation is really improving based upon what came out of the private lesson. It’s the little things, the advanced details. But it gets me on the sights quicker. I still have to trust myself more to shoot with a “good enough” sight picture.
All in all, I’m pleased with things but I know I can do better. Dry practice pays off. Much more in my future.
One thing of note is the first run of the drill I shot with factory loads. The second run I did using my 9mm reloads. Each run is 100 rounds, and my reloads performed peachy. They are a hair less “kicky” than the factory loads, but otherwise they’re fine. In about a week and a half I’ll be taking the KR Training AT-6 Pistol Workout class. I’ll see about loading 400-500 rounds for that class and see how it runs.
I also brought out my XD-9 5″. I’ve been thinking about sending her to Springer Precision to get customized. Given the cost involved in shipping, you might as well go for the gusto and get everything done that needs doing. One question I had was if I wanted to get a Bar-Sto barrel or not. I shoot some groups at 25 yards using a benchrest. I used both factory ammo (Federal American Eagle) and my reloads. Both shot groups about 2″. So 2″ at 25 yards? I can deal with that given the nature and purpose of the gun. Not going to bother with the barrel.
I was also happy that my reloads were showing that level of precision.
All in all, a good morning.
OK, one bad part of the morning. I had benched my carry XD while I did all the work with the 5″. Before I pack up I want to do a quick cleaning of the guns. I pick up the carry XD and go to take it down but it doesn’t go. Slide is forward, press trigger to take it down, it doesn’t go. Huh? I poke around with it a bit more and the trigger just isn’t working. It feels strange, acts strange. I can press the trigger and there’s a noticeable delay before the gun goes “click”. Really strange. Eventually I get the slide off. Nothing looks wrong. Not sure what gives but I’m getting scared that I broke something. Got on the phone with Tom Hogel and spoke with him about it. He figured the sear dropped behind the disconnector… I probably pulled the trigger while the takedown lever was up but with the slide not in position to come off. Suggested solution? Rack the slide back HARD. I did that. Sure enough, she’s all better. Nothing looks bent, trigger feels right.
Apart from that tho, good morning. Got work ahead of me.
Stuff From Hsoi 
You’ve noted something that I’ve encountered before also – folks involved in a sport are some of the nicest around but gunnies seem to be cream of the crop.
I’ve had people offer to let me shoot heirloom weapons, their carry weapons. Heck, one guy said if I wanted to do cowboy action shooting I could borrow his gear and just pay for the rounds expended (he hand loaded for his competition.
Range time is really good therapy – reminds me I need to post on my last adventure in punching holes in paper Saturday.
I like the 2 target no reload standard, looks interesting.
Mind if I ask what your biggest challenge completing it is?
A lot of motorcycle folks are good folk too. So motorcycle folks with guns… they must be really exemplary!
Range time is good. I just wish the range was closer.
In terms of the standards, my biggest challenge is going faster. That’s the thing about getting on the trigger faster… I’m losing too much time between draw, present, then getting the first shot off. If I get on the trigger AS I present so as soon as the gun is at arms length the first shot goes off, that would help a lot.
I should say, going faster but keeping it accurate. The draw and fast shot to the head (note, an A-zone head shot, on an IPSC target) is tough. I can get on the head no problem, but in that A-zone… and in enough time… because I start to feel the time pressure, I push it too fast, I’ll yank then into the B-zone. Get on the trigger sooner.
Yeah, I was there on Saturday and I was glad I had 4WD. I got to the match late and had to park in the mud.
I’m also glad it rained on Sunday because it washed all the mud off. :)-~ I was slinging mud for at least a half-mile once I got on the pavement.
I’m glad John was there, probably saved me a trip. :)-~
If I was truly stuck, yes you would have been called to bail me out. 🙂
It is a mess out there.
2″ groups at 25 yards? Give yourself a gold star for the quality of your reloads and your shooting. Was the group centered around where you were aiming? Reason I ask is my 5″ XD shoots high at 25 even with the adjustable sights cranked down all the way. If you read the manual carefully you’ll find that the XD sights are designed to hit 3″ high at 25 yards. Next time you go to the range, shoot some groups at 50 so you know where the gun hits at 50. At 50 if you can keep your hits in a 6″ group that’s a good goal.
I’ll just say this. That’s the results that were on the paper. My eyes were pretty tired by the time I did this and while I did my best to use a benchrest, be steady, have a good repeatable aim and so on… I still could have botched it and gotten lucky on the results.
As for grouping and aiming, I do believe the grouping was a tad high.
50 yards? I’ll have to give it a try.
Certainly I’d be happy to have you try to repeat this. I’d feel more confident about the results. 🙂