[marklbucla]

I'm having a really hard time switching back and forth between my handguns when I shoot very different ones on the same range trip. Each one ends up feeling totally different before/after shooting something else.

Do you think it's a better idea to just use one specific type of handgun on each different range trip, or to switch between them frequently?

[10-Ring]

For the last couple of years, I have only been bringing 2 hadnguns per trip tot he range. One is a 22lr the other is usually a 9mm or 45 acp. That way I can maintain a contant sight picture, trigger and performance. I use to bring a several guns per trip, now my shooting is much more consistent because I don't have to learn several triggers or sight pictures every time I shoot.

[Preacherman]

The last time I shot with Tamara, HSO and the Knoxville crew, I lost count of how many handguns and long guns were involved... at least a dozen! And yes, we all shot all of them... :D

[chaim]

Occasionally I'll go to the range with only one gun because it had been a while since I shot it or it was brand new (or sometimes for no apparent reason) and I just had to shoot that particular gun. However, I usually (almost always) bring at least 2 or 3, and usually I go with 4. Even when I have a new gun or my reason to go out is because I haven't shot a particular gun in a while and I really want to shoot that one gun I still usually take one or two others as well.

[Dr.Rob]

Pratice will all.. all will be familiar.

(fade to black playing the theme from Kung Fu)

[WonderNine]

It's a good way to feel the difference between different guns!

The last time I fired two different makes of 9mm's in a row (for accuracy) was about three months ago when I fired about ten or so 17 round clips through my 1982 Belgian Hi-Power and then fired my father's 1994 Italian Beretta 92FS Inox. WOW, what a difference between guns.

The trigger on the Beretta in single action is so much different to the Hi-Power, I was throwing shots all over the place as first. Don't get me wrong, the trigger is EXCELLENT on that gun, perfectly crisp (the crispest DA/SA gun I've ever tried) and I LOVE that gun, but the break is so much farther back and the balance is quite a bit different! It definately threw me off a bit the first time I fired a P35 and 92FS back to back. Love both these guns though and I think they're the finest combat 9mm's you can buy for any amount of money.

[Smoke]

I usually take several guns.

One day I might take the Kimber Pro CDP and a Springfield Champion.
another might see the Ultra Carry and one of the Para Ordnances. On occasion I'll even throw in the COlt Gov't .380. SO far I've never had a problem with transitions.






:neener:

[WhoKnowsWho]

Try firing a 1911 style grip, and then quickly grab a Glock and fire a few... it pointed so high I think I missed completely (couldn't ID the holes in the target :) )

I usually take a Revo, a .22, and 2 other Autos now. Usually no more than 4 if I am by myself, can't carry that much! My range bag is pretty small.

[XavierBreath]

I went to the range with my son yesterday, and between us we had around twenty different handguns. It was his coming home from college and see if you can outshoot the old man shoot off. We swapped back and forth among the pistols for a while to get the novelty, but finally settled into the Ruger MKII's and 1911's. I guess that is saying something huh?

[rappa]

I only have 4. The only one that doesn't get regular range time is my .22. My carry (.45) gets the most practice, but I 'wind down' shooting my other pistols (9mm, .40).

[Black Snowman]

I find my shooting isn't as consistant switching between multiple guns but I do find my shooting overall improves faster if I do. I'll notice differant problems with my shooting when I switch between guns. Trigger control will be more prominant on the .22, flinching on the ported .40, grip on the Desert Eagle .50 AE. The Desert Eagle really helps with my flinching.

If you can get used to trying to do quick and accurate follow-up shots with the .50 everything else seems pretty tame :D I'll sometime bounce directly from the 22 to the 50 and back to the 22 to check my technique.

[Ankeny]

If you are just out plinking why not take them all? OTOH, if you are practicing for the upcoming USPSA Nationals or something like that, pick one and practice.

[Kamicosmos]

I always take 2-4 guns whenever I go to the range. If it's an outting (say with a bunch of people, or a trip to a far-away range) then I'll load up as much as I can, both rifles and handguns.

When I first started shooting, and only had two guns, I would only take one at a time. It wasn't really handling the gun, but more the learning to shoot that prompted me to take only one.

If you're relatively new to shooting, I found it worked best to set small goals, regardless of gun type. First off, get the smaller targets, like the flip-flops with a bull on either side. First goal, keep all your shots on the paper. Then, move up to all the shots in the rings. Next all the shots in the black. Once you're there, start doing it over one-handed, weak-handed. Then start moving the target further away.

I've been doing this for almost ten years...and I'm about halfway where I want to be!

[CZ52GUY]

Indoors, 2 total...I'm careful about similar size calibers (e.g. .380-9x18) because I've witnessed others shooting from the wrong box (fortunately, nobody got hurt and no permanent equipment issues).

Outdoors, no more than 3...again, taking into consideration Caliber sizes to avoid "wrong box" risks.

I seem to enjoy bringing two of the same caliber when I can (e.g. G22/G23, both 40's...or P95DC/SigPro 2009 9mm's...or both my Mak's, etc.).

I think multiple guns provides opportunity for learning. No two of mine are exactly the same (even my two Bulgy's have different grips)...I think the variety will help me become a better shooter overall in the long run, even if my groups don't improve as fast as they might if I stuck to one favorite (like my CZ-75B).

Your decision may depend on your goals...if your desire is to achieve rapid improvement to achieve a "threshold of proficiency", sticking with one for a while may be useful to you...but in my experience, variety has been a great teacher, and I measure my progress based on gap between best overall scores, and best score with most challenging gun.

Good luck and safe shooting,

CZ52'

P.S. Another reason to bring more than one is that I have had "issues" that while easy to correct at home, didn't lend themselves to range repair...having more than one means I can continue with my range time without driving home to do the repair or retrieve a different piece.

[JoeHatley]

I always take at least 2, sometimes more...

Joe

[Bob C]

I take two at a time.

I clean after every range trip, and cleaning two guns is enough entertainment for me after I get home, particularly with center fire rifles.

With one, I spend too much time waiting on the gun to cool off.

Patience is not one of my virtues.

[HogRider]

I take at least 2 handguns, but sometimes 3 or 4. I'd take more if it wasn't for the cleaning.

[P95Carry]

Hell! You shoulda seen the selection the few of us had collectively at the PA fall shoot last month!! ....... :p Guess 5 or so guys musta had along about near 30 plus handguns ... and exactly several longarms!

http://www.bedford.net/design/shoot/pa_shoot__smalls/clutter_03_s.jpg

This was just one bench outa three .... :D Doesn't do it justice!

[Dave Markowitz]

I generally bring at least two, usually more guns on each range trip. It normally doesn't hurt my shooting, except that if I transition to my S&W Model 14 from anything else, it takes quite awhile to get used to the trigger, because it's so light.

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I bring them all and the family (and friends) shoot as many as they like. I shoot all of them in varying quantities and out of order. I just jump in when someone needs assistance or when obe is free. I also stay after and clean up (brass and unused ammo).

Firing different handguns, different calibers, autos and revos, magnums and poodle guns: it will help you adapt quickly to changing conditions. Particularly if you end up with someone elses shooter in a bad situation!:D

[HSMITH]

I shoot everything from DAO stock guns to tuned single actions with autoloaders and revolvers equally mixed in that pile.


Not to be snide but once you really know how to shoot it will make very little difference what you pick up and when you really have it nailed it won't matter what hand you pick it up with. Keep practicing and keep working on it. There is a difference between meaningful practice and just shooting. 99% of those that I see at the range are just shooting, don't be one of them or you will not get better very fast.


Be sure to set goals and work toward them, otherwise you have no idea where you are and where you are headed.

[BobP]

The other day I put 100 rounds through my Kimber Custom II, then switched to my G22. After two mags, the results were, to say the least, depressing.

[P95Carry]

Your comment HSMITH reminds me .. that when I am on a solo range session ... or at least .. an accompanied but serious visit ... which is most .... altho i do take (seemingly) way too many guns ..... I will not generally put one down to start with another until I am ''up to speed'' on that particular one.

This means that I will have (again usually) reaffirmed my POI info ... re-established my grip and hold. ''muscle memory'' .... and basically ... received my ''refresh'' for that specific gun.

Hopefully in the session ... I will go thru all I have brought ... ammo and time permitting ... to achieve just this .... including of course my carry piece/pieces.

After that I will indulge in some ''fun''!:p

[carpettbaggerr]

Pratice will all.. all will be familiar.

You've got it backwards : Beware the man with only one gun.

[Mannlicher]

I can't relate to this question. I take at least 4 different hand guns to the range each trip, shoot all of them well, and I never get confused as to what gun I am shooting.

[SteelyDan]

I don't seem to find the time to visit the local range anywhere near as often as I'd like, so when I go I bring five or six or seven guns. The switching-around thing hasn't ever been a problem.

[SnWnMe]

I take quite a few. At least 2 rimfires and 2 45s and 2 38/357s. Once in awhile I'll take the rifles out as well.