CZ52GUY
Member
I decided to get in some practice with my Glocks...long day at work...needed a change in focus.
I arrived at the range and was pleasantly surprised to find a number of other shooters...business is picking up slowly.
I decided to start with the G23 since it is newer to me, and wanted to be fresh when I started shooting. A couple of warm-up targets at 7-yds and I feel like I'm ready to go.
I prepared some T6 targets to scale to try something a little different. Starting with the base T6 for 25ft, and proportionally modifying for 7-yds, 10-yds, 15-yds, and 25-yds.
I do okay at 7, not so great at 10, worse at 15, and nothing to write home about at 25 (got 3 on target at least at 25 yards, which is something I guess).
To my surprise I have an FTF...not sure what that's about.
Now I'm switching to 1/3 IDPA targets, another FTF...never had an issue in about 350 rounds since I bought it this summer...I consider it an opportunity to deal with a malf' and press on. This maybe a box of ammo' I've had for a while (WWB 180gr), but it hasn't choked in it before. Two more targets at 7-yds on 1/3 IDPA and I'll be done this box and see how 165gr works. I'm shooting 3.5" - 5" groups...having some issues with going low and to the left.
The next target I bear down some and...1.25", a personal best at that distance for any piece I own!
Now it's out to 10-yds and a different box of ammo'...I have a couple 4/5 on target but start to settle down into a 4.5-6" routine...spread is mostly vertical with decent spread from a "windage" perspective.
Best group at 10-yds is 4"...I finish up with a 10-rd target (kind of a benchmark as the 1/3 IDPA is often used in virtual shoots)...score a 39 which isn't horrible for me with this piece. More work to do obviously...but I've seen the potential of what it can do if I keep my end of the bargain. The last 60 rounds feed just fine...I'm suspecting operator error of some type.
Next its on to the G22.
I put a Hogue Handall when I bought it and for the most part have liked it. However, the more I shoot extended sessions (had been shooting outdoors this summer and averaged <50 rounds), I find the Handall tends to creep up the back of the grip. I decide to try it without the Handall to see what I think of it.
Again, I start out with the T6 targets and do okay...a little better than the G23 which I would expect being more familiar with the G22, and the larger size is less "frisky". Still, the best I can do at 15 yds is 4/5 on target and 3/5 at 25 yards. I'm shooting at 8.5x11, which is a challenge to see, and thinking a larger target with a 3" sticker might be the better choice at those distances...I'll be able to see where the misses go...next time, I'll try the B27 centers or even a B34 out at those distances.
Now I'm shooting 1/3 IDPA's at 7-yds. I do okay, with 3.5 - 4.5" groups...some low and left issues...inconsistency...2 or 3 solid bulls-eyes then some "flyers"...maybe I'm fatiguing some...I haven't shot over 150 rounds in one session for a while but I want to push hard enough to build up my mental stamina.
I pause briefly and consider my grip. I use the left hand wrap-wround and notice that the left hand pressure has been inconsistent. I don't want to overgrip with the dominant hand because I fear I will lose "feel" on the trigger and become too tense. I determine to focus on applying additional pressure with the weak hand while maintaining a moderate grip with the strong side. I am pleased with the results...
I move out to 10-yds and try to apply the same technique but find that although my head is telling my hands what to do, that there is a level of fatigue I am unable to overcome physically. I do okay...10-yd groups are in the 4.5 - 6" range and again, seeing some vertical spread more than horizontal which is an improvement. Best target grouping at 10-yds is 4".
Final target is 10-rounds at 10-yards on 1/3 IDPA...shooting for score more than for group...
The low-center shot is typical of the vertical spread I experienced as I began to tire. Still, the 42 exceeds by 30 points my March 2003 entry into a Glocktalk virtual shoot so I can see that the practice is paying off.
While the "naked" grip felt a little slick at first, I find the textured plastic does provide sufficient stickiness that I can maintain good control. I'll miss the cobblestone feel...but I won't miss the changing grip angle that resulted during extended sessions. I'll keep the Handall for a future purchase down the road. I do not experience much if any grip movement with the G23...probably because of the built in finger-grooves in the Gen'3 model...
Bottom line, I continue to learn, I continue to progress, another personal best target, and I believe I can apply the grip pressure technique more consistently if I can remember to do so when I START a practice session as opposed to discovering at the end.
I hope others who are "emerging shooters" can benefit from the ramblings of one of their own. Not all of us are masters or competition champ's, but it is fun to share my experiences as I progress...and I hope you-all can get a little something out of it.
If nothing else...I get some much needed practice with the digital camera and by sharing my experiences with others, I'm hoping I can internalize some of the lessons I am learning along the way.
Have a great weekend!
CZ52'
I arrived at the range and was pleasantly surprised to find a number of other shooters...business is picking up slowly.
I decided to start with the G23 since it is newer to me, and wanted to be fresh when I started shooting. A couple of warm-up targets at 7-yds and I feel like I'm ready to go.
I prepared some T6 targets to scale to try something a little different. Starting with the base T6 for 25ft, and proportionally modifying for 7-yds, 10-yds, 15-yds, and 25-yds.
I do okay at 7, not so great at 10, worse at 15, and nothing to write home about at 25 (got 3 on target at least at 25 yards, which is something I guess).
To my surprise I have an FTF...not sure what that's about.
Now I'm switching to 1/3 IDPA targets, another FTF...never had an issue in about 350 rounds since I bought it this summer...I consider it an opportunity to deal with a malf' and press on. This maybe a box of ammo' I've had for a while (WWB 180gr), but it hasn't choked in it before. Two more targets at 7-yds on 1/3 IDPA and I'll be done this box and see how 165gr works. I'm shooting 3.5" - 5" groups...having some issues with going low and to the left.
The next target I bear down some and...1.25", a personal best at that distance for any piece I own!
Now it's out to 10-yds and a different box of ammo'...I have a couple 4/5 on target but start to settle down into a 4.5-6" routine...spread is mostly vertical with decent spread from a "windage" perspective.
Best group at 10-yds is 4"...I finish up with a 10-rd target (kind of a benchmark as the 1/3 IDPA is often used in virtual shoots)...score a 39 which isn't horrible for me with this piece. More work to do obviously...but I've seen the potential of what it can do if I keep my end of the bargain. The last 60 rounds feed just fine...I'm suspecting operator error of some type.
Next its on to the G22.
I put a Hogue Handall when I bought it and for the most part have liked it. However, the more I shoot extended sessions (had been shooting outdoors this summer and averaged <50 rounds), I find the Handall tends to creep up the back of the grip. I decide to try it without the Handall to see what I think of it.
Again, I start out with the T6 targets and do okay...a little better than the G23 which I would expect being more familiar with the G22, and the larger size is less "frisky". Still, the best I can do at 15 yds is 4/5 on target and 3/5 at 25 yards. I'm shooting at 8.5x11, which is a challenge to see, and thinking a larger target with a 3" sticker might be the better choice at those distances...I'll be able to see where the misses go...next time, I'll try the B27 centers or even a B34 out at those distances.
Now I'm shooting 1/3 IDPA's at 7-yds. I do okay, with 3.5 - 4.5" groups...some low and left issues...inconsistency...2 or 3 solid bulls-eyes then some "flyers"...maybe I'm fatiguing some...I haven't shot over 150 rounds in one session for a while but I want to push hard enough to build up my mental stamina.
I pause briefly and consider my grip. I use the left hand wrap-wround and notice that the left hand pressure has been inconsistent. I don't want to overgrip with the dominant hand because I fear I will lose "feel" on the trigger and become too tense. I determine to focus on applying additional pressure with the weak hand while maintaining a moderate grip with the strong side. I am pleased with the results...
I move out to 10-yds and try to apply the same technique but find that although my head is telling my hands what to do, that there is a level of fatigue I am unable to overcome physically. I do okay...10-yd groups are in the 4.5 - 6" range and again, seeing some vertical spread more than horizontal which is an improvement. Best target grouping at 10-yds is 4".
Final target is 10-rounds at 10-yards on 1/3 IDPA...shooting for score more than for group...
The low-center shot is typical of the vertical spread I experienced as I began to tire. Still, the 42 exceeds by 30 points my March 2003 entry into a Glocktalk virtual shoot so I can see that the practice is paying off.
While the "naked" grip felt a little slick at first, I find the textured plastic does provide sufficient stickiness that I can maintain good control. I'll miss the cobblestone feel...but I won't miss the changing grip angle that resulted during extended sessions. I'll keep the Handall for a future purchase down the road. I do not experience much if any grip movement with the G23...probably because of the built in finger-grooves in the Gen'3 model...
Bottom line, I continue to learn, I continue to progress, another personal best target, and I believe I can apply the grip pressure technique more consistently if I can remember to do so when I START a practice session as opposed to discovering at the end.
I hope others who are "emerging shooters" can benefit from the ramblings of one of their own. Not all of us are masters or competition champ's, but it is fun to share my experiences as I progress...and I hope you-all can get a little something out of it.
If nothing else...I get some much needed practice with the digital camera and by sharing my experiences with others, I'm hoping I can internalize some of the lessons I am learning along the way.
Have a great weekend!
CZ52'
