After reading the other thread here on recommended shops in SE Wisconsin, I drove an hour over from Madison to Milwaukee to visit The Shooter's Shop. I met Pete, who was really polite, friendly and helpful. Being a handgun novice, he took the time to show me how to correctly hold it so I wouldn't rip my fingers off in the process.
I was interested in the Springfield XD-9, but asked him what else he'd recommend, and he suggested that I try out the Glock as well and see what type of grip angle I preferred. Since I've never shot a handgun before (just rifles) I didn't exactly have a preference.
So I went down to their basement indoor range and shot a box of 9mm - half through the xd9 first, then the second half through the glock. I was definitely not used to the muzzle flash or recoil at all. The impression I came away with was that the trigger on the glock was much longer and stiffer, I was definitly starting to wince/anticipate recoil as the pressure increased. (Pete later pointed out I was completely releasing the trigger after every shot). Also, the glock seemed to 'jump' in my hand considerably more than the springfield. In spite of this, Pete seemed to think my grouping with the glock was better - but that may be because I was starting to get used to the shooting.
Afterwards, I decided on ... neither. Instead, I took Pete's advice and signed up for an individual training class - probably the best idea in the long run.
See attachments for my first ever attempt at handgun shooting.
I was interested in the Springfield XD-9, but asked him what else he'd recommend, and he suggested that I try out the Glock as well and see what type of grip angle I preferred. Since I've never shot a handgun before (just rifles) I didn't exactly have a preference.
So I went down to their basement indoor range and shot a box of 9mm - half through the xd9 first, then the second half through the glock. I was definitely not used to the muzzle flash or recoil at all. The impression I came away with was that the trigger on the glock was much longer and stiffer, I was definitly starting to wince/anticipate recoil as the pressure increased. (Pete later pointed out I was completely releasing the trigger after every shot). Also, the glock seemed to 'jump' in my hand considerably more than the springfield. In spite of this, Pete seemed to think my grouping with the glock was better - but that may be because I was starting to get used to the shooting.
Afterwards, I decided on ... neither. Instead, I took Pete's advice and signed up for an individual training class - probably the best idea in the long run.
See attachments for my first ever attempt at handgun shooting.