Free Pistol practice makes perfect (almost)

[stubbicatt]

A year or more ago I bought a TOZ35m. A month or so ago I bought one of those Baikal IZH46M air pistols, and have been practicing with it. I still need to work on the grips as I don't believe any mortal man has the anatomical dimensions that grip seems designed to serve.

So tonight I go to the indoor shooting range nearby. It took awhile to zero the TOZ at 10 yards or so. I did this off a rest. The last 4 rounds I shot freehand utilizing a 6 o'clock hold as I have been practicing with the air pistol. Of those 4 shots, 3 are touching in a nice little cloverleaf in the 10 ring of the Official 50 ft. Slow Fire Pistol Target. The 4th was on call on the 8/9 ring at 1 o'clock.

I know others can shoot much better. That's great. Not to take anything from those guys, this is a happy occasion for me, as this is the first time I was able to do this. It is probably the first time I left the shooting range really happy, rather than perplexed or vexed.

Anyways. Sometimes when things are all working just right even a blind hog can find an acorn.

Stubb out.

 

[9mmepiphany]

that's really good shooting. the nice thing about the 46M is that if there is a miss, you know it's you, not the gun.

many folks don't realise that an air pistol is much harder to shoot well than a .22lr or any centerfire pistol. the slower velocity makes follow through, after trigger release, much more important

 

[Kind of Blued]

It's not often that the most economical option is also the most beneficial option, but that's good thinking on your part.

 

[VegasOPM]

Air guns have another benefit in my mind. I grew up shooting air guns, and there is something to be said about only having 1 round. If I was hunting snakes with my Benjamin Air Rifle, I knew that a miss meant that I would have to pump it 10 more times and load another pellet to get a make up shot.

You learn to make it count.

 

[Old Fuff]

Been there, and done that..., and I still have my old Hammerli and FWB.

Precision shooting makes marksman, and that translates over to all kinds of things. You are right about the stocks, so everyone has to do their own thing. Carve away! Also remember the importance of follow-through when you are dealing with long barrels and/or slow velocities. Keep that sight picture for at least one additional second after the round has been touched off.

 

[MrBorland]

I love practicing with air guns! This post (and the recent nice weather) makes me want to break out my IZH46M again.

Unfortunately, my Izzy apparently had a bad seal right out of the box, so it wouldn't hold a consistent pressure (or any at all), which made it a frustrating experience. Shoulda sent it right back for repair while it was under warranty. An extra seal came with it, so maybe I'll try changing it myself. Any advice?

When it shot, though, the accuracy was impressive...and something I can do in my backyard...and it's whisper quiet.

 

[stubbicatt]

Update: I finally scanned the target. At least part of it fit on the scanner.

Now, yesterday I attempted the same feat, with not at all similar results. Even so, it is nice to have accomplished this one.



It took a lot of clicks of elevation to get it zero'd elevation wise, hence all the pasters. Probably never do anything like this again.

Good thing I scanned it for the future.