Range Time

[P0832177]

Well, I am fortunate to have access to multiple ranges. And, so in the winter we indoors for handguns. And, if the weather is bad in the summer, too. But, since there have been reconstruction at one range and a plethora of activities taking the other other outdoor range out of the picture.

Okay enought of that. I am not the world's worst shot nor the best. But, I have come to witness things that just do not compute.

Next to last indoor range visit, #1 guy comes places target on carrier runs out to 10 ft and starts blasting like a MG. No kidding! He went through 500 rounds of Wolf 40 SW through his gun. I mean it was load the mags, blast Till it was all gone! And, well there was not even anything resembling a group let alone something called a pattern. He changed his target a few times moving out to 15 feet then 21 feet. I mean the full size silhoutte targets looked like they took multiple hits from a shot gun.

Too me this was nothing more then wasting ammo, and allot of it too!

Next wizard same visit brings in multiple handguns and a pile of ammo! Okay so he loads his mags, and proceeds to start shooting. This guy is burning through ammo right, left, and in between. And, some of it was high end stuff. Well, he seemed to have no skill at shooting. And, he was shooting 9mm's and 45's.

Now, I can endorse checking function of "carry ammo" is appropriate. But, not being able to hit the freaking target well......?

So, then this guy the other day walks up and buys 6 boxes of 40SW from the range at $15/50rd box. I roll my eyes thinking Wally World VP's at 14.97 for 100. So, this guy starts blasting away with his Glock! Well, during a break he says nice shooting with my 45. I said thank you and he said I must reload, and I said sure do! I could not shoot as much if I did not. Then he remarks about my 625. I said it was the ultimate fun gun, plus it shoots like a champ! Then I told him I am better with a full size USP.


So, he goes off blasting and I go home.

I guess to each his own, but I have always had a plan of sorts for each range visit. I can dry fire and draw at home. So range time is for perfecting some other things. Like I have been working hard with a new grip that works so well with auto's but is a strain with the 625.

But, I always warm up so to speak with some 22 strings and then break out the 45's. I work my way out when shooting indoors, and work my way when shooting out doors.

I am asking do most of you have a plan for shooting or just let the lead fly.
It make me wonder if some people even have a sense of basic marksmanship or not. I think some people flat out think they are Wyatt Earp?

 

[Nick96]

I've noticed the same thing myself. Not so much mass quantities of ammo, more like 50 to 100 rounds then they are through. But as you've observed, seems like a lot of folks are bent on shooting fast rather than accurate. I notice this mostly with Auto shooters. Used to be mostly 9MM's, but 40's now seem to be more in vogue. Most of the .45 Auto and revolver people seem to be there for a purpose.

I too like to mix .22's with centerfire shooting. More handling, sight picture and trigger control work with the .22's - more recoil, blast & flash compensation work with the centerfires. I probably shoot a 4 to 1 ratio of .22's to centerfires.

 

[blades67]

I always go to the range with a plan...







to bust all the caps I brought with me.

It depends, sometimes I go to the range, sign in at the public range and then head over to the practical pistol bays where I put out a plate rack or some pepper poppers and work out some senario. Other times I just shoot at the public range because I just want to make some noise and shoot the 100 yard gongs with my handguns.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've never understood people who burn ammunition for the sake of burning ammunition. It's their money, not mine, to be sure.

I usually alternate ten rounds of .22 rim fire with ten of center fire. I find switching triggers and recoils helps in the (endlessly unsuccessful) pursuit of 100s.

 

[blades67]

I've never understood people who burn ammunition for the sake of burning ammunition.

It's called "stress relief."

 

[Bergeron]

Shooting, by itself, is immensly entertaining and relaxing.

Sometimes, I will try to test myself to get the best possible hits that I can, sometimes I'll just try to make quick reloads, or fast draws, or I'll just shoot fast. Whatever you enjoy, as long as it's safe.

That said, I do notice that at times, people will try to show off at an indoor range much more than what I have noticed at an outdoor range. If one person starts firing rapidly, several other people will do the same, especially if the first person shoots well. The results tend to be less than spectacular. Anyway, it's all in good fun.

 

[10-Ring]

Yeah, I usually have a plan/routine. I bring a couple hundred in 9mm or 45ap and 500 22's. The 22's are for fun & to practice trigger control. The other is for practice in my house gun.

 

[AR-10]

I shoot for fun, with some effort to improve skills.

Sometimes that requires blasting away with reckless abandon (safely, of course).

I have a friend I used to shoot a lot with. He loves semi-auto pistols. He shoots a magazine empty, walks up to the target (interupting me) discusses the resulting holes in paper for five minutes. Then he whips out a magic marker and makes a slash through each hit. This is often accompanied by a recap of the five minute discussion.

Back to the Firing Line. Repeat.

Haven't taken him with me lately.

 

[rappa]

Shooting to improve skills is fun for me. I practice mostly presentation drills, shooting from low ready, double taps to COM, etc. I haven't shot in the 'John Woo', rapid fire style since high school (that was over 10yrs ago). As long as people practice safe gun handling and some common courtesy, it's all good. I've noticed lately that a majority of people at the local range are newbies or renters so they're there to have fun and have the experience of shooting a firearm. Two people in the past 2 weeks I've been, rented an Uzi. They sprayed 100rds in less than 5 minutes, checked out and went home. No big deal, I didn't have any brass or lead flying my way.

 

[RTFM]

I like to shoot to work on groups, or double-taps, some specific thing to pratice on, but I do like a mad min. every now and then
Try the mad min., than right back to shoot a controlled group.... It can be humbling some times when the groups are bigger than a dinner pate at 30 foot.. :banghead: But I guess that's why I go in the first place to practice, practice, practice

 

[anapex]

When I head to the range it's mostly for stress relief and fun. I take atleast 50 rounds per gun and fire off atleast one a second when I'm not reloading. No real structure to it for me, just trying to keep all shots within the black at 25ft (yes my indoor ranges go by feet not yards) on a NRA 25yd bullseye target. I usually find that my ROF is mid range compared to everyone else, not like the true bullseye shooters yet not like the little gangsters either.

 

[Cliff]

I make the range about once a week. either the WAC in Damacus,On Target,or Meyer Station,when we have students in a basic pistol class. I usually go in with a plan,and I pretty much use paper plates 95% of the time. Every once in a while I bring in a bunch of the LE full size paper targets where I do a lot of my double taps,two center mass,one in the head ,or just double tapping paper plates.
Now before you go "yeah,right"please keep in mind I don't walk around with a upper crusty mindset at all. I do still love to blast away sometimes,just for the fun of it,but since I've been teaching folks,I focus more on serious but still fun practice,practice,practice alone,working those drills over & over.
But thats me.

 

[Cliff]

I make the range about once a week. either the WAC in Damacus,On Target,or Meyer Station,when we have students in a basic pistol class. I usually go in with a plan,and I pretty much use paper plates 95% of the time. Every once in a while I bring in a bunch of the LE full size paper targets where I do a lot of my double taps,two center mass,one in the head ,or just double tapping paper plates.
Now before you go "yeah,right"please keep in mind I don't walk around with a upper crusty mindset at all. I do still love to blast away sometimes,just for the fun of it,but since I've been teaching folks,I focus more on serious but still fun practice,practice,practice alone,working those drills over & over.
But thats me.