Well today was my first time at the range

[SB1]

I got my permit a few months ago and purchased a stainless Beretta 92FS in 9MM. I went with 150 rounds of 115 grain ball ammo. In NYC it helps to have a membership to a gun club when applying for a permit(although it's not a requirement) I bought hearing protection and eye protection. From this board I knew to wear a long sleeve shirt, hat etc to protect myself from hot brass. I brought along 6 targets I did not bring a camera. So I walk into the club range and I am the only one there. The Range Officer walked over and we introduced ourselves. I produced membership and gun permit and explained that I am new to handguns and would like to set up some training. I have something scheduled with him next week. Today he thought it would be good for me to just put some lead downrange and get a feel for what a gun does. He walked me over to a lane explained some of the local rules (sweep up brass, no rapid fire etc) and said to me "go and have some fun" First target was low and left and I felt I had trouble with double action to single action. I don't think I missed the target(I'll have to count all of these little holes) and every shot stayed within the silhouette on the target paper. I had three in the bullseye. My last set I was getting better and had a better feel of things. My groups were a bit tighter but I feel I have considerable work ahead of me. The RO thought I was ok and said we will talk more next week. I wish I had more ammo with me since I had the entire range to myself but my thumbs are sore from loading my mags all the time. I think it was a great experience and I am excited to go again. I just finished cleaning the beretta and put a light coat of oil on her and set up for some home defense.

IT FEELS GREAT!!!!!

 

[CB900F]

SB-1;

Congratulations.

900F

 

[4v50 Gary]

Well done. You may want to practice with that DA trigger for a while (shoot, decock) until you've mastered it. That'll give you the skill so it won't be a wasted shot.

Second, you may want to buy a mag loader (thumb saver). I generally don't use one but there's no stigma against it (OK, I've heard them called sissy loaders) but it's your thumb. Spend your time shooting and less time reloading.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

I recommend a snap-cap, which is basically a dummy round that does not fire. You can use it to practice dry firing as well as firearms safety (loading, unloading, etc.). You can probably get one at your range. Be safe and enjoy!

 

[Majic]

Take all the cartridges out of the magazine and also don't forget to remove the one in the chamber. Put the cartridges in another room. Check everything twice. Now sit down and practice dry firing. That is the simplest and cheapest practice which tunes the needed muscle control and smooths out new pistol action.

Congrats and welcome to the world of handgunning.

 

[Trebor]

Whay does your permit allow you to do with your gun in NYC? Can you store it at home? Use it for CCW? etc, How hard was it to get the permit and what hoops did you have to jump through?

Just curious.

 

[XLMiguel]

 

[XLMiguel]

Glad you had a good first time out. By all means, get a mag loader, It makes life much easier, especially for extended practice sessions. OTOH, it does let you go thru amo a bit faster , but worse things have happened.

Dry firing is a good thing (& cheap practice), it helps you develop finger/muscle control, and it helps 'wear-in'/smooth-out the trigger on a new gun. TV provides a 'target-rich' environment for practicing (just be triple sure you've unloaded the gun), and snapcaps make your firing pin's life a bit easier (though it really isn't an issue with your Beretta).

Enjopy & stay safe.

 

[cool45auto]

Beretta...it's a beautiful thing.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Well done! The more Americans who shoot, the safer the nation is—and target shooting is about the most fun you can have while wearing shoes and socks, too.

 

[TheOtherOne]

I just finished cleaning the beretta and put a light coat of oil on her and set up for some home defense.

It sounds strange, but that's become my favorite part of a range day.

 

[Cliff]

SB1,
Glad to hear you had a good time at the range. Check out this link regarding magloaders for your firearm.Remember, the more you shoot,the more you'll want to shoot. Always be safe when shooting, stock up on ammo,have fun.

 

[goon]

Welcome to the sport.

How often will you be able to practice?
I don't know about the difficulties and cost of ammo in NYC, but I can tell you that just 100 rounds a week will do wonders for your abilities.
Back when I was working and not going to school, I would shoot about 300-400 rounds a week.
I didn't have to study, so I had time for reloading 9mm every night. My brother would resize and prime the casings, then I would load them when I finished my shift.
We had a good system.
Anyhow, with practice, I was able to eventually get good enough to shoot smiley faces on sillouhette targets at 25 yards.
Needless to say, I can't do it anymore.
Need to study = no time to reload and no range time in the evening.
But it goes to show what you can do with enough practice.

BTW- When loading mags, technique is everything. Hold the mag firmly in your shooting hand and hold the loose rounds in your other hand. You sort of use both hands to load the mags, and your thumbs don't get sore that way. I can't really explain it, but you will understand what I mean when you figure it out.
I did have some mag loaders, but I got rid of them.
The were just a PITA, although they were useful with KRD Hi-Power mags.
God knows that you need all the leverage you can get with those things.

 

[Vasilia Zhietzev]

good job first time out! glad you enjoyed it - keep practicing - remember that every 'expert' you see had to start out just like you once!

 

[P95Carry]

SB 1 ... good news bud ... this is just the beginning .... build on this .. and be proud and proficient.

 

[BHPshooter]

Congratulations, on both acquiring a firearm and acquiring a darn fine one at that!

Welcome to the bunch!
Wes

 

[SB1]

thanks all

I have found an incredible amount of knowledge from this board. I have posted my story before about gettimg my permit in NYC.

This started about 1 year ago with a friend who I see3-4 times a year mentioned I should get me permit. I thought yeah right but I have it today. I thought the system would never let me own a gun. This is what it took to get it done:

took a half day from work to pick up application from NYPD licensing at One Police Plaza. You must sign to receive an application.
took a half a day to drop off paperwork on Jan7 2003. Along with $375 dollars in non refundable fees. If you are rejected you do not get any money back.

Day off to meet with an investigator in March. Waited three hours for a 10 minute interview.

Day off to pick up my permit end of September. If I do not collect my permit within 1 weeks time I lose the permit. Wait 2 hours while the computer system malfunctions

Go to local dealer to purchase firearm. This firearm must be inspected by NYPD within 72 hours from purchase. Take another day off from work to have gun inspected.

There was other stuff along the way like their written instructions say to fill out the money orders one way but when I get there they inform me the rules changed and I had to go to another post office to get new money orders. Stuff like that. A real test of patince but it's all over now. Until I need to renew my license again in three years. Yippee!

 

[goon]

Until I need to renew my license again in three years. Yippee!

You know, there are about forty states where life with guns is so much easier...

 

[Nightfall]

Congrats on your new acquisition! It'll certainly bring you lots of fun.

I remember the first time I shot a handgun. It was a Glock 17, with several full cap magazines. I can't remember the distance, but it wasn't that far away. Loaded up the magazines with some UMC ammo, and after setting up a target I got ready. When the range was hot, I carefully lined up the sights... squeeeeezed the trigger... BLAM! Weee, that was fun! With a big grin I did it again... BLAM! Cool! Hey... wait a second. *** is this? Huh, it's a stove pipe. *sigh* Clear it. BLAM! BLAM! Stove pipe! Clear it. BLAM! Stove pipe! Clear it. BLAM! And so on. LOL

In retrospect, I was nervous because of the crowded range (well, more so from the looks I was getting as a mid-teen kid with a handgun, the only semi-auto there at that), and probably would have been better off without trying to hold that Glock up on target for 17 aimed shots at a time. Not too long after, I found out I needed glasses too. I bet some of you have figured out I'm trying to explain away the horrible targets I still have to this day. I did get a couple dead center, but I also clipped the edge of the target with a round or two!

Still, it was fun, and I enjoyed it more and more each time after that. It's an addiction, to be sure!

 

[SB1]

You know, there are about forty states where life with guns is so much easier...

I know but family and employment prevent me from moving out of NY. I did move out of NYC which makes thinks s little simpler but at this point, it's all I can. It makes me appreciate what others have that much more.

 

[Justin]

SB1- Congrats on getting your permit. Sounds like it took quite a bit of patience to jump through all the right hoops.

Regardless, welcome to the fold. I think you'll find shooting to be an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend some free time.

 

[10-Ring]

Congrats! That 92fs of yours should serve you well! Have fun