No, I'll stick with the regulation size targets. I won't have the instigator of this madness, (Rastoff) harassing me for making my own rules and targets. It makes me shoot better when I try and keep up with you guys.

Mixing it up for myself, I moved away from CCW guns. Here's the closest I have to a competition race gun: my M&P 9. It may not look like much, but I've put a lot of time and effort into it. Plus, it's the gun I train with the most and the one I'm most proficient with.



I was a little off when I switched to left hand, but I usually am.... I still managed two same hole shots at 7 yards which was pure luck.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Sheesh, why not just carry this one all the time?! Good shooting!

Lots of good shooting here, folks. You put this guy to shame. I'd be happy hitting the paper weak handed!

Im really enjoying seeing all this good shooting. Today (on call) or next week end ill be giving it a go.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

I second this thought. Unless you have a super light trigger, this should be your carry gun.

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Freedom isn't free.

I'd like to be able to.

The trigger isn't too light to carry, but the size is an issue for me. I will carry it on weekend outings (or after work) in jacket weather, but for an all day thing it just isn't possible for me. I do a lot of climbing / crawling / sliding / stretching / bending / working on my back etc. that a large gun doesn't work for me on a daily basis. Also, printing is a no-no for 9 hours of the day.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Made it out to the range. I only had my MK III with me. I sighted it in at 25 yrds and shot the challenge. I will be trying this with other guns later.



OK, now for the good part. This weekend my wife bought my Dad a M&P PRO CORE 9mm w/ ported barrel. He put about 100 rds thru it and then shot the challenge. He is 84 yrs old and we regularly compete in local "outlaw" 2/3 gun.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

On Smith revolvers, a little bit before the hammer drops in DA, you will feel and hear a click. Pull till you get to the click, check sight alignment, complete the trigger press. With practice it becomes one smooth motion and increases your accuracy.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

I've heard of this technique before. Alas, I don't own any S&W revolvers. I've tried to do this with other revolvers, but I've been unsuccessful. If you can do it, it is indeed a great technique. Just be sure not to "stage" the trigger. That will compromise accuracy.

That's fantastic. I love being out-shot by your dad.

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Freedom isn't free.

It works well on Smith revolvers. Its the design of the cylinder stop and its timing that gives the click just before the hammer drops. I know it won't work on Colts. I shot competitive pistol matches in the 80's and used it with great success.

I get out shot by my Dad all the time!

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Now, gentlemen, there seems to be a group of guys that want to use target pistols chambered in .22LR for this challenge. As I've said on several occasions, you may use any gun you like. Still, this is intended to be shot with your defensive pistol.

To keep things on the level, as it were, I've added this special target. Far be it from me to say a .22LR can't be used for self-defense. Still, it should be easier to hold a smaller group. So, I made a new target. If you want to use your .22 AND say that you beat the rest of us, use the special .22LR target attached to this post.

I've also included the target requested by Shorty 45 Mk2.

Now it's getting real.

Attached Files

	Challenge Target 22LR.pdf (180.9 KB, 22 views)
	Shorty 45 Mk2.pdf (80.5 KB, 16 views)

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Freedom isn't free.

Thanks Rastoff!

All the .22's got me thinking about using my Beretta .25 (yeah I know.) as it is super accurate given the sights, but I think that I'll try it with both my target and the original.

Oh, I knew my MK III was NOT on the level. I'll be posting up "real" targets using my XDs 45, XDm 9mm and XD 45 in the future.

My Dad's was the real one in my post.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

OK, I gave it a whirl.

Iffen I'd done OK on the bottom segment, I'd have confessed to a disqualification here. I was three shots into the kneeling segment, and it occurred to me I was resting on the range table. No wonder I got that part right!

The wrong hand is bizarre feeling!

I wouldn't think that was a DQ if it was a true SD test and there was a table or something similar you could use it. I believe it was said that you could use the barricade. i think I will do a reshoot. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Barricade yes, table no. This is supposed to be somewhat realistic. Using a barricade is common, the table, not so much.

So, the kneeling position is supposed to be shot as I did it in the video. A chair is OK simply because some of us can't get down on the ground.

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Freedom isn't free.

Finally made it to the range today. Shot the challenge cold. I also did something I never do. I had a large cup of coffee, then put another one in a travel mug for the drive to the range. WOW! Now I know why I don't do that.

I don't remember ever shaking that bad. I brought the targets, the gun, and the ammo, so I shot it anyway. Magload is right, the kneeling was the worst. I'm not as flexible as when I was younger, and it was in no way comfortable. I actually did best with my support hand! My wife was watching, and she said couldn't see that I was shaking at all.

I'll be doing this one again, with NO COFFEE.
Gun was the same DW 1911 I used for the last challenge I shot.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Nicely done.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Shot with my Glock 36. I cheated though, the 5 yard shot support hand I did at 7 yards so as not to disturb the other shooters. Not bad since I seldom shoot the Glock.

Attached Images

image.jpg (50.0 KB, 16 views)

I had a strange (to me) thing happen to me at the range today. It is related to the support hand that Rastoff mentioned in his original post. My wife and daughter were with me and we were shooting at about 7 yds. As we were winding down, I moved up to about 5 yds and shot 6 rds with my left, support, hand, holding my right hand against my chest. I shot much better than I thought I would, the sights seems more steady than when I normally shoot using a supported, right hand stance. I may have never shot a pistol or revolver with the support hand before. Any ideas why I should be steadier left handed? I had surgery on my right shoulder in Oct 2011, and my arm has seemed weaker since that time.

Your suggestions and/or comments will be appreciated.

Muscle/nerve damage could very well be the problem. You may need to work out, with doctor's ok, your right hand/arm.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Not sure in your case but it does seem to help tuck your other arm in and close your fist. I shoot better that way, both weak and strong handed.

While the surgery may have had an impact on your marksmanship skills, another possibility is that since you haven't shot with your left hand before then maybe you were just concentrating on it more. Maybe you just paid more attention to the fundamentals than you would have shooting right-handed, which you have more experience with. Just a thought.

Yes, I believe that ContinentalOp has nailed it.

When presented with the great unknown, we tend to settle down and concentrate a little more. It's mostly mental. Because we expect to do worse, we generally are able to relax a little more.

I see this phenomena a lot in new shooters. After a little instruction, they usually shoot pretty well. Then, once they gain a little experience, their groups open up a little. This is most likely due to over confidence.

Keep practicing with your support hand. I'm sure you'll have good and bad days. Even so, I'll bet you had some fun doing it, right?

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Freedom isn't free.

Thanks for all the feedback, I will try to concentrate more as I shoot. Operator error, I figured as much.

I had to use an empty plastic barrel for a barricade, it made things interesting. I will have to try it with an M&P next time, i used a Sig SP2022 for this attempt.

Attached Images

IMG_0905.jpg (77.7 KB, 24 views)

Very very nice!

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

Fun Challenge, can I buy that target? :-) I'll try to sneak it by Rastoff. Just kidding!

Outstanding target SteveY! Did you try the first challenge?

I'm watching you!

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Freedom isn't free.

No fair shooting the target turned on it's side. I could have kept more of my pulled to the left shots in that way. I want to fi;e a protest. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Got to the range today before it got dark. This is cold left handed using my XD .45.

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

I will give your first two challenges a go the next time I have some free time at the club.

I thought it was the picture that was turned not the target.

Protest registered and accepted. SteveY will have to shoot again with the target properly oriented in order to be reconsidered. I'm just messin with ya.

Magload,
Go ahead and try it with a sideways target. I'll accept that too.

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Freedom isn't free.

Thought I'd give it a try with my trusty LCP. Had one that decided to go it's own way, but not to far I think.

Attached Images

image.jpg (50.4 KB, 23 views)

That's pretty good for an LCP! Must be the second generation. I'll have to try it with mine, but not my wife's early model.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Just one? I only see 18 holes.

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Freedom isn't free.

Tried to assume the kneeling position last night in the music room. Decided I didn't want to force it after i couldn't get down. After several birthdays you always have to consider your actions and the reactions. :-)

Printed some of the special targets so I could complete the Challenge today. That was a bad move, I did so bad I burned the evidence. :-) Not really! Shot terrible though. Will have to try again later.

You're not alone Joe. Notice I didn't post a pic of the target I shot with my revolver.

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Freedom isn't free.

OK, I'm adding this to the mix:


Succeed in this challenge, PM me your address, and I'll send you one of these free of charge. To have succeeded all the shots must be within the orange or center part of the target. For this particular challenge, you must use the target from the OP. You must use a defensive gun and it must be used as you would use it to defend yourself.

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Freedom isn't free.

Ok... I finally made it to the range WITH the challenge target () and here's my results.
I'm definitely not used to precision shooting from a barricade, but all 5 shots are definitely centerline.
I am used to shooting from a kneeling position, but this grouping surprised me.
I am also used to practicing with my off-hand, so I'm kinda disappointed with how my group opened up at 7Yds...

Oh yeah... This is with my Shield 9mm... My EDC.

Attached Images

Challenge3.jpg (38.9 KB, 15 views)