GOOD WITH ONE GUN? GOOD WITH ALL GUNS?

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Here's a thought starter, and one I have been pondering for a while. Is it better to be really good with one gun, or should you strive to be good with all guns? I like to shoot (as most of us do) and I like guns (as ALL of us do), consequently I have revolvers, semi-autos, .22's to .45's and everything in between. But as we know, shooting a .44 mag is different than shooting a 9mm, how do you train yourself to shoot well with different guns and calibers? Or is it more important to be really good with one gun, and just have fun with the rest? Sometimes when I am at the range I think I am being too hard on myself because I can't shoot every gun equally as well.

Hope this question makes sense.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Here's a thought starter, and one I have been pondering for a while. Is it better to be really good with one gun, or should you strive to be good with all guns? I like to shoot (as most of us do) and I like guns (as ALL of us do), consequently I have revolvers, semi-autos, .22's to .45's and everything in between. But as we know, shooting a .44 mag is different than shooting a 9mm, how do you train yourself to shoot well with different guns and calibers? Or is it more important to be really good with one gun, and just have fun with the rest? Sometimes when I am at the range I think I am being too hard on myself because I can't shoot every gun equally as well.

Hope this question makes sense.

 

[Sgt Preston]

Sgt Preston here. I only have 4 guns. These are 22, 38SP/357, 9mm & 45 ACP. I can handle & shoot all 4 safely & correctly. I rotate my guns to make sure they all get an equal amount of range time. I shoot them all almost equally well. I do score better with the 45, simply because it is simply a better gun (S&W Performance Center PC 945) & it is fed a diet of handloaded homebrew. I personally feel like I don't need to own or shoot a 44. I honestly believe that I could handle it safely & shoot it ok. While I might get a real "kick" out of it, I doubt if I'd enjoy it enough to make it a "habit". Just one old Jarheads opinion. Your mileage may vary. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

 

[rbert0005]

Shooting is all about trigger control and sight picture.

If you get proficient with one gun there is no reason that will not translate to other guns.

If you are a good shot, you are a good shot.

Bob

 

[Spotteddog]

+1 what triple 0 five said.
When done well.

 

[conn ak]

Yeah, good pistol shooters I've known transition easily from revolver, semi and any caliber.I've always shot better with semis than revolvers,even single action, don't know why. Funny thing about rifles, the scattergun bird hunters I know are great at skeet, not so good at open sight rifles. The rifle hunters seem to be good at everything. A friend of mine was amazing since the boyhood days with BB guns and .22 cal. rifles. A pure shooter, I can hand him my 639, 40VE or old Charter Arms Bulldog and he can achieve decent (better than me) groupings. I can hit a paper plate all day with my open sights SAR1 from the bench, Dave can group standing at 100. Some people have the touch, sighting, breathing and smooth trigger pull, finishing off nicely. It's an art for sure. I've watched him clear bowling pins with a 1911 rapid fire several times. I was amazed that he basically puts the pin in sight for a nanosecond and seems to be on the next pin before you hear the bang.

 

[625smith]

I shoot everything from .22's to 500 S&W. I try to shoot every weekend weather permitting. Of course the 500 takes much more concentration than the 22's. I think it shouldn't matter what you shoot just do it often.

 

[sdrct]

Maybe not exactly on point, but about 2 years ago I joined a small, local club where I can shoot only .22 lr. Very close to home, and I got in the habit of always having a Buckmark or MK II in the trunk so I could regularly (2 or 3 times weekly) stop on the way home for 100-200 rounds.Pretty quickly, I got better with every pistol I shoot. I also improved my consistency from pistol to pistol, and feel very comfortable with all of them.

 

[user]

Nah, I've got a J frame 649 in .357 that I can't seem to get the hang of. If I shoot from blocks, I can get pretty good accuracy, so I know it's not the gun. Tried different grips, but that doesn't seem to help. Every other gun, whether revolver or semiauto is fine (though it took me a while to get used to the Sig "combat" sight picture).

 

[razdog76]

Fantastic thread.

IMHO, this goes one of two ways; either you onw a couple of guns, or you own a bunch.

If you are of the first persuasion, then sticking to one is probably the best bet.

If you are of the second, then you may be better with a particular, but otherwise it doesn't matter as much... pick your poison.

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by rbert0005:
Shooting is all about trigger control and sight picture.

If you get proficient with one gun there is no reason that will not translate to other guns.

If you are a good shot, you are a good shot.

Bob

Sir, there it is in a nutshell. Some guns will "fit" you better than others, but the skill resides in the craftsman, not the tool.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[ACP230]

Being good with one gun is a fine thing. (Sticking to one shotgun helped me with my grouse shooting this fall).

It could also be important to be able to know how to shoot a variety of guns. You might have to borrow one from somebody, or "acquire" one in a tough situation.

 

[n4zov]

If you are a good shot, you are a good shot.

+1

 

[JoeS]

I would venture that if a persons goal was to be at their absolute maximum best in something such as IPSC that it would likely be a good thing if they practiced almost exclusively with one gun. One trigger pull, one reset distance, one sight radius, one magazine capacity and reload.
I think at that level that every detail counts, recoil impulse, muscle memory, all of it. I've certainly noticed that when I switch between weapon types that there is always a slight, but noticeable period of readjustment, I think that might cost a person a bit in competition.
Short of that lofty goal though I think you can still be very proficent with a variety of guns. The fundamentals are the same regardless of the weapon.

 

[Beauetienne]

I don't remember who the quote is attributed to and I paraphrase but...

"Beware the man who owns but one rifle".

 

[Cruiser RN]

I have found that after shooting revolvers exclusively for 15 years in double action conversion to semi auto's was a breeze.Being I have small hands the single stack S+W's fit my hand nicely and fit me better.If your shooting fundamentals are sound it will translate to any firearm you shoot.....God Bless.....Mike

 

[TexasSTEP]

I'm still a big believer that there are shooters and there are not, regardless of the gun. In my experience it's always been about practicing and getting good with the gun and ammo you have at hand, till it's handling becomes second nature. I was always good with wheelguns and 1911's, and I suspect it won't take a great deal for me to get as good with one of the newer "striker" model guns. I will be testing that theory as I just recently picked up a "new to me" XD in .45, and a SW99 .45 on Friday.

-TS

 

[USBP SW]

If you shoot competetively, usually in Master Class or above, then you should probably limit what you shoot to firearms that are as similar as possible. If I were really interested in winning matches, I would practice with what I would be shooting exclusively. I have tried this approach and it does add a few points to my scores. However, I wasn't really interested in winning, necessarily, as much as having a good time with a truly outstanding group of people who shared my interests. Besides, I personally found it boring to limit myself to a couple of firearms. Therefore, I opt for shooting the largest variety of firearms possible and I enjoy the heck out of all of them. I shoot everything well, just not exceptionally, but then that doesn't bother me, I'm having fun. I hope this addresses your questions.
Take care and enjoy,
Steve

 

[KyJim]

If you can shoot revolvers double action, I don't think you'll have any trouble transitioning to semi-autos, whether double or single action. The reverse isn't always true. Most people will shoot a single action better than a double action simply because trigger control is harder in a double action.

Sure, if you practice with only one pistol or one type of pistol, you'll do a little better than if you shot others. But what's the fun in that?

 

[MWB]

I have to take the minority position on this issue. If 'recreational' shooting is your primary interest, the more the merrier. If, however, you are serious about self defense, concentrate on one specific model (have at least two 'copies'). Self defense is 'up close and personal' in the overwhelming majority of cases. Fast, reflexive gun handling is the best way to survive a criminal attack. Such an occasion is absolutely the worst possible time to be wondering which way the safety lever rotates or to have a gun that does not 'blind point' perfectly.

You must practice until all gun handling is truly reflexive - use the sights to train 'muscle memory' so the pistol is correctly indexed when you cannot see the sights because of time constraints or darkness. The good news is that nearly all of your practice can and should be done through dry firing; confirm your skills at the range. Go slowly and smoothly, allowing speed to develop naturally (you cannot miss fast enough to win a fight). Regarding the second 'copy' of your chosen pistol, you carry one (after reliability testing) and shoot the other. Both should be frequently inspected. The 'shooter' serves as a back-up in the event you must use the primary in an actual self defense shooting. The police will most likely put your pistol into the evidence locker at least until the matter is resolved by the 'system' and you do not want to be disarmed in the event the bad guy's buddies pay you a visit.

"Sure, if you practice with only one pistol or one type of pistol, you'll do a little better than if you shot others. But what's the fun in that?" You will have no fun if you are dead or maimed; there is also a bit of satisfaction to be had from doing one's best (first place is the best place in the match results list and I prefer to the 'last man standing' on the street).