Hi all. My first (long) post. Please C&C

[supplier]

First of all i would like to say hello to eveyone and to say that I'm very happy to be part of the community.

Never in my life I thought I'll be getting a gun. But I moved to live down to South and I finally got the gun! I hope I did my homework well – let's see your opinion. C&C are welcomed and expected.

At least in the nearest future my Shield will play a role of all-in-one tool - a CCW as well as HD gun. I hope I will never have to use it, but I need practice, practice and practice, especially at 7 yards for SD and at 20 yards, as I live in a large house and if any shootout happens – I need to feel secure and comfortable with the gun at longer distances. In the future I might pick larger gun for HD, but it does not mean I should not try to master my Shield in the first place.

I would like to describe my situation in few words as possible


Originally I wanted Shield in 9mm very badly, but when I went to the gun show last weekend - all 9mm Shields were gone in a span of 2 hours after the opening hour . I did not want one in 40 caliber, so I ended up with Beretta Nano as my first gun. Not a bad gun - I put 500 rounds through it in the first day of practice with couple of FTE's, but I constantly was shooting to the left (I'm right-handed). So the gunsmith told me I'm pushing the gun to the left, when pulling the trigger. By the end of the training day I put my last 50 rounds into 7 yards target quite OK (for me) - in the circle of 6-7 inches, with huge hole in the middle (from many rounds), with center of that hole is about 2.5 inches to the left of the center of target that I aimed at. So I'm still pushing the gun to the left while pulling the trigger.

Now is the best part. I went for another practice session and overheard conversation in a store that they just received a new shipment, including couple of 9mm Shields and I immediately bought the Shield!!!!! Nano will be my summer EDC or BUG. For now, I'll concentrate on the Shield. My wife is afraid guns, but Nano might become her purse gun over the time if she overcomes here fear.

On my first day of practicing I put around 420 rounds through the Shield (350 WWB (one FTE) and around 70 rounds of different SD ammo to test the gun reliability - like Federal HST 124gr (standard pressure P), Hornady XTP 124gr (P), XTP 147gr (P) and Super Duty 134 gr (P) with the latter I had one FTE.

Later I also tried a target at 20 yards. All 30 rounds hit the target but I would not call it a grouping – a 12-inches grouping atthe best

The Shield is definitely more pleasant to hold and shoot than Nano, but even with Shield I still shooting to the left most of the time, so I need several of your advices please:

1) Can anyone suggest good tutorials, websites, youtube videos on correct stances and correct handling the handguns.

2) I also decided on Crossbreed Supertuck over Minotaur MTAC Holster as it has option for a laser.

3) I need your help on #3 and #4 questions. I often riding a bicycle with my kids after work or just walking, at this time of year it means "after dusk". Not to mention we have a lot of bobcats in our area. I will feel more secure having gun on me is such situations. I'm not sure about the legal point of view in situation when someone with bad intentions (I know it is questionable, but common sense might tell me it spells "danger") will trying to approach as – I think the laser might be a break point to avoid the confrontation at all – if I can show that I'm armed way before Self-defense distance. Also I've read it's very helpful if gun needs to be used on a run or from being an object, like a tree. Am I correct on this one? Or I should not pull out CCW until the actual confrontation started? I will read more on Florida's law of guns usage, but I would like to hear your opinion as well.

4) But let's say in HD situation I do not want laser to give up my location until I'm ready to shoot. Thant's why I'm leaning toward Lasermax Centerfire laser – it can be turned on very quickly on demand.

5) I ordered 1000 rounds of Aguila 115g P for initial training and 500 rounds Winchester 124 gr NATO for stage two training. I read a lot of posts and watched youtube gel/denim /water jugs ballistics and I think I'll stick with Federal HST 124gr +P asmy SD ammo, due to shield's short barrel. But I also ordered 100 rounds of each of the following: Ranger T-series 124 +P, Federal HST 124 gr P, HST 147gr P, HST 147gr +P and last but not least Hornady Super Duty 134 GR +P. After being comfortable with the gun I'll do a match (with myself) which SD ammo from above will give me the best handling with double tabs – that will be my EDC ammo. I might just keep a mag loaded with Super Duty 134 gr +P in my car if I ever need to use it through the windshield, but I do not want it to be an EDC ammo (yep, uys, it looks like i'm planning for Holywood blockbuster. lol)

Guys, I know it's a lot of information I'm giving out here, but as I mentioned before, it's a mess in my head right now and I need to sort everything out.

If you do not mind, please give me your feedback with cons and pros of my approach. And if anyone has links to a good learning videos/websites – please let me know – we all started from somewhere, right?

My sincere thanks and happy holidays everyone.
Vlad

 

[Moonman]

You need to PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE.

Seek out and go to to some professional training.

Someone placing you under time and light restraints
along with screeming and yelling adds to the event.

I know training can be expensive, but being involved in
a shoot and civil/criminal lawsuits that may cost you $80,000
in legal fees and possibly the loss of your liberty is more.

Serious food for thought.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

You need to PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE.

Seek out and go to some professional training.

Someone placing you under time and light restraints
along with screeming and yelling adds to the event.

I know training can be expensive, but being involved in
a shoot and civil/criminal lawsuits that may cost you $80,000
in legal fees and possibly the loss of your liberty is more.

Serious food for thought.

Excellent advice. In carrying a gun you are taking on a great deal of responsibility. There are several good books on the subject, such as those written by Massad Ayoob. As Moonman says, get professional training. And if your instructor happens to be a current or retired LEO so much the better. And one more thing to consider. The term "situational awareness" has been discussed often on this forum. Practice with your gun is essential, but as important is this. They go hand in hand. Good luck.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Supplier:

Welcome to the Forum. My thoughts after reading your post is that you may be practicing too much at one time. Practice sessions of long duration, especially by yourself, and especially as a novice shooter can lead to the development, and reinforcement of bad habits - the kind that can be difficult to break. Instead, I would suggest shorter sessions on a more frequent basis. That is, instead of a marathon 4 hour session a day, I'd rather see a 1 hour long session every 4 days. A shooting coach/instructor would be very helpful. Also, I recommend buying and using a .22 caliber pistol or revolver for the bulk of your practice. Not only is a .22 more economical, it is a lot easier to learn from as there is less noise, muzzle blast, recoil, etc. Finally, there is a lot to be said, and gained from dry-fire practice.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[av8usn]

Welcome to the forum. Here is my $.02. First, I agree with shorter practice sessions. However, I am a believer in frequent dry fire sessions. Pick a safe area, insure you are unloaded, no ammo in the room and work on basics. Trigger control is a difficult action to master, but without it you will never be an accurate shooter. I limit my sessions to 15 - 20 minutes, max, and try to work on an individual skill daily. Practice must include establishing the grip, executing an efficient draw and smooth presentation, front sight focus and breaking the trigger smoothly. Speed is not important in the beginning, but "doing the right things right" is very important. As for a laser, I am not a proponent of its use in early training because I believe it can lead to very bad habits with respect to sloppy sight focus. Other members have advised professional training, I agree. You can also seek out videos from professional competitors; there is a gold mine of free and accurate information on the internet, but there is also a lot of bogus B.S. so be discerning. Finally, if you have not already done so, you need to ask yourself and answer, honestly, if your mental makeup is appropriate for carrying a handgun knowing that you might have to use it to take another person's life. If the answer is not an unequivocal "yes" put the weapon in the nightstand, closet or safe and leave it be. Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[Tliryc]

Supplier. Just took and passed my TX CHL class today. One of the most important things I took away from the class was it's only legal to draw a gun when it is legal to fire a gun. So, not sure about Florida, just because you perceive a threat doesn't mean you have the legal right to draw your weapon. Read the State Laws and Statutes otherwise you could get into a whole heap of trouble. I'm new to handguns myself and I definitely plan on taking some classes soon. For $50 an hour for the first session and $20 thereafter I think it's a great investment. I am also planning on getting in on some practical pistol shoots. Congrats on your new Shield! I love mine.

 

[supplier]

Thanks all for the inputs. I'll start with the instructor and we will see where it will take me from there.
Thanks again, Vlad

BTW, any suggestions on a good reputable instructor in New Tampa area? (or even Tampa Bay area)

 

[supplier]

Supplier. Just took and passed my TX CHL class today. One of the most important things I took away from the class was it's only legal to draw a gun when it is legal to fire a gun. So, not sure about Florida, just because you perceive a threat doesn't mean you have the legal right to draw your weapon. Read the State Laws and Statutes otherwise you could get into a whole heap of trouble. I'm new to handguns myself and I definitely plan on taking some classes soon. For $50 an hour for the first session and $20 thereafter I think it's a great investment. I am also planning on getting in on some practical pistol shoots. Congrats on your new Shield! I love mine.

Thanks for the warning. Based on the following it is leagal to draw a gun just to have it ready for SD. here is it:
---------------------------------------

The 2012 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES Chapter 790
WEAPONS AND FIREARMS View Entire Chapter

790.10 Improper exhibition of dangerous weapons or firearms.—If any person having or carrying any dirk, sword, sword cane, firearm, electric weapon or device, or other weapon shall, in the presence of one or more persons, exhibit the same in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner, not in necessary self-defense, the person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

[mc5aw]

Take a look at Clint Smith's Thunder Ranch DVDs on Defensive Handgun techniques.

 

[breakingbad]

1. go on you tube and search "hickcock 45" and then search basic handgun training ... or buy Clint Smith DVDs ... or both
2. you need to take a lot of classes on self defense from someone who is really really good

 

[supplier]

After first 800 rounds

Hi all. Thanks for all advices. I'm getting used to the gun. it's a bit too small to hold comfortable, but i'm getting there. Just wanted to ask your oppinion. it looks like SD MHJ ammo has some "play" in its pass (not sure on correct word), when used in short barrel gun, compare to FMJ bullets. Attached are two images, both taken at the same practice 5 minutes apart at 7-7.5 yards. #1 is Winchaster NATO 124 +P (8 rounds), second one is Ranger-T 124 +P (8 rounds) (i get pretty much the same results from Federal HST 124 +P and Hornady 134 +P)
any comments?

 

[M3Stuart]

Welcome to the forum!

You're on your way. Just keep practicing - but, when I practice with 9mm, I don't shoot more than 50 to 100 rounds per session. If you want to put 100's of rounds downrange use a .22 that's similar to your Shield - like a Ruger SR22P or something like that.

It sounds like you've already spent a ton more on ammo than on your Shield...practicing with a .22 will fix that.