How much do you shoot your carry gun

[tectrry]

I've had my license to carry now for a couple of months. I've been carrying my 40c most of the time but just purchased a Shield for carry because it is a little thinner. I shoot every week (at least once) usually empty the mag of HP then use FMJ for the rest of the session (120-150 rounds), then load up a new mag of HP to carry and do a quick clean and lube. That ends up being about 6k-7k rounds a year and my question is should I take it easy on my new carry gun and not shoot it as much or is it good to shoot it as much as my others?

 

[Chris642]

Sounds like your pretty well off financially speaking. I'd say knock yourself out if that's the case, but I would pick up another gun the same exact model as your carry piece to practice with so as not to put all that wear and tear on your primary.

 

[mc5aw]

Not everyone can afford the $ or time to put 6K+ rounds downrange every year. The best practice comes by way of knowing your chosen CCW and shooting it until the nuances become second nature. As for round count, the competitive shooters can tell you best about longevity. High volume shooting requires periodic maintenance and regular checks for wear. Years back when I was putting mileage on a pair of SIG 228s, I always had a new barrel and assorted parts in a range bag. Those two SIGs still shoot dead on, and have only been cleaned over time, never rebuilt or rebarrelled.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

Every two years I shoot 25 rounds of .357M from a S&W 640-1 and 25 rounds of .45ACP from a Glock-30 because that's what NM law requires, then I clean the guns and put them away for two years.

 

[pps]

I shoot it enough to stay proficient (probably 1-2 hundred rounds every few months). This is my least favorite gun to shoot, but is my most carried gun... though this might change now that I got the M&P shield.

 

[islamoradamark]

i shoot my carry gun all the time clean it real good and load it up to carry this way i know i have a well oiled working wepon i can depend on

 

[racknrider]

I carry a 1911SC. I shoot it in 3 or 4 matches a year. I have a steel frame commander size gun that I shoot frequently, 1 or 2 matches a month. I bought the steel frame to reduce wear on the carry gun and on me. All of my pistols are 1911/2011 so there is no real learning curve when I switch guns.

 

[Donn]

Every week. How many rounds depends on the groups. If I shred the 10 and X ring with the first mag, I move on. No sense burning up any more ammo. If I'm all over the place, we'll load up till things get better. It usually doesn't take long.

 

[SIAD MP]

Started reloading .380 for my BG. It is my full time pistola and I feel I shoot it well. A Smith 642 with Desantis hip grips gets a grab when a quick trip to town or the mailbox at the end of the drive. My main love is my 3.3 XDs .45. Amazed at how easy it shoots and how accurate it is. I shoot it in IDPA matches. I never place because mag changes are frequent with 5 rounders but I shoot what I carry and hold my own.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I shoot the two currently in the regular rotation every month or so, 20 rounds maybe. I try to knock the pocket boogers out every couple days, and I break them down once or twice a month to clean, which is mainly just wiping them down and putting a little lube back on the friction points.

 

[Arik]

Between 2 & 4 times a month and between 200 & 500 rounds per trip. The only thing I would suggest is not to empty the HP ammo each time. Ammo doesn't go bad that fast. I would pick a quality HP ammo, try it and then stuck with it but there is no need to shoot a mags worth every week.

 

[Modified]

I shoot my bobbed hammer model 60 every time I get to the range and try to run at least a box through it. I find that it's not exactly the most intuitive of guns, so I do my best to stay in practice with it.

In truth I found that dry firing my Ruger Redhawk with my arm straight out until I can't feel anything in my hand or arm, switching to the other and repeating the process, throughout watching a movie or TV really helped my shot, more then the practice does to be honest. So even though I don't get out to the range as much as I probably should (or would like to) I do make it a point to doing that exercise.

 

[vigil617]

I think you're the best judge of how familiar and proficient you are with your carry pistol, and that's what dictates how often to go to the range. There is a point of diminishing returns in there somewhere, but that completely ignores the fact that it's fun to go shooting.

To answer your question, though: I try to shoot at least once a month, and when I "invest" time at the range, I don't want to be "penny-wise and pound-foolish" so I shoot my carry pistol at least 50 rounds' worth, and others that I take to the range, about the same amount or more. My only limitation is being conscious of what I'm spending in ammo, because as in many hobbies, we run low on $ quicker than we run out of fun.

 

[feralmerril]

I seldom shoot now. Many years ago I was more active shooting with a lot more guns. At every session I usually ended up shooting just one or two cylinder fulls of a model 60 I carried for 30 years or so. Got to where I could walk a can all over. Now to start with, the only time I shot at a regular range was when I had to requal otherwise most my shooting always was out in the desert just poking around.
I wont knock shooting 7,000 rounds a year but I doubt wild bill hickock practiced that much. I see you are new at two months. One will get you ten a year from now you wont be shooting a fraction of that.

 

[Brian41]

I carry a snub revolver or 1911 most of the time. I don't always shoot my carry guns every time I go shooting but I do have a Sig 1911-22 and S&W Model 17s I do shoot often. They might not be exact models of my carry guns and don't have the recoil but I can afford to do a fair amount of shooting with them too.
I was shooting weekly but have got away from that for awhile as I've had projects at home that got in the way. Hopefully I'll get back to shooting more.

 

[Florida Guy]

I shoot one magazine about every 6 months in my Glock 26.

 

[pharmer]

I shoot about 100-150 rds 4 times a year through my 6906. I carry a centennial of some sort sometimes and shoot them a couple hundred rds/ yr. Joe

 

[RobzGuns]

I try to go every couple weeks. I usually bring my Shield, one other pistol and 200 rounds to split between the 2.
Primary focus is on my performance with the Shield.

 

[kbm6893]

Maybe 400 rounds a year, max through my 6906. I'm a good shot and never have a disappointing session. Everytime I pull the trigger I can see the dollar bills flying down range. I just started reloading to lessen the costs but it is still expensive. I shoot at 15 yards and have a group the size of my palm. And it's draw and point shooting, not take my time. 7000 rounds is a lot. I'd get into reloading if I was you. Your equipment will be paid for in 6 months at your rate and everything after that it's a big savings. I can reload 100 9MM rounds for about 8 bucks. Start saving your brass

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Not saying this is ideal but this is what I do.

I carry a K frame model 19 and J frame 649 both in 357mag. Time and money have both cut into my range outings. About once or twice a year I shoot the 357mags in the gun and then shoot a 50rd box of 38specials between the two guns. Clean then reload with fresh 357mags and leave.

At home with empty guns I do regularly practice my draw and dry fire practice. Again not ideal but its what I can do and afford.