My Sunday Range Session

[Mals9]

I went o the range with my 9mm Shield and 100 reloads. I was shooting at 7 yards and holding 6" groups, which for me is pretty good as I am new to pistols. Noticed the older gentleman next to me shooting at 15 yards and holding 3" groups with his '60's vintage S&W K-38 revolver. It looked like it had a 6" barrel. Then I noticed he was shooting one handed. Suddenly my groups did not seem so good.

Mals

 

[Sevens]

Let us go the optimistic route:

You are new to handguns and shooting a little (extremely average) pistol. Your skills are on the rise and will climb with practice. And most handguns will be easier to shoot more accurately than the one you are using.

The other guy has a much easier firearm to shoot more accurately, itmis not just more capable, it is easier to wring fine accuracy from it. And it's quite likely that he's been working on his skills for a long time.

I'm willing to bet that he would have liked to shoot even better than what you saw.

 

[Ranger17]

Hi OP, was just a few years ago i was a newbie; now thousands of rounds later i am, well still learning and improving.

If you are new to all of this, getting some help/education can go a long way. From the basics to grip to stance, so you practice what is right for you.
I'd also say, if the range has adjustable distances, start a little closer. 7 yds may be pretty common for self defense practice it seems, but start at 4-5 years and see how you do. Get the group tighter then move the distance out some.
Lastly and this probably means nothing; have you tried shooting it with factory/new ammo? I dont use reloads and know nothing about them, but some have good luck with 124 gn rounds in the Shield, others 115 gn, and so on. Just a thought to see if different ammo gains you any consistency.

 

[Mals9]

Factory ammo or reloads my groups are not much different. I know I need some instruction and more rounds down range before the group sizes will improve. But that is the fun part.

Mals

 

[AST236]

I went o the range with my 9mm Shield and 100 reloads. I was shooting at 7 yards and holding 6" groups, which for me is pretty good as I am new to pistols. Noticed the older gentleman next to me shooting at 15 yards and holding 3" groups with his '60's vintage S&W K-38 revolver. It looked like it had a 6" barrel. Then I noticed he was shooting one handed. Suddenly my groups did not seem so good.

Mals

Congrats on getting to the range to practice!!

I shot my first competitive match over 40 years ago, have carried a handgun professionally since 1981, and spent 17 years on SWAT and I'm STILL a student of the handgun. Every time I go to the range, I learn something new.

Get a good grip, line the sights up, manipulate the trigger smoothly to the rear w/o upsetting the dangerous end of the gun too much.

Before you know it, group size will shrink, you'll be able to call your shots, your speed and dexterity with the gun will improve and some new member will be writing about seeing YOU showing 'em how it's done.........

 

[arhayes]

I don't think any of us bought a Shield for competitive shooting. I own mine for EDC and that's the way I practice with them at the range. But, you can definitely get 2-3" groups with them with practice. I have a 9mm and .45 and am very happy with the performance of both.


Alan

 

[KELSW]

I am a fairly new shooter too. Dry fire practice (trigger control) and really working on your grip and sight picture , etc . Most top notch shooters can keep their guns from moving with almost vise like grips . Having good eye sight probably helps too . I am in the 60 + bracket so do the best I can . Work on the fundamentals and try to have a good time . The only one you are competing with is your self.

 

[rwsmith]

And people that can shoot...

And people that can shoot 6" groups at 50 yards make your competitor look like a piker. Proper training and more practice make one a better.

i find snubs hard to shoot beyond 7 yards. Hickok45 on Youtube was hitting a gong at EIGHTY yards with pocket pistols. Am I jealous? Yeah. But he's been shooting much more seriously and often. Well, the guy has his own range near his house and constantly evaluates different weapons.

Do a lot of dry fire practice. In the comfort of your home take an empty gun and aim at a small spot on the wall across the room. Practice pulling the trigger through the squeeze until the firing pin drops....and a little beyond. This very good cheap practice anybody can do anytime.

 

[nachogrande]

OLD PEOPLE KNOW STUFF.

Heard that one before? I have been taken under the wings of elders twice now. First time I was 25ish and it was by a crew of deer hunters that worked like a well oiled machine, until 1 by 1 they all died. The next group was when I was 55ish following a car accident & rehabbed by shooting, after the $ ran out for PT. One of the resident steel challenge/bowling pin top guns insisted I give bowling pin a try. He had to be at least 75, & was far from the oldest. All of "the specialists" in their areas seemed to be OLD as well. Seeing a trend? SO, want to get better? Hang out with better shooters, who will likely be older.
Get to some of the shooting sports, just to watch/learn, if nothing else. IMO bowling pin & steel challenge are the easiest/cheapest to get started, & the most relaxed yet fun type games. OH YEAH I FORGOT,BUY A REVOLVER.

 

[martybee]

The Shield 9 is an amazing handgun. Very thin, lightweight, small, almost a sub-compact, 3" barrel, yet it shoots like a full size. Accuracy is very good for the short barrel and sight radius. I have one and shoot it alternately with my Shield 45. The Shield 45 is equally amazing!

 

[Arik]

Don't look at what someone else does. He's been doing this a long time and I'm sure there are guys who would make him look like you! Look at your own and try to get better. Take more ammo with you.

Also you guys are shooting 2 different types of handguns each with different limitations and built for different purposes.

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