My wife and I went to a firing range for the first time this weekend. It was out anniversary and we came up with some thing to do around town for the weekend while her mom watched our kids.
One of the things we've talked about doing was learning to handle a firearm. Also, recently I've decided to officially begin the transition of getting OUT of software development and into Law Enforcement. I'm going back to school, I've intensified my excersise program by adding weightlifting and Krav Maga, and I'm getting acquainted with firearms.
We went to a so-so range on Saturday. They were real chummy and welcoming, but their safety practices didn't sit well with me. My wife and I immediately explained that neither of us had so much as held a gun before. The guy took out a Reuger .22, showed as how to load it, operate the slide, etc., and asked that we not shoot each other with it. We were turned loose about 10 minutes later.
We were both pretty nervous but faired pretty well. The gun was cake to shoot and neither of us had any trouble hitting the bullseye at approx. 15 yards. The gun did, however, jam/misfire quite a bit. It was shooting multiple rounds and not firing when there was a chambered round. This made me pretty nervous so I told them it was time for us to "move up". They had us shoot a couple Glock 9mm's. They were more fun than the 22, but much more difficult to shoot for first-timers. We went through a box or two and called it a day. LOTS of fun.
Yesterday I went to another range that was a little further away; REAL nice place. They made me watch a safety video that lasted about 10 - 12 minutes (worth every second) and started explaining some of the various firearms. I explained that my ultimate goal was LE and that I'd like to eventually get a gun that was similar to what I'd be trained on and issued. I started with the Glock 22 (.40SW). I hated that gun (which sucks, seeing as how it's one of the most commonly-issued firearms). While my shooting certainly sucks, this thing was all over the map. I also have slightly smaller-than-average-hands, which makes this thing feel like I'm shooting a brick. I tried the Glock 23 (slightly smaller, same caliber), and it actually felt even more uncomfortable. Each shot caused the butt to really dig into my right hand.
So I started talking to one of the guys behind the counter and he totally agreed. I understand why the Glock is so popular among LE, but if I can learn to shoot on something with the same power but is more comfortable, I'm all over it. He handed me a Smith and Wesson Gibbiddlyboobloo and a Sig Saur P226.
The Wesson was nice... much more comfortable; but that Sig was practically MADE for my hands. The only thing I didn't like was the slide lever, as it's positioned relatively far back on the gun and requires a fair amount of force to actuate.
But other than that, it was sweet. I had some good shots on target, but most are going slightly low and left. I've read that this is a common problem with new shooters and I'm committed to correcting it.
The Point
So the point of all this is that I think I'm going to pick up a P226. I thought about trying a couple Taurus guns, but I've heard of issues with customer service. I know the XD's are nice, too, but I just never got around to trying one out. I was going to try a Kimber, but the few that I saw looked like fairly large guns. I'm not interested in concealed carry, but I do want a relatively compact gun. I just like the feel of them in my hand. I also looked at a few HK's (2000's, USP's), but didn't actually get to fire them.
Cliffs
1. Went shooting on Saturday for first time. Went to another place on Sunday.
2. Want to get into Law Enforcement; want to learn how to shoot and care for a firearm proficiently before training.
3. Thinking about a P226 or HK2000. Want a 40SW handgun, but not a Glock (yet).
One of the things we've talked about doing was learning to handle a firearm. Also, recently I've decided to officially begin the transition of getting OUT of software development and into Law Enforcement. I'm going back to school, I've intensified my excersise program by adding weightlifting and Krav Maga, and I'm getting acquainted with firearms.
We went to a so-so range on Saturday. They were real chummy and welcoming, but their safety practices didn't sit well with me. My wife and I immediately explained that neither of us had so much as held a gun before. The guy took out a Reuger .22, showed as how to load it, operate the slide, etc., and asked that we not shoot each other with it. We were turned loose about 10 minutes later.
We were both pretty nervous but faired pretty well. The gun was cake to shoot and neither of us had any trouble hitting the bullseye at approx. 15 yards. The gun did, however, jam/misfire quite a bit. It was shooting multiple rounds and not firing when there was a chambered round. This made me pretty nervous so I told them it was time for us to "move up". They had us shoot a couple Glock 9mm's. They were more fun than the 22, but much more difficult to shoot for first-timers. We went through a box or two and called it a day. LOTS of fun.
Yesterday I went to another range that was a little further away; REAL nice place. They made me watch a safety video that lasted about 10 - 12 minutes (worth every second) and started explaining some of the various firearms. I explained that my ultimate goal was LE and that I'd like to eventually get a gun that was similar to what I'd be trained on and issued. I started with the Glock 22 (.40SW). I hated that gun (which sucks, seeing as how it's one of the most commonly-issued firearms). While my shooting certainly sucks, this thing was all over the map. I also have slightly smaller-than-average-hands, which makes this thing feel like I'm shooting a brick. I tried the Glock 23 (slightly smaller, same caliber), and it actually felt even more uncomfortable. Each shot caused the butt to really dig into my right hand.
So I started talking to one of the guys behind the counter and he totally agreed. I understand why the Glock is so popular among LE, but if I can learn to shoot on something with the same power but is more comfortable, I'm all over it. He handed me a Smith and Wesson Gibbiddlyboobloo and a Sig Saur P226.
The Wesson was nice... much more comfortable; but that Sig was practically MADE for my hands. The only thing I didn't like was the slide lever, as it's positioned relatively far back on the gun and requires a fair amount of force to actuate.
But other than that, it was sweet. I had some good shots on target, but most are going slightly low and left. I've read that this is a common problem with new shooters and I'm committed to correcting it.
The Point
So the point of all this is that I think I'm going to pick up a P226. I thought about trying a couple Taurus guns, but I've heard of issues with customer service. I know the XD's are nice, too, but I just never got around to trying one out. I was going to try a Kimber, but the few that I saw looked like fairly large guns. I'm not interested in concealed carry, but I do want a relatively compact gun. I just like the feel of them in my hand. I also looked at a few HK's (2000's, USP's), but didn't actually get to fire them.
Cliffs
1. Went shooting on Saturday for first time. Went to another place on Sunday.
2. Want to get into Law Enforcement; want to learn how to shoot and care for a firearm proficiently before training.
3. Thinking about a P226 or HK2000. Want a 40SW handgun, but not a Glock (yet).
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