Finally got to the range Friday and put a hundred rounds through my carry gun, currently a HK USP 9. Started the range session with a one shot walk back drill fired from double action.
Target: 3x5 index card
Starting distance: 7 yards
Maximum distance: 18 yards
I dropped the first 20 yard shot, but repeated the drill 3 times and hit successfully.
Next drill was a slow fire 10 shot group on a sheet of printer paper resulting in about a six inch group despite a couple of less than spectacular trigger presses. Shrinking my groups at 25 yards has been a goal of mine, and it's working, thanks mostly to shooting very small targets from closer ranges. Two inch circles at 3 yards with a 100% accuracy standard are a great way to improve.
Speed work was disappointing, as was the shot timer app I was testing. When it worked my draw to first shot on a 3x5 card was averaging 3.5 seconds. This is unacceptable, but while my accuracy has improved to the point that I feel comfortable moving on to working on my speed, it is proving difficult to find a balance of speed and precision.
I haven't been shooting my USP lately, favoring my M&P and P226 testing their newly installed sights, and the trigger felt unfamiliar at speed. I was punished for this infidelity with molasses-slow times and the glaring need for more dry fire practice.
My equipment performed flawlessly and all drills were performed from concealment under an untucked flannel shirt. Appendix carry is proving comfortable and worry free thanks in part to my CCC Shaggy and a stiff belt. However, I'm still struggling with developing a fast, consistent draw stroke as I transition from conventional strong side carry. Dry fire practice and neglecting my other pistols is likely the answer.
The HK exhibited no malfunctions and is about 700 rounds deep in a 2000 round challenge. The only problem I have with the gun is the stock sights, a set of Heinie straight 8s are in its future.
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