Range Time 01/28

This past week my only range time, excluding a little plinking with my 10/22, was spent with friends putting lots of holes in paper with a wide variety of guns. It was fun, but doesn't do a lot for progressing in skill. I did a few runs with my USP 45 CT from an AIWB holster, and other than the flinch it rapidly induced, the results weren't bad. Speed didn't seem to be a problem, but my hits on low-probability targets weren't as consistent as with the USP 9. I have carried the 45 CT a few times in public, and appreciated the thinness of the grip compared to the 9 when wearing closer fitting cover garments.

The flinch I gained from shooting the lightweight 45 was annoying, but I expected it given my steady diet of 9mm lately. The comparitively soft recoil of a fullsize 9mm makes it easy to compromise on your grip, especially the incorporation of the pectoral muscles to squeeze the grip between the palms. I may consider shooting the 45 for a while, then switching back to the 9 to see if the improved grip helps with speed. Other than the vastly different recoil impulse the controls are identical, and I didn't find myself searching for the mag or slide release, and reloads were solid.

In M&P news I've put in an order in for Cane and Derby's new PIC AIWB holster. Apparently they have discontinued the old Pardus AIWB. I'm eager to try it out. The new FDE 9 fullsize continues its flawless performance, but still only has about 200 rounds through it. The minor magazines not dropping free thing has been rectified through the careful application of some fine grit sandpaper. Compared to the USP the sights track a lot faster on the M&P, no doubt in part to the lower bore axis. It will be interesting to see how this translates in my constant quest for speed (hot, nasty, badass speed if you ask Eleanor Roosevelt).

In other shooting news, I've become intrigued by rifle shooting again, thanks in part to repeatedly encountered references to the Appleseed Project and because I've been perusing an excellent blog called Art of the Rifle. After I found some qualification targets sized to be printed on 8.5x11 paper I tried my hand at becoming a Rifleman yesterday.

I ran the modified 25m qualification course twice and scored a 201/250 on the first run, mainly because of a less than stellar zero on my 10/22. After giving the scope (I know, cheating) about six clicks to the right, and using a hasty sling I proceeded to shoot a 234. Other than using the 4x scope on the rifle as a crutch, I was fairly satisfied.

Step two of my quest towards becoming a proper rifleman  involves acquiring a USGI loop sling (on the way via e-bay) and borrowing a .22 with iron sights from my father.

Step three involves a M1 Garand or '03 Springfield, and hopefully some proper long range shooting. My right shoulder leaps with anticipation, or cringes with anticipatory pain. Close enough.

Mission Accomplished

Well, as of today I have accomplished one of my goals for the year. It only required money, and the only skill needed was properly filling out a 4473 and I routinely score advanced at that. I have added a full size M&P 9 to my collection, though I feel odd calling carry guns a collection. Specifically it is on of the range kits that comes with a Blade Tech holster and double mag pouch, an extra mag and a UPLULA. Not a bad deal, though I don't particularly care for the mag pouch. I found the original reciept in the box, from May of 2011, which included abou 300 rounds of practice ammo. Judging by its condition that's about all the ammo that has been through it. It's a sharp looking gun with the flat dark earth frame, but form should always follow function and it needs to pass my reliability and accuracy standards before I bet my life on it. Provided it passes and I acquire a quality concealment holster for it I plan on the Big Platform Switch late this spring.

I haven't shot much since my post about my goals for the year, but I did get to take a couple of guys from work shooting. One is planning on purchasing a pistol soon and the other is contemplating building an AR. Didn't shoot very seriously but I did get a little time with a borrowed Smith model 29 in .44 mag. What a great pistol. A true classic everyone should shoot at least once.

Last week I didn't shoot at all so this week I finally decided to shake the rust off by putting some rounds through the new M&P. It shot well but I found myself missing the Apex RAM I installed in my compact. As funds permit I will be installing full Apex action enhancement kits in both guns. The highlight of the 140 rounds I put through my new pistol was a simple walkback drill on a 3x5 card. I started at 7 yards and finally missed at 34. Not bad for the first time shooting a new pistol. One minor glitch, all my mags aren't dropping free but I am investigating possible remedies.Upon close inspection there is a prominent mold line in the magwell that I will be addressing with a little sandpaper.

Now I need a good appendix holster, a low profile mag carrier and a set of Ameriglo Hack sights and I'll be ready for summertime. Oh and skill. I need some more of that, and probably some practice. If only I was as good at shooting pistols as I am at buying them.

Shooting Goals 2012

With the new year I'm in a resolutiony mood, so I have decided to set some goals, performance and equipment based for the coming year.

My first 50/50 (barely)

• Shoot a 50/50 on Dot Torture at 7 yards. Currently I'm shooting it at 4, and hitting 48/50.
• Shoot a consistent sub 6 second FAST drill. Ideally I'd love get to a point where I can shoot sub 5s but that may be a goal for next year.
• Shoot more. I'm considering adding another 50 rounds to my weekly practice. I'm finding 100 round sessions a little short, and I make more progress when I shoot more. 
• Replace the sights on my USP, probably with a set of Heinie straight 8s, unless Ameriglo comes to their senses and starts offering some more HK options. 
• Get a full size M&P 9, and appendix holsters for it and my compact. I really like these guns, but would like to finalize my transition to appendix.
• Shoot a match. USPSA, IDPA, Cowboy Action, it doesn't really matter. I just need to get out there and shoot competitively. 
• Shoot more for fun. Its important to work on skills, and record draw speeds and split times and shoot for score, but not all the time. 

USP 45 CT, a gun you'll hopefully see more of in 2012

These goals may change as the year progresses, and I'd like to come up with some more performance based benchmarks to help me keep developing as a pistol shooter. I should probably shoot some of the more comprehensive drills, like the Humbler, or 99 drill, to see how I stack up. There are also other skills that I would like to incorporate; positional shooting, shooting on the move, and more low light practice. We'll see what the year holds.