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.