it seems every 2000 or 3000 trigger-pulls or so with my S&W 617, the single-action sear gets worn down to the point where it starts to get hair-trigger-y and the trigger-rebound spring actually kicks the trigger forward because there was enough pressure applied by my trigger finger to release the hammer, but not enough to keep the trigger held back. Then I have to open it up and touch it with a tool (a Dremel tool in my case--no es bueno) to get that edge back...I should definitely send the thing back to S&W to have it fixed...maybe get a target trigger and hammer installed? That'd be nice...
Anyways.
I started the range time off with 50 rounds put through my Taurus 905--the guy next to me was interested and asked how the recoil was, to which I replied "yeah, there's a bit". A bit is an understatement--the first two cylinderfuls reminded me why 9mm in a snubbie revolver is about all I can handle. But once I refamiliarized myself with the recoil and became focused on the paper threat, the recoil became quite manageable, and I even got good enough to start double-tapping. Cool beans.
Then I took out my new Ruger Mk. II Target and worked on bullseye-rapid-fire and sighting it in more. I dunno what it is, but it seems the whole rear sight-base needs to be over to the right about 1mm for the rear sight blade to be centered and zeroed on the bullseye.
And then...just to make this a day where I shoot the guns I rarely shoot, I took out my S&W 41 and remembered why I liked it: the trigger and ergonomics are far better than my Rugers.
To finish out, I put rounds through my S&W 617...and grouped better than my '41 or my Mk. II Target.
Good times.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Bullseye Pistol #7
Work sucked today, and I left angry...which made me worry about how it might affect my shooting today and made me think maybe I shouldn't shoot at all. But I got to the range with 10 minutes to spare--enough for two targets to convince me that I might do OK today. In any case, I signed up for the 2nd relay, since I seem to do pretty well when I take the 40 minutes or so for the first relay and "calm down"--part of my calming-down is to talk turkey with the other shooters...share tips about equipment (the guy who shot next to me had been having trouble with FTEs lately, due to his extractor wearing down, so I confirmed that the Volquartsen Exact-Edge Extractor was the way to go), share old stories (a guy was retelling how he'd had an N.D. while preparing for a high-powered rifle match, and the round hit the dirt in front of his target and, because it was a warm, windless day, the cloud of dirt just hung there in front of his target for everyone to see, and for everyone to know just who had fired when they weren't supposed to--he's learned his lesson, though: instead of hanging his head in embarassment, he should've been looking around for the "idiot" who both N.D.-ed and cross-fired in front of his target =). I laughed, and my crappy day was gone like that--I was ready to roll.
Got out on the range and posted my target.
Slow fire was meh...personal second-highest score yet, but it's still not much to write home about: 164 (just over 8 out of 10 hits, 82%).
Then Timed fire--here I kicked ass! 191! 95.5%!
And then rapid-fire...it was all good, except for one shot which I knew--at the moment it went off--that I had pulled badly. Sure enough, when the targets came back, I had a nice grouping around the bullseye...and one way up there in the 5-ring. D'oh! Oh well, it came out to be a 183, just 3 points shy of my best rapid-fire.
All in all, a 538--my best score yet! And my handicap score came out to be a 290.331--pretty darn high =) Hopefully I'll have helped out my team this week. It's been two consecutive weeks since I was in the top-four--it's time for a comeback!
Got out on the range and posted my target.
Slow fire was meh...personal second-highest score yet, but it's still not much to write home about: 164 (just over 8 out of 10 hits, 82%).
Then Timed fire--here I kicked ass! 191! 95.5%!
And then rapid-fire...it was all good, except for one shot which I knew--at the moment it went off--that I had pulled badly. Sure enough, when the targets came back, I had a nice grouping around the bullseye...and one way up there in the 5-ring. D'oh! Oh well, it came out to be a 183, just 3 points shy of my best rapid-fire.
All in all, a 538--my best score yet! And my handicap score came out to be a 290.331--pretty darn high =) Hopefully I'll have helped out my team this week. It's been two consecutive weeks since I was in the top-four--it's time for a comeback!
Gun Registration Sucks/No Loophole
http://3fgburner.livejournal.com/45330.html -- Gun registration sucks. And there's no such thing as a "gun show loophole". Why can't people figure it out? Because it sounds good in-print.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Range Report: Bye Bye, Glock 21
We planned to meet at 5PM, but I was so exhausted after riding/soccer/riding this weekend that I over-napped and was 20 minutes late. Steph's first time in about a month (and my first in 24 hours). We also met Bret, who was already there, and who was interested in buying the Glock 21.
We took the lane next to him, and I saw Bruce Furr there, so I spent most of my time hopping between lanes...shooting Mr. Furr's Sig P226 in .357Sig (interesting--recoil like a 9mm, sounds like a .40S&W), his 1911 w/ .22 conversion (that ammo sucks!), Bret's Walther PPK/S (yuck!), Bret's Browning Buckmark (nice), my Glock 21 (meh), my P7M10 (cream my pants), and my Beretta 92FS.
Seriously, the Walther PPK/S (James Bond's old gun) is uncomfortable to shoot. Not because of the relatively large felt-recoil of the .380Auto (my first time shooting the stuff) in such a small gun, but because the webbing-pocket has such sharp edges that it digs into the shooter's webbing on every shot. It isn't hard enough to draw blood, but it is uncomfortable to shoot more than a few magazines' worth. The PPK isn't really meant for range work, however--it works much better as a concealed-carry-weapon. That, and it's initial double=action trigger pull is VERY heavy--heavier than any gun I've ever shot before, including all of the double-action revolvers and all of the double-action/striker-fired autos I've ever owned. Definitely has not piqued my interest in the slightest. It's funny that Bret bought it because it was "the Bond gun"--I wonder if he'll get a Walther P99 next. But then I want a CZ75 because it's Rally Vincent's gun.
The first time (and only time, until now) I shot a Sig was way back in 2006 when the drop-safety on the P7 broke, and we rented the Sig to finish shooting the .40 ammo we bought. Back then I had the impression that it was blocky and ugly compared to the sleek and sexy P7, with too many controls (a decocker? safety? slide-stop? WTF! The P7 tastefully hides all of that). I wasn't enthused. But then I learned that there was a reason to it all, and that our Navy SEALs were using the P228/M11...I became interested in a 9mm version, but the high price ($800 for a handgun? no thanks) and elitist vibe put me off.
Bruce's Sig P226 was chambered in .357SIG--basically, a 9mm-bullet in front of a .40S&W powder charge, which produces a lot of velocity and a very flat trajectory. Supposedly, .357Magnum performance in a mild-recoiling semi-auto. Whatever, I shot it and it felt like shooting 9mm, and sounded like .40S&W. Very interesting, but not really my cup of tea, since all I shoot (and all I want to shoot) is paper, and a .22LR slug going at 1200FPS will put a hole in paper just as well as a .35SIG-slug going at 1500FPS. Plus, it'll do it at about 1/20th the cost.
Then Bruce's other gun, a 1911-type with a .22LR conversion, was interesting. I wasn't all that accurate with it, but that could've been the ammo, since he said he couldn't hit worth a damn with it either. Interesting, but I'm not sure I'd go for one of those, either--a service-sized pistol, designed for a service-caliber...shooting little .22s. Sorta why I'm hesitant to get a .22 conversion kit for my Beretta. Plus, conversion kits are almost as expensive as buying a whole 'nother gun (although you can get the kits shipped right to your door, and firearms must go through an FFL).
The Buckmark was nice, but I still don't care for the fiber-optic in the front sight...
The Glock was...well, it's a Glock--it pretty much just works. But it's a plastic pistol--not my cup of tea: I'm a wood-and-steel guy.
And of course, my P7M10 was beautiful, getting the attention of Mr. Furr, who commented that the M10s are rare (and yes, they are--I'd bet he'd be astounded if he learned how little I paid for mine, too).
Finally...today was Steph's first time on the range in about a month, since her schedule is usually so busy she can't afford more than an hour or two every month to get some trigger-time in...something definitely not helpful to her aspirations of getting qualified. But she dutifully loaded up the 92 and attempted to keep the shots on-paper...something she wasn't doing well at until I suggested that she just dryfire to get used to the trigger. In between the last few magazines, we would go through a handful of dryfires. Starting out, she'd be exerting so much force on the trigger (in single-action, no less) that when the trigger would break, she'd jerk the muzzle off-paper. But 10 dry-fires later, her muscles had relearned how to keep the gun steady while the trigger over-traveled and the hammer fell. Then we'd put the magazine in, chamber a round, and she'd put the rounds into a hand-sized group at 10 feet, just below the center of the bullseye. Excellent work. Really, all she needs is trigger time. Doesn't have to be live-fire. In fact, most of her trigger time should be dry-fire (most of mine is, and I go to the range almost every day)--she should even borrow the Beretta and dry-fire it as much as possible. But that'll wait, I suppose--for now, she's doing pretty good for going as infrequently as she is.
---
In emails, Bret was interested in the Glock 21, and, after shooting it, said he liked it enough to buy it. I already had some transfer-of-ownership/CYA papers drafted up, so all we had to do was fill in the blanks, sign them, and exchange the pistol for a check, and that was that. I wash my hands of plastic pistols. Foo 'em. Maybe in the future I'll look into a Glock 19 or an XD9 Service or even a S&W SW9VE or M&P9 or something similar for "social" work, but I like my range pistols, and I like 'em metal-framed with wood grips.
Done.
We took the lane next to him, and I saw Bruce Furr there, so I spent most of my time hopping between lanes...shooting Mr. Furr's Sig P226 in .357Sig (interesting--recoil like a 9mm, sounds like a .40S&W), his 1911 w/ .22 conversion (that ammo sucks!), Bret's Walther PPK/S (yuck!), Bret's Browning Buckmark (nice), my Glock 21 (meh), my P7M10 (cream my pants), and my Beretta 92FS.
Seriously, the Walther PPK/S (James Bond's old gun) is uncomfortable to shoot. Not because of the relatively large felt-recoil of the .380Auto (my first time shooting the stuff) in such a small gun, but because the webbing-pocket has such sharp edges that it digs into the shooter's webbing on every shot. It isn't hard enough to draw blood, but it is uncomfortable to shoot more than a few magazines' worth. The PPK isn't really meant for range work, however--it works much better as a concealed-carry-weapon. That, and it's initial double=action trigger pull is VERY heavy--heavier than any gun I've ever shot before, including all of the double-action revolvers and all of the double-action/striker-fired autos I've ever owned. Definitely has not piqued my interest in the slightest. It's funny that Bret bought it because it was "the Bond gun"--I wonder if he'll get a Walther P99 next. But then I want a CZ75 because it's Rally Vincent's gun.
The first time (and only time, until now) I shot a Sig was way back in 2006 when the drop-safety on the P7 broke, and we rented the Sig to finish shooting the .40 ammo we bought. Back then I had the impression that it was blocky and ugly compared to the sleek and sexy P7, with too many controls (a decocker? safety? slide-stop? WTF! The P7 tastefully hides all of that). I wasn't enthused. But then I learned that there was a reason to it all, and that our Navy SEALs were using the P228/M11...I became interested in a 9mm version, but the high price ($800 for a handgun? no thanks) and elitist vibe put me off.
Bruce's Sig P226 was chambered in .357SIG--basically, a 9mm-bullet in front of a .40S&W powder charge, which produces a lot of velocity and a very flat trajectory. Supposedly, .357Magnum performance in a mild-recoiling semi-auto. Whatever, I shot it and it felt like shooting 9mm, and sounded like .40S&W. Very interesting, but not really my cup of tea, since all I shoot (and all I want to shoot) is paper, and a .22LR slug going at 1200FPS will put a hole in paper just as well as a .35SIG-slug going at 1500FPS. Plus, it'll do it at about 1/20th the cost.
Then Bruce's other gun, a 1911-type with a .22LR conversion, was interesting. I wasn't all that accurate with it, but that could've been the ammo, since he said he couldn't hit worth a damn with it either. Interesting, but I'm not sure I'd go for one of those, either--a service-sized pistol, designed for a service-caliber...shooting little .22s. Sorta why I'm hesitant to get a .22 conversion kit for my Beretta. Plus, conversion kits are almost as expensive as buying a whole 'nother gun (although you can get the kits shipped right to your door, and firearms must go through an FFL).
The Buckmark was nice, but I still don't care for the fiber-optic in the front sight...
The Glock was...well, it's a Glock--it pretty much just works. But it's a plastic pistol--not my cup of tea: I'm a wood-and-steel guy.
And of course, my P7M10 was beautiful, getting the attention of Mr. Furr, who commented that the M10s are rare (and yes, they are--I'd bet he'd be astounded if he learned how little I paid for mine, too).
Finally...today was Steph's first time on the range in about a month, since her schedule is usually so busy she can't afford more than an hour or two every month to get some trigger-time in...something definitely not helpful to her aspirations of getting qualified. But she dutifully loaded up the 92 and attempted to keep the shots on-paper...something she wasn't doing well at until I suggested that she just dryfire to get used to the trigger. In between the last few magazines, we would go through a handful of dryfires. Starting out, she'd be exerting so much force on the trigger (in single-action, no less) that when the trigger would break, she'd jerk the muzzle off-paper. But 10 dry-fires later, her muscles had relearned how to keep the gun steady while the trigger over-traveled and the hammer fell. Then we'd put the magazine in, chamber a round, and she'd put the rounds into a hand-sized group at 10 feet, just below the center of the bullseye. Excellent work. Really, all she needs is trigger time. Doesn't have to be live-fire. In fact, most of her trigger time should be dry-fire (most of mine is, and I go to the range almost every day)--she should even borrow the Beretta and dry-fire it as much as possible. But that'll wait, I suppose--for now, she's doing pretty good for going as infrequently as she is.
---
In emails, Bret was interested in the Glock 21, and, after shooting it, said he liked it enough to buy it. I already had some transfer-of-ownership/CYA papers drafted up, so all we had to do was fill in the blanks, sign them, and exchange the pistol for a check, and that was that. I wash my hands of plastic pistols. Foo 'em. Maybe in the future I'll look into a Glock 19 or an XD9 Service or even a S&W SW9VE or M&P9 or something similar for "social" work, but I like my range pistols, and I like 'em metal-framed with wood grips.
Done.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Range Report
it was HARD to hold my arm steady, or even stand for any length of time. 500 rounds later, however, and I was feeling good again. Wasn't hitting the target at 50 yards as well as I thought I should be, but then I did just ride a metric century this morning, so I have an excuse in being a little tired.
Zeroed the sights on my Mk. II Target, although I probably won't use it for Bullseye (I might end up putting a scope on it, though, just to have one with a scope, once I get bored of iron sights). 100 rounds.
Then 100 rounds out of the '617...which felt terrible at 50 yards, so I changed it up a bit with 100 more at 25 yards/rapid fire. After doing that and settling down a bit, I returned to slow-fire, and felt a bit better. I also found a stance where my arm didn't wobble, where it naturally settled on the target and stayed there--my Natural Point of Aim.
Then, to spice things up, I set a target out at 30 feet and shot at it as fast as I could press the trigger with my Mk. II Standard--100 rounds.
Finally, I finished it up with 10 rounds out of the '617, in double-action.
---
Cleaned my guns just now, which I daresay is the fastest time I've ever thoroughly cleaned my firearms. Well, the '617, really. The other two Rugers only had 100 rounds each, so just running a brush and a patch down the barrels, as well as cleaning what I could with a Q-tip with the action open, was sufficient. Plus, they're Rugers. Practically bullet-proof. A pun. Ha ha.
Zeroed the sights on my Mk. II Target, although I probably won't use it for Bullseye (I might end up putting a scope on it, though, just to have one with a scope, once I get bored of iron sights). 100 rounds.
Then 100 rounds out of the '617...which felt terrible at 50 yards, so I changed it up a bit with 100 more at 25 yards/rapid fire. After doing that and settling down a bit, I returned to slow-fire, and felt a bit better. I also found a stance where my arm didn't wobble, where it naturally settled on the target and stayed there--my Natural Point of Aim.
Then, to spice things up, I set a target out at 30 feet and shot at it as fast as I could press the trigger with my Mk. II Standard--100 rounds.
Finally, I finished it up with 10 rounds out of the '617, in double-action.
---
Cleaned my guns just now, which I daresay is the fastest time I've ever thoroughly cleaned my firearms. Well, the '617, really. The other two Rugers only had 100 rounds each, so just running a brush and a patch down the barrels, as well as cleaning what I could with a Q-tip with the action open, was sufficient. Plus, they're Rugers. Practically bullet-proof. A pun. Ha ha.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Range Report
Definitely, yes--moving adjusting the elevation up on the rear sight of my revolver has produced extremely favorable results: in rapid fire and slow fire, I'm putting the shots more consistently in the black, and they're making nice, round groupings, with fairly good distribution. Now if I can tighten them up by one ring, then I'd be in business!
Started off with 100 rounds, rapid-fire (5 targets, 20 shots per target), then followed with 100 rounds of slow-fire (5 targets, 20 shots/target), and finished out the box of ammo with 20 more rapid-fire rounds. Pretty good.
Then...and then...the Ruger Mk. II Target. Still need to get the sights dialed-in on that one--they're too low, at both 50 yards and 25 yards, and at 25 yards I was printing low and left--indicative of a n00b error, yes, but it could also be the sights. I've never fired this thing from a rest, however, so I don't know which it actually is--I should do that next time.
Started off with 100 rounds, rapid-fire (5 targets, 20 shots per target), then followed with 100 rounds of slow-fire (5 targets, 20 shots/target), and finished out the box of ammo with 20 more rapid-fire rounds. Pretty good.
Then...and then...the Ruger Mk. II Target. Still need to get the sights dialed-in on that one--they're too low, at both 50 yards and 25 yards, and at 25 yards I was printing low and left--indicative of a n00b error, yes, but it could also be the sights. I've never fired this thing from a rest, however, so I don't know which it actually is--I should do that next time.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Range Report
Got to the range with 40 minutes to spare, so I set up in Lane 3 and put my target downrange. Today I was going to see if raising the P.O.I. on my revolver (by adjusting the elevation up on the rear sight) would produce any decent results: turns out that it does! Who'd've guessed, but now that I can actually see the target, I have a better reference as to where I'm aiming!
Of the five targets I shot today (100 rounds), the last two (with the sights properly adjusted for a 6 O'clock hold at 50 yards) had nice, round groupings mostly in the black. Excellent!
Now I need to see how it works out at 25 yards.
Tomorrow!
Of the five targets I shot today (100 rounds), the last two (with the sights properly adjusted for a 6 O'clock hold at 50 yards) had nice, round groupings mostly in the black. Excellent!
Now I need to see how it works out at 25 yards.
Tomorrow!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Bullseye Pistol #6: I'm Back, Baby!
I was apprehensive, anxious because I still hadn't had any meaningful practice since last week's disaster, but I still had the thought of the single high-scoring slow-fire target I shot last Thursday, so I figured that it was more in my head than in my hands. Last week I was frazzled, running around here and there, and I signed up for the first relay without thinking--thus not giving myself anytime to calm down and relax and get in-the-zone before going out. Thus, my terrible score.
Today was different. I got to the range with 45 minutes to spare, went out and put 50 rounds through my new Ruger Mk. II Competition Target and 100 through my S&W 617, which took me right to the end of Public Shoot. Cleaned up and signed up for the 2nd relay to give myself 40ish minutes to calm down and flush-out. Ended up talking turkey with "T.J." of the USMC team--turns out we'd posted in the same thread on TheHighRoad.org regarding 9mm revolvers, and we had similar (negative) experiences with Taurus' guns. Tonight he was going to use his Browning Buckmark, switching up from his Ruger pre-Mk. I (i.e. Ruger "Standard"), and I was going to shoot my S&W 617 (again). Ahh, what a nice way to relax, talking about the sport.
Then the 2nd Relay was called out, and we took up our lanes. As I set up I thought, "Today is good. No problems today." Our 3-minute prep period ended and our 20-minute slow-fire began. I was calm, but not calm enough--I ended up shooting a 151. Which, admittedly, is better than last week, but it was still a little disappointing to see a few fliers out in the 5- and 6- rings, with only two shots in the bullseye.
No matter, I'll make up for it in timed- and rapid-fire, I thought. For whatever reason (probably just the distance), I tend to do far better in timed- and rapid-fire than my slow-fire. Today was no exception: I scored 187 in my timed-fire (and I had a beautiful grouping of shots in the 10/X), and 182 in my rapid-fire.
Oh. Heck. Yes! I'm back! 520 for the night--and if I had actually gotten some practice, I might've done better in the slow-fire, which would've brought my score up even more. Next week! Next week!
Today was different. I got to the range with 45 minutes to spare, went out and put 50 rounds through my new Ruger Mk. II Competition Target and 100 through my S&W 617, which took me right to the end of Public Shoot. Cleaned up and signed up for the 2nd relay to give myself 40ish minutes to calm down and flush-out. Ended up talking turkey with "T.J." of the USMC team--turns out we'd posted in the same thread on TheHighRoad.org regarding 9mm revolvers, and we had similar (negative) experiences with Taurus' guns. Tonight he was going to use his Browning Buckmark, switching up from his Ruger pre-Mk. I (i.e. Ruger "Standard"), and I was going to shoot my S&W 617 (again). Ahh, what a nice way to relax, talking about the sport.
Then the 2nd Relay was called out, and we took up our lanes. As I set up I thought, "Today is good. No problems today." Our 3-minute prep period ended and our 20-minute slow-fire began. I was calm, but not calm enough--I ended up shooting a 151. Which, admittedly, is better than last week, but it was still a little disappointing to see a few fliers out in the 5- and 6- rings, with only two shots in the bullseye.
No matter, I'll make up for it in timed- and rapid-fire, I thought. For whatever reason (probably just the distance), I tend to do far better in timed- and rapid-fire than my slow-fire. Today was no exception: I scored 187 in my timed-fire (and I had a beautiful grouping of shots in the 10/X), and 182 in my rapid-fire.
Oh. Heck. Yes! I'm back! 520 for the night--and if I had actually gotten some practice, I might've done better in the slow-fire, which would've brought my score up even more. Next week! Next week!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Stars'n'Stripes
awww, Stars & Stripes lost this week against Isaak Walton. All my fault! Well, if I hadn't shot, it wouldn't have mattered either, because I didn't even make the top-four so my score wasn't counted anyways in the team-score.
Still, for the past three weeks I was in the top-four, and then I dropped out horribly this week. Maybe my teammates got used to the idea that my name would always have a 290-something next to it.
Not this week, my friends, not this week.
Still, for the past three weeks I was in the top-four, and then I dropped out horribly this week. Maybe my teammates got used to the idea that my name would always have a 290-something next to it.
Not this week, my friends, not this week.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Range Report
So I didn't get the job (they "were impressed by [my] qualifications" but they weren't quite the right fit for the position they were looking to fill). Shucks. Well, whatever--I was already planning on going to the range anyways. Not that I use range-time for stress relief (it hasn't ever worked for me in that capacity), but I remember an inspirational speaker we had in high-school who said and demonstrated that even if, inside, we feel crappy, if we put on a wide smile and act happy, we'll be happy.
Works well enough, when put in that context--I enjoy range time, especially when I share it with others. Shoot my ammo, make my guns dirty, use up my targets; just include me in on the fun, and it's all gravy. Alone, it's serious, down to work, training. I'm discovering that, even as I pursue inherently individual activities, if I can share them with someone else, it makes me happier. Happy cancels out crappy (to some degree). Happy means that things are looked at in a positive light, rather than a negative.
Happy means that, for the one slow-fire target I shot today with my revolver, I hit the paper 18 times out of 20, and hit the black 14 times. Close enough for Rock'n'Roll, baby! And it was more in showing off than in practice, too, for my brother had joined me tonight (his fiancee had to be at work early tomorrow, so she couldn't make it). He can shoot pretty well (gotta work on his grip, though--he's kinda stuck to that cup'n'saucer grip that does nothing for recoil control)--I took pleasure in showing him that I can shoot better =). Well of course I can: I visit the range almost ten times as often as he does--I go three times a week, he goes maybe once every three weeks.
We also got to shoot his coworker's Browning Buckmark .22 pistol--the trigger is definitely nicer than the Ruger Mk. II's trigger, no question. And the grip angle and feel were a lot more natural than the Mk. II. However: I don't like the fiber insert in the front sight--too distracting. And the trigger-reach felt a little long (this is because the magazine has a feed-angle much like the Ruger Mk. I/II/III, and so the grip has been expanded to provide a 1911-type angle, but to work with the Luger-type feed angle (the Ruger 22/45 is the same way). This then put the magazine release button just out of reach of my thumb. Other than those two gripes, it was a very nice feeling pistol indeed. Too bad field-stripping actually requires a hex-wrench.
And I'm also quite pleased to report that my brother and I shot off the rest of the brick that was causing me so many problems yesterday and today. We were getting lots of that when we were shooting the Buckmark: weak rounds, extract/eject problems (and thus feeding problems), dud rounds...ugh. So next time I shoot--fresh box. Hopefully, better quality, with only the usual handful of truly dud-rounds (the others require a second strike or striking on a different spot to light the primer), and no "primer-only" rounds.
Good times.
And dammit, the NRA range is closed on Saturday and Sunday--even if I do get back by 4PM on Sunday, my favorite place to shoot up here will be closed. Bugger!
Works well enough, when put in that context--I enjoy range time, especially when I share it with others. Shoot my ammo, make my guns dirty, use up my targets; just include me in on the fun, and it's all gravy. Alone, it's serious, down to work, training. I'm discovering that, even as I pursue inherently individual activities, if I can share them with someone else, it makes me happier. Happy cancels out crappy (to some degree). Happy means that things are looked at in a positive light, rather than a negative.
Happy means that, for the one slow-fire target I shot today with my revolver, I hit the paper 18 times out of 20, and hit the black 14 times. Close enough for Rock'n'Roll, baby! And it was more in showing off than in practice, too, for my brother had joined me tonight (his fiancee had to be at work early tomorrow, so she couldn't make it). He can shoot pretty well (gotta work on his grip, though--he's kinda stuck to that cup'n'saucer grip that does nothing for recoil control)--I took pleasure in showing him that I can shoot better =). Well of course I can: I visit the range almost ten times as often as he does--I go three times a week, he goes maybe once every three weeks.
We also got to shoot his coworker's Browning Buckmark .22 pistol--the trigger is definitely nicer than the Ruger Mk. II's trigger, no question. And the grip angle and feel were a lot more natural than the Mk. II. However: I don't like the fiber insert in the front sight--too distracting. And the trigger-reach felt a little long (this is because the magazine has a feed-angle much like the Ruger Mk. I/II/III, and so the grip has been expanded to provide a 1911-type angle, but to work with the Luger-type feed angle (the Ruger 22/45 is the same way). This then put the magazine release button just out of reach of my thumb. Other than those two gripes, it was a very nice feeling pistol indeed. Too bad field-stripping actually requires a hex-wrench.
And I'm also quite pleased to report that my brother and I shot off the rest of the brick that was causing me so many problems yesterday and today. We were getting lots of that when we were shooting the Buckmark: weak rounds, extract/eject problems (and thus feeding problems), dud rounds...ugh. So next time I shoot--fresh box. Hopefully, better quality, with only the usual handful of truly dud-rounds (the others require a second strike or striking on a different spot to light the primer), and no "primer-only" rounds.
Good times.
And dammit, the NRA range is closed on Saturday and Sunday--even if I do get back by 4PM on Sunday, my favorite place to shoot up here will be closed. Bugger!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Range Report
After today's ride, I was ready--I put my range equipment in my trunk this morning, because I just knew that I'd have time after the ride to get some practice in...I should really call it training, since I'm doing the MPL with the goal of being NRA handgun qualified as something more than just the basic "Marksman" at the end of the season.
I was actually surprised to see the range so full today...but then it was the week after a gun show, so people have to get to know their equipment better, I guess. Maybe next Wednesday, we'll see if it's thinned out some. I also saw a bunch of VT shirts here, too, but then I shouldn't be surprised--there are lots of people went to or support Virginia Tech that are interested in firearms, as well. They just all happened to be wearing a VT shirt today--I was still wearing my VT Cycling Jersey, so I fit right in =)
Got on the range after a 10-minute wait and put 50 rounds through my revolver in two-handed double-action at 30 feet as a warm up (which was also the last 50 rounds of one brick of ammo). Then I opened another brick and set to work with slowfire. Man, I was sucking: no target I shot had more than 16 holes in it, and none had more than 11 in the black. Teh suck.
Didn't help, either, that the quality-control on the lot of the brick I was using was quite terrible: a bunch of times I pressed the trigger and only a very mild "pfft" and some sparks would result, leading me to think there were a ton of squib rounds. When I poked a rod down the barrel, however, it came out the other end with no bullet, so I can only assume that the round had enough ass to kick the bullet out the barrel and then the bullet promptly fell to the floor. I'd better shoot off this brick as soon as I can, and make sure I don't have any other bricks from that lot...
Oh well. Going to the range again tomorrow, going to work on more slow-fire. I tell ya, it's nice to have to clean only one gun at the end of the day. Makes me feel the other guns are kinda lonely, though, because it's always the same gun getting cleaned.
Hmm...maybe I can find a range in Blacksburg to keep my practice up (I'm going down to the 'Burg for the Spring Football Game). Or maybe I can get back early enough on Sunday to get out to the range...Yeah, I think I'll plan on doing that.
I was actually surprised to see the range so full today...but then it was the week after a gun show, so people have to get to know their equipment better, I guess. Maybe next Wednesday, we'll see if it's thinned out some. I also saw a bunch of VT shirts here, too, but then I shouldn't be surprised--there are lots of people went to or support Virginia Tech that are interested in firearms, as well. They just all happened to be wearing a VT shirt today--I was still wearing my VT Cycling Jersey, so I fit right in =)
Got on the range after a 10-minute wait and put 50 rounds through my revolver in two-handed double-action at 30 feet as a warm up (which was also the last 50 rounds of one brick of ammo). Then I opened another brick and set to work with slowfire. Man, I was sucking: no target I shot had more than 16 holes in it, and none had more than 11 in the black. Teh suck.
Didn't help, either, that the quality-control on the lot of the brick I was using was quite terrible: a bunch of times I pressed the trigger and only a very mild "pfft" and some sparks would result, leading me to think there were a ton of squib rounds. When I poked a rod down the barrel, however, it came out the other end with no bullet, so I can only assume that the round had enough ass to kick the bullet out the barrel and then the bullet promptly fell to the floor. I'd better shoot off this brick as soon as I can, and make sure I don't have any other bricks from that lot...
Oh well. Going to the range again tomorrow, going to work on more slow-fire. I tell ya, it's nice to have to clean only one gun at the end of the day. Makes me feel the other guns are kinda lonely, though, because it's always the same gun getting cleaned.
Hmm...maybe I can find a range in Blacksburg to keep my practice up (I'm going down to the 'Burg for the Spring Football Game). Or maybe I can get back early enough on Sunday to get out to the range...Yeah, I think I'll plan on doing that.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Bullseye Pistol #5
Ugh. I just knew, going in, that I was going to do poorly. I mean, I hadn't had any meaningful practice all week, and hadn't even put any lead downrange in four days, and this stuff isn't like riding a bicycle: if you neglect it, you definitely lose it. You can't just wing it--well, you can, but you can't expect to do well doing that.
If they say that bullseye matches are won in the slowfire and lost in the timed- and rapid-fire, then I definitely lost it in the slow-fire. I didn't even practice any slowfire this week (my 500 rounds on Thursday were all rapid-fire). So it's no surprise, really, that my score dropped by 25 points in the slow-fire down to 141. That-right-there is the main reason my score sucked so badly.
My timed fire was OK, getting 178 points.
My rapid-fire was awful, however--I had a misfire on the first string, and I tried to salvage that misfired round by re-cocking the hammer on it (hold the trigger all the way rearward and then pull the hammer back all the way, and then release the trigger--it'll recock on the same round) since usually when that happens it was just a light rim-strike that caused the misfire. But it failed to light on the second try, and by then I had wasted too much time trying to save it, so I had to start pulling double-action shots to at least get some points out of the string. But I only had enough time to fire twice more (making for only 4 shots in that string).
My second string of rapid-fire wasn't much better--I again had a misfire, which did light on the second try (though I should've just let it go). And again, I only had time for two more shots, making for only 4 shots in that string.
My third and fourth strings, I loaded 6 rounds and fired all six for both strings to make up for the unfired shots in the first two strings, meaning that I had even less time to aim and fire the last 12 shots. While probably not allowed, there was no way I was going to have to do an alibi-string--that's the whole reason I load 6 rounds per string anyways: so that if a round fails to light, I can just keep right on shooting; with a semi-auto you don't have that luxury, since a FTFire doesn't usually allow a second go at the primer or any way to try at a fresh round without having to handle the gun with the other hand, thus negating any claim for an alibi.
Somehow I was able to pull a 175 in my rapid-fire, 3 better than last week.
All told, it was 141 + 178 + 175 = 494. Over 30 points dropped from last time, didn't even break 500.
I shouldn't even have put my guns in my car this morning.
I know, I know--I was bound to have an off-week. I can't keep improving by 35 points forever--there is an upper-limit (600 points), and without practice/training lower scores are to be expected. If this trend continues (and it looks like it will, given that I may not be able to get out to a range this weekend), I'll probably get in line with everyone else and start using my S&W 41. Which is technically a nicer gun, but I like the challenge that comes with the limitations of my hardware.
I should practice failure drills--load up 6 chambers, one of them with a spent casing, and then use a recording for a course of fire and practice getting rid of my tendency to re-try failed-to-light cartridges and learn how to just press onto the reserve round (which probably is against the rules, too).
Oh, and there was a slamfire (or an inadvertent trigger pull) today--the command to load was given, and everyone rammed a magazine home (except me, of course), and let the slides go forward and we heard a round go off (before the start-buzzer sounded) and a "woah!" shouted somewhere down the line, and then the caller announced a "stand easy". I'll bet whoever it was was embarrassed pretty good, but I was impressed with how everyone was calm while it was being investigated. No harm done, and we resumed the countdown.
If they say that bullseye matches are won in the slowfire and lost in the timed- and rapid-fire, then I definitely lost it in the slow-fire. I didn't even practice any slowfire this week (my 500 rounds on Thursday were all rapid-fire). So it's no surprise, really, that my score dropped by 25 points in the slow-fire down to 141. That-right-there is the main reason my score sucked so badly.
My timed fire was OK, getting 178 points.
My rapid-fire was awful, however--I had a misfire on the first string, and I tried to salvage that misfired round by re-cocking the hammer on it (hold the trigger all the way rearward and then pull the hammer back all the way, and then release the trigger--it'll recock on the same round) since usually when that happens it was just a light rim-strike that caused the misfire. But it failed to light on the second try, and by then I had wasted too much time trying to save it, so I had to start pulling double-action shots to at least get some points out of the string. But I only had enough time to fire twice more (making for only 4 shots in that string).
My second string of rapid-fire wasn't much better--I again had a misfire, which did light on the second try (though I should've just let it go). And again, I only had time for two more shots, making for only 4 shots in that string.
My third and fourth strings, I loaded 6 rounds and fired all six for both strings to make up for the unfired shots in the first two strings, meaning that I had even less time to aim and fire the last 12 shots. While probably not allowed, there was no way I was going to have to do an alibi-string--that's the whole reason I load 6 rounds per string anyways: so that if a round fails to light, I can just keep right on shooting; with a semi-auto you don't have that luxury, since a FTFire doesn't usually allow a second go at the primer or any way to try at a fresh round without having to handle the gun with the other hand, thus negating any claim for an alibi.
Somehow I was able to pull a 175 in my rapid-fire, 3 better than last week.
All told, it was 141 + 178 + 175 = 494. Over 30 points dropped from last time, didn't even break 500.
I shouldn't even have put my guns in my car this morning.
I know, I know--I was bound to have an off-week. I can't keep improving by 35 points forever--there is an upper-limit (600 points), and without practice/training lower scores are to be expected. If this trend continues (and it looks like it will, given that I may not be able to get out to a range this weekend), I'll probably get in line with everyone else and start using my S&W 41. Which is technically a nicer gun, but I like the challenge that comes with the limitations of my hardware.
I should practice failure drills--load up 6 chambers, one of them with a spent casing, and then use a recording for a course of fire and practice getting rid of my tendency to re-try failed-to-light cartridges and learn how to just press onto the reserve round (which probably is against the rules, too).
Oh, and there was a slamfire (or an inadvertent trigger pull) today--the command to load was given, and everyone rammed a magazine home (except me, of course), and let the slides go forward and we heard a round go off (before the start-buzzer sounded) and a "woah!" shouted somewhere down the line, and then the caller announced a "stand easy". I'll bet whoever it was was embarrassed pretty good, but I was impressed with how everyone was calm while it was being investigated. No harm done, and we resumed the countdown.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Range Report
Took my co-worker out to the range, since he said he'd never shot a gun before. Went through the safety packet/worksheet, and paid the money.
Started off with the Ruger Mk. II to get him familiarized with the basic pistol operation and recoil--he did alright, for a first-timer. He was aiming kinda funny, bringing the pistol up to directly in line with his face and then tilting his head up and back to bring the sights in-line with his eye. This, of course, led to him wanting to tilt the pistol down to compensate, and then of course there was The Flinch.
We moved onto the Beretta 92FS--bigger bullet, bigger bang, more recoil. Once I got him to put the gun out at just above shoulder level and dip his head down to line up with the sights (and crank his hands back to compensate), his hits moved up from 12" low at 10' to just 5" low at 10'. Well done.
Then, finally, to round out his education, we took out my scoped Ruger 10/22 and put the target out to 50'--here he did very well. As well he should, since shooting a rifle is easier than shooting a handgun.
He left to go home, and I stayed on, putting 50 rounds through my friend's Glock 21, and then settling down to do some bullseye pistol work, trying to stay in-the-black at 25 yards in rapid-fire.
At no point did I have a target where I didn't have at least 4 shots outside of the black...*sigh*. Maybe I should get a cheap MP3 player, record the line-commands, and train to that.
Started off with the Ruger Mk. II to get him familiarized with the basic pistol operation and recoil--he did alright, for a first-timer. He was aiming kinda funny, bringing the pistol up to directly in line with his face and then tilting his head up and back to bring the sights in-line with his eye. This, of course, led to him wanting to tilt the pistol down to compensate, and then of course there was The Flinch.
We moved onto the Beretta 92FS--bigger bullet, bigger bang, more recoil. Once I got him to put the gun out at just above shoulder level and dip his head down to line up with the sights (and crank his hands back to compensate), his hits moved up from 12" low at 10' to just 5" low at 10'. Well done.
Then, finally, to round out his education, we took out my scoped Ruger 10/22 and put the target out to 50'--here he did very well. As well he should, since shooting a rifle is easier than shooting a handgun.
He left to go home, and I stayed on, putting 50 rounds through my friend's Glock 21, and then settling down to do some bullseye pistol work, trying to stay in-the-black at 25 yards in rapid-fire.
At no point did I have a target where I didn't have at least 4 shots outside of the black...*sigh*. Maybe I should get a cheap MP3 player, record the line-commands, and train to that.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Range Report
got back from my ride early enough to have an extra hour, and I figured that I wanted to put some rounds through some guns I haven't been shooting much, so I went to the range with my Ruger 10/22 and my Ruger Mk. II in-tow. Didn't do any specific work, just stuck targets out at 75 feet and shot at them with my Rugers.
Good times.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
ZVI Kevin
It's, like, nothing but a trigger! Holy smokes this thing is small!
http://www.zvi.cz/en/products/9-mm-pistol-kevin.html -- looks like it uses the .380 ACP round, which should be OK as a last-resort caliber. I wonder what one of these would feel like to shoot...the recoil in the video doesn't look all that bad, but then there are people who can double-tap a 1911 with no problem. It should practically disappear in someone's pocket, for sure. Hell, it could even go down their sock and no one would notice...
Here's a video:
Monday, April 7, 2008
Bullseye #5
some good things, some bad things:
the good:
-did the slowfire using my new technique: since I'm shooting open sights, I seem to do better when I'm not setting up each shot individually, but since the gun is heavy (for a handgun), I can only shoot so many at a time before fatigue sets in and my hold becomes erratic. So I've started practicing shooting in short strings of 3 shots or less, which has been getting me my high shots-on-paper count. Tonight I did this for my slowfire and got a 166, which isn't worse (or better) than I did last week, when I was setting up each shot. The 'good' about this is that my technique works, and I'm not feeling stressed out by each shot now, either.
-In the timed fire I was doing much much better, actually using all 20 seconds to shoot each 5-shot string. This got me 187 points, 13 points up from last week.
the bad:
-in the rapid fire, I was taking almost too long to aim each shot, with the last shot of each 5-shot string coming at or right before the buzzer
-in the last string of rapid-fire, I didn't hear the start-buzzer, so I was confused when everyone let off at once, but then I figured that I had better start shooting or else I'd be forfeiting points, so I started pulling the trigger, double-action. This threw off my shots, and got me just 172 points, a whole 14 points down from last week. So in an interesting twist, my timed-fire became my best score this week (when usually it's the rapid-fire that does better). Had I actually made good shots for the last string (or practiced double-action) I might've had a better score.
Thus, I went 525/600 for the night, one point down from last week, and bringing my average down and my half-score to a 262, (whereas it was a 263 last week), meaning my handicap score was only 290 (last week it was 292). Not too bad, maybe within the top four shooters for my team, but I'm a little disappointed.
I shouldn't be, however. I can't expect to gain 35 points every week like I have been--there's only 75 points left to improve with. I'm probably going to plateau somewhere soon, too, especially given that I'm using A) a revolver and B) open sights. Still, with those challenges in mind, 525 out of 600 is a very respectable score, and one I'm quite pleased with: I've only been shooting for two years, starting with informal, large-caliber shooting and then generally settling down to .22LR and actual discipline, all with no formal training or coaching, other than my one firearms safety class back October/November 2006, and that was just shooting a revolver at a silhouette for hands-on, defensive work--nothing like the bullseye marksmanship discipline I apply myself to now.
Well, lessons learned:
-if I can't hear the buzzer, the first shot becomes my buzzer and I should start firing so I won't lose anymore time.
-I need to practice timed- and rapid-fire for timing, since I almost had a 4-shot string (rather than a 5 shot string)
I may also want to consider switching guns to my S&W 41, which is a far nicer pistol and better suited to target work. I'm also about to pick up a Ruger Mk. II Target, which should also be a more suitable pistol for this kind of shooting. If I start to plateau with the S&W 617 I use currently, I'll consider switching.
The guy next to me was using a very tricked-out Sig Hammerli Trailside and shot a beautiful all-in-the-black group during the slowfire. It had the anatomic grips and a pistol scope on it too, though--I'm currently trying to see how good I can get with the most challenging handgun I've got (having to thumb the hammer back makes it more challenging than my Ruger Mk. II Standard since there's an extra step before shooting, and loading it is a bit more annoying).
Once I max out, I'll consider using glass...and then I'll need to get one of those boxes they have, and a spotting scope, and...and...bah.
Good enough.
the good:
-did the slowfire using my new technique: since I'm shooting open sights, I seem to do better when I'm not setting up each shot individually, but since the gun is heavy (for a handgun), I can only shoot so many at a time before fatigue sets in and my hold becomes erratic. So I've started practicing shooting in short strings of 3 shots or less, which has been getting me my high shots-on-paper count. Tonight I did this for my slowfire and got a 166, which isn't worse (or better) than I did last week, when I was setting up each shot. The 'good' about this is that my technique works, and I'm not feeling stressed out by each shot now, either.
-In the timed fire I was doing much much better, actually using all 20 seconds to shoot each 5-shot string. This got me 187 points, 13 points up from last week.
the bad:
-in the rapid fire, I was taking almost too long to aim each shot, with the last shot of each 5-shot string coming at or right before the buzzer
-in the last string of rapid-fire, I didn't hear the start-buzzer, so I was confused when everyone let off at once, but then I figured that I had better start shooting or else I'd be forfeiting points, so I started pulling the trigger, double-action. This threw off my shots, and got me just 172 points, a whole 14 points down from last week. So in an interesting twist, my timed-fire became my best score this week (when usually it's the rapid-fire that does better). Had I actually made good shots for the last string (or practiced double-action) I might've had a better score.
Thus, I went 525/600 for the night, one point down from last week, and bringing my average down and my half-score to a 262, (whereas it was a 263 last week), meaning my handicap score was only 290 (last week it was 292). Not too bad, maybe within the top four shooters for my team, but I'm a little disappointed.
I shouldn't be, however. I can't expect to gain 35 points every week like I have been--there's only 75 points left to improve with. I'm probably going to plateau somewhere soon, too, especially given that I'm using A) a revolver and B) open sights. Still, with those challenges in mind, 525 out of 600 is a very respectable score, and one I'm quite pleased with: I've only been shooting for two years, starting with informal, large-caliber shooting and then generally settling down to .22LR and actual discipline, all with no formal training or coaching, other than my one firearms safety class back October/November 2006, and that was just shooting a revolver at a silhouette for hands-on, defensive work--nothing like the bullseye marksmanship discipline I apply myself to now.
Well, lessons learned:
-if I can't hear the buzzer, the first shot becomes my buzzer and I should start firing so I won't lose anymore time.
-I need to practice timed- and rapid-fire for timing, since I almost had a 4-shot string (rather than a 5 shot string)
I may also want to consider switching guns to my S&W 41, which is a far nicer pistol and better suited to target work. I'm also about to pick up a Ruger Mk. II Target, which should also be a more suitable pistol for this kind of shooting. If I start to plateau with the S&W 617 I use currently, I'll consider switching.
The guy next to me was using a very tricked-out Sig Hammerli Trailside and shot a beautiful all-in-the-black group during the slowfire. It had the anatomic grips and a pistol scope on it too, though--I'm currently trying to see how good I can get with the most challenging handgun I've got (having to thumb the hammer back makes it more challenging than my Ruger Mk. II Standard since there's an extra step before shooting, and loading it is a bit more annoying).
Once I max out, I'll consider using glass...and then I'll need to get one of those boxes they have, and a spotting scope, and...and...bah.
Good enough.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Range Report
I dunno what it was today, but I was consistently hitting 18 and 19 shots on-paper, and up to 17 hits in the black. Maybe it was the fact that I was on Lane 1, which is right next to the wall, so I didn't have anybody on the left to distract me. I also didn't have anyone's target on the left to distract me, either, since I do keep both eyes opened when I shoot, but I let my lazy-eye drift my left eye out of focus (so that now I'm seeing two of everything) so that I can focus on the target on the 'left'--if there's someone else's target on the (actual) left, it becomes difficult to focus on my own target. Today I didn't have that, so perhaps that was a contributing factor to my accuracy achievement.
We'll find out for sure tomorrow--I plan on taking Lane 1 in my relay.
We'll find out for sure tomorrow--I plan on taking Lane 1 in my relay.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Range Report
Got my new P7M10 mag, ran 50 rounds through it--good to go. Now I can take a box of 50 rounds, and load all 5 magazines with 10 rounds per mag and have no rounds left in the box that I have to stop and load a mag for--I can load all mags with all 50 rounds. $80 for convenience? Meh--I like having 5 mags per semi-auto, since ammo comes in multiples of 50.
Ran 50 rounds through my friend's Glock 21--its recoil is feeling softer and softer now. I dunno. I'm becoming less and less interested in it (if I did buy it, however, I'd put the stock slide-release back on it, because my thumbs-forward hold also holds down the slide-release, inhibiting slide-lock).
50 rounds through my 10/22 at 150 feet. Did pretty good, keeping most of the shots within 6" from an unsupported standing stance, with very little breathing discipline. Oh well--the 10/22 is more of a plinker (at least in its current configuration), but I don't shoot outdoors anyways...
And then down to my bread'n'butter: 350 rounds of bullseye practice--I actually had 20 shots on-paper in slow-fire once. Funny, because as I was shooting I just didn't feel solid at all. It was cold on the range today (seemed like they had the A/C on, even as it was pretty cold outside too), and I could not get comfortable, and I could swear that I was swaying on my feet between each shot. But somehow I pulled out a bunch of 17-hits, 18-hits, a 19-hit, and that 20-hit. Dunno. Need more practice =)
And happily, after I was done cleaning all of my equipment tonight, I found a way to make my new DS-10-SPEED loader work with all 10 rounds for my 617 with its grips: brute force. I was hesitant of applying too much force, but it seems that the rounds have enough lateral play when they're in the loader that I can safely force the speedloader around the grip and allow it to push all 10 rounds into the cylinder. Good deal! Should make loading easier for my Bullseye practice and matches.
With all of the money I just spent on ammo today, I should donate at least as much to my TNT Fundraiser page. I'll do that now.
Addendum: Done.
Ran 50 rounds through my friend's Glock 21--its recoil is feeling softer and softer now. I dunno. I'm becoming less and less interested in it (if I did buy it, however, I'd put the stock slide-release back on it, because my thumbs-forward hold also holds down the slide-release, inhibiting slide-lock).
50 rounds through my 10/22 at 150 feet. Did pretty good, keeping most of the shots within 6" from an unsupported standing stance, with very little breathing discipline. Oh well--the 10/22 is more of a plinker (at least in its current configuration), but I don't shoot outdoors anyways...
And then down to my bread'n'butter: 350 rounds of bullseye practice--I actually had 20 shots on-paper in slow-fire once. Funny, because as I was shooting I just didn't feel solid at all. It was cold on the range today (seemed like they had the A/C on, even as it was pretty cold outside too), and I could not get comfortable, and I could swear that I was swaying on my feet between each shot. But somehow I pulled out a bunch of 17-hits, 18-hits, a 19-hit, and that 20-hit. Dunno. Need more practice =)
And happily, after I was done cleaning all of my equipment tonight, I found a way to make my new DS-10-SPEED loader work with all 10 rounds for my 617 with its grips: brute force. I was hesitant of applying too much force, but it seems that the rounds have enough lateral play when they're in the loader that I can safely force the speedloader around the grip and allow it to push all 10 rounds into the cylinder. Good deal! Should make loading easier for my Bullseye practice and matches.
With all of the money I just spent on ammo today, I should donate at least as much to my TNT Fundraiser page. I'll do that now.
Addendum: Done.
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