From ace09504@acegroup.cc Sun Feb 9 20:08:04 2003 Path: nnrp3.clara.net!mephistopheles.news.clara.net!newspeer.clara.net!news.clara.net!nnrp3.clara.net.POSTED!not-for-mail Message-ID: <3E450A27.22B56A17@acegroup.cc> From: Earl X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.79 [en] (Win98; U) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 Newsgroups: bigweek.general Subject: Re: Shooting experiences; as usual advice requested References: <2eZ0a.2525$f06.64909@nnrp3.clara.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lines: 65 Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2003 07:46:15 -0600 NNTP-Posting-Host: 206.230.105.250 X-Complaints-To: abuse@clara.net X-Trace: nnrp3.clara.net 1044711962 206.230.105.250 (Sat, 08 Feb 2003 13:46:02 GMT) NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2003 13:46:02 GMT Xref: mephistopheles.news.clara.net bigweek.general:277582 Yes, there is a technique to shooting a pistol well. First off, one must focus his eyes on the sights (open sights) rather than on the target. It is OK if the target looks a bit blurred, as long as the sights are clear. You say you wear glasses. Are they bifocal or variable? I was able to score well even after I needed bifocal glasses. I made sure that I was looking at the sights through the reading part. On the range, I even cheated a little by wearing my glasses upside down. It is very difficult to keep the sights on the bull, even with the recommended two-handed hold. Let the sights wander a bit, but pay special attention to how the sights pass through the bull. Squeeze the trigger gradually, and only increase the squeeze when you think the sights are about to pass through the bull. You should not anticipate when the pistol will fire. It should be a surprise to you. The best way to learn the proper hold and squeeze is with the .22. Caution: The above procedures should be performed only when no one is, or about to be, shooting at you. You want a tight-fitting piece, as long as it fires reliably. I was issued a .45 before going overseas in WW II. It was a WW I model with only four digits in the serial number. The slide was so loose that it rattled. I carried it for two years daily, but never fired it once - I was afraid to. earl J_A_B wrote: > > For those who remember me posting some months ago that I was looking for a > pistol, I picked one up a couple weeks ago. HK USP .45. I tried the Sig > as well but ended up getting the HK as I liked them about equally with the > HK holding more rounds. It fits my hand pretty well; I can reach all the > controls easily and I like the heft/balance. It definately doesn't feel > like a cheap toy like the Glock did. I also tried a clone of a Colt 1911 > (Kimbler I think?) that was also nice (custom grips and stuff) but way > expensive (well over 1000 bucks). Got the pistol new for about $680 > including extra mags, so I guess I can't complain about the price. > > About the only thing I don't like is it's not very easy to take apart; the > slide release fits rather tightly and balks at being removed. I am trying > to solve this by repeatedly fitting and removing it (trying to "work it in") > and by oiling it liberally. It comes out a bit easier now but still isn't > where I want it to be. Any suggestions? > > Over the last few months prior to trying/buying the .45 I did more shooting > of various small caliber handguns, 9mm, .22 and such, and all felt equally > wimpy. Hence I was rather un-prepared for the .45's lively kick. It's > definately NOT wimpy :-). Exactly what I want, although qualifying with it > isn't going to be as easy as it would be with a 9. So far I've shot about > 150 rounds and can say with some authority that I'm an absolutely terrible > shot. Oddly I do better at 20 feet than at 10. On a human-sized target I > suppose I would have done allright, but I am determined to better than "good > enough"...plus I have to be able to shoot well at up to 50 feet, at which > distance I am totally worthless right now (lucky if I hit the paper, let > alone a specific spot). > > So the question for you experienced shooters is....how the heck do I shoot > straight with this thing? Is it strictly a matter of practice/experience, > or is there a good technique I might want to use? In particular I was > having problems with my glasses fogging up at the range--how can I prevent > this? > > Thanks in advance. > > J_A_B