[rcowanjr]

I took my wife and 2 of my kids to the range this morning to do some plinking, but mostly so I could shoot my new 9mm. I shot 50 rounds of Blazer 115 gr FMJ and 100 rounds of Winchester 115 gr FMJ. I didn't care for the Blazer. I didn't like the aluminum casing. It shot fine except for when my thumb got in the way of the slide. Actually, my thumb got in the way several times (you'd think I'd learn after a couple times). But one time when the slide really bit me, the next round didn't chamber. Probably my fault.

So I bought the 609 as a CCW. I've been learning a lot from here and other places on the internet. After practicing with one eye vs two eyes, I've decided that both eyes open is faster and just as accurate - maybe more accurate at close distances. I was able to get this grouping at 7 yds with both eyes open. I was looking down the top of the barrel, but I wasn't really aiming with the sights. I was able to notice my shot placements that close and just kept it pointed in the right direction. I was able to deliver all 13 rounds in under 10 seconds. This target has a 7 1/2" outer circle.

Moving out to 15 yds, I couldn't even hardly hit the paper. I was aiming with one eye, really taking my time, and was hitting 8 inches low. That was frustrating. So I sat down at the bench and steadied my hand on the table. I took careful aim for each and every shot and came up with the following. BTW, by this time I was already aiming for the top of the orange dot. This target has a 12" outer circle.

So my conclusion for today is that at close range (7 yds) I feel I would be able to discourage a threat. Increase the distance, and I need more practice. Either way, I need to remember to keep my thumb out of the way. If anyone has any pointers or words of encouragement, I am a good student.

 

[Ed Hunter]

If anyone has any pointers or words of encouragement, I am a good student.

Well, OK, seeing as you asked...

Give this website a visit: http://www.corneredcat.com/Basics/grip.aspx - topic titled, “Get a Grip”

It is a really good site authored by Kathy Jackson, part of the USCCA group.

Let me know what you think about the site.

 

[rcowanjr]

Hey Ed,

Well, it turns out that at the bottom of the article it showed a picture of how I was holding the pistol with a red circle and a line through it. I'm going back out to the range on Friday, so I will try other methods of gripping. Thanks for the link. It gave me a few other ideas.

Rob

 

[jakeg823]

Wow yeah that will get you everytime if you were holding it like in that picture....good reference page Ed!

 

[Ed Hunter]

Hey Ed,

Well, it turns out that at the bottom of the article it showed a picture of how I was holding the pistol with a red circle and a line through it. I'm going back out to the range on Friday, so I will try other methods of gripping. Thanks for the link. It gave me a few other ideas.

Rob

Be anxious to read how it goes.

I guess I'll be out this coming Tuesday morning early. Routine, probably nothing to report. Am going to try to get the poker Crew (for reference you can check out: http://www.msgunowners.com/handguns-f15/home-home-on-the-range-t5118-40.htm, page 3, post dated 9/9/10 and following) out this Friday if I can pry those old geezers out from their wood stoves.

 

[Xd357]

I'd think you were probley kinda jumpy after getting bit a few times.

 

[rcowanjr]

Actually, it didn't really hurt that much, which is probably why I kept forgetting to make sure it was moved down whenever I would start another magazine. My real concern is the fact that I couldn't hit the paper at 15 yds just holding it out. I had to sit down at the table and steady it with a careful aim to get it to be close. That's why I say I guess I just need more practice. This pistol has the straight 8 sights on it. I understand what my sight picture should look like, but it appeared to be hitting low.

 

[nexusnrg]

If I may interject. Based on your 15 yard target picture, group analysis would indicate the following is possibly occurring when you fire if you're a right-hand shooter.

1. Pushing the trigger, moving it and the gun to the left.
2. Poor sight alignment: front sight alignment is off to the left.
3. Applying extra pressure with fingertips and/or pinkie.
4. Increasing grip pressure while shot breaks, bending wrist to left.

Usually when your rounds mostly impact in the 8 to 9 o'clock area of the target as yours has it usually indicates too much or too little trigger finger being used, or squeezing the finger tips on the grip while applying trigger pull.

 

[rcowanjr]

I am a right handed shooter. I will pay better attention to what my hands are doing as I shoot and see if I can correct any bad habits. Thanks for that. I'm going back out to the range on Friday and will report back what I discover.

 

[chestnut]

If You are shooting to the left grip the pistol tighter with your left hand than with your right hand. I was shooting to the left with my Glock 26, made this change in my grip and it helped me. Hope this Helps. Maybe try some thin shooting gloves to help with the bite,until You get use to the pistol.

 

[rcowanjr]

Oh, I'm very pleased with the limited amount of recoil. It was very comfortable to shoot. The only bite was when I would put my left thumb too far up over my right hand and the slide would scrape off some skin. After reading the article that Ed posted, I am going to try another type of grip. I will adjust the pressures between my hands and let you know how it goes. Thanks, Chestnut.

 

[nexusnrg]

That first illustration on the link provided is the correct way. You want to grip the gun with your strong hand (right) and with your weak hand (left) wrap your fingers staggered between the strong hand's fingers. The left index finger should rest between the right hand's index and middle finger, and so forth. You'll want to have your strong hand's thumb crossing over the weak hand's thumb, and like chestnut suggested apply more firm control by using the palm of your left hand to push the pistol's grip into your strong hand's palm.

wheew that's a mouthful.

 

[Ed Hunter]

There's another old saw - "Meat on Metal"

Get as much contact as you can, both right & left hands, on the gun.

Or so I'm told.........