1st time at the gun range - newbie shooter - Friggin' Sweet!

[fourthmeal]

Something I have never done until now, I went to the gun range (American Shooters here in LV) this weekend with my wife. A couple weeks ago I bought my first gun there, a Beretta 92FS with the updated Picatinny rail up front and Trijicon night sights. I actually thought it wasn't a 92FS because of these features, but apparently it is, just changed up a bit. When I went to pick out a gun, I think this one picked me instead. I put my hands on as many guns as I could but this one was the first, and the last. It was out of a field composed of Glock, Sig, another Beretta, S&W, Ruger, and I think I played around with a 1911 but I forget what brand it was. Generally everything under $600 (except the 1911.)

I snagged this one for $400 used but it looked new inside and out. The shop salespeople and manager said that I happened across a sweet deal but being a gun newbie I just went with the one that felt best in my hand for my budget. For ammo, I went by Wal-Mart a weekend ago and I picked up 200 rounds of Federal standard plinking stuff.

Time at the range was a lot of fun, especially for me and my wife being complete virgins to the experience. I've shot long guns before but only a round or two while at someone's farm or house in the wilderness, definitely nothing like a pistol. First few round, the felt recoil was a lot less intense than what I expected, and even my wife commented this and she was terrified of what it would feel like. My trigger control is poor and the Beretta has a double/single trigger action, which I learned that I am a much better shot in single, with the trigger WAY back which felt weird at first but yielded much better groupings. I felt my stance and hands losing their ideal position often but for a total newbie I was grouping pretty good, and I'm pleased with my first time performance. My wife did really good as well, and after a few clips she was smiling ear to ear. She said that she really enjoyed shooting quickly, much more than slow-firing. That surprised me but I actually felt the same. There was a zen experience when going through 15 rounds in quick succession.

145 rounds later, and both of us yearning for some dinner, we shut it down and headed out. Both with perma-grins slapped to our faces.

I hope to get my CCW this winter, after a few more trips to the range to get acclimated to the motions.

To those that helped me get interested in guns, THANK YOU! I only regret not doing it sooner in my life. Some of the most fun I've ever had, while learning a valuable, potentially life-saving skill.

[JayBee]

Range times is good times.

I find this to be true for guns or golf.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

I bought my first gun there, a Beretta 92FS with the updated Picatinny rail up front and Trijicon night sights.

I've owned a Beretta 92F compact (slightly shorter barrel and slightly shorter grip) since 1987. It's a great gun most of the time.

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

It was out of a field composed of Glock, Sig, another Beretta, S&W, Ruger, and I think I played around with a 1911 but I forget what brand it was. Generally everything under $600 (except the 1911.)

I picked up a Springfield XD service model in 9mm two weeks ago. You probably should have given that one a try. It has a grip shape similar to a Beretta but not having to screw with the slide mounted safety/de-cocker.

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

First few round, the felt recoil was a lot less intense than what I expected, and even my wife commented this and she was terrified of what it would feel like.

The size of the weapon makes a huge difference. That's just Newton's 2nd Law of physics at work. My new XD and my 92F both have less recoil than my wife's XD subcompact (all 3 are 9mm). It's a weight issue.

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

My trigger control is poor and the Beretta has a double/single trigger action, which I learned that I am a much better shot in single, with the trigger WAY back which felt weird at first but yielded much better groupings. I felt my stance and hands losing their ideal position often but for a total newbie I was grouping pretty good, and I'm pleased with my first time performance.

In the double action mode (hammer not cocked), the trigger pull is not only longer, it is about 3 times the pull weight than in single action mode. I pull to the right most of the time. That's also part of the grip. Make sure that your left hand (or weak hand) is actually supporting the weight of the gun. Your right hand has a loose grip and can better squeeze the trigger. Dry firing with snap caps is the best way to learn this.

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

My wife did really good as well, and after a few clips she was smiling ear to ear. She said that she really enjoyed shooting quickly, much more than slow-firing. That surprised me but I actually felt the same. There was a zen experience when going through 15 rounds in quick succession.

Vary your shooting. Hammer - two to center mass. Mozambique - two to center mass followed by one to the head. NSF - 5 to 7 rounds to center mass. And force your wife to do the same. I've started with my wife shooting for bullseye and now more tactical shooting.

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

I hope to get my CCW this winter, after a few more trips to the range to get acclimated to the motions.

Take a training class. Not a basic but a real defensive shooting class. If you aren't sure what they cover, look at the videos from the guy that I will post below.


As I mentioned earlier, get some training. I shot casually since I was a pre-teen. Finally at 40 years old I got some professional training and it was a huge eye opener. Here's one of many drills we did.
[YOUTUBE]The Balance Between Speed and Precision - YouTube[/YOUTUBE]

Training does nothing but teach you how to practice. You need to get a good holster (I use the Crossbreed Super Tuck) and practice your draw, presentation and fire. Check out this video. Watch this guy's technique. The smooth draw, the grip, the push out, fire, pull in and check for other threats.
[YOUTUBE]Ronin Combat Strategies : Standards, MSM Attempt - YouTube[/YOUTUBE]

Check out Rob's (first video) other shooting video's on his channel. He's one of the best personal defense guys on the planet. He has a new TV show coming up on the Pursuit Channel called Trigger Time. Also part of the TV show are Rick, Jason and Jabo (second video) of Ronin Combat Strategies. I've taken the 2 day combat rifle class with them and took the same test that Monkey took in the video. Out of my class of 17, only 2 even made the beginner level on that test.

See the bald guy in the middle on the back row? That Jabo. I'm the guy on his right.
TACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHER - "Images of Today's Warrior!" | Ronin Combat Strategies - Combat Pistol/Rifle, 3/31/12 | Photo 159

[fourthmeal]

Good stuff Robert, appreciated.

[60ndown]

<- born and raised in england, was 38 before firing a real gun, yea it feels good....

easy to pull a trigger, consequences might be harder to handle... (or not)

[Victor_inox]

congratulations! you now a shooting addict!I hope you cleaned your new gun after 145 rounds? I do that after every shooting session, 20 or 200 rounds, doesn`t matter. Guns are cheap ammo is expensive. use cheapest plinking rounds you can find, ever cheap Russian steel casing is good enough for that purpose. steel casing can be tought on beretta extractor, but it cheap and very easy to replace. I have about 50000 rounds on my 92 , love that gun. no parts replaced yet. and a good 90% of that was steel casing ammo. cleaning and oiling 92 is easy.here is some video you`ll love
Free Full Video DVD of Beretta 92FS Disassembly for Download

[Robert_J]

As Victor mentioned, get cheap target ammo. My favorite site has a daily update of mail order ammo prices - Handgun Ammo Price Lists - check here for the best prices on mail-order ammo. - AR15.COM They aren't just about black rifles, they have a great handgun section with a Beretta forum. Their general discussion is one of the most informative and funny forums I frequent.

easy to pull a trigger, consequences might be harder to handle... (or not)

I'm fully aware of the consequences but I know that pulling my weapon is a last resort in most cases.

[rommelrommel]

Oh god, you're lost now 4th

Better start saving your pennies, talk about a hobby that can drain your bank account There's no gun equivilant of minidsp and raw drivers. Well, maybe Keltec and milsurps

[fourthmeal]

Well the R/C car stuff I did was a bank drainer but this gun stuff is pretty reasonable considering it is a LOT more fun, and way more productive as far as skill building, etc. Car and home audio are money vamps as well, but we all know that.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

this gun stuff is pretty reasonable considering it is a LOT more fun, and way more productive as far as skill building, etc.

As long as you stay with name brand pistols. Rifle prices can get pretty high - RND 3000 | RND Manufacturing . That one will run you about $11,500 without the optic. A quality scope for it will start at $2,000. Add in a ballistic computer for those long shots - Barrett and that's another $1,200 on top of it. Finally, it costs about $5 every time you pull the trigger on that one.

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

Car and home audio are money vamps as well, but we all know that.

I went DIY with most of my home audio and I install all of my car audio myself. In the last few years, I've spent much more on guns (both rifles and pistols).

[AWC]

I, too, am considering biting the bullet and buying a good sidearm. I've got long range covered so a nice weapon with great balance and can handle a good brace of zombies should the need occur.

[fourthmeal]

Originally Posted by AWC

I, too, am considering biting the bullet and buying a good sidearm. I've got long range covered so a nice weapon with great balance and can handle a good brace of zombies should the need occur.

I'm pretty sure if a Zombie apocalypse breaks out the ban on high capacity mags will be overlooked. That's where these come in
MAG-143 - Mag ProMag Beretta 9mm 32 Round 92F Blue Fits all Beretta 92 Models

32 rounds muwahah

[rommelrommel]

If we're really talking about zombies I think you have to consider adding a good sword to your planning.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by fourthmeal

I'm pretty sure if a Zombie apocalypse breaks out the ban on high capacity mags will be overlooked. That's where these come in
MAG-143 - Mag ProMag Beretta 9mm 32 Round 92F Blue Fits all Beretta 92 Models

32 rounds muwahah

There are only a couple of states where there is still a ban in place. I only have low capacity AR mags for hunting and that isn't even a regulation in some states....I could head to the gun show today and pick up a 100 round beta mag and be back here in about 45 minutes. And I actually have one of those for my Beretta.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by rommelrommel

If we're really talking about zombies I think you have to consider adding a good sword to your planning.

I'd rather have a machete or a gurkha. But a battle axe would be fun also.

[rommelrommel]

I was thinking japanese style, not so heavy yet long enough to not have them right on top of you. Battle axe would be a blast but I'm a little dude and them things are heavy.

[BuickGN]

Congrats. You might want to take up reloading if you're going through rounds at that rate. When I was a kid it was my job to pick up the brass. Every once in a while you would pick up a hot one. That was fun.

[AWC]

Considering their chosen diet, most people here on DIYMA will be safe from zombies...

[captainobvious]

That Beretta is a nice gun. My buddy has the same model and it's comfortable and pretty darn accurate. It's quite similar to the Taurus model and if you like that, you should also try the CZ-9. I'm not a fan of the plastic glocks, they just feel cheap to me. I've fired a couple of the Sig's and really enjoyed them as well. I believe I mainly used the P226 (?)Most ranges rent guns, so give that a shot next time and try some other caliber guns for fun. The .45 will be a significant difference in recoil.

Good ot know how to use one, you never know...

[excelerater]

Any new comers to guns thinking of getting involved I usually show them this video,I think you should make your own choice while you still can - it starts off pretty slow but he gets the point across pretty well......
"Obligation of Carry" by Nutnfancy - YouTube

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by captainobvious

That Beretta is a nice gun. My buddy has the same model and it's comfortable and pretty darn accurate. It's quite similar to the Taurus model

Interesting story on this. When Beretta was supplying pistols to the Brazilian military, they were required to be built in Brazil. When the contract was over, Beretta picked up and left the worker without a job. They started Taurus and all of the original workers were trained by Beretta and they had the old toolings. That is why a lot of Taurus models are similar to Beretta models.