Private 1-hour session with an instructor today.

[Racer88]

This was session #4. Though session #3 was back in November! So a bit of a dry spell as far as training goes. But I fired over 3k rounds in practice since training session #3.

Today, we focused on rapid fire while trying to maintain accuracy.

We started with 3 rounds loaded in the mag. Punch out from compressed ready and fire as soon as a sight picture is acquired and finish off the mag as quickly as possible. My instructor took a few shots (at the head) while demonstrating some technique for me.

Then increased the mag to 5 rounds... and then 10 rounds.

Then changed the type of target and moved it out to 15 yards. Same thing... punch out from compressed ready and fire 5 rounds.

Same thing again... punch out and fire five rounds, this time at 20 yards.

Good day. Fired 275 rounds total. I've purchased another 4-lesson bundle.

That makes 4,760 rounds through this build.

 

[Racer88]

I brought some of my other builds to "show off" for my instructor. When he held the "Cobalt Celtic," he kept saying "ooh... shiny!" LOL! Then he fired it. He also shot "Goldi" and my G34 (first build). He was impressed with all of them.

 

[Racer88]

Had another lesson today. Worked on maxing out my speed. I didn't stop to take photos of all the targets, but here are most of them.

For each exercise, the mag was loaded with 10 rounds. Fire entire mag as quickly as possible.

OK... let's make the target smaller (and farther away).

Even smaller (target is piece of tape) - this time mag was loaded with five rounds. I did slow down to "medium" speed for this one. But five out of five hits.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

I'd say the simulated bad guy was sufficiently ventilated!

 

[Racer88]

I'd say the simulated bad guy was sufficiently ventilated!

I surprised myself with how well I did. Some pro instruction makes a difference! This was my 7th session with this instructor. The focus is defensive shooting. The goal: Fist-sized group at center mass as fast as possible. I wasn't supposed to take head shots during this drill... but I couldn't resist!

 

[svt-bansheeman]

It's amazing what a good instructor can do to help a person understand. I wish I would of taken classes far before I bought my first pistol.

 

[Racer88]

It's amazing what a good instructor can do to help a person understand. I wish I would of taken classes far before I bought my first pistol.

I've been shooting for decades (40 years on and off but mostly on). And I can STILL learn something and get better with some instruction.

 

[svt-bansheeman]

I started with pistols maybe 10ish years ago. I decided to get a ccw permit out of the blue so i needed a gun. I chose the g27. I couldnt operate my g27 when I tried it out at Academy but I bought it. I couldnt hit a 3'x3' ish plate 15 feet consistently (probably closer) of steel when I went try it out.

 

[Racer88]

I couldnt hit a 3'x3' ish plate 15 feet consistently (probably closer) of steel when I went try it out.

3'X3' as in 3 feet square?

I have a G27 (and carried for many years). Not a great "first gun," for sure. Snappy bugger.

 

[svt-bansheeman]

3'X3' as in 3 feet square?

yes, feet. Maybe 2.5 but still. I know

I dont care to sell guns so I still have the 27. It's a great gun but it just isnt fun to practice with.

 

[BeerHunter]

I started with pistols maybe 10ish years ago. I decided to get a ccw permit out of the blue so i needed a gun. I chose the g27. I couldnt operate my g27 when I tried it out at Academy but I bought it. I couldnt hit a 3'x3' ish plate 15 feet consistently (probably closer) of steel when I went try it out.

Kudos to you for being honest about your pistol shooting skill assessment and of course, you know what you want/need to improve on. That's a big part of the battle right there!

 

[Racer88]

yes, feet. Maybe 2.5 but still. I know

I dont care to sell guns so I still have the 27. It's a great gun but it just isnt fun to practice with.

Gotcha. I agree about selling guns. NEVAH! LOL!

I also agree about practicing with the G27. After 100 rounds, I was usually "done." But, I'm keeping it! I've switched to carrying a P80 PFC9 (G19 clone). 9mm. Easier to shoot accurately. Easier to practice. Longer sight radius. Larger grip. Higher capacity.

 

[USApat]

This was session #4. Though session #3 was back in November! So a bit of a dry spell as far as training goes. But I fired over 3k rounds in practice since training session #3.

Today, we focused on rapid fire while trying to maintain accuracy.

We started with 3 rounds loaded in the mag. Punch out from compressed ready and fire as soon as a sight picture is acquired and finish off the mag as quickly as possible. My instructor took a few shots (at the head) while demonstrating some technique for me.
View attachment 11171

Then increased the mag to 5 rounds... and then 10 rounds.
View attachment 11172

Then changed the type of target and moved it out to 15 yards. Same thing... punch out from compressed ready and fire 5 rounds.
View attachment 11173

Same thing again... punch out and fire five rounds, this time at 20 yards.
View attachment 11174

Good day. Fired 275 rounds total. I've purchased another 4-lesson bundle.

That makes 4,760 rounds through this build.
View attachment 11175

Looks like they need you in France!

 

[Racer88]

Session #8 today (last one for a while). Worked on mag changes. And worked on rapid fire drills.

I didn't take photos of every target / drill. Just a couple.

Load mag with 5 rounds. Put all 5 rounds in the black, rapid fire (as quickly as possible). Basically a mini-mag dump. 7 yards. I did some of these with my P80 PFC9 with optic. And some with my Glock 19 with iron sights.

Then he made the target smaller... an empty ammo box. With this target, he'd put the target out past 10 yards. Then when "shooter ready," he'd hit the button and run the target closer (to between 5 - 7 yards). When the target stops, I go from compressed ready and dump 5 rounds into the target. I did this one with my Glock 19 with iron sights.

I've been shooting for years and considered "pretty good" by my range buddies / peers. But everyone can benefit from some coaching, regardless of experience. Having a pro instructor watch you can reveal all sorts of things that can be worked on or improved.

And so we did! Without a doubt, these eight 1-hour sessions made a significant difference in my results at the range.

 

[Alex]

Two thoughts:

Using the trolley to give you a moving target is brilliant!

There are an alarming number of bullet holes in that tray.

 

[Racer88]

Two thoughts:

Using the trolley to give you a moving target is brilliant!

There are an alarming number of bullet holes in that tray.

There is an alarming number of holes in the floor, ceiling, and walls, too!

 

[Bongo Lewi]

yes, feet. Maybe 2.5 but still. I know

I dont care to sell guns so I still have the 27. It's a great gun but it just isnt fun to practice with.

I’d give you extra credit for sticking with it!

 

[Viking2721]

If you don't mind, what were your top 3 take away's from today? I'm curious what a 40 year shooter can learn. I'm also equally impressed to look into taking some lessons myself. Nice job brother.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

Two thoughts:

Using the trolley to give you a moving target is brilliant!

There are an alarming number of bullet holes in that tray.

I think I mentioned once before … a guy that shot a sprinkler head off in his lane. The owner wanted to put a bullet in him.

 

[Racer88]

If you don't mind, what were your top 3 take away's from today? I'm curious what a 40 year shooter can learn. I'm also equally impressed to look into taking some lessons myself. Nice job brother.

So, one of my "demons" was the ubiquitous and vexing "Low-Left" points of impact. That's pretty much fixed! It can creep back a tiny bit when I'm fatigued or not paying attention to the details. But it's MUCH better.

Yesterday I learned a neat trick for my "tactical" mag changes. He noticed I was struggling to effectively press the mag release button while maintaining my grip. So, he showed me a nifty trick. Now I need to practice it at home with dry fire.

We also spent a lot of time on rapid-fire with a goal of keeping the group "fist-sized."

It just helps to have someone ELSE watching how you are doing things... from grip, to trigger control, to stance, etc... and fine-tuning them.

Even Michael Jordan would stay on the court after team practice and just shoot free-throws over and over. And I'm no "Michael Jordan" when it comes to shooting. I am a decent shooter. Some would say "good." But I can always be better!

I also find the lessons to be FUN. I never know what drill he's going to come up with next. And it's a nice change from just "practicing" by myself.