"Unsupervised" range visit...

Millie

Get on with your life!!!
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2017
Messages
11,533
Location
NC
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I might get up in the morning and make my way back to the range for a little "unsupervised" shooting!
Is this a good or bad idea this early in my serious shooting?

Bearing in mind that I've owned guns for years, and have shot them before, but have only gotten really serious in the last year or so: would it hurt my training to go ahead and just go over there, buy a couple of boxes of ammo and blast away on my own, continuing what I've learned in my classes?
Nobody has called me out over safety issues, so I think I'm ok there. There obviously will be someone with "authority" in there with the shooters, so I feel I'm ok to go for it. I'm a little "ADD" at times, sometimes find it hard to listen and do at the same time, if that makes sense, and I feel I might be able to really focus on what I need to do if I can just get in the little shooting bubble and go.

So I'd appreciate any opinions y'all might have. (And I'm sure you'll have many of them, and I'll probably get an exploding head...again!) Some of you have been shooting with me, so I'd be interested in your thoughts particularly.
(Hesitant to even hit the "create thread" button...lol.)
Here goes.....
 
Personally I often find it beneficial when learning a new skill (not exclusive to shooting) to do it without observation and/or outside criticism.
It does rely on me already having a goal, knowledge of how to accomplish it, and the ability to recognize problems.
 
GO!

You will be so happy that you did and it will be even that much easier for you the next time. I always find myself thinking that I cannot wait to get back to the range even before I get home from shooting.
 
Personally I often find it beneficial when learning a new skill (not exclusive to shooting) to do it without observation and/or outside criticism.
It does rely on me already having a goal, knowledge of how to accomplish it, and the ability to recognize problems.
Nicely put!
I do have a goal, I might know how to accomplish some of it, and I have had some input about what my problems might be....and how to correct them. I'd like to see if I can. Lol.
 
GO!!!!!!!!

I go to the range unsupervised all the time and find I get a helluva lot more accomplished than if I go with a buddy. :oops:
You've probably been shooting for years, though.
I do like the idea of just going in there and doing my thing and seeing what I can do! It might be good for me.
 
By all means go for it. My only useful advice is just in case your like me. I tend to have fun and shoot too fast and too much. Now I'll often only bring a certain amount of ammo with me so that I slow down and make every shot count. With a new gun that needs breaking in I'll shoot faster and burn through ammo, but to get better slowing down and concentrating on my grip, sights and trigger press leads to smaller groups.
 
You have demonstrated good safety skills so I say you are good to go, remember the Range Safety staff is always looking out and will help you if needed.
 
You have demonstrated good safety skills so I say you are good to go, remember the Range Safety staff is always looking out and will help you if needed.
Thanks! Don't think I'm ditching you though, ok? I still want to shoot with my "shooting buddy"!
 
giphy.gif
 
Go but always have a notification buddy. When I go shooting alone I pick a friend and tell him/her. "Hey I'm going shooting at ________, if I don't check in at ______ then call me send 911 if I don't answer." I've done more unsupervised than supervised shooting. I never started buddy checking until the world got crazy...and once I started rolling my own ammo the first few times. Yeah, I was paranoid as hell about my own work.
 
If you pick the right morning, you might find Jeppo buying a gun in the parking lot. Found an interesting gun for sale and Jimā€™s is a handy place to meet the seller. :)
 
If you pick the right morning, you might find Jeppo buying a gun in the parking lot. Found an interesting gun for sale and Jimā€™s is a handy place to meet the seller. :)
Well, I kinda got a wild hair to do it tomorrow about 9 am, when they open. If that's not the day Jeppo has set aside for this transfer, I'll be sad not to meet him!! Lol.
What's the gun you want to buy?
 
Was on my range the other day with a friend whoā€™s a truly serious gun guy. It inspires me to watch him. I donā€™t want to impose on our friendship to ask for lessons but do treasure the occasional comments he makes while watching me waste ammo. I realize I have serious issues properly controlling my pistols (sight alignment, being steady, trigger control, etc.).

One of the guns he brought was a beautiful old 4ā€ revolver. Watching him make a mess of my freshly painted steel, I had an epiphany. People who learn to shoot with revolvers are probably forced to pay great attention to and improve the fundamentals. The DA forces that in a way semi-autos donā€™t. So, with that as my theme, Iā€™m going to buy myself a ā€œbig oleā€ wheelgun and see if that helps me. :)
 
Was on my range the other day with a friend whoā€™s a truly serious gun guy. It inspires me to watch him. I donā€™t want to impose on our friendship to ask for lessons but do treasure the occasional comments he makes while watching me waste ammo. I realize I have serious issues properly controlling my pistols (sight alignment, being steady, trigger control, etc.).

One of the guns he brought was a beautiful old 4ā€ revolver. Watching him make a mess of my freshly painted steel, I had an epiphany. People who learn to shoot with revolvers are probably forced to pay great attention to and improve the fundamentals. The DA forces that in a way semi-autos donā€™t. So, with that as my theme, Iā€™m going to buy myself a ā€œbig oleā€ wheelgun and see if that helps me. :)
Yeah, you poor gun-addicted baby!! Maybe if I get gun xyz, I can shoot better, too! I see how this works with you guys.....lol....
All kidding aside, the only thing my revolver forced me to to was shoot a bunch more rounds in pain for my CC class. Guess I need to shoot it more, so I can work on fundamentals? (I was going to try it out Tuesday, but I was scared!!)
 
Big difference between a pocket gun and a heavy 4ā€ revolver. I have one such gun but, as it was my dadā€™s house gun, Iā€™m not willing to put that many rounds thru it. Maybe my idea will work, maybe not but I wanna try. Film at 11. :D
 
Big difference between a pocket gun and a heavy 4ā€ revolver. I have one such gun but, as it was my dadā€™s house gun, Iā€™m not willing to put that many rounds thru it. Maybe my idea will work, maybe not but I wanna try. Film at 11. :D
Yes on the big heavy revolver, got to shoot a beauty the other day, it was great, but a bit too much for me. It would be hard to hold it up for any length of time, I think. But I did enjoy a revolver that felt so nice after my not-so-nice one.
I hope your plan works out well! I'll be interested in the results of your "experiment"...lol.
 
Yes, I noticed you experienced a 686. That is one of a few guns that would fill the bill for what I hope to accomplish. Iā€™m gambling that the weight of the gun will also benefit my strength over time. For sure I wonā€™t be able to shoot hundreds of rounds in the beginning. But, maybe over time?

Now, need to find the gun and maybe a few dozen cases of .38 ammo. o_O
 
Yes, I noticed you experienced a 686. That is one of a few guns that would fill the bill for what I hope to accomplish. Iā€™m gambling that the weight of the gun will also benefit my strength over time. For sure I wonā€™t be able to shoot hundreds of rounds in the beginning. But, maybe over time?

Now, need to find the gun and maybe a few dozen cases of .38 ammo. o_O
You should go in Jim's and look near the back, on the stairs is a case with a couple of very pretty engraved revolvers....not that I'm trying to get you to buy any more guns, and these are longer than 4" I'm pretty sure, but if you like revolvers, why not take a peek? I'll have to stop and look again myself.
 
Im rarely 'supervised,' and when I am it's with my dad or friend.
Nothing wrong with shooting alone
Go get that practice!
 
You should go in Jim's and look near the back, on the stairs is a case with a couple of very pretty engraved revolvers....not that I'm trying to get you to buy any more guns, and these are longer than 4" I'm pretty sure, but if you like revolvers, why not take a peek? I'll have to stop and look again myself.
I have 3 or 4 but Iā€™m only interested in adding another with this specific objective in mind. But be sure I will have a look inside next time Iā€™m there. I did it the last time (bought a nice Smith 4513TSW in the parking lot) and it was impressive.
 
Got to do it sometime, might as well knock it out.
 
Well, it looks like the verdict is unanimous. Go shoot and have a good time. Work on whatever drills and techniques you have been doing in class, plus some things you just want to do for fun, and remember perfect practice makes perfect technique. One thing I was taught many years ago is that for your unconscious mind to fully absorb a defensive technique it has to be practiced 3,000 - 5,000 times. The goal is for your body to be able to react in a panic situation without the conscious mind getting in the way and slowing you down. Yeah, head for the range every chance you get. And, have fun!
 
Well, it looks like the verdict is unanimous. Go shoot and have a good time. Work on whatever drills and techniques you have been doing in class, plus some things you just want to do for fun, and remember perfect practice makes perfect technique. One thing I was taught many years ago is that for your unconscious mind to fully absorb a defensive technique it has to be practiced 3,000 - 5,000 times. The goal is for your body to be able to react in a panic situation without the conscious mind getting in the way and slowing you down. Yeah, head for the range every chance you get. And, have fun!
I went, and had fun blowing thru 2 bx...they go fast! But I can see improvement, and next time I have a lesson, I think my coach will be surprised.
 
IMHO casually shooting for fun is the some of the best training there is. All the technique in the world doesnt help if you are uncomfortable shooting.
 
You need to learn to reload your own ammo. Park that tbought.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
I think not! Lol. But I never know what I might get into next.
Doesn't it require a lot of specialized equipment? I guess I'll have to do some research on this.
 
IMHO casually shooting for fun is the some of the best training there is. All the technique in the world doesnt help if you are uncomfortable shooting.
I went this morning, and was actually very comfortable and confident. Not sure I was "casual", as I'm pretty competitive with myself and others, and want to improve. I always think I can do better. I was pretty determined to get at least some of the problems I've been having show some improvement, and I think I did ok. I did have a huge amount of fun,even though I was in and out pretty quick.
 
I think not! Lol. But I never know what I might get into next.
Doesn't it require a lot of specialized equipment? I guess I'll have to do some research on this.
How much you invest is up to you. When you reload your own you shoot more for the same cost. Plus you can have ammo when you can't find it on the shelf.

Save your empty brass. One thing, pick it up when you are done shooting for the day. This way you don't develop bad habits.

Years ago LAPD officers were found dead after shootouts with empty brass in their pockets. Seems the reverted back to their training when in the stress of a shootout. On the training range they put the brass in their pockets when reloading an empty gun. A tidy training range got them killed.

But yeah save your brass.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
 
I went this morning, and was actually very comfortable and confident. Not sure I was "casual", as I'm pretty competitive with myself and others, and want to improve. I always think I can do better. I was pretty determined to get at least some of the problems I've been having show some improvement, and I think I did ok. I did have a huge amount of fun,even though I was in and out pretty quick.
Glad you have a good time. It is easy to get caught up worrying about technique/drills etc and forget how fun shooting and messing with guns is.
 
Was on my range the other day with a friend whoā€™s a truly serious gun guy. It inspires me to watch him. I donā€™t want to impose on our friendship to ask for lessons but do treasure the occasional comments he makes while watching me waste ammo. I realize I have serious issues properly controlling my pistols (sight alignment, being steady, trigger control, etc.).

One of the guns he brought was a beautiful old 4ā€ revolver. Watching him make a mess of my freshly painted steel, I had an epiphany. People who learn to shoot with revolvers are probably forced to pay great attention to and improve the fundamentals. The DA forces that in a way semi-autos donā€™t. So, with that as my theme, Iā€™m going to buy myself a ā€œbig oleā€ wheelgun and see if that helps me. :)
Just pick up a 4 inch S&W Model 10. It's a classic revolver that everyone should own. They are a pleasure to shoot in DA.
 
I went, and had fun blowing thru 2 bx...they go fast! But I can see improvement, and next time I have a lesson, I think my coach will be surprised.

I went to the range today. Blistered through 500 rounds in 2.5 hours. Of course, I was working on El Prez, Bill Drills and shot a few groups to start and finish with.

I did manage to eek out a 60 point score on an El Prez at 6.66 seconds, which is awesome for me but the better shooters will definitely yawn. That is a low A class score coming from a non-practicing B class shooter. Nevertheless, it made me smile.

I sent a text to a buddy and told him I was shooting 6 reload, 6 & the debil made me do it.

658a244a736b240d7d4e3ba9a8d32b2e.jpg





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
I hear about these El Prez runs all the time. NEVER seen one. We keep the El Prez set up here all the time. PLEASE, shoot it like it was originally and get back to me. Go On YT and watch Ken Hackathorn shoot the El Prez. He does it in 11 seconds...and that is FLYING. If you do it correctly in the 6s you need to be shooting professionally. The EP is shot from 10 meters with your back to the targets. Turn at the buzzer and shoot 2 each on 3 targets set 10 meters away with the 8 inch A zones 10 feet apart. Reload and repeat. There are big penalties for shooting outside the A. We have some damn fine shooters here and our range record is in the 12s.
You must indeed be a hellava shooter. You have an open invitation to come stay free, shoot free, eat free and put on your El Prez instructional.
 
Back
Top Bottom