Racking the slide.....

[JonXD]

Originally Posted by Dutchie_in_Mobile

Well,

Here I go... I have made arrangements with a couple of guys from work to go the Styx River Shooting range in Robertsdale (near Daphne) to shoot for the first time.
One of the guys is ex-military and has been shooting various weapons for years. He told me he would help me out and show me various aspects of the sport, like safety, stance, grip, etc. etc.

I am so excited! I can't wait. I am 43 years old but as giddy as kid at Christmas....... I'll let you all know how it went and probably try to post some pics of the targets.

I also went ahead and ordered the Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster for my XD 40 SC...... It's all the positive reviews everywhere that made me take the plunge! It's gonna take a while to get it, I guess, but I think it's worth it if all the reviews are true....

I'll keep you all posted.

L8er, Dutchie

You should get the supertuck faster than you think. I as well as lots of others got it in less than a week. I got mine in four days. Don't get discouraged at first. It takes time for the leather to break in and it also takes time to find the right loacation and cant.

Originally Posted by sloopy70

well,heres a review for ya... 25,000 rounds (mostly hard use Match Rounds) and 0 Failures

Hope ya have fun

I wish I had a 25,000 rounds.

[sloopy70]

been over about 3-4 years...

[Dutchie_in_Mobile]

Originally Posted by JonXD

You should get the supertuck faster than you think. I as well as lots of others got it in less than a week. I got mine in four days. Don't get discouraged at first. It takes time for the leather to break in and it also takes time to find the right loacation and cant.


I wish I had a 25,000 rounds.

So what location and cant do you have it set at?
And what others out there that have the Supertuck? How do you wear it?

Dutchie.

[JonXD]

Originally Posted by Dutchie_in_Mobile

So what location and cant do you have it set at?
And what others out there that have the Supertuck? How do you wear it?

Dutchie.

Four oclock position and almost full cant not quite but close.

[Singleshot]

I just bought a ST, took about 4 days to get mine. I wear mine at about the four o'clock position. I have a SA XDm 9mm and it works great with the ST holster.

[jj79]

hey Dutchie...

you've gotten some great advice already...glad to hear you'll be taking some lessons. you won't regret it!!

here's a suggestion I haven't heard anyone else give you yet... (but I'm sure your instructor may mention it to you).

I'd recommend getting a good used .22 pistol to practice/learn with. your 1st two handgun purchases, although excellent choices for self-defense, are not the most forgiving guns to shoot/learn with (especially the .357 snubbie).

the .22 will help you learn grip, sighting, trigger control, etc., without all that recoil...besides, owning multiple .22's is a mandatory part of gun-ownership anyway!! (and .22 ammo is WAY cheaper!! )

yes, shoot the defense guns too...but a .22 is an invaluable learning tool. I still pull out the old .22's when it's time to work on fine-tuning my technique. (this goes for rifles too!!)


-JJ

[policestate]

Getting back to making sure the gun is really empty. I keep a full length, unsharpened, bright yellow pencil in each of my hand gun cases. While at the range, they sit on the bench top right in front of me. Almost without fail, whenever I drop a mag, I'll stick the pencil down the barrel just too be absolutely certain it's clear. Not only does this ensure that the chamber is empty, but also the barrel. The only 2 squibs I've had were obvious enough, but that may not always be the case. It only takes a second or two to check and doesn't hurt a thing. While not practical in the field, and perhaps overkill, at the practice range it makes perfect sense to me. It's not a race.

I definitely support others suggestions to get proper training from good instructors. While I had fired weapons previously, it had been many many years ago. About this time last year, I went to Sunset Hills range in PA to try out the various rental hand guns. The instructors stay right there with you the whole time. Not only do they provide basic safety instructions, but are quick to catch you making subconscious errors, thus preventing them from becoming bad habits. (Like keeping finger off trigger until ready to shoot and pointing the muzzle anywhere but down range). During my 3 initial visits there, these guys also helped me to determine the best way to sight, squeeze the trigger, stand, and to avoid the effects of recoil anticipation. I fired a lot of ammo through a lot of guns and spent a fair amount of change doing it, however, what I learned was invaluable. Great bunch of professional folks. I later bought a RIA 1911 and XD9, and I like to think I'm one of the "safe" people at the EFGA range. Sorry to be so long winded.

[Dutchie_in_Mobile]

Originally Posted by jj79

hey Dutchie...

you've gotten some great advice already...glad to hear you'll be taking some lessons. you won't regret it!!

here's a suggestion I haven't heard anyone else give you yet... (but I'm sure your instructor may mention it to you).

I'd recommend getting a good used .22 pistol to practice/learn with. your 1st two handgun purchases, although excellent choices for self-defense, are not the most forgiving guns to shoot/learn with (especially the .357 snubbie).

the .22 will help you learn grip, sighting, trigger control, etc., without all that recoil...besides, owning multiple .22's is a mandatory part of gun-ownership anyway!! (and .22 ammo is WAY cheaper!! )

yes, shoot the defense guns too...but a .22 is an invaluable learning tool. I still pull out the old .22's when it's time to work on fine-tuning my technique. (this goes for rifles too!!)


-JJ

Thnx JJ,

I appreciate your (and everyone else....) input. What would be a good .22 gun to start with? And should it be a used or new gun? thinking of what you're saying it may actually be a real good gun to have my wife start training with as well (once I can convince her to go with me.... ). I guess, once I (and her) am done with it I can give it to my wife for her to carry or use around the house when I am not there....

Originally Posted by policestate

Getting back to making sure the gun is really empty. I keep a full length, unsharpened, bright yellow pencil in each of my hand gun cases. While at the range, they sit on the bench top right in front of me. Almost without fail, whenever I drop a mag, I'll stick the pencil down the barrel just too be absolutely certain it's clear. Not only does this ensure that the chamber is empty, but also the barrel. The only 2 squibs I've had were obvious enough, but that may not always be the case. It only takes a second or two to check and doesn't hurt a thing. While not practical in the field, and perhaps overkill, at the practice range it makes perfect sense to me. It's not a race.

I definitely support others suggestions to get proper training from good instructors. While I had fired weapons previously, it had been many many years ago. About this time last year, I went to Sunset Hills range in PA to try out the various rental hand guns. The instructors stay right there with you the whole time. Not only do they provide basic safety instructions, but are quick to catch you making subconscious errors, thus preventing them from becoming bad habits. (Like keeping finger off trigger until ready to shoot and pointing the muzzle anywhere but down range). During my 3 initial visits there, these guys also helped me to determine the best way to sight, squeeze the trigger, stand, and to avoid the effects of recoil anticipation. I fired a lot of ammo through a lot of guns and spent a fair amount of change doing it, however, what I learned was invaluable. Great bunch of professional folks. I later bought a RIA 1911 and XD9, and I like to think I'm one of the "safe" people at the EFGA range. Sorry to be so long winded.

@Policestate,

Don't worry about being long winded! I came here to ask for advice and support and that's what you're (and everyone else again...) giving me!
So I am guessing you're sticking the pencil in from the front to the back... . It is actually a good tip that I will definitely pick up. I will have to "borrow" one of my kids' pencils...

Thanks again to all. Dutchie.

[XDRoX]

Originally Posted by Dutchie_in_Mobile

Thnx JJ,

I appreciate your (and everyone else....) input. What would be a good .22 gun to start with? And should it be a used or new gun? thinking of what you're saying it may actually be a real good gun to have my wife start training with as well (once I can convince her to go with me.... ). I guess, once I (and her) am done with it I can give it to my wife for her to carry or use around the house when I am not there....

Thanks again to all. Dutchie.

There are plenty to choose from. I would suggest taking a look at a Ruger 22/45:

Or a Browning Buckmark:

Beretta also makes one. Looks kind of like a laser blaster:

And then Sig And Walther make combat style ones as well:



The Ruger is the probably the most popular. My local gun store is actually having a sale on them today for $269. I'll probably go pick one up after work. You really can't go wrong with any of them. I prefer new guns over used, but that's just me. Places in my area charge so much anyways, it's hard to find good used deals.

Hope this helps.

[Dave007]

I don't use a pencil (wouldn't fit in a .22) but prefer a length of trimmer string (like the kind you use in a Weed Wacker). It's bright orange and is easy to see. I have a bunch of those in my range bag... we use them to show others on the firing line that the action is open and there's no round in the chamber.