noob - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

pilar · 01-26-2005, 12:49 PM

picking up my xd9 tomorrow. its my first handgun, and i've only fired a few rounds through a friend's. many would recommend an NRA first steps or something, but i wasnt really pleased with my first steps shotgun course. half of it was the instructor regurgitating generic instructions from a shotgun owners manual, and when it came time to shoot clay, the instructor basically loaded the chamber and said, "off you go." so i think this time around, after familiarizing myself with the xd in and out and dry firing for a bit, i'm just gonna go to the range and wing it. and i'll use a gym analogy since that's mainly how i bide my time. there are people in the gym who arent in shape, but who look like, if they stick with it, they'll get there in no time. proper form, proper workout routine, obeying all the gym rules. and then there's the guy who comes in wearing slippers and whose 1-hr in the gym consists of 5 actual sets of lifting weight that is way too light and with grossly improper form. both guys are bad, but the former will get better. what do i need to know to be the first guy? i dont care if i'm shooting 10" groups; i can handle people thinking i'm a bad shooter. of course. i'm new at it. i just dont wanna be the guy that some expert walks up to out of pity and embarrasment for me to show me what i should be doing. so, i get to the range, familiarize myself with the range rules, get my gear straight, then what? what's a good "workout plan" for me to follow? should i first browse border's books for a training guide? thanks alot for the advice.

aiformula · 01-26-2005, 01:02 PM

it might help if we knew where bouts you were located. We have some pretty knowledgeable folks from all around who might be able to point you to a quality instructional facility.

WWIIArmsLover · 01-26-2005, 01:07 PM

Just remember your fundamentals. Stance, Sight Alignment, Sight Picture (focus on the front sight), Breathing, Trigger Control, and Follow Through.

phil evans · 01-26-2005, 02:22 PM

Pilar:
do everything in a slow, methodical, and determined process.
such as drop magazine, load magazine with speed loader, attach magazine, rack slide forward, two hand grip, trigger press, sight attinment, etc.
practice the night before.
always , always muzzle down range.
jerky steps or process will acknowledge your beginner status.

**hobocircus** · 01-26-2005, 03:02 PM

pilar

Quote:

i just dont wanna be the guy that some expert walks up to out of pity and embarrasment for me to show me what i should be doing

It would be great if someone took the time to give you some pointers. There isn't any pity or embarrasment there at all. Call around and try to find a training course. We all had to start somewhere. You are no different.
Get some books, magazines and read, read, read. Do some internet searches and absorb as much information as possible. It's fun and worth the effort to learn.
When in doubt, ask someone.

**Frenchy** · 01-26-2005, 10:34 PM

Welcome to the board pilar!...I wouldn't be surprised if one of our members doesn't live near you...A helping hand would certainly be available.

RicochetJim · 01-27-2005, 05:15 AM

If you can, find a buddy who has some handgun experience to go with you. It's more fun with a friend anyway. Also, in addition to the advice above, concentrate on the fundmental safety habits: No finger on the trigger until ready to fire, always be aware of where the barrel is pointing, etc. Start now at being methodical in loading, chambering a round, clearing a round, checking for a clear chamber. While you're waiting to get to the range, field strip the gun several times. It also could use a clean and lube to get the factory grease off.

Just my $0.02.

ichy_trigger · 01-27-2005, 05:17 AM

Sounds like you had a bad experience with your shotgun course. Check out an NRA basic pistol class.

Quote:

Just remember your fundamentals. Stance, Sight Alignment, Sight Picture (focus on the front sight), Breathing, Trigger Control, and Follow Through.

Remember, Speed comes with time, dont go ut there and try to dump a magazine of ammo into your targets in 3 seonds. Take your time and enjoy shooting.

So Flo · 01-27-2005, 05:45 AM

I was perusing the USPSA website last night and one section noted that new shooters need to remember that what they see on tv and in the movies about gun handling is generally wrong!
Do a search for the 10 rules of gun safety as well. The main thing is to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to put rounds down range.
Be safe! Have fun!

tec · 01-27-2005, 06:14 AM

Wecome ,

Where are you?

Exercising wrong can't kill you as quick as shooting wrong could kill someone or yourself.

Talk to the range master, they can give lessons as well.

Practice at home without ammo.

Be safe
have fun
be willing to listen and learn

again welcome

01-26-2005, 12:49 PM	#1
pilar XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: charlottesville, VA Posts: 56	noob picking up my xd9 tomorrow. its my first handgun, and i've only fired a few rounds through a friend's. many would recommend an NRA first steps or something, but i wasnt really pleased with my first steps shotgun course. half of it was the instructor regurgitating generic instructions from a shotgun owners manual, and when it came time to shoot clay, the instructor basically loaded the chamber and said, "off you go." so i think this time around, after familiarizing myself with the xd in and out and dry firing for a bit, i'm just gonna go to the range and wing it. and i'll use a gym analogy since that's mainly how i bide my time. there are people in the gym who arent in shape, but who look like, if they stick with it, they'll get there in no time. proper form, proper workout routine, obeying all the gym rules. and then there's the guy who comes in wearing slippers and whose 1-hr in the gym consists of 5 actual sets of lifting weight that is way too light and with grossly improper form. both guys are bad, but the former will get better. what do i need to know to be the first guy? i dont care if i'm shooting 10" groups; i can handle people thinking i'm a bad shooter. of course. i'm new at it. i just dont wanna be the guy that some expert walks up to out of pity and embarrasment for me to show me what i should be doing. so, i get to the range, familiarize myself with the range rules, get my gear straight, then what? what's a good "workout plan" for me to follow? should i first browse border's books for a training guide? thanks alot for the advice.

01-26-2005, 01:02 PM	#2
aiformula XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: sw ohio Posts: 3,077	it might help if we knew where bouts you were located. We have some pretty knowledgeable folks from all around who might be able to point you to a quality instructional facility. __________________ Tony Obama '08... change we can bereave in. Guns are like orgasms.......you just can't have enough good ones!

01-26-2005, 02:22 PM	#4
phil evans XDTalk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: austin, tx Posts: 56	Pilar: do everything in a slow, methodical, and determined process. such as drop magazine, load magazine with speed loader, attach magazine, rack slide forward, two hand grip, trigger press, sight attinment, etc. practice the night before. always , always muzzle down range. jerky steps or process will acknowledge your beginner status. __________________ A&M 61\'

01-26-2005, 10:34 PM	#6
Frenchy XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 12,758	Welcome to the board pilar!...I wouldn't be surprised if one of our members doesn't live near you...A helping hand would certainly be available. __________________ ~SC Harvey~ 2008 Election..."Imbrace your ignorance, and vote your preference". It's quite simple, really... *If you vote for Obama, you are a fuking idiot. If you vote for McCain, you are a fuking idiot.* *If your vote is for the lessor of two evils, then you can be comforted knowing that you're less of a fuking idiot than the other guy! Because Fritz says so! RON PAUL IN 2008**

01-27-2005, 05:15 AM	#7
RicochetJim XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 619	If you can, find a buddy who has some handgun experience to go with you. It's more fun with a friend anyway. Also, in addition to the advice above, concentrate on the fundmental safety habits: No finger on the trigger until ready to fire, always be aware of where the barrel is pointing, etc. Start now at being methodical in loading, chambering a round, clearing a round, checking for a clear chamber. While you're waiting to get to the range, field strip the gun several times. It also could use a clean and lube to get the factory grease off. Just my $0.02. __________________ Jim XD-40 Service Model with Heinie night sights XD-9 Sub-Compact Bi-Tone Taurus 605 snubby .357 magnum

01-26-2005, 01:07 PM	#3
WWIIArmsLover XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Posts: 174	Just remember your fundamentals. Stance, Sight Alignment, Sight Picture (focus on the front sight), Breathing, Trigger Control, and Follow Through.

01-27-2005, 05:45 AM	#9
So Flo XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wellington, Florida Posts: 11,287	I was perusing the USPSA website last night and one section noted that new shooters need to remember that what they see on tv and in the movies about gun handling is generally wrong! Do a search for the 10 rules of gun safety as well. The main thing is to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to put rounds down range. Be safe! Have fun! __________________ No Guns, Know Crime. Know Guns, No Crime! http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member3984.png

01-27-2005, 06:14 AM	#10
tec XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Holland Ohio Posts: 8,628 Blog Entries: 1	Wecome , Where are you? Exercising wrong can't kill you as quick as shooting wrong could kill someone or yourself. Talk to the range master, they can give lessons as well. Practice at home without ammo. Be safe have fun be willing to listen and learn again welcome __________________ Founding father of the "Post here if you want to increase your post count".

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