Visit to the NRA Range (with pics) - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

DirtLawyer · 03-26-2007, 07:26 PM

My buddy invited me down to shoot at the indoor range in the basement of the NRA headquarters building in Northern Virginia. It's a fantastic facility--large, well-lit, well sound-proofed, and run like a well-oiled machine--I was impressed (obviously). Best of all they had some beautiful programmable carriers. It was the first indoor range I've shot at that allowed presentation from holder so my buddy (a long time pistol shooter) and I played some simple games for lunch (I lost

). We programmed the carriers to go out to 12 feet and turn to face us, then edge again. We first programmed the targets to face us for 3 seconds--we then had to draw and shoot 3 rounds; next we backed it down to 2 seconds and 2 rounds. We used silhouettes with scoring rings--high score obviously won. It was a blast--definitely the most fun I've ever had shooting (in my limited 8 months experience). I am trying to find a place close by to get involved in IDPA or USPSA--I can definitely see how it would be addictive.

I didn't keep those targets because they were a mess from us marking and covering holes, but I did keep a target we shot slow-fire at the end. My buddy shoots a H&K USP45 and wanted to try out my XD9 Service. So we put the target out to 6 yards and did slow-fire (he shot 20 rounds and I shot 30 rounds). He shot to the head and I shot to the body. The bad news is he basically shoots my pistol as well as I do (with a couple of minor flyers), which annoyed the crap out of me

, but the good news is he's looking to replace his USP and the XD45ACP is now at the top of his list!

Here are the 6 yard, slow-fire pics:

Broadside · 03-26-2007, 07:33 PM

I wish we had a similar range in Colorado. Sounds like a ton of fun. One of my friends who is in the Secret Services lived near the NRA range and went all the time. He said after shoot at the NRA range it was hard to compare the rest.

Great groups sounds like a great time.

The_Dude · 03-26-2007, 07:41 PM

Fantastic looking groups!

Sounds like you guys had fun.

nicklk · 03-26-2007, 07:49 PM

Great grouping man!

DirtLawyer · 03-26-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadside

I wish we had a similar range in Colorado. Sounds like a ton of fun. One of my friends who is in the Secret Services lived near the NRA range and went all the time. He said after shoot at the NRA range it was hard to compare the rest.

Great groups sounds like a great time.

Thanks.

The experience definitely has ruined my impression of my home range. I usually shoot at lunch and the NRA range is about an hour away, so unfortunately it is a field trip for me.

The one thing that was eye-opening to me is how the world changes when you are drawing and trying to get shots off quickly (with no threat other than humiliation

). Probably should have kept the other targets to post for comparison. I was 2 yards closer, but with shots all over the place. Slow-fire makes pretty groupings, but doesn't do much for you if your butt is on the line.

If nothing else, that'll keep me trying to make the trek to the NRA to practice!

Deerhunter · 03-28-2007, 07:16 AM

Your experince was very similar to my first time shooting IDPA.

SpringfieldXD.40 · 03-28-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicklk

Great grouping man!

+1....good shooting

03-26-2007, 07:26 PM	#1
DirtLawyer XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 96	Visit to the NRA Range (with pics) My buddy invited me down to shoot at the indoor range in the basement of the NRA headquarters building in Northern Virginia. It's a fantastic facility--large, well-lit, well sound-proofed, and run like a well-oiled machine--I was impressed (obviously). Best of all they had some beautiful programmable carriers. It was the first indoor range I've shot at that allowed presentation from holder so my buddy (a long time pistol shooter) and I played some simple games for lunch (I lost ). We programmed the carriers to go out to 12 feet and turn to face us, then edge again. We first programmed the targets to face us for 3 seconds--we then had to draw and shoot 3 rounds; next we backed it down to 2 seconds and 2 rounds. We used silhouettes with scoring rings--high score obviously won. It was a blast--definitely the most fun I've ever had shooting (in my limited 8 months experience). I am trying to find a place close by to get involved in IDPA or USPSA--I can definitely see how it would be addictive. I didn't keep those targets because they were a mess from us marking and covering holes, but I did keep a target we shot slow-fire at the end. My buddy shoots a H&K USP45 and wanted to try out my XD9 Service. So we put the target out to 6 yards and did slow-fire (he shot 20 rounds and I shot 30 rounds). He shot to the head and I shot to the body. The bad news is he basically shoots my pistol as well as I do (with a couple of minor flyers), which annoyed the crap out of me , but the good news is he's looking to replace his USP and the XD45ACP is now at the top of his list! Here are the 6 yard, slow-fire pics: __________________ XD9 Service

03-26-2007, 07:33 PM	#2
Broadside XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,913	I wish we had a similar range in Colorado. Sounds like a ton of fun. One of my friends who is in the Secret Services lived near the NRA range and went all the time. He said after shoot at the NRA range it was hard to compare the rest. Great groups sounds like a great time. __________________ XD - 9 Subcompact XD - 357 Service w/ SA Custom Carry Pro Pkg SA - Mil Spec 1911 A1

03-26-2007, 07:49 PM	#4
nicklk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 117	Great grouping man! __________________ -Nick- XD-40 4" Service

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03-26-2007, 07:41 PM	#3
The_Dude XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KY Posts: 34	Fantastic looking groups! Sounds like you guys had fun.

03-28-2007, 07:16 AM	#6
Deerhunter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Recently moved to Friendswood, TX Posts: 375	Your experince was very similar to my first time shooting IDPA.