Range report 04-17-08 Florida

[Jastley]

Hello everyone!

I have been reading the forums for a while absorbing all the information I can about the XD. I gave up after 3 days of googling to find gun related malfunctions with the XD

I figured I would post some photos of my second time (Ever shooting a firearm... Period) with the XD (A rental from my range)



All are the Springfield XD 9mm [4"]

This one is 5 yards 10 rounds (The penned in "7 rnds is actually 8 rnds. Couldn't count in the moment on the range)



Another 5 yards 10 rounds



10 yards 10 rounds




I'm sure you have all heard it before but I am LOVING this gun! I have tried the XD9, Glock 19 9mm, Sig p229 .40 (Which failed to feed the first round of the mag from slide release, 8 times...) and of course for good measure, a 686 .357 magnum :P

So, I am about a month out financially from purchasing my XD for $538 (quote) I bought my self a book, "Florida Firearms: Law, Use & Ownership" by Jon H. Gutmacher. It is a very informative, detailed read on the Florida and federal gun laws. I have gotten a lot of good information from the book that will come in handy.

Well guys be gentle as I don't know what "good shooting" is classified as.

Happy to be a member of these fine forums!

[PharmD]

Welcome from AR! I know you will not regret your purchase when you get to that point. I too am fairly new to hadguns and now have two XD's (XD-45 Tactical & XD-9 Sub-Compact)

Again Welcome and enjoy the wealth of knowledge and fine people here at XDTalk.

PharmD

[Jastley]

Thank you!

Obviously from the targets I am consistently shooting just right and high. Any thing I can do to make that tiny correction and put them in the middle?

[Cumminalong]

Originally Posted by Jastley

Thank you!

Obviously from the targets I am consistently shooting just right and high. Any thing I can do to make that tiny correction and put them in the middle?

Usually, anything that is high and right is anticipating the recoil w/ possibly a bit too much finger on the trigger.

1 - Being that you said you are a new shooter, you'll want a good coach (i.e. get a few lessons from an certified instructor)

2 - Practice dry firing...... A LOT. At home or other place of your choosing, pick a small spot and pick up a good sight picture. CONCENTRATE on your trigger squeeze, FOCUS on the front sight and follow through. Specifically watch the front sight for movement upon trigger break.

3 - Don't anticipate the round going off.

4 - Work on your grip. Most of your grip should be with the support hand.....about 65-70%. Here's why..... Grab a broom and get a good grip on the handle. Now, try to get a smooth, consitent squeeze with your trigger finger with that tight grip. Ain't happenin'. Now, take a relaxed grip and work the trigger finger. Much smoother, right?

Trigger squeeze, sight picture, grip. Work on those and you'll see your groups and follow ups improve.

Oh and one more thing............MORE AMMO!!!

[mhillsing23]

Dude, that looks great for your second time ever shooting. Get the XD and start saving up for ammo. Practice, practice, practice. Dry firing at home will help A LOT too.

[pballman19]

Good job man. Keep it up.

[Edubya]

If that is truly only your second time shooting, you've got it going! Don't get a trainer, get a case of ammo and continue doing what you're doing!!! Even the best have a flyer once in a while.

BTW, welcome to the forum from NC!

EW

[Jastley]

Originally Posted by Edubya

If that is truly only your second time shooting, you've got it going! Don't get a trainer, get a case of ammo and continue doing what you're doing!!! Even the best have a flyer once in a while.

BTW, welcome to the forum from NC!

EW

It really is! I was raised in a very anti-gun household and over the last 4 years have began reading and watching everything I could. Once 21 came around I started seriously shopping. This was the Second time I have ever discharged a firearm (second to the first day at the range Very exciting!

From all the study I did beforehand. I understood shooting and how it worked. After my first few tries the first day i figured it out! The second day it just got better.

As to the way I am shooting. At first I was anticipating the recoil and trying to force a firm grip on the gun to keep it from jumping up to much. In doing that I almost always shot low, even off the target! After that I figured, I can't really keep it from jumping, so I decided to try letting the gun go as far as it wanted (Save for it leaving my hand, and being to limp). The result, the gun recoils pretty high but, since I wasn't focusing on rebounding the gun after the shot I could focus everything on the smooth long pull to the break. And the bullet goes almost exactly where I aim.

Cumminalong, Thanks for the tips! In fact now that you mention the finger on trigger I remember changing to the second "pad" as It seemed to my inexperienced hand, that It was easier to get a smooth unjerked pull using more of the finger, contrary to what I've read. I need more range time to practice the correct way.

Thanks for the kind words, and any and all tips and hints are very appreciated!

Jastley

[Johnnybgood]

welcome to the forum from Milton,FL. and nice shooting

[Jastley]

Thanks for the move moderator! I didn't realize there was a range section. Doh!