"Running Start" Handgun Training

[kayak-man]

Right off the bat, I'd just like to say that I'm not really sure if this has been covered before, and if it has, please let me know, I'm sure I could learn from whatever has been posted on similar threads that I just couldn't find. thanks.

Legally, I can not carry a handgun for about a year and a half. I know that there are exceptions in the law for hiking and fishing, but I'm thinking that they would just help me out in court, and wouldn't do a thing to prevent an LEO from taking me in. Point is, when I do get my CWP, I would like to be able to shoot whatever I carry pretty well. Fortunately, I can go shooting with my dad, so I could get some range time in.

HERES MY QUESTION: is accuracy with one gun transferable to another? I understand that each gun has it's own "personality," but would plinking with a .22 revolver improve my accuracy with other handguns? would shooting with a revolver improve my accuracy with semi-auto? If it helps any, I'm thinking of eventually carrying either a S&W J-Frame, or something like a Glock26 or Kel-Tech P-11/PF9.

Also, in addition to just shooting, does anybody have any recommendation or ideas to improve accuracy or get used to recoil (my dad owns a J-Frame that I sometimes shoot, but I have hard time with the recoil )

Thanks a lot everyone!

[capbuster]

You might try some target wadcutter loads in your J frame to lesson recoil and get in some practice. I would venture to say that many shooters hone their skills with a 22 rimfire firearm which they transfer to their centerfire firearms. The lower cost of ammo and the lessened recoil are real boons to improving your marksmanship.

[InkEd]

If you want to use a .22 for training not just for fun than I suggest getting one similar to your intended carry gun. If you plan on carrying a 360pd then try a 317 for cheap practice. If you have problems with a jframe recoil than you are little recoil sensitive unless you are shoot .357 of course. Perhaps a heavier gun would help with the problem.

Glock makes a fine gun but I find the ergonomics are not designed for my (or many other people's) hands. Look into the Springfield xd line of pistols if you like stiker fired polymer pistols. I had a .40 xd for years and now a 9 mm version. They are excellent guns. For CC maybe a steel kahr (I say steel to help with the recoil issue addressed earlier.) some people have had problems with kahrs but I have owned them for over 5 years and once you do yhe break in they have been perfect. My mk9 has over 3000 rounds through it.

You mentioned a keltec as well. My only personal experience with them was a p32 and while I loved the size it was not reliable. I've heard they are made better now. If they are good for them I won't buy one again. Ruger took the design and refined it for the lcp and I do love mine.

Good luck.

[Dimis]

a .22 is a great place to learn the basics you can put thousands of rounds through one and get alot of practice without breaking the bank

so in theory yes it can improve your accuracy between firearms but its not going to make you do anything other than learn (and hopefuly perfect to the best of your ability) the basics of handgun shooting

if your serious about shooting better its a great place to start id suggest your next step be head to a range that has handgun rentals and find out what you like (revolver or semi, what caliber, what size etc) once youve done that get back to the basics and apply what you learned with the 22

beyond that there are tons of safty and training courses around the country and probably local to you that will help you learn all you can about defencive shooting

[kayak-man]

Thanks for the input.

I'm not shooting a .357, just a .38 special ... with .38+P ... in the ultralight model. Also, I assume that just shooting would help me adjust to recoil (at least it did with my 12guage.)

I've tried the Glock and really liked it, just a little wide, but I guess the J is too.

Once again, thanks for all the input!

[JoeSlomo]

is accuracy with one gun transferable to another?

Yes, and no.

Yes, because shooting accurately means you have a decent understanding of, and are practicing, the fundamentals.

No, because a different firearm may require greater attention paid to a particular fundamental. IE, a match grade light single action trigger VS. a heavy factory double action trigger. You WILL have to make some adjustments, but knowing the fundamentals makes it easier to identify errors, fix them, and transition to a new platform.

does anybody have any recommendation or ideas to improve accuracy or get used to recoil (my dad owns a J-Frame that I sometimes shoot, but I have hard time with the recoil

Recoil management can be improved by physical changes to stance, grip, and mindset. Of the 3, mindset has the biggest impact imo...

Many of the shooters I see at public ranges have poor stances, and fail to keep weight forward, which helps with recoil management. If you are standing straight up, or leaning back, you are not in a great position to facilitate recoil management to the best of your ability. Think of making a tackle. If you don't have your weight forward to make the tackle, there is a good chance you will get knocked on your keister upon impact. The same applies to firearms.

Try a different stance when you shoot, and see what is more comfortable, and facilitates better recoil management. Iso, weaver, modified, whatever works for YOU.

Take a look at your grip and see if there is room for improvement. Are you using a cross thumb grip, or a thumbs forward. Do you need to apply more or less force with your hands. Experiment and use what works for you. Some folks grip a pistol with a "death grip", others don't and do OK. Check out your arm extension and determine if it is enough, or too much, and whether it is facilitating, or hindering recoil management. Do some reasearch on some pro-shooter sights (rob leatham, Todd Jarret, Matt Burkett) and try out some of their suggestions.

The mental aspect of shooting can significantly enhance or detract from your accuracy, and MUST be a deliberate part of your training regimen. The two most common mental errors shooters make are anticipation, and failure to follow through.

Anticipation is when a shooter is mentally anticipating the shot, and often results in twitches, trigger jerks, eye blinks, or cringes. Not good. To improve this, dry fire and make a deliberate mental effort to relax, maintain a good sight picture, and slowly break the shot until the hammer falls. Once you are relaxed and breaking off the shot in a smooth controlled manner, try it with live rounds and DELIBERATELY try to maintain the same calm mindset and focus on your sight picture and a smooth break.

Ball and dummy drills help, as do "dime washer" drills.

Follow through with your shots by maintaining a deliberate mental effort to apply the fundamentals before the shot, during the shot, and after. Focus on maintaining that calm deliberate mental state when the shot breaks so that you have a mental image of where your sights were when the round broke, and allow the gun to recoil and fall right back into place. The gun WILL recoil, but it DOESN'T matter, because if you maintain the right calm mindset and apply the physical fundamentals, it will recoil up, and fall right back into place.

Dry fire is an excellent way to practice the fundamentals, AND to condition yourself to maintain a good calm mindset.

Practice, practice, practice.

[dondavis3]

You should check out the NRA gun training classes that are held all over the country - there might one near you and they do a very good job of classes in various experience levels.

[KBintheSLC]

Each gun/ammo combo will certainly yield different results. However, that doesn't mean that practice with one gun will be worthless with another. Practice all you can with what you have access to. It will help you with the fundamentals of CC... perhaps the biggest of which is safety.
As for accuracy, most misses are a result of the shooter, not the gun. I wouldn't worry too much about subtle differences of an inch or two between guns. Grasp the fundamentals of making combat-accurate hits as fast as possible. Later, if you get into bulls-eye competitions you can rack you brain over pinpoint accuracy.

Have fun and be safe.

[kayak-man]

Thanks everyone.

I'm thinking I may just pick up that Taurus my neighbor has. (can't remember the model, sorry, but I think its a model95 in .22LR)

Thanks a bunch!