How many of you train with your handguns?

[dbeeksci]

For those who carry EDC handguns and ARE NOT Law Enforcement (sorry boys :police:), how many of you practice, how often and what type of training do you do?

[alfonso2501]

Not as often as I should. :(

[chevrofreak]

I shoot USPSA production class with my Glock 17, it keeps me fairly proficient with it. Not quite the self defense type of practice most people do, but it works for me.

[kimigirl]

I go once every week. It's hard waiting until my usual Tuesday though...just bought a brand new gun and I waaant to go out and play!!

[P97DC]

I shoot mine often. Walked outside my office one night and someone was in the cab of my Pickup. My gun was in my hand before I realized I had drawn it. Could have shot him, but stood and watched him run off. I think a lot comes natural if you carry and practice a lot.

[JonSidneyB]

Not as much as I used to. I started shooting back in grade school. In high school I had a 1000 round of centerfire a week habit going except during wrestling season and I would cut back to around 300 rounds a week on Centerfire. With rimfire, I would frequently shoot a whole brick an Saturday alone.

[redneckrepairs]

i shoot quite a bit , but seldom at a range , i just shoot when the oppertunity arrises arround the place ( farm/ranch )

[jeffm]

In highschool I used to shoot just about every day (lived on a ranch), but now that I'm in the city it's more like once a month. It's very CCW unfriendly here, so I'm looking to get some professional training for self defence with a knife.

[Bravo 25]

I try to get to the range once a month. I always practice right from the holster. 2 to COM, and one to the head. Reholster, and go again. I usually have to try and find a time when I can be alone, as this type of work out can make other nervous. I also shoot IDPA when I can.

[Desertrat1]

I try for once a week but usually averages 2-3 times a month. My kids usually acompany me, the wife only once or twice a month.

[dbeeksci]

It's good to hear that many of you do train and practice O0. That's really the only way to become proficient and confident with a handgun. IDPA matches (International Defensive Pistol Association) add stress, anticipation and scenarios that could be close to real; this is very important training. Shooting at a target on a wall is easy; it's much more stressfull and challenging to shoot defensive pistol matches. It all helps you to prepare for the real thing, still, luckily. no one is shooting back :coolsmiley:.

I personally believe that No One should consider owning a handgun for defensive purposes without extensive training ;).

[drizzle]

Used to about once a month at an indoor range. I've been shooting long guns more lately and my EDC pistol practice has suffered. I need to make a point of shooting it regularly again. I never shoot a lot of rounds at one time as it's not really fun to shoot.

I envy you guys that can just step outside and shoot on your property. Years ago I used to go out to the more rural areas around here and shoot. Now I can't shoot anywhere in my county except a designated range.

[jandbj]

Just came back from my second go around at Michael deBethencourt's Snub Revolver course.
He is an eccentric but exceptional instructor and teaches the snubby the way it should be!*
If we are honest with ourselves (and the gunwriters were honest with us)... many talk .45, shoot 9, and carry .38.*
The time has come when I realize that the snubby is my daily carry, and should therefore, be trained with the most.
It is amazing what you can do with these little pocket rockets with concerted practice.

If anyone is looking to become proficient with the snubby... seek out and attend this course!
Besides, you pay once then any repeats of the same class are FREE for life (yours or Michael's whichever ends first).

[Xring04]

I go to my outdoor range once a week. About every other week I spend my range time working only with my carry guns.

I practice my draw, malfunction drills and point shooting. Works for me.

[Serigrapher83]

I'm at about once a week. I have an 8 hr training class scheduled for the 27th (can't wait). My goal is to get into competition shooting. Then I can get the cool gear bag and fill it up with all the toys that go along with the sport.

[michael t]

I shoot several times a week as I have a range right out my door.
That said. Most people the use a pistol for self defense likely never practice . They hear the bump in night and next thing they know bang. same with prople that carry . Some practice but most don't.
What Ive noticed is Civ defending themselves seem to have a much better hit ratio than police. 1 or 2 shots and its over Police on other hand seem to miss a lot . Much higher shot count. Remember most SD shootings take place at less than 10 ' with over 1/2 at 5' or less. Thats why I belive you should train in point shooting not just weaver type stance. I don't think or those old people went to XYZ Gunfighting school to learm latest stance and sighting style. They went Oh S### pointed and pulled the trigger.

[Sharpdogs]

I used to go once a month, but since my range closed it's been once every six months :'(. At least at the new range I can shoot rifle so I get a chance to brush the dust off my milsurps. Maybe I will get some airsoft so I can practice in the basement.

[AirForceShooter]

every 2 weeks for me or if I have the time once a week.

AFS

[fubar]

Hand loaders : I just read about loading wax & primers ( no powder ). I'll post a link or cut'n'paste if you're interested. The idea being a cap gun noise that'll allow one to practice draw and fire pointshooting without scaring your neighbors. Obviously for very CQ shooting.

Won't cycle an auto , But what the hell ? I'll post pics soon.

[Glock19]

My goal is once a week, IDPA style matches at my local club . Due to work schedule and home responsibilities actual range time is probably every 2 weeks at best. :( Need more range time! Haven't even tried out my "new" surplus SKS!

[fubar]

Dear Moderators : if pics are uncool please delete asap.

Here's my newest game : primer fired ( No Powder ! ) wax slugs. Someone hipped me to this last night , I just tested the first one moments ago.
makes a tiny noise - like a cap gun. The primer holes are drillout to 1/8th in. to allow faster burn. brass must NOT be used for real reloads after this mod!
But now I can practice clear/draw/point shoot in my living room. The hole in the newspaper was shot from across the room into the fireplace , that is the recovered "slug" next to it ... I used my P220 ( which I don't often carry ) cause I have the dies to reload .45 acp. ( My EDC gun is either a .380 or a 9mm. )

Of course it won't cycle an autoloader but follow up shots can be trained at the range.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/alexfubar/DCP_2906.jpg

[Sharpdogs]

I am guessing this would work great for practice with a revolver. Thanks for the idea.

[Voyager Al]

usually weekly. I shoot about 100 rounds .45, 250 38 special, and half a brick of 22lr out of a Ruger Competition target, and an old H&R 7" revolver. Then an hour or two of trap. Busy saturdays.....

[jandbj]

fubar,


these work as well as the wax bullets with less fuss and are reloadable...

http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.asp?s1=3&s2=8
speer plastic components for .38, .44 & .45

or...
http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/search?category_selector=all_products&search_keywords=x-ring&Click+to+Begin+Search.x=16&Click+to+Begin+Search.y=17
x-ring rubber bullets also .38, .44 & .45

[TKC]

I have trained with my carry gun!! In fact, I did an excellent tactical handgun class. I have not joined the local gun club, since I have moved here. (3 1/2 years.) I NEED to do that!!

[fubar]

Thanks , I knew they were out there . Just didn't know where. I reload a lot anyway , and the wax guys are actually less work than actual ammo ... So I am having fun with the homemades.

The Sigs will fire double action , and I carry chambered but don't really practice first shot DA at the range ( I shoot every Sunday ). Now i can.

I got a chance to practice with them a bit today. Draw and point shoot from concealed carry , into a paper plate taped to a thick newspaper. In my living room. After 6 or 7, *I opened the window , otherwise I think it's great. Made a little progress , too.

[djsmiles]

as much as i possibly can.

[fubar]

Came in the front door today and found a knife wielding space alien about to do something really bad , so I pulled my Sig from mexican carry and point shot/no sights as fast as I could get two hands on it. Center mass shot double action , about 25 feet across the living room. Then I did the same drill 5 more times. 2 misses out of six.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/alexfubar/DCP_2916.jpg

[heathah]

Came in the front door today and found a knife wielding space alien about to do something really bad , so I pulled my Sig from mexican carry and point shot/no sights as fast as I could get two hands on it. Center mass shot double action , about 25 feet across the living room. Then I did the same drill 5 more times. 2 misses out of six.

Did you get the alien? Pics please! ;D :D

[fubar]

sorry , no. Must have been a glitch in the matrix. At least I had fun.

[watchman]

:D Two to Three times a week

[hso]

I have a 45 ft. range at home so I shoot a couple days a month.

I have taken 5 seperate defensive handgun courses (2 with Simunition) and my wife and I are taking Robin Brown's 2 day Quick Kill point shooting course next weekend (Memorial Day) here in Knoxville. She also took Paul Gomez's AK course a few weeks ago with me.

[Sharpdogs]

I have a 45 ft. range at home so I shoot a couple days a month.

Words cannot describe my jealousy. I have to drive over an hour.

[Desertrat1]

Shot about 300 rds of 9mm, 250 rds, of 45 ACP anf 100+ rds of 38 special today while my 7 and 9 yr olds killed a brick of 22 lr.

[kamkazmoto]

My daughter is learning and she prefers a .380 or 9mm to shooting .22's. we go maybe once or twice a month.

[jmateer]

I usually shoot 2-3 competitions a week, and have taken some tactical shooting classes.

If a person isn't going to take the minimal time to train with their handgun and learn to properly use it, they should probably just not get the handgun and get pepper spray.

[dkochan]

I take 1 - 2 training courses per year. I also shoot IDPA every Wednesday evening and sometimes one Sunday a month. I try to shoot a Steel Challenge match once a month. I do dry fire practice a few times a week.

[0dBm]

I once went to the range 3 times a week when I lived in another state. I was heavily into reloading then. Now it's a miracle if I get to the range 3 times a year. :(

[charlie fox]

I go to the range once or twice a month and shoot about 50 rounds through each of my EDC guns and I qualify once a year to keep my Armed Guard license current (pistol, shotgun and rifle...although I can never forsee using the latter two!) I used to be a reserve Police Officer and I keep current on tactics...it's kinda like riding a bike :)

[VWTim]

I actually get out to shoot about once every month or so. I also try to take a training course every 3 months to keep advancing my skills. As soon as my new job settles in and finances allow I'll be joining the range ~20 minutes from here.

[bugs]

I practice one or sometimes two times a week in the summer and 2x a month in the winter. I do mostly informal shooting at 25 yards off hand. Sometimes I practice drawing from my IWB holster or Galco briefcase for speed at 7 yards. I would like to get involved in IDPA competition in the future. Favorite pistol bar none....HK P9S .45 :-)!..both the combat and target models. Favorite EDC...Steve Woods custom lightweight commander with NP3 finish. Used to carry a HK PSP and P7M8 but I have an attraction to the 1911 variety in.45ACP. Everyone who carries should take Massad Ayoob's LFI I course, IMHO.

[jeremy54b]

I work at an indoor range, so I have easy access. I'd say I shoot at least 25 rounds a day, 5 days a week. On top of that, I shoot IPSC and GSSF matches, and assist with classes...which in my opinion, is the best way to learn, by showing others.

When I can't shoot, I usually drill at least 100 holster draws, 50 magazine changes and dry fire as much as possible using snap caps. And that's all just for handgun.

For rifle, I probably shoot two to three boxes (between 50-100 rounds depending on the box) a month at an outdoor range at varied distances using both iron sights and red-dot optics.

I figure since I have easy access, I have no excuse but to take advantage of it.