First days with my brand new CT9

[fc321]

Today was my first day at the shooting range with the CT-9. This is my first 9mm I have ever owned, my other 2 guns are 22 caliber.

I took one shot and it rocked me backwards with a thunderous bang! Took 2 more shots and every time I pulled the trigger it scared the living sh1t out of me.

What tremendous power and it was so loud I could hear it thru my ear plugs as if I had no ear plugs on. I was almost too afraid to take a 4th shot. Every time I fired I flinched so badly that I actually closed my eyes instinctively every time a round went off. I felt like a puppy dog on the 4th of July, trembling from the fireworks banging.

The worst thing was the shell casings would bounce off the partition wall of the shooting range and hit me on the side of my head, on my arms (I had a T shirt on). I feared a hot shell casing would lodge itself between my shooting glasses and my eyebrow, sin-jing me with a permanent scar for the rest of my life.

But then I told myself, get a grip man! BE A MAN! So I reloaded my next magazine and took a deep breath. Began to fire some more and I began to get comfortable and more confident.

I was firing at a 5 yard paper silhouette target. I had a few FTE issues but I think it had more to do with me not racking back the slide correctly. Towards the end the FTE's stopped.

This gun is difficult to load, made my thumbs sore at the end of the day. Also very heavy action to rack the slide back. Felt like I had to use ALL MY STRENGTH to get it back.

As I practiced so more it became more natural. By the end after firing 100 rounds I felt really good! Wow! This 9mm aint no joke! Ha-Ha-Ha. I guess everyone is going to call me a pu$sy for sharing this but this was honestly my experience. I am new to 9mm. And im not a big muscle guy, either.

Also I am glad I started with 22 caliber first. Its good to build up your skills. I know so may guys will hand their girlfriend a 9mm for her first shooting experience and then wonder why she never wants to go back to the shooting range anymore. I remember last year seeing some douche-bag even laugh at his girlfriend and put her down when she couldnt load the magazine on some huge monster caliber pistol.

I'll tell you one last thing is holy cow, is it ever hard to get that recoil spring back in after field strip. Sheesh, especially with my fingers covered in gun oil. Took me like 4 attempts. Excellent gun though, looking forward to more practice.

[codegeek]

Lock your wrist and focus on keeping the muzzle down. That will help with the weapon cycling properly. Keep shooting her, and she will loosen up over time.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[kwh]

Be sure you have a good seal with your ear plugs. Muzzle blast seems to intensify recoil for me, especially indoors. "Mickey Mouse" hearing protectors work best for my ears. Also ,if I don't have them adjusted just right over my eyeglass ear pieces, it lets more sound in.

[Alfonse]

Just glad you're having fun. That's the key to getting it all figured out.

[fc321]

Lock your wrist and focus on keeping the muzzle down. That will help with the weapon cycling properly. Keep shooting her, and she will loosen up over time.

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

Thanks for that. I am pretty sure I was limp wristing it as I get accustomed. Also all my shots fell low on the target compared to what I was aiming at. What are the instructions for using these combat sights? I have head to "dot the i" but should the dot actually be touching the line when I look down the barrel?

[fc321]

Oh, wow. I am practicing dry-firing with snap caps and I noticed that when I pull the trigger while aiming with the Kahr front and rear sights that when I snap the trigger that I was jerking the gun. Sheesh! No wonder my rounds where not hitting the target.

I dont have a very steady hand, even when I take a picture with a camera I tend to shake when I press the shutter and the picture comes out blurry

[fc321]

I am getting alot better here at home, dry firing (with snap caps) and pointing at a white door. I am practicing to take the trigger in 75% of the way, acquire the sight picture and then fire. That really cuts down on the shake and the jerk.

I wish I had practiced this last night, I would not have wasted 100 rounds at the firing range. In fact I wish the sticky with "prepping your new Kahr pistol" included a tip to buy some snap caps and practice at home to get comfortable with the Kahr trigger.

The only thing though is if I was accosted by a mugger I shouldnt be taking in the trigger 75% while I aim at him to see what he is going to do next, right? In a case like that I would have to pull the entire trigger in one motion

[Bill K]

I would recommend that you continue, as you're now doing, to lay a sound foundation with dry fire practice and square range shooting. At some point you should add training and practice for how you're likely to use your pistol in various SD situations. Don't neglect to practice your clear, draw and point shoot.

[ripley16]

You may want to "double-up" on hearing protection, ( use both ear plugs and muffs), especially when shooting indoors. You never know what other guns, even louder than yours, will be used by other people.

I am practicing to take the trigger in 75% of the way, acquire the sight picture and then fire. That really cuts down on the shake and the jerk.

You should be on target prior to begining your trigger pull. I'd advise you not try to partially pull a Kahr trigger, but rather pull straight through to finish. The Kahr trigger is not a target trigger, but meant for quick but safe use in defense.

Many people find that the finger bump grip sleeves help in improving the grip on the polymer Kahrs. They are cheap and work well in firming up the grip.

[berettabone]

Easy with the oil, they don't need a bath...........................get yourself a Maglula mag loader, and save those fingers for shooting.................

[KingWulfgar]

Don't give up. Some great tips in this post. I would highly recommend a pair of over-the-ear muffs. It's entirely possible that your ear plugs were not fully sealing your ears. I have problems with ear plugs and find very few that I can wear. In any case, even when I do find ones that work, they are not enough by themselves for indoor shooting (IMO). Here are some really good ones if all you're doing is pistol shooting (for rifles and shotguns, they're a bit too bulky): http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-...dp/B001DZX86O/

Secondly, if you're getting hit with the brass that's bouncing off the partitions, you may be standing too far back in the stall. Step forward until you're almost right up against the shelf in front. You'll notice the muzzle sticks out into the range more and the brass should fly clear.

Also, definitely get a Uplula mag loader. Best $30 you'll ever spend on shooting. Keep at it. Trigger control is all about practice. You might also consider taking a pistol class as the instructor can help you with tips to keep the shaking down. Even subtle things like gripping harder or lighter with your strong hand can make a big difference, but you need someone that's there with you to help you figure out what you need to do.

[ripley16]

Also, definitely get a Uplula mag loader. Best $30 you'll ever spend on shooting.

Yes, great tool.

[hardluk1]

Cheap or free used inner tubes from a bike shop in the 1.75" size work real well too. Custom cut to cover more grip area and can be doubled up if a little more grip size is wanted. Look at some videos for ladys with it comes to racking a pistol. Really. no bull. The ole pinch and pull method is not best for many . Across the body push and pull make it easier .

You can take some wet dry sand paper 400 to 600 grit oiled and soft the mags lips out side and under tom make hand loading easier on the fingers and brass.
One of my girls cc's my cw9 now and its easier for her to rack once you figure it our. You will also find it chamber racked rounds just fine once you learn to get a full pull and clean release.

Video on racking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q8ZRlkdWVc

Mags do soften up a bit with use when it comes to loading but the best thing for loading mags is UPLULA mag loader. They sell a single stack adaptor . Not Needed. save the couple bucks.
http://www.maglula.com/product/uplula-9mm-to-45acp/

[ReManG]

Pretend your trigger is made of glass, pull slow and steady like you would if the trigger were able to break. Concentrate on the sights while keeping in mind your "glass" trigger that you don't want to break by jerking. just like rubbing your belly and patting your head, once you get the hang of the two things at once mindset, your accuracy will increase.

It is good to know that you had those reactions when you first fired your CT9, you are not the only one, but one of the few that have the gumption to relate those normal reactions to shooting. The 9mm has an operating pressure of over 34,000 PSI, you are controlling that pretty well when you think of how actually powerful the 9mm is. Congrats on the new pistol, and keep up the good work and attitude, you will have it mastered in no time...

[yqtszhj]

I don't like shooting at indoor ranges because of the percussion when the round goes off. First and only time i shot indoors i went through 200 rounds of .45 and had a headache in the end. I guess a .22 wouldnt be as bad.

Find you an outdoor location and you'll like it better.