Wow - Humbled and Impressed at the Range Today

[OvalNut]

So, I was working on offhand rifle shooting with an AK74 rifle at an indoor range today. I had my target out at 25 yards, shooting at a set of about 3" x 5" silhouette targets, and getting good hits, with a rifle.

Then, I started noticing what the guy in the lane next to me was doing. He was using what appeared to be a fairly common Sig or Walther type 9mm striker fired pistol. No overt or extreme modifications that I could tell, nice night sights. He started with what looked like a 2"-3" round bullseye target out at 15 yards, and I could see he was getting tight groups on target with maybe a 1 out of 6 miss. He was definitely working on measured/paced accuracy shooting and kept stretching his distance until eventually he had his target out at the same 25 yard distance at which I was shooting. This guy was some kind of pistol ninja, or some "may the force be with you" dude. I was shooting a rifle at the same distance as he was shooting a 9mm pistol, and other than a very rare flyer, he was shooting about as tight as I was.

I wanted to say hello and absolutely compliment him on what I just saw, yet I could tell he was in his practice zone, and I didn't want to disturb him.

Today, I realized I have a LOT of work to do to improve my pistol skills.


Tim

[JohnR]

My pistol work opens up past 15 yards to look like a shotgun splatter.

[Bobshouse]

You shoulda said "Hi" wouldn't of bothered me, I was practicing my off hand shooting.

[OvalNut]

You shoulda said "Hi" wouldn't of bothered me, I was practicing my off hand shooting.

Ah, HAHAHAHAH. I am literally laughing out loud right now. Awesome point you made!

Sincerely though, this was some serious Star Wars Yoda / Caddyshack Carl the Greenskeeper stuff he was laying down today. I was stifled to silent admiration of his handiwork.


Tim

[340pd]

As a range officer I rarely see good groups out past 30'. Watching those that can brings me back a long time ago to my old bullseye shooting days when the High Masters were shooting 4" groups offhand at 25yd. and scoring the 97-98% needed to maintain their ranking. Much of this done 5 shots in timed fire of 20 and 10 second strings.

Skills mostly lost with the introduction of double stack semi autos and video games as instructors.

[marshal kane]

Sounds like you were shooting next to a dedicated handgun shooter. Takes a lot of practice and drive to get to this level, much more than I was willing to give. For me, any shot in the black is a good shot. YMMV

[Redstate]

So, I was working on offhand rifle shooting with an AK74 rifle at an indoor range today. I had my target out at 25 yards, shooting at a set of about 3" x 5" silhouette targets, and getting good hits, with a rifle.

...

...

...


Tim

I need to practice off-hand AR shooting because that is my biggest weakness at Carbine Matches. I really have diffuculty seeing the sights when off-hand shooting.

[yqtszhj]

I wonder how many handguns he owns. I know for me if I stick with one gun for a couple of months I do well. Thats HARD to do though because it means I neglect all the others. The back and forth between grips and triggers breeds inconsistency.

[wyntrout]

I'm happy to keep my pistol shooting on a letter-sized sheet of paper at 15 yards! Glocks and Kahrs are not like shooting a good revolver single-action, and with a decent set of iron sights... especially a narrow blade at the front. The Glocks and Kahrs' fat sights... night sights... aren't the best for tight groups, but neither are my 70-year-old eyes.

[berettabone]

I gave up on that target stuff a long time ago. It's for the younger, better eyesight people. I liked it when it was there. I usually work on the 15 yards and under now. I'm like you. If I can keep them on the paper, I'm happy.

[Bawanna]

Minute of pie plate. That's all you need.

[SaltyNC]

Bawanna, have you ever shot a Walther PPQ? I agree it still takes great shooting skills at 25 yds, but the PPQs make you a better shooter. Their triggers are excellent. I have a PPQ 45 that I use as my house gun, and I shoot it far better than any other striker fired pistol I own.

Salty