Practicing with the pocket pistol
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:02 pm
If I may, I'd like to thank AndyC for saying the following in the "9mm pocket pistol" discussion.
I agree in principal, but would modify it a bit to "the smaller the round and/or capacity, the more expert one should be in its use."
Since at work the easiest gun for me to conceal/work around is my 5 shot, DAO .357 Taurus, when I went to the range today I forced myself to practice with it more than my 1911s or anything else.
Took it through a variety of drills from reloading, shooting with both hands, strong arm only, weak arm only etc.
Eye opening experience for sure. I feel confident with this weapon, but need to put more time in with it like I did today.
From the 15 yard line I can make hits on a 1.5' x 2' steel silhouette:
100% of the time with both hands
97% of the time with strong arm
65% of time with weak arm
(the double action makes this a more difficult shot)
For those of us who carry pocket pistols, either 5 shot revolvers, .380s...whatever....seeing how we can shoot/practicing with our pocket carry should be a much bigger priority than it is. Though I'd take the .357 to the range, I'd normally only put ~25-30 rounds through it, think "yep, it works!" and go on to shooting the guns I have more fun shooting.
I for one needed a range day like this, and now know I need to do a lot of work on my weak arm shooting. When you only get 5 chances to hit, 65% isn't good enough!
a
to others for bringing up the "pocket carry" discussion and to AndyC for making me think about my proficiency with my .357
AndyC wrote:The smaller the round, the more expert one should be in its use.
My 2c
I agree in principal, but would modify it a bit to "the smaller the round and/or capacity, the more expert one should be in its use."
Since at work the easiest gun for me to conceal/work around is my 5 shot, DAO .357 Taurus, when I went to the range today I forced myself to practice with it more than my 1911s or anything else.
Took it through a variety of drills from reloading, shooting with both hands, strong arm only, weak arm only etc.
Eye opening experience for sure. I feel confident with this weapon, but need to put more time in with it like I did today.
From the 15 yard line I can make hits on a 1.5' x 2' steel silhouette:
100% of the time with both hands
97% of the time with strong arm
65% of time with weak arm
(the double action makes this a more difficult shot)For those of us who carry pocket pistols, either 5 shot revolvers, .380s...whatever....seeing how we can shoot/practicing with our pocket carry should be a much bigger priority than it is. Though I'd take the .357 to the range, I'd normally only put ~25-30 rounds through it, think "yep, it works!" and go on to shooting the guns I have more fun shooting.
I for one needed a range day like this, and now know I need to do a lot of work on my weak arm shooting. When you only get 5 chances to hit, 65% isn't good enough!
a
to others for bringing up the "pocket carry" discussion and to AndyC for making me think about my proficiency with my .357
