Little help for a newbie!

[MikeBjerum]

Ohhh, one more.  I have been watching Todd Jarrett training videos, along with several others.  How in the world do they control muzzle jump the way they do?
BP

Three things I've learned that they do:

1.  Equipment - Their guns are tweaked as far as they can based on the rules for the match.  Everything from trigger jobs, to recoil springs, to compensators.  But most importantly, they are clean and reliable.  They go bang everytime they pull the trigger;

2.  Ammo - If you look at their web sites many will have a "gun safe or gun room."  They shoot the smallest possible caliber for the match.  They will in some cases even reload their own to raise the power on a smaller caliber or lower the power on a larger to eliminate as much as possible.  An example would be my open gun - standard .45 acp uses a 230 grain bullet going 825 feet per second, and I load mine with 155 grain going 1200 feet per second.  Way higher power, but much lower recoil;

3.  Technique and Practice - One of the top shooters I saw (watch on a video I have to help me improve) says all the equipment (and trick ammo) won't help you be great.  It will help shave that extra 1/10th second that at the top can mean the difference between 1st and 5th, but it won't replace hard work.  Watch the good guys, buy some DVD's of tips and techniques, find the style that fits you best, and practice, practice, practice ...  I have heard a lot of guys that dry fire on the TV or pictures around the room, I have heard of guys that put up post-it-notes on the wall and dry fire practice on them.  Rob Leatham says he practices on the screw heads on wall switch and outlet cover plates!  I guess it is the idea of "aim small - miss small."

You are new to one of the most addicting hobbies I have ever seen.  Just like those that will sit for hours doing needlework, tinkering in the shop on engines and cars, or those that bang nails into wood to make crafts, you will find yourself cleaning your guns, reloading ammo, practicing draws in front of the mirror, practicing eye movement and following with the gun on anything mounted to the family room wall, and burning more ammo than you though existed.  You will also meet some of the nicest people you ever imagined existed, and you will compete against people that care just as much about your enjoyment as their winning.

[Bigpops]

Wow...you guys are awesome..Thank you!

Yep, it is safe to say I am hooked.  I have been an archer for years now.  I bowhunt and have shot competitively.  The fun sort of went away when I started meeting more ego's than avid bowmen.  It became more about the score and equipment than the good natured competion and fellowship.  But...i still love my bowhunting.

I spent most of my life shooting but it usually involved rifles.  Spending 20 years in the Navy always gave me the itch but I was not required to shoot much as an aviation dude. (they are afraid we would sink something with a misplaced shot)

Now...hmmm, I have got it bad.  Seems like a great group of people and heck...I guess I need another "addiction" to throw my kids inheritance at!

I own a Sig P226 40 S&W.  Love the gun!  But you all know how it goes....I NEED MORE! (excuse to get a bigger safe)

I just built my own rifle and pistol range and I want a 1911 model gun to shoot up my new steel targets!  I am torn between Para, Kimber, S&W, and of course a Sig in 45 cal.

Inputs? Suggestions?

[leatherman92]

?'s are good

Bigpops,

Welcome!!!  Don't be affraid to ask questions.  We all enjoy helping and informing, and sometimes we even learn because we're to embarassed. 

Your question on 1911's needs to be sent to every gun maker in the nation!  I have often wondered why they can't make stock guns in other calibers instead of making us buy more parts.  On the other hand, the hours spent customizing can save money by giving "gun time" without actually burning ammo.

[DonWorsham]

I just built my own rifle and pistol range...

Post some pictures if you can.

[ellis4538]

Welcome newbie...If you haven't already, check out the video of TJ making a big pile of .45 brass in a short time. 

[Sponsor]

[DDMac]

BigPops, the Navy's concern was well founded, but not because of you. I apologize!! In 1966, I was a lookout on the USS Amherst, a Patrol Craft Escort Rescue (PCE-R), in the Corn belt Fleet in the Great Lakes, on a training cruise. We were moored inside the gunnery range off shore from Milwaukee in Lake Michigan. The Weapons Officer had us paint three oil drums international orange, complete with smiley faces, to fire at on the following day. Overnight, HEAVY fog rolled in and at "dawn" the visibility was 300 yards at most, and dead calm. We had to fire and clear the range by 0900 hrs, so in the orange barrels went in the water, and the 3" deck gun started booming.

Soon, the still unharmed barrels floated out to where they blended into the fog, and our rounds just skipped off the water into the unknown of the range. Off in the distance, a red glow appeared behind the barrels, followed by a muffled BOOM. An involuntary cheer went up, as we were all on deck watching and knew we finally hit something. The Captain, however, was not so cheery. We ceased fire and weighed anchor, motoring in the direction of the glow, still visible.

The hearing later concluded that a 40' yacht became lost in the fog and darkness, missed the numerous warning buoys surrounding the gunnery range, ignored the mandatory charts, and wandered, drifting, into the Amherst's line of fire. Because we "rescued" the owner, his wife and child, the Navy only had to pay 3 million in damages. The revelry the owner and family reported hearing was duly recognized as a "General Alarm" raised by the crew when the mishap was discovered.  Swear to God, I never saw'em.

I can still see that lady, standing on the stern of the sinking yacht, trying to kick loose the life raft while the propane tank burned. Really, it wasn't funny. Well, now it maybe is, just a little. Anyway, you see, it was my fault you were so closely restricted. I apologize. And welcome,  Mac, RD3.

[Hazcat]

BigPops, the Navy's concern was well founded, but not because of you. I apologize!! In 1966, I was a lookout on the USS Amherst, a Patrol Craft Escort Rescue (PCE-R), in the Corn belt Fleet in the Great Lakes, on a training cruise. We were moored inside the gunnery range off shore from Milwaukee in Lake Michigan. The Weapons Officer had us paint three oil drums international orange, complete with smiley faces, to fire at on the following day. Overnight, HEAVY fog rolled in and at "dawn" the visibility was 300 yards at most, and dead calm. We had to fire and clear the range by 0900 hrs, so in the orange barrels went in the water, and the 3" deck gun started booming.

Soon, the still unharmed barrels floated out to where they blended into the fog, and our rounds just skipped off the water into the unknown of the range. Off in the distance, a red glow appeared behind the barrels, followed by a muffled BOOM. An involuntary cheer went up, as we were all on deck watching and knew we finally hit something. The Captain, however, was not so cheery. We ceased fire and weighed anchor, motoring in the direction of the glow, still visible.

The hearing later concluded that a 40' yacht became lost in the fog and darkness, missed the numerous warning buoys surrounding the gunnery range, ignored the mandatory charts, and wandered, drifting, into the Amherst's line of fire. Because we "rescued" the owner, his wife and child, the Navy only had to pay 3 million in damages. The revelry the owner and family reported hearing was duly recognized as a "General Alarm" raised by the crew when the mishap was discovered.  Swear to God, I never saw'em.

I can still see that lady, standing on the stern of the sinking yacht, trying to kick loose the life raft while the propane tank burned. Really, it wasn't funny. Well, now it maybe is, just a little. Anyway, you see, it was my fault you were so closely restricted. I apologize. And welcome,  Mac, RD3.

Only you Mac, only you

[DDMac]

BigPops, you will soon learn that Hazcat is the KING of mischief. But everybody here is a straight shooter.  Mac.

[Pathfinder]

Wow...you guys are awesome..Thank you!

I own a Sig P226 40 S&W.  Love the gun!  But you all know how it goes....I NEED MORE! (excuse to get a bigger safe)

My excuse was the new safe, and all of the free space within it. So it's more and more . . . 

[tombogan03884]

BigPops, the Navy's concern was well founded, but not because of you. I apologize!! In 1966, I was a lookout on the USS Amherst, a Patrol Craft Escort Rescue (PCE-R), in the Corn belt Fleet in the Great Lakes, on a training cruise. We were moored inside the gunnery range off shore from Milwaukee in Lake Michigan. The Weapons Officer had us paint three oil drums international orange, complete with smiley faces, to fire at on the following day. Overnight, HEAVY fog rolled in and at "dawn" the visibility was 300 yards at most, and dead calm. We had to fire and clear the range by 0900 hrs, so in the orange barrels went in the water, and the 3" deck gun started booming.

Soon, the still unharmed barrels floated out to where they blended into the fog, and our rounds just skipped off the water into the unknown of the range. Off in the distance, a red glow appeared behind the barrels, followed by a muffled BOOM. An involuntary cheer went up, as we were all on deck watching and knew we finally hit something. The Captain, however, was not so cheery. We ceased fire and weighed anchor, motoring in the direction of the glow, still visible.

The hearing later concluded that a 40' yacht became lost in the fog and darkness, missed the numerous warning buoys surrounding the gunnery range, ignored the mandatory charts, and wandered, drifting, into the Amherst's line of fire. Because we "rescued" the owner, his wife and child, the Navy only had to pay 3 million in damages. The revelry the owner and family reported hearing was duly recognized as a "General Alarm" raised by the crew when the mishap was discovered.  Swear to God, I never saw'em.

I can still see that lady, standing on the stern of the sinking yacht, trying to kick loose the life raft while the propane tank burned. Really, it wasn't funny. Well, now it maybe is, just a little. Anyway, you see, it was my fault you were so closely restricted. I apologize. And welcome,  Mac, RD3.

Bet the family on the yacht didn't need any prunes