Range trips!

Dang, what a week! I've been a busy guy this week with two range trips. On Thursday, I took Tom and his neighbor down to the insight indoor shooting range in Artesia. I'd never been there, and I heard they carried the handgun that I was interested in. So, I went down there in hopes of trying that gun out before purchasing it. Sadly, they didn't have the exact model that I wanted, but they had a similar model. I rented an HK P2000 in 9mm to try and see how it handled. We started out with 50 rounds of 9mm as well.


It's very similar to the HK USP compact so I wasn't complaining too much. I liked the way it felt in my hand so I went ahead with it.

I happened to be aiming at the center of center mass, so my shots hit a little low, but I think I did pretty good for the first mag through a new gun.

Tom tried his hand with the P2000

He was aiming for the head.

I didn't do nearly as good the second time around. I was aiming for the head. I forget what I was doing wrong in order to group down and to the left. I seemed to do that consistently at the range. The ones on the right shoulder were from Tom's neighbor, Albert.

The end result of 50 9mms out of the P2000



Next up was the Beretta 92fs in 9mm.

I wasn't too happy about that. still down to the left, but not as tight as before. Probably because the Beretta's grip was really big and not nearly as comfy as the P2000

Tom shooting the beretta

Tom was aiming for the head again. He didn't do so hot either.

Tom's neighbor, Albert shooting the beretta

Albert was aiming for the head too.

My second go at center mass with the beretta.

The end result of 50 rounds of 9mm through the beretta



We were all pretty upset about the Beretta, so we decided to end the trip with a big(ger) bang. I got us a Rock Island 1911 in .45 ACP. I was pretty happy with it. I've always liked the feel of 1911s. The last one I fired just sucked though. It was a nasty piece that threw brass into my face. Not so this time.

Not super good, but I got a group. It's a .45. a lot different than a 9mm.

Tom shooting the 1911

Tom was aiming for the head once again.

We had a target left over, so Tom and I collaborated in making use of it with the 1911. HEAD SHOT!

The trip to the indoor range was good. I paid an arm and a leg to rent guns and buy ammo plus range time for 3 guys, but it was worth it. I think I'm going to end up purchasing the compact just because I really enjoyed the P2000.


Yesterday, I went up to Burro Canyon with Greg and Jen to shoot with them and their Swiss shooting club. Last time I was there, I was trying to sight in the rear sight on my AR15. This time, we finally did it!


We set my AR15 up on the rest and I started putting rounds down range at that target set up at 50 yards.

I was having problems at first, as you can see since all of my shots hit above paper and before that totally above the target. My tool for adjusting the front sight which managed elevation didn't work last time, but I got it to work this time, so I was able to adjust till I started getting groups on paper. I was happy about that. Now it just comes down to more practice with the doggone thing.

Apparently Jen or someone got a hold of my camera while I was shooting off the rest and snapped some pics of me. They turned out pretty good.

My grouping after like 2 or 3 mags. I was shooting off the rest, standing up. I need practice, but at least I made it on paper. It's a start.

Greg was getting set up with his shooting jacket to start shooting at some targets down range with his vintage Swiss rifle. That thing kicked like a mule! My shoulder still hurts from putting a few rounds through it!

Greg after popping off a round.

Jen shot that big vintage rifle too. She says she just doesn't enjoy shooting a .22 any more since she started shooting it. That's pretty freaking awesome.

All in all it's been a pretty good and productive week. I've kind of figured out what I need to do. Time to get more practice in with my AR15 and do some breathing practice and dry firing at home. I also need to buy myself that handgun and practice the same thing with that too. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.