Andrew Court
Member
On the advice of the FE crew I just got my first pistol, a Walther PDP Pro Compact. Any words of wisdom out there for a newbie?
Any advice for a firearms newbie?
- Thread starter Andrew Court
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Keith Wood
Active member
Shoot a bunch. Don't buy gadgets, buy ammo. Consider getting some legit training.
Dry firing is great but there's no substitute for putting rounds downrange and managing recoil.
Also, buy a huge safe because this isn't your last purchase.
Dry firing is great but there's no substitute for putting rounds downrange and managing recoil.
Also, buy a huge safe because this isn't your last purchase.
huntbirdz
Member
Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Practice. Practice a lot. Become comfortable carrying it and using it. Train. Regular course of fires are good, but throw in malfunction drills, and build in moving/shooting drills. Use and practice with a good quality holster. Find a good mentor and experienced shooter.
Andrew Court
Member
Good advice all around, I am going down to Trail Glades range in South Miami (cool spot if anyone is in South Florida) to do some shooting this weekend. I am also looking for some courses to take in the area. My plan is to get used to the pistol before purchasing any accessories. You guys might be right, I think there are more firearms in my future as well
Will Dabbs
New member
Fully agree. That's a solid choice for a nice all-purpose handgun. There's never any real substitution for live-fire trigger time. At the end of the day, you need to get really comfortable with the machine without losing respect for what it can do. Never let yourself become frivolous around firearms. I have carried a gun for nearly four decades and I still cultivate a level of respect that flirts with but does not cross over to fear. Second only to raising children, packing a gun is the most responsible thing you can do in life. You'll never be able to live fire in a realistic environment. Trigger time is important, but I often clear a new pistol and strip/reassemble it repeatedly while watching something stupid on Netflix until I get completely comfortable with the mechanism. I also find it a healthy exercise to clear the gun multiple times and then practice moving tactically in your home when you know everybody else in the family is away. Using a gun for real will never be antiseptic and clean. You don't want the first time you clear a space with a handgun and a weaponlight to be when you hear glass breaking in the middle of the night. Welcome to the Holy Order of American Rugged Individualists. It's great to have you on the team.
Andrew Court
Member
Great advice all around. I got my first range session in last weekend, while I have enjoyed shooting in the past it feels different when it’s your own pistol. My biggest issue is that I am hitting slightly to the left of where I am aiming, which YouTube tells me is either jerking the trigger or over anticipating recoil. I am also getting ready to clean a gun for the first time.
The Holy Order of American Rugged Individualists would look great on a T shirt!
The Holy Order of American Rugged Individualists would look great on a T shirt!
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Will Dabbs
New member
Indeed
More so than most anything else I have ever done, shooting well requires repetition. Have reasonable expectations. It's OK to start close and shoot until you can get good groups before moving farther out. The average real-world engagement distance is only 3 to 7 meters. And it is helpful to have somebody who knows what they are doing coach you, particularly early on. How you stack your thumbs, for instance, can make a big difference. It's a journey, but a fun one that has serious real-world applications.
coreymolinelli
Member
Invest in ammo and training. Take a good fundamentals course with a good instructor.
And cement those in until they are muscle memory. Even if you have to take the class a few times. The fundamentals are the base of everything you can’t shoot fast or better or what ever with out mastery of them. Perfect your grip until it’s so consistent that you don’t even think about it.
Then if you’re going to be carrying a good holster and belt are key.
And ammo and mags
And cement those in until they are muscle memory. Even if you have to take the class a few times. The fundamentals are the base of everything you can’t shoot fast or better or what ever with out mastery of them. Perfect your grip until it’s so consistent that you don’t even think about it.
Then if you’re going to be carrying a good holster and belt are key.
And ammo and mags
@Andrew Court you need to come up here and shoot 1000 rounds with me in a weekend. We’ll get you straightened out.
takdadjk
New member
Get training, and shoot. Vet your instructors, there are a bunch of garbage grade folks hanging shingles these days.
unitas03
Member
I lived in communist New York City and moved upstate to the Hudson Valley - I've got 5 acres and the county I live in is very gun friendly, so I practice a bunch in my back yard. But, when I was pressed on range time (living in city) - the one thing I did a lot was walk around my apartment with the gun, dry fire, holster, rinse and repeat - get super comfortable with the gun on your person and in your hand, manipulating it all the time. Not just dry fire, but being comfortable with it, creating muscle memory and awareness so when the gun isn't pointed down range, there's no questions / doubts your handling it confidently.
robmcleod82
Member
I will echo what most others have said. Take courses with reputable instructors. Take courses from different instructors, everyone has different takes on shooting that may click for you. Dont worry about being fast work on mastering the basics and speed will come. Also have fun!
Andrew Court
Member
Let’s do it!
Andrew Court
Member
I watched it, great video! Always happy to learn from Pistol Pete
wyattcm95
Member
Always informative.
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