StPatrick

I have gotten conflicting opinions on this, so I'll ask the crowd. Many of you keep a gun in the nightstand or other location - is it better to A. Keep it loaded at all times, B. Keep it unloaded with the slide back, or C. Keep it unloaded with the slide forward? The gun in question gets fired every two weeks or so, and I'm asking in reference to protecting the springs, not in terms of tactics. Bottom line, what is the best way to keep my springs in the best shape?

Jamie FTW. "Dickless Ninja" is a gem. It's gold, Jerry, gold! I haven't been reading TGO long, but this is definitely the funniest thread I've had the pleasure of reading.

I miss low and left, due to poor trigger skills. I get a little better every time, and more importantly, I am more aware of what is happening during the shot every time. Eventually, this "self-improvement" phase will plateau. Based on the comments I've received from all you friendly tgo readers, I will then pursue professional instruction. Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it. Professional instruction is something I will look into, but for now I will continue working on my trigger pull. I am still shooting 8-9" groups at 10 yards, cosistently making the same misses, so the technique and repeatability aren't there yet.

So I bought my first handgun awhile back, with the intention of becoming a of becoming a proficient shooter. In the meantime, I have found that friends of mine got their ccw permits without learning how to shoot. I have nearly 800 rounds through my first gun, and am not satisfied with my placement. I have yet to work on rapid fire or follow-up shot drills. Am I being too anal, or is this the correct progression? I am not comfortable carrying a loaded weapon until I feel 99% sure I can hit what I want to hit, but maybe I am being too careful. Thoughts?

Forgive my newbity, but I read the above as meaning that anything less than 25 yards will not be available. Is this correct? If so, I have work to do, because my gun still shoots way straighter than I do. As soon as I get this issue fixed, I'll join all you fine ladies and gentlemen.

Fellow TGA Members: I am a fairly new shooter, always looking for good instruction. If any of you are going to be at the range in Antioch tomorrow around 11:00, look for a 6' fellow with a tan Titleist hat and an XDm 9mm. I'll be poking holes around that time, and I'd appreciate any intros and/or lessons you all want to drop on me. PJB

Hooters, Hermitage (reported to me by a 3rd party)

When I went shopping for my first pistol, how the weapon fit my hand was my biggest consideration. Full-frame 1911s felt awesome - just like I was a little kid pointing my finger and yelling "bang!". Eventually, I went with an XDm (Glock didn't fit), since that was the next best in terms of feel, and the care and feeding seemed a bit simpler for a new shooter such as myself. I wish I knew more about the hand size of the posters - some of the earlier posts would have been enlightening, since I'm finding that guns are like tattoos, in that once you get one, you want more. Since I'm not into ink, I'll just buy more guns.

Haven't purchased yet...considering several models. My assumption is that the method of carry will be more an issue than the weapon itself...so far, I like the XD sc in 9, the G26, Beretta PX4, and haven't gotten around to checking out 1911 variants.

I am looking for any and all suggestions for how to carry a subcompact, with the following details being important. I understand that it may not be practical or doable...so go to town, ladies and gents: 1. I'm fairly thin 2. I prefer my shirts to be tucked in 3. It is hot here, so jackets and vests are only a seasonal option 4. Pocket carry seems to be a difficult thing to do in jeans So, what can I do? Is ankle carry really a practical solution? Thanks, all. FWIW, the main reason I'm interested in CCW is for the car, but why limit yourself?

"They do have a similar situation as Illinois to where the vast majority of the land area is filled with people like you and me, but the big city unfortunately has enough clout to distort the image of the whole state." Plus eleventy. I grew up in IL (both outside of Rockford and NW Suburbs of Chi), and it's full of good "salt of the Earth" people. Once you get 10 or 20 miles outside of Cook County, the Daley tentacles start losing their reach, machine politics subside, and sanity starts to take hold. Inside the city? Visit it often, live in it never.

Emotion, in our current culture, is more valued than any amount of training, experience, evidence, or research. I'm going to be 30 in 2 weeks, so I know of what I speak - I grew up with all that garbage. We live in a world where what you feel can be "right", even if it's not supported by fact or evidence. When you grow up believing feelings are a legitimate substitute for any of the above, it's normal to think that your feelings should carry the weight you assign to them. Disagreement with others' feelings are simply evidence of their failings to understand you, and your particular fragile and heart-rending situation. It all boils down to narcissists begging the same question - "what about me?". When everybody is special and unique, the words have no meaning. /Rant off

that video is terrific. Thanks, Tim.

gts - what is "too far"? When I hold the gun in the way that feels the best to me, the 1st joint of my index finger is on the trigger.

bkelm18, my shots are predominantly in the "tightening fingers" area. I'll try relaxing my bottom three fingers next time out.

Looking for tips or fixes: I am right handed, and a fairly new shooter. When practicing at 10 yds., I have no problem hitting paper (8.5x11) every time, but my misses are almost always (70-80%) a couple inches below, and to the left of, the bull. Whatever mistake I'm making, I'm making it just about every time, and I'd like to fix it. I haven't fired from a bench to check the sights, but I'm guessing a fairly new XDm shoots straighter than I can, so I think I should try to fix me first. Thanks!

Great site - I've found the ammo updates very helpful. I live in Franklin, and shoot a Springfied XDm (9mm) at the TWRA range in Antioch.

Cool Springs Update: Wal-Mart is cleaned out, but Dick's has a good supply of target ammo in what appeared to be most automatic calibers (Federal $15/box 9mm fmj), still a few boxes of jhp in 9 and .40.