I spent a happy afternoon at a local public outdoor pistol range. In addition to practicing my marksmanship, I find that it is a great place to harvest once fired brass from those shooters far wealthier than I. I'm glad that they can afford to shoot factory ammunition. Harvesting as I do, I have noted that the mix of ammunition has changed a bit over the past few years. The once predominant (ubiquitous) 9mm is no longer the hands down favorite. The 40 S&W is giving the 9 a run as the most popular and the .45 acp is more common than a few years ago and darn little else was seen. On the firearms side, it is clear that the plastic pistols are VERY popular. I believe that I was one of only a few that had all metal pistols and one of even fewer that shot a revolver.
Sadly, marksmanship has declined on average. I looked at all 20 of the target holders (at 50 ft) while wandering downrange to look at my groups. Darn few groups were seen, the vast majority was loose patterns with the target holders getting the worst of it (24" W X 30" H set about 4 feet off the ground) The ground in front of and behind the target holders was all chewed up from stray ( ? ) rounds.
I also observed that a lot of people are obsessed with rapid fire. 10 rds in 5 seconds and a lot of dust downrange.
I had one gentleman ask me how I could put 8 rds of .45 into 3" at 50 ft in about 8 seconds using both hands. I did not have the heart to tell him I (Use-ta-could) use to put 10 rds into less than 2" with one hand behind my back in 10 seconds. (concentration, sight picture, trigger squeeze - -practice practice practice.) sigh.
What do you-all see at your local range?
Roger
Sadly, marksmanship has declined on average. I looked at all 20 of the target holders (at 50 ft) while wandering downrange to look at my groups. Darn few groups were seen, the vast majority was loose patterns with the target holders getting the worst of it (24" W X 30" H set about 4 feet off the ground) The ground in front of and behind the target holders was all chewed up from stray ( ? ) rounds.
I also observed that a lot of people are obsessed with rapid fire. 10 rds in 5 seconds and a lot of dust downrange.
I had one gentleman ask me how I could put 8 rds of .45 into 3" at 50 ft in about 8 seconds using both hands. I did not have the heart to tell him I (Use-ta-could) use to put 10 rds into less than 2" with one hand behind my back in 10 seconds. (concentration, sight picture, trigger squeeze - -practice practice practice.) sigh.
What do you-all see at your local range?
Roger