How often and how much do you practice ?

dukenukum · August 1st, 2009, 06:29 PM

Yesterday at the range I listened to people brag that they could keep 6 out of ten rounds of 9 mm on 18 by 18 target at 15 yards like this made them expert shots or something , they all told me you only need to shoot once or twice a year. what say you ?

Double Naught Spy · August 1st, 2009, 06:47 PM

That may be all they need to shoot. Some are like that. Me? My skills decline to quickly. I shoot every week.

chambered · August 1st, 2009, 06:54 PM

not enough

cvhoss · August 1st, 2009, 07:12 PM

I really think it depends on the individual. Late in May, I shot a CAS match which was the first time I had touched my CAS guns in over 7 months. The only shooting I had done was to break in a couple of new carry guns. I won my class and finished 15th overall in a field of 55 shooters which is about as good as I can do due to physical (bad knees, bad hips, arthritis) limitations. In 10 stages with a combination of rifle, handguns and shotgun and about 250 rounds fired, I had 8 misses shooting and moving as fast as I can go. BTW, I shoot duelist which, for you non CAS shooters, means my roughly 100 single action revolver rounds fired in the match were fired one-handed.

Basically, my shooting skills don't seem to deteriorate from lack of use. Fishing is a different story. If I haven't fished for quite some time, I spend the first couple of hours retrieving my lures from tree limbs as it takes me that long to get the "feel" down again. I know this thread isn't about fishing, I'm using it as an example of how different skills can deteriorate at different rates for the same individual.

The moral of the story is that it doesn't matter how much someone else practices. Each person should practice as much as they feel necessary to maximize their skills.

Hoss

Ram Rod · August 1st, 2009, 07:36 PM

Well, last month was once a week for us (my #1 and me). We did the local gun club's steel challenge match today, so we're starting the month off right. I figure we'll need to get the 22's out next time whilst I forage for more pistol ammo. We burned through about 400 rounds of 9mm today between the two of us.

RoadRunner71 · August 1st, 2009, 07:54 PM

For some that might be good enough. We all make ourown decisions factoring different priorities - money, time, skill-level. Not everyone can afford to spend 6-8 hours and $200 a week on developing their marksmanship.

For those who think that 60% "on target" is good enough, well, I certainly pray that it is.

Huzar · August 1st, 2009, 08:15 PM

I hit range at least 4 times a month.... granted the 4 times (minimum) I go, I should for free (60 rounds though each time). If/When I have more time I go more often... and then... the limit is my wallet ;) (on average I shoot 50 to 100 rounds when I go).

GlockGal · August 1st, 2009, 08:27 PM

We are fortunate enough to be able to shoot here at home. I would say on average we shoot every other week, sometimes just one evening and sometimes two in a row. We usually run practice drills that would simulate more real life scenarios. I'd say all of our pistol shooting is done in 15 yards or less usually covering everything from right in your face to shooting and moving back or out to the 15 yard mark. I like to practice my draw when I shoot and be able to move backwards and side to side so I don't know that I'd be much interested in the range unless we were doing IDPA matches which we do one a month, two if we can make it. I'd say there are many personal factors that define how often one practices their skills. I'd love to be able to practice more often but right now we just can't.

Bob O · August 1st, 2009, 10:22 PM

I used to practice twice a month.

Haven't shot since last November -- bad winter, then the ammo shortage.

Once ammo becomes readily available and reasonably priced I'll be back to twice a month again.

Bobo

kingdaddyoh · August 1st, 2009, 10:39 PM

Every week. Last week: 64 rounds 45acp, 50 rounds 380acp, 200 rounds 22lr. Tomorrow I already have out 50 rounds 38spc, 50 round 380acp, 50 rounds 40 S&W, and 200 rounds 22lr. I usually pick 3 or 4 handguns and have at it, but sometimes I'll just burn a few hundred through only one.

August 1st, 2009, 06:47 PM	#2
Double Naught Spy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 446	That may be all they need to shoot. Some are like that. Me? My skills decline to quickly. I shoot every week. __________________ Considering yourself to be defenseless is the first administrative step to becoming a victim.

August 1st, 2009, 07:12 PM	#4
cvhoss Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,791	I really think it depends on the individual. Late in May, I shot a CAS match which was the first time I had touched my CAS guns in over 7 months. The only shooting I had done was to break in a couple of new carry guns. I won my class and finished 15th overall in a field of 55 shooters which is about as good as I can do due to physical (bad knees, bad hips, arthritis) limitations. In 10 stages with a combination of rifle, handguns and shotgun and about 250 rounds fired, I had 8 misses shooting and moving as fast as I can go. BTW, I shoot duelist which, for you non CAS shooters, means my roughly 100 single action revolver rounds fired in the match were fired one-handed. Basically, my shooting skills don't seem to deteriorate from lack of use. Fishing is a different story. If I haven't fished for quite some time, I spend the first couple of hours retrieving my lures from tree limbs as it takes me that long to get the "feel" down again. I know this thread isn't about fishing, I'm using it as an example of how different skills can deteriorate at different rates for the same individual. The moral of the story is that it doesn't matter how much someone else practices. Each person should practice as much as they feel necessary to maximize their skills. Hoss __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Sig 239 SAS 40 S&W / Sig 239 9mm / Kahr PM-9 / Walther PPS .40 / Sig P-245 / Ruger LCP Beretta Tomcat / Walther PPK / BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 NRA Life Member My Web Site

August 1st, 2009, 07:36 PM	#5
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,817	Well, last month was once a week for us (my #1 and me). We did the local gun club's steel challenge match today, so we're starting the month off right. I figure we'll need to get the 22's out next time whilst I forage for more pistol ammo. We burned through about 400 rounds of 9mm today between the two of us. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

August 1st, 2009, 07:54 PM	#6
RoadRunner71 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,102	For some that might be good enough. We all make ourown decisions factoring different priorities - money, time, skill-level. Not everyone can afford to spend 6-8 hours and $200 a week on developing their marksmanship. For those who think that 60% "on target" is good enough, well, I certainly pray that it is. __________________ "Mind own business" "Always cut cards"

August 1st, 2009, 08:15 PM	#7
Huzar Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 466	I hit range at least 4 times a month.... granted the 4 times (minimum) I go, I should for free (60 rounds though each time). If/When I have more time I go more often... and then... the limit is my wallet ;) (on average I shoot 50 to 100 rounds when I go). __________________ California CCW board

August 1st, 2009, 06:29 PM	#1
dukenukum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lansing MI Posts: 19	How often and how much do you practice ? Yesterday at the range I listened to people brag that they could keep 6 out of ten rounds of 9 mm on 18 by 18 target at 15 yards like this made them expert shots or something , they all told me you only need to shoot once or twice a year. what say you ? __________________ My open carry and gun / shooting blog http://adventuresinopencarr.blogspot.com/

August 1st, 2009, 06:54 PM	#3
chambered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: norcal Posts: 41	not enough

August 1st, 2009, 08:27 PM	#8
GlockGal Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 101	We are fortunate enough to be able to shoot here at home. I would say on average we shoot every other week, sometimes just one evening and sometimes two in a row. We usually run practice drills that would simulate more real life scenarios. I'd say all of our pistol shooting is done in 15 yards or less usually covering everything from right in your face to shooting and moving back or out to the 15 yard mark. I like to practice my draw when I shoot and be able to move backwards and side to side so I don't know that I'd be much interested in the range unless we were doing IDPA matches which we do one a month, two if we can make it. I'd say there are many personal factors that define how often one practices their skills. I'd love to be able to practice more often but right now we just can't.

August 1st, 2009, 10:22 PM	#9
Bob O Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Central, VA Posts: 253	I used to practice twice a month. Haven't shot since last November -- bad winter, then the ammo shortage. Once ammo becomes readily available and reasonably priced I'll be back to twice a month again. Bobo __________________ Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" ~John Adams

August 1st, 2009, 10:39 PM	#10
kingdaddyoh Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 305	Every week. Last week: 64 rounds 45acp, 50 rounds 380acp, 200 rounds 22lr. Tomorrow I already have out 50 rounds 38spc, 50 round 380acp, 50 rounds 40 S&W, and 200 rounds 22lr. I usually pick 3 or 4 handguns and have at it, but sometimes I'll just burn a few hundred through only one. __________________ Ain't no fun when the rabbit has a gun!

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