There is nothing like heading to the Range to enjoy some Plinking. My son and I headed out and enjoyed some disaster prep range time.
It has been a crazy year so far.
I started to look for the last Range Day Post and realized I missed at least one or two days. I didn’t log taking new shooters out to plink for some reason – mostly because it slipped my mind.
Anyway, I settled on calling today Day 2.
My Steel Babies
I have to say that I really love my Case Club case. I am running out of room in my safes so having the ability to lock this up and then put it in a locked room gives me some extra space, and also means if I have to run for it I have a nice package of firepower that is easy to move.
The club put up these new green flexible targets, which were really odd to shoot at.
These targets are screwed to the wooden base, and meant to kind of wag when you shoot them as they don’t lie down. The real issue is that they don’t actually move all that much, to the point where its not clear if you are hitting them. We ended up wrapping one in a target to see, and sure enough we were hitting them. It’s just really hard to see, which makes me think that the rounds are moving so fast, and the targets are so soft that they just fly through them.
In any case we did have fun.
Plinking Targets
You can see that I am a little low and to the left, but since its a six inch target I’m still happy.
My Target
My son was shooting a bit faster than I was, and you can see how it impacted his grouping.
My son’s target.
If you look careful you can see where we each put a 12G slug through each target as well.
My brother went with us, but for some reason I failed to get pics of his targets.
My cousin came in to visit from upstate New York and mentioned he’s never fired a gun before. Me, being me, was like, we are absolutely taking care of this! Yes, he got his Gun Cherry Popped!
My cousin, being much smarter than I, was a bit reserved, but was a really good shot for a new shooter. I’ve seen people not even be able to hit the board the target was stapled too. My cousin was able to hit the 10 by 10 inch target on his first 10 shots.
Being a logical, sane person, I started him out on my M&P 22 which he handled well. He also shot my S&W .38 and a 12G with bird shot from my Benelli M2.
I hope he had fun. I may have overwhelmed him with the different guns I had, but I am always excited to introduce someone to shooting.
(No, he does not have a big angular square head, but I figured he didn’t want his face on my blog so I put something obnoxious there instead. If he is showing you this in a bar – rest assured he is very handsome, and a good guy. Don’t break his heart – because I have lots of guns. )
No one wanted to go to the range with me today so it was a solo trip. No worries, I still had Range Day Fun and did a great round robin of different hand guns. I used paper targets and put Splatterburst Stickers over my first punches to make the targets last longer. Paper targets are cheap. By using a few Splatterburst Targets on them, I can still tell when I hit my targets easily.
CZ P10c and S&W M5
For this exercise I put a few Splatterburst Targets up the side and in the 10 ring. I then went through a few handguns to see which I could score hits with.
Target Exersize
I also learned a life lesson. Next time I’ll make these images larger and go from top to bottom instead of trying to squeeze them across in a single row.
My Messy Desk
All in all I put a 100 rounds through the CZ P10c, S&W M586, and the M&P 22, and 50 through the Glock 23. This was a screw up on my part. I only put one box of ammo in my ammo box when I left.
Glock 23
After taking a few at this target with the Glock, I switched up and hit the 10 ring with my first shot on the S&W M586. If I could only have one revolver, it would definitely bye the S&W M586. If I could only have one semi auto, its a bit tougher. I love my CZ 75 SP-01 but the CZ P10c is just such a slick piece of gear. Once I put a few hundred more rounds through it I’m pretty sure my semi auto gun of choice will end up being the CZ P10c.
M586 for the Bulls Eye
If you are heading out for some Range Day Fun just remember to be safe and put on eyes and ears. I also like to wear a good pair of Shooting Gloves. It helps break them in and also trains me on how the Gloves can slightly changer the grip on each weapon.
After figuring out how to sight with this it was fun to shoot.
10/07/2016
50
The thing I'm starting to love about this Glock is how clean it shoots - and how easy it is to clean - because it doesn't seem to get that dirty.
09/04/2015
50
Just a quick outing to start off our weekend.
05/09/2015
150
My youngest was funny when he was shooting this . I don't really feel the difference between the .40 and the 9mm, but he said he can really tell the difference.
04/26/2015
100
My buddy is going through a divorce and needed some cash. So I got a very nice gun that had barely any rounds down the barrel for half the retail price.
RANGE DAY 7 was spent with a close family friend. She had a ball and we stepped up from .22 LR to 9mm. Start new shooters slow!
Today was a big range day for lots of reasons.
The first is that I finally got to shoot my new CZ P10-C. I finished my FFL paperwork and picked it up the other day, but today was the first day I got to go to the range.
CZ P10-C Unboxing
I read a lot of reviews and my final decision came down to three guns. The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield, Springfield XD Service, and the CZ P10-C. Why isn’t the Glock 19 on the list? I have to be honest, I’m not a huge Glock fan, and the only reason I own a G23 is because I bought it from a buddy going through a divorce. I never say never, but its likely to be the only Glock I own.
The runner up was the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield. I’ve got two different buddies who own this and I’ve gotten to shoot about a hundred rounds in total through two different examples. It fit my hand well, was honestly a little cheaper than what I got the CZ P10-C for, but it also felt just a little bit less solid. In the end, it was close, but the parts on the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield feel just a little looser, a little less solid. It was my runner up, and the honest truth is that I will likely end up buying one in the future.
Third place went to the Springfield XD Service. I didn’t get to shoot this gun, but I did get to hold it and rack the slide. It didn’t fit my hand that well and some of the reviews I read made me questions its long term reliability.
That is how I became the owner of this beautiful CZ P10-C.
CZ P10-C
The weapon comes with two clips, and yes, I already bought a few spare mags. I have to be honest, I love this gun, but I also have the same issue that many others have complained about. The slide release is amazingly tight. I can release it if I use a lot of force. It’s much easier just to pull back on the slide to release it.
I put half a case of 9mm through the gun today, which did help loosen it ever so slightly, but I will likely be buying the Apex Extended Slide Release, I just need to find one in stock. I’m pretty sure it will continue to loosen, but I like the larger lever the Apex provides in any case.
1000 9mm Rounds
Should that turn you off the CZ P10-C? Sure, it’s a little annoying to need to put a few hundred rounds or buy an upgrade to make it work 100%, but that is offset by the rest of the gun. This thing is just a tack driver.
Someone left a pin on the target post, so I put it on top.
Push Pin Target
I hit it in about five rounds. The interesting part is that when you look at the top of the two by four, you can see where the round scored the wood.
Bullet Track
My son thought it was a fluke. He shut up after I did the same thing two more times. Then we ran out of push pins. No, I’m not a naturally gifted shooter, but I do target shoot whenever I can, and practice and time with the same gun in your hand makes all the difference.
Long story short, yes, I really am pleased with my purchase.
What does a few clips through a single target look like?
6 Inch Target After 100 Rounds
When the other stalls are full, you kind of have to wait for everyone to need to hang targets. I also like to put the 1cm orange targets in random places and clear them. My best was 2 out of 3 with a single clip with my CZ P10-C. I hope that tell you what a straight shooter thing was.
On a side note, my son also had an amazing day. Today was his first day shooting the Smith & Wesson M586.
Ry’s First Shot with the M586
For the record, this is my son who’s had over a hundred eye surgeries, and yes, when the Zombie Apocalypse starts, he’s my right hand man. This was his first six round cylinder after a target change.
The second exciting thing for the day was that we took one of our family friends to the range for the first time. She had wanted to try to shoot after a bad experience in the past. The first time she went to shoot someone handed her a larger caliber gun. She doesn’t know what it was. She just knew that when she shot it, it hurt her hand, wrist, and was crying. That is not how you introduce someone to shooting if you want them to continue and enjoy the sport.
I put one round in the M&P22 and slowly let her get comfortable until she was loading a full clip and enjoying the experience. For a first time shooter, she did awesome. She was hitting the target, and having fun.
After figuring out how to sight with this it was fun to shoot.
10/07/2016
50
The thing I'm starting to love about this Glock is how clean it shoots - and how easy it is to clean - because it doesn't seem to get that dirty.
09/04/2015
50
Just a quick outing to start off our weekend.
05/09/2015
150
My youngest was funny when he was shooting this . I don't really feel the difference between the .40 and the 9mm, but he said he can really tell the difference.
04/26/2015
100
My buddy is going through a divorce and needed some cash. So I got a very nice gun that had barely any rounds down the barrel for half the retail price.
Remember, if you use GunBroker, or live in South Jersey, stay away from County Sports in Carney’s Point NJ. They have horrible customer service and will screw you over to make an extra $5 bucks. How do I know, because that’s what they did to me.
If you are heading out for some Range Day Fun just remember to be safe and put on eyes and ears. I also like to wear a good pair of Shooting Gloves. It helps break them in and also trains me on how the Gloves can slightly changer the grip on each weapon.
RANGE DAY 6 was a fun day. I finally got some 38 ammo. It was wad cutter because that was all I could get, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I finally got to go back to the range yesterday to enjoy my new S&W M586, and it is just a pleasure to shoot. I picked up a box of .38 wadcutters, because I can’t find normal ammo at the moment.
1000 wadcutter rounds.
This is the first time I’ve shot wadcutter, which is designed to punch a nice neat circle in a paper target, to make scoring easier.
.38 Wadcutter Vs. Target Ammo
It takes a little more to load my wheel guns with wadcutters compared to target rounds, at least at first. Target rounds have that cone at the front which kind of helps guide them in. Not a huge issue, but loading takes a split second longer.
I like to alternate between semi auto and wheel guns. Switching up makes me adjust to each weapon, making it harder to just “dial in” with one weapon due to repetition.
Glock23, S&W M586
I put 300 rounds through my S&W M586, and had some truly awesome shows. I started in the short, 5 yard lane, and finished on the fifteen yard lane.
This was my target after the first couple reloads.
5 Yard
This was my target after a lot more rounds. yes, I am pulling to the left a little, but that’s why I’m at the range, to get better.
5 Yard Target After a Few more Reloads
I like to use the little reactive circle stickers to give me a small target. I put one on this target post and was surprised that a .40 caliber round went through a two by four. The picture on the right is the entrance, and you can kind of see how it blew out the side of the lumbar, while the right side is the exit. I have no way of knowing how much energy the round had after punching through the two by four, but it sure makes you think. At close range, even if the round hits the framing spot on, it might not be enough to stop the round.
.40 caliber going through a two by four
At the end I moved to the 15 yard lane and finished up with my last few reloads.
I took my time and shot mostly the S&W 586 in single action, but it was worth it to see the results.
15 Yards, S&W M586
15 Yards, S&W M586, Glock 23, S&W MP22
It is always a good day when I get to the range. Once the weather gets a little colder I’m looking forward to walking the clay course. It is open now, but it just seems wrong to do it when the weather’s warm.
And of course, the last thing is always clean up. I use a colander to shake all the sand and dirt off the brass before I throw it in a bucket so a buddy can reload it later.
After figuring out how to sight with this it was fun to shoot.
10/07/2016
50
The thing I'm starting to love about this Glock is how clean it shoots - and how easy it is to clean - because it doesn't seem to get that dirty.
09/04/2015
50
Just a quick outing to start off our weekend.
05/09/2015
150
My youngest was funny when he was shooting this . I don't really feel the difference between the .40 and the 9mm, but he said he can really tell the difference.
04/26/2015
100
My buddy is going through a divorce and needed some cash. So I got a very nice gun that had barely any rounds down the barrel for half the retail price.
It's been a while since the .22 came out of the safe. What more could you want than cheap and fun shooting.
03/28/2015
300
02/08/2015
300
Remember, if you use GunBroker, or live in South Jersey, stay away from County Sports in Carney’s Point NJ. They have horrible customer service and will screw you over to make an extra $5 bucks. How do I know, because that’s what they did to me.
I’m finally able to get around and feel good enough to get back out to the range. This was more than a regular range day though! Why? Because it was also my first outing with my new (to me) Smith & Wesson M586.
I didn’t hesitate. I had the option to get the M686 in stainless or the M586 which is blued. The blued M586 just calls to me.
How can you not pick the blued version? I just love the blued steel and the classic wooden grips.
I fell in love with Smith & Wesson revolvers years ago when my father in law took me to the range with his M686. That was over two decades ago now, and even though he’s since passed, i still remember spending time with him at the range.
M586 Shooting
How does this M586 shoot? This Smith & Wesson is just smooth as butter. It feels like it was made for my hand, and the action is honestly the smoothest I’ve ever felt.
At 30 feet, I was honestly very happy with my first twelve shots.
It’s a six inch target, so I felt like it was a good beginning. Add in the fact that I’m just now up and on my feet and able to get around reliably, and I was doubly happy. Back issues suck, so being able to get out to the range was super special today.
There were really two main things I appreciated when switching between these two pistols.
M586 vs M64
The first was the action. The M586 benefits from 10 years of advancements over the M64. The Model 64 came out in 1970, while the Model 586 was released in 1980. The trigger on the Model 586 is incredibly smooth. It doesn’t matter if I was firing in single, or double action, the trigger on this Model 586 was just perfect.
The second was felt recoil. The Model 586 is obviously chambered in .357 Magnum and was designed to handle rounds that would destroy the Model 64’s frame. That basically equates to a revolver that is just a little beefier, and when firing .38’s, the Model 586 barely feels any kick at all.
Overall, I’m incredibly happy with my new Model 586 and can’t wait to get out to the range again.
I only had one box of 100 rounds, of .38 left, so once that was sent down range I shot an equal amount of .22 and .40.
When it comes to the .22, it is basically a nail driver.
I was in a 30 foot stall for all my shooting today, so I can’t really complain about anything. My first Smith & Wesson M&P 22 round were all within an inch and a half. What more can you want?
Every time we go shooting the wheel gun is always the one we run out of ammo for.
6/13/2020
100
First outing of 2020.
10/07/2016
150
This really is one of my favorites. Pulling back the hammer forces me to pause - which usually helps my aim.
09/04/2015
50
Just a quick outing to start off our weekend.
05/09/2015
150
The .38 is clearly a fun gun to shoot. Everyone was waiting to shoot it and I only brought three boxes of ammo for it - and they went quick.
04/26/2015
100
Everyone loves the semi autos but for some reason they always keep reaching for the wheel gun too. There is just something about pulling back the hammer and firing with a good wheel gun.
04/25/2015
100
My son wanted to shoot the revolver so I took him out to the club. He had a ball.
03/28/2015
200
My brother went through all my 38 ammo! But it was worth it, he was hitting the target much better with the revolver. I don't think he likes the sites on my CZ or Glock.
I made this Smith & Wesson 586 purchase in the midst of an ammo shortage. It only took me a few weeks to find some ammo. Sure, emptying a clip is fun. There is just something about a wheel gun that calls to my spirit though. I can set the trigger, aim, and fire.
The other benefit of a wheel gun is it will never go out of battery! Unlike a semi auto which will commonly fail if you get tackled and have to defend yourself with an assailant right on top of you – a wheel gun is going to go off even if its nose is pressed into your attacker.
Always follow the four basic rules of Gun Safety:
Always keep firearms pointed in a safe direction.
Treat all guns as though they are loaded.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
Always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
Wear good Safety Gear and learn the proper skills to shoot safety.
