First timer's first range visit!

Apom · August 31, 2007, 04:50 PM

So after purchasing a CZ 75B 9MM about 2 weeks ago I finally visited a range for the first time this morning.

I have Fridays off so I decided to hit my local range early AM and was rewarded with being only 1 of 2 people inside. The people at the range were friendly and gave me a quick rundown of what and what-not-to-do at the range and sent me on my merry way. (Indoor range)

Along with my CZ I brought about 250 rounds (Remington, Winchester, Blazer Brass and Fiocchi). All brands that I could local to my location.

Entering the indoor range, I expected it to be hot as the location did not have A/C which I did know prior to arriving from reading forums. Being a first timer my nerves doubled the effects of the heat and as I loaded round after round into my magazines I could feel the sweat building up in my palms and under my shirt. The gentleman in the lane besides me must have been firing man-cannon, as every sound pierced through the rental ear muffs.

My magazine was finally loaded with 15 rounds... It could hold 1 more, but the tension on the spring was so great, and my hands were sweating that putting in the last round was work in itself, so I settled with what was and proceeded to hang my target sheet up. The minimum shooting distance at this range was 20feet and max was 40. I sent my sheet off just a tad past 20 feet, loaded my magazine, and pulled my slide back. It snapped forward and I stood staring down the lane for a few seconds.

I took aim, put my finger on the trigger and pulled. The sound and the recoil, everything that should have happened did happen. I peered down the lane and saw the hole. I scored a hit! Not a perfect middle and not an outside...but within the circle lines. I pointed again and fired.

I went through each box of ammo. The nerves settled down... The sounds of others firing also toned down as I became familiar with it... My body relaxed as well…except for that damned Florida heat! I repeatedly walked back and forth to a nearby wall fan to get a breeze.

Yes this is a long post. But this is also my first range post so I can post as long as I want. I purchased my first gun. I visited my first range. I got my first cartridge burn (bounced off wall and hit my neck (my girlfriend thought it was a hickey)). I also learned a few lessons (bring bandana-I have long hair, and a small cooler for hydration).

After the range I met up with my girl, told her my story, and then with a smile on my face I said… “I used all 250 rounds... But I will save a lot of money by buying a .22 to practice on.” She asked how much it would cost. So tomorrow I am taking her to the mall so she can spend an equal amount on stuff women want….like makeup and shoes…. And I’m scouring the web looking for my first .22. =)

Dean407 · August 31, 2007, 06:30 PM

Congrats!

Florida heat? Was it East Orange in Winter Park per chance? They have the rules you mentioned.

Ah. I think I recall a post by you on floridashootersnetwork. Single action CZ, right?

I've only been shooting regularly for a couple months. You may want to bring along a bottle of water and a rag to wipe the sweat down.

Enjoy and congrats again!

P5 Guy · August 31, 2007, 06:48 PM

Good to hear

Now you've got to find an outdoor range. Putting holes in paper isn't as much fun as shooting stuff the reacts to being hit.

solz56 · August 31, 2007, 06:55 PM

Nice positive experience. I've found that I prefer to use earplugs + earmuffs together at the indoor range. Especially if its a busy day and there are people shooting big calibers near me. Also helps a lot with flinching if you're having any issues like I sometimes do indoors with .45acp.

Apom · August 31, 2007, 07:20 PM

Dean,

Yep.. East Orange and I have the 75B S/A.. I'm glad I went early because around noon it started to get a little busy. I'm definitely going back and hope to go atleast every other Friday...

dadams868 · August 31, 2007, 07:29 PM

Great Post.. That really brought me back to my first visit to a range. Its good to hear that you settled in.

Tanzer · August 31, 2007, 08:57 PM

Brought me back quite a few years, but congrats! The things that made you nervous will be routine before you know it. Talk to the guy with the hand-cannon and he may let you shoot it. 9mm is a respectable caliber though.

Fremmer · August 31, 2007, 09:25 PM

Sounds like fun! I went to the range last Saturday and burned through 100 .45's.

Congrats!

Try a browning buckmark. That's a good .22!

snail · September 1, 2007, 06:09 AM

Awsome post!!! I am glad you enjoyed yourself, and plan to make it a regular activity. You can only get better with practice

. The only problem is that if you have to spend an equal amount of money on you and your girl, you are headed toward being broke

. Guns and shooting are expensive(women stuff is worse), but if it floats your boat it is all good.

Average Joe · September 1, 2007, 05:25 PM

A nice .22 would be a great addition to your new collection. I use outdoor ranges, I don't like eatin smoke...Indoor ranges are good during the winter, depending where you live...Welcome to the sport.

topspin43 · September 1, 2007, 08:15 PM

Nice BS story about that hickey. Quick thinkin dude!

PPGMD · September 1, 2007, 10:50 PM

Looking for a 22 eh? Why not get the CZ Kadet kit for your CZ 75?

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=35

Anyways I shoot a CZ 75 SP-01 as a competition gun, it's a fantastic gun I love mine to death, if I could only keep one gun it would be it.

stevekolt · September 2, 2007, 07:44 AM

Agree with the suggestion of getting the Kadet for .22 plinking. My wife has one for her P-01 and it works great. As far as hydration is concerned, it would be better for you to move off the firing line, or even better, take a quick break outside to avoid ingesting any lead or powder residue. Just my .02

Enjoy yourself and practice safe habits! Who knows...once you get the .22 maybe your girlfriend might even give it a try

armoredman · September 2, 2007, 08:53 AM

Kadet Kit - two birds with one stone. Or, get a Ruger Mk II so she can shoot at the same time, and you guys can trade off.

Apom · September 2, 2007, 05:15 PM

I'm actually interested in getting a Browing Buckmark. Impact Guns is out of stock... Buds doesnt carry a nice selection...and my locals are either out or overpriced.

August 31, 2007, 04:50 PM	#1
Apom Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Posts: 35	First timer's first range visit! So after purchasing a CZ 75B 9MM about 2 weeks ago I finally visited a range for the first time this morning. I have Fridays off so I decided to hit my local range early AM and was rewarded with being only 1 of 2 people inside. The people at the range were friendly and gave me a quick rundown of what and what-not-to-do at the range and sent me on my merry way. (Indoor range) Along with my CZ I brought about 250 rounds (Remington, Winchester, Blazer Brass and Fiocchi). All brands that I could local to my location. Entering the indoor range, I expected it to be hot as the location did not have A/C which I did know prior to arriving from reading forums. Being a first timer my nerves doubled the effects of the heat and as I loaded round after round into my magazines I could feel the sweat building up in my palms and under my shirt. The gentleman in the lane besides me must have been firing man-cannon, as every sound pierced through the rental ear muffs. My magazine was finally loaded with 15 rounds... It could hold 1 more, but the tension on the spring was so great, and my hands were sweating that putting in the last round was work in itself, so I settled with what was and proceeded to hang my target sheet up. The minimum shooting distance at this range was 20feet and max was 40. I sent my sheet off just a tad past 20 feet, loaded my magazine, and pulled my slide back. It snapped forward and I stood staring down the lane for a few seconds. I took aim, put my finger on the trigger and pulled. The sound and the recoil, everything that should have happened did happen. I peered down the lane and saw the hole. I scored a hit! Not a perfect middle and not an outside...but within the circle lines. I pointed again and fired. I went through each box of ammo. The nerves settled down... The sounds of others firing also toned down as I became familiar with it... My body relaxed as well…except for that damned Florida heat! I repeatedly walked back and forth to a nearby wall fan to get a breeze. Yes this is a long post. But this is also my first range post so I can post as long as I want. I purchased my first gun. I visited my first range. I got my first cartridge burn (bounced off wall and hit my neck (my girlfriend thought it was a hickey)). I also learned a few lessons (bring bandana-I have long hair, and a small cooler for hydration). After the range I met up with my girl, told her my story, and then with a smile on my face I said… “I used all 250 rounds... But I will save a lot of money by buying a .22 to practice on.” She asked how much it would cost. So tomorrow I am taking her to the mall so she can spend an equal amount on stuff women want….like makeup and shoes…. And I’m scouring the web looking for my first .22. =) __________________ "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit them with it." -- Boris "The Blade" Yurinov Last edited by Apom; September 1, 2007 at 08:40 AM.

August 31, 2007, 06:30 PM	#2
Dean407 Member Join Date: February 20, 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 46	Congrats! Florida heat? Was it East Orange in Winter Park per chance? They have the rules you mentioned. Ah. I think I recall a post by you on floridashootersnetwork. Single action CZ, right? I've only been shooting regularly for a couple months. You may want to bring along a bottle of water and a rag to wipe the sweat down. Enjoy and congrats again! __________________ Regards, Dean

August 31, 2007, 06:55 PM	#4
solz56 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Location: California Posts: 503	Nice Nice positive experience. I've found that I prefer to use earplugs + earmuffs together at the indoor range. Especially if its a busy day and there are people shooting big calibers near me. Also helps a lot with flinching if you're having any issues like I sometimes do indoors with .45acp. __________________ H&K P2000SK 9mm H&K P7M8 9mm Springfield 1911 Loaded Trophy Match .45 Colt 1911 Gov't .45

August 31, 2007, 07:20 PM	#5
Apom Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Posts: 35	Dean, Yep.. East Orange and I have the 75B S/A.. I'm glad I went early because around noon it started to get a little busy. I'm definitely going back and hope to go atleast every other Friday... __________________ "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit them with it." -- Boris "The Blade" Yurinov

August 31, 2007, 08:57 PM	#7
Tanzer Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2007 Posts: 884	Brought me back quite a few years, but congrats! The things that made you nervous will be routine before you know it. Talk to the guy with the hand-cannon and he may let you shoot it. 9mm is a respectable caliber though. __________________ Only the ignorant find ignorance to be bliss. Only those of us who know better will suffer from it. Last edited by Tanzer; August 31, 2007 at 08:58 PM. Reason: spelling

August 31, 2007, 06:48 PM	#3
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 486	Good to hear Now you've got to find an outdoor range. Putting holes in paper isn't as much fun as shooting stuff the reacts to being hit.

August 31, 2007, 07:29 PM	#6
dadams868 Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 56	Great Post.. That really brought me back to my first visit to a range. Its good to hear that you settled in.

August 31, 2007, 09:25 PM	#8
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,486	Sounds like fun! I went to the range last Saturday and burned through 100 .45's. Congrats! Try a browning buckmark. That's a good .22!

September 1, 2007, 06:09 AM	#9
snail Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 253	Awsome post!!! I am glad you enjoyed yourself, and plan to make it a regular activity. You can only get better with practice. The only problem is that if you have to spend an equal amount of money on you and your girl, you are headed toward being broke. Guns and shooting are expensive(women stuff is worse), but if it floats your boat it is all good. __________________ Everything falls apart, even the people who never frown eventually break down.

September 1, 2007, 05:25 PM	#10
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Easton, PA Posts: 746	A nice .22 would be a great addition to your new collection. I use outdoor ranges, I don't like eatin smoke...Indoor ranges are good during the winter, depending where you live...Welcome to the sport.

September 1, 2007, 08:15 PM	#11
topspin43 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Palm Beach Posts: 755	Nice BS story about that hickey. Quick thinkin dude! __________________ Be careful out there.

September 1, 2007, 10:50 PM	#12
PPGMD Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Posts: 239	Looking for a 22 eh? Why not get the CZ Kadet kit for your CZ 75? http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=35 Anyways I shoot a CZ 75 SP-01 as a competition gun, it's a fantastic gun I love mine to death, if I could only keep one gun it would be it.

September 2, 2007, 07:44 AM	#13
stevekolt Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Posts: 143	Agree with the suggestion of getting the Kadet for .22 plinking. My wife has one for her P-01 and it works great. As far as hydration is concerned, it would be better for you to move off the firing line, or even better, take a quick break outside to avoid ingesting any lead or powder residue. Just my .02 Enjoy yourself and practice safe habits! Who knows...once you get the .22 maybe your girlfriend might even give it a try __________________ NRA Life Member GOA Life Member Certified NRA Pistol Instructor

September 2, 2007, 08:53 AM	#14
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,482	Kadet Kit - two birds with one stone. Or, get a Ruger Mk II so she can shoot at the same time, and you guys can trade off.

September 2, 2007, 05:15 PM	#15
Apom Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Posts: 35	I'm actually interested in getting a Browing Buckmark. Impact Guns is out of stock... Buds doesnt carry a nice selection...and my locals are either out or overpriced. __________________ "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit them with it." -- Boris "The Blade" Yurinov