My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

Just back from my first-ever trip to a shooting range.

Still grinning.

I put seventy five rounds of 38 Special and 38 Special+P through my Ruger SP-101.

I purchased the gun two years ago, to make a political statement, but only now, having recently moved back into the ghetto, have I been motivated to actually keep it loaded and handy.

Despite sitting in a box for two years, the Ruger performed flawlessly.

Other quick newbie observations:

Recoil--
Not really an issue. No great difference between +P and standard rounds.
I didn't flinch or wince as badly as I feared I might.
I might try some .357 next time. Or maybe not.
Other than that? Indoor gunfire is LOUD. You'd have to be nuts to shoot without hearing protection, and I don't mean those little spongey things.

Accuracy--
I surprised myelf. After 20 rounds at 10' I was hitting the center circle enough to try 15'.
Very consistent, with nearly every shot falling into the bottom center, or bottom left quadrant. Nothing high or to the right, and, thank God, nothing completely off the target.

Facility--
New Albany Shooting Range, New Albany, Ohio.
Four Star facilities and friendly service. Zero "attitude," zero BS, zero creepiness.
Shooters of all colors, ages, and genders.
I immediately signed up for a 1 year membership, and will be taking a concealed carry course, probably this Fall.

And, oh yes, before I left, they did set me up with a nice cleaning kit, and detailed instructions on how to use it

I can't wait to go back.

Re: My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

Welcome aboard. :wink:

Re: My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

Sounds like somebody just caught "the bug." :bear_w00t:

Fun stuff, Q. I have seen those Rugers and they look very nice. When you get bored with the .38 (if you ever do) treat yourself to the thrill of .357 at the range. You won't be disappointed in the experience.

Re: My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

Congratulations on your first day at the range. Keep shooting every week or so to keep your skills up.

http://www.pistol-masters.com/images..._jpeg-rv_a.jpg

http://www.pistol-masters.com/images...arget_jpeg.jpg

Re: My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

:15_1_70v: Good to see ya gpond :ok:

Re: My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

I forgot to mention that I actually shot better in double action mode than in single action.

DA felt more natural, and with the long pull I had more time to relax, and focus on being smooth.

In SA, with almost no trigger movement at all, I was jerking everything down into that bottom left quadrant.

Re: My Little Toy Gun? Not So Shiny Anymore . . .
 

That's called "seven o-clocking" and it happened because you were squeezing the trigger with your first nuckle. Next time place the pad of your finger tip (under your finger nail) on the trigger.