sierrajb
09-07-2011, 08:15 PM
I could hardly wait to steal an hour away at the range after work today. Dropped by Walmart earlier this morning and picked up 50 rounds of Federal and 50 rounds of a brand I've never heard of: Tula Ammo (steel case). I combined that 100 rounds with another box of 50 in the S & B brand on sale at Cabela's. Just wanted to continue the break-in period today, and not worry too much with my aim.
However, I really "tried" to shoot well...all the while working on my rookie trigger finger.
The range was full at the 7-yard targets, so I had to settle for targets that were like 15-20 yards away! WHEW! It was still fun to try to sink a few in the middle. (I actually made THREE in the middle of a 3 inch circle. The rest was scattered all around.)
I loaded the PM9 exactly as the manual stated, avoiding the sling-shot method at all costs. It worked absolutely PERFECT! No lie! I just had to try the sling-shot method twice just for the fun of it to see if the PM9 would fail. To my surprise and relief, it never failed. Worked perfectly.
I really found Kahr's method of initial loading is not that much more work than if you sling-shot that first load. You still have to pull the slide back the same distance either way and let it go. The only difference is locking it open until you get the mag set. Shooting one loaded mag after another (I have THREE) was a piece of cake since the slide remained opened with each empty mag.
After the first 100 rounds I let the PM9 cool down while I burned up some 38 specials with my Ruger SP101 (sweet revolver!). Did okay at that distance with the Ruger, too, but nothing to brag about.
I spent the last 50 rounds in the PM9 with great joy. Lessons learned by this newbie that will make you pros smile:
1. Wear a hat. Those hot shells don't feel good on my bald head!
2. Wear a t-shirt, not a dress shirt. Those hot shells don't feel good going down my collar!
3. Wear a shirt with no pockets if you want to hide the evidence that you've been to the range. Halfway through church service tonight I discovered a spent shell in my pocket. (Made me feel guilty AND nostaligic for the range again!)
4. Work on my trigger finger to get that thing steady! Got "lucky" a few times, but found it difficult to control especially at that distance.
5. Stay with the 7-yard targets until I get better. Most SD encounters are within that range anyway, right?
6. Look forward to a very long night of bonding with the guns while cleaning them according to this forum's suggestions. (Thanks!)
All in all, I can see why this sport is so addicting, and I can see the value in knowing your gun so well you can use it without thinking if you really had to in a life-saving situation. Thanks to all for your help and wisdom!:D
However, I really "tried" to shoot well...all the while working on my rookie trigger finger.
The range was full at the 7-yard targets, so I had to settle for targets that were like 15-20 yards away! WHEW! It was still fun to try to sink a few in the middle. (I actually made THREE in the middle of a 3 inch circle. The rest was scattered all around.)
I loaded the PM9 exactly as the manual stated, avoiding the sling-shot method at all costs. It worked absolutely PERFECT! No lie! I just had to try the sling-shot method twice just for the fun of it to see if the PM9 would fail. To my surprise and relief, it never failed. Worked perfectly.
I really found Kahr's method of initial loading is not that much more work than if you sling-shot that first load. You still have to pull the slide back the same distance either way and let it go. The only difference is locking it open until you get the mag set. Shooting one loaded mag after another (I have THREE) was a piece of cake since the slide remained opened with each empty mag.
After the first 100 rounds I let the PM9 cool down while I burned up some 38 specials with my Ruger SP101 (sweet revolver!). Did okay at that distance with the Ruger, too, but nothing to brag about.
I spent the last 50 rounds in the PM9 with great joy. Lessons learned by this newbie that will make you pros smile:
1. Wear a hat. Those hot shells don't feel good on my bald head!
2. Wear a t-shirt, not a dress shirt. Those hot shells don't feel good going down my collar!
3. Wear a shirt with no pockets if you want to hide the evidence that you've been to the range. Halfway through church service tonight I discovered a spent shell in my pocket. (Made me feel guilty AND nostaligic for the range again!)
4. Work on my trigger finger to get that thing steady! Got "lucky" a few times, but found it difficult to control especially at that distance.
5. Stay with the 7-yard targets until I get better. Most SD encounters are within that range anyway, right?
6. Look forward to a very long night of bonding with the guns while cleaning them according to this forum's suggestions. (Thanks!)
All in all, I can see why this sport is so addicting, and I can see the value in knowing your gun so well you can use it without thinking if you really had to in a life-saving situation. Thanks to all for your help and wisdom!:D