Order of Guns at Range Session

Here's a question that's been bugging me but I've never asked until now. What is your opinion on the order of shooting guns during a range session? I generally take 2 - 3 guns to the range to shoot. I find that if I "warm up" with my Buckmark, then shoot my Kimber, I shoot well. But, if I shoot Buckmark first, then go to my Model 19 or Sigma, it takes a while to adjust.

How do you order your shooting at a range session? Lowest recoil to highest? Softest trigger pull to hardest? CC gun first, then target guns? Is there a right answer?

or

Whatever; I don't really think about it.

On this one I have no Idea other than that time I tried to shoot my 10/22 after 150rnds of birdshot through my 12 gauge. It just didnt work.

I would think that lowest to highest recoil would be most effective, but I always take similar caliber weapons to the range (usually .40 and .45)

I only have defense guns, so that's all I shoot. I usually shoot Glocks before KelTecs, but I have no hard and fast rule on that.

Depends. I have range days where I'll only do the rifles at 100yds or 300 yds. Other times it will only be only the pistols and I'll usually shoot the one that takes the most time to load up all of the magazines or the one I take the most ammo for first. Caliber or recoil is of no consequence there. If the range day consists of both rifles and pistols, I'll shoot the rifles first.

I shoot 22lr, .380ACP and 45ACP. I try to shoot my 380 and 45's when I can scoop up my brass w/o disturbing the other shooters. That's how I determine what and when. Not very scientific. And just as Mr. Barham, 3 of my 4 firearms are for self-defense.

I shoot in whatever order I feel like at that time...usually start with the P22 or XD9, though. Save the .357 mag for last in most cases, but sometimes I'll get done early and either rent something I haven't tried or go back to my .22.

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Originally Posted by Joeywhat

I shoot in whatever order I feel like at that time...usually start with the P22 or XD9, though. Save the .357 mag for last in most cases, but sometimes I'll get done early and either rent something I haven't tried or go back to my .22.

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Do you shoot your 22 as well when you go back to it at the end of a session? Once I get used to a tougher trigger and more recoil, it's hard to go back to my Buckmark and my groups increase about 2" on average from 4" to 6".

If I have DA/SA and SAO, I usually find the transition easier if I start with the SA gun. Can't say why.

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Originally Posted by Dsig1

Do you shoot your 22 as well when you go back to it at the end of a session? Once I get used to a tougher trigger and more recoil, it's hard to go back to my Buckmark and my groups increase about 2" on average from 4" to 6".

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It depends...lately I haven't even been bringing it with me. It's really not a target pistol, so shooting it at a piece of paper when you're not allowed to rapid fire isn't much fun. When I go to the good outdoor ranges I let loose with it, and I don't notice too much difference in groups.

It really depends on what I take with me, but I try to shoot my defensive guns first, as they are from the holster. The Kahr is shot first, then the P32 immediately after. Then I switch to the .380 for as much ammo as I brought with me and always wind up shooting the P22 last for a 100-200 rounds. I can generally squeeze that many rounds into an hour. I really love shooting my .22 and I save the most fun for last. My range has some 8"x8" steel squares on pole that swivel around when you hit them. They are at the backstop ~75ft away. It is so satisfying hear a bang followed by a wonderful little 'ting' The Kahr is also fun to play with those plates. But sometimes I just take the .22 I can't get enough of it.

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Originally Posted by nukehayes

It really depends on what I take with me, but I try to shoot my defensive guns first, as they are from the holster.

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That's also what I try to do, with one modification: if I have more than one defensive-type weapon with me, I will start with one of them, and end the session with another. If I only have one defensive gun with me, I will start AND end the session with that gun.

I want the confidence that comes from shooting my defensive guns effectively when they are used "cold" (no warmup, the way they will be used if I ever need them), and the advantage of reinforcing my holster presentation and other fundamentals as the last thing I do before leaving the range. In between, anything else can be used, but I try to start and end with the serious stuff.

That depends on my agenda for the day. If I'm testing for accuracy and performance, I'll do that early on in the session, before I start to tire. In doing this, I'll shoot both guns alternately, say fifteen or twenty five rounds through each. But generally, for conditioning, I'll shoot twenty five rounds through each gun alternating between guns. I find I should keep range sessions to about 300~500 rounds total. More than that I begin to tire and become less concentrated on my shooting.

And, I find if I don't shoot that much each week on the average, I lose a little muscle tone (for lack of a better description) and don't do as well.

Bob Wright

I go left to right.

The first box of bullets I happen to pull out of my bag usually determines the order.

+1 DJ Niner...

I shoot my primary carry gun first (my XD45C).

I try to simulate as close to a defensive draw and shoot scenario as I can, since that's what I may "need" down the road. Obviously, running out a target, and reloading with FMJ is not a realistic scenario, but the first shots are fast, from my side (no holster draws allowed), and close, 5-7M. Ussually at least 3-5 mags of rapid fire, double taps, and lift-and-shoot, to groove the defensive instictive shooting.

Then, I switch to my Tactical, which is what I'm "working on" now... Newest toy. Bullseye style at 15-25M.

Then either Buckmark, or Kel-Tec if I have ammo with me. I try to keep the volume down on the Kel-Tec. I don't think it's a 10,000-round gun, and it isn't "fun" to shoot, and it carries the laser, with expensive batteries...

If Carla is along, the XD9SC or her SIG get their play-time too.

JW

Which ever I pick up first and walk outside with.

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Originally Posted by tony pasley

Which ever I pick up first and walk outside with.

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Yes.