Training vs Enjoyment At The Range

For a while now, when I've gone to the range, I've been really focused on learning how to shoot a Glock accurately at speed. A ton of people at the IDPA matches I attend shoot Glocks and M&P’s. I wanted to see if I was missing something by shooting magnum revolvers. (I did ok with the Glock, and decided I am not missing anything by shooting magnum revolvers.)

After several weeks of Glock-only shooting, I couldn’t take it anymore. Last weekend I packed a Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt in the bag with the Glock. While shooting the Glock was a goal-oriented task, shooting the Blackhawk was just plain happiness itself. Not worried about speed, reloads, grip, etc., I just casually fired a lot of big semi-wadcutters into a small hole with a big stupid grin on my face. It was the best time I’ve had at the range in a while.

Seems to me there’s an enormous focus now on training, training, training. Always have a goal at the range. Shoot faster. Use a timer. Be tacti-cool. Heck, there are even some at my range (the “tacti-fools”) who always do the “check your six”-look-both-ways thing after they empty the magazine (which is often done quickly, although more rounds hit the ground in front of the berm than the target).

I’m worn out with it all. I’ll come back to training at the range, but I need to spend some time just enjoying shooting. I’m wondering if anyone else here has gone through this.

Every time I go to the range, I pack a .22LR. You have to remind yourself how fun shooting can be.  

I also enjoy introducing newbies to the sport. Seeing the light in someones eyes with the first X Ring hit can center you, too.

I shoot a couple times per month if at all possible. But I don't always shoot center-fire stuff. Indeed, having what today is a large supply of .22. I will often shoot .22's for a whole session. I have a whole variety of .22's to shoot, and I have always contended that shooting .22's is one of the best "training" modes for shooting.

I have 2 great ACE conversions that I shoot often. I have a couple other autos that go out periodically. I also have an absolutely wondeful old S&W target .22. It has a 6" barrel, a fantastic trigger, and the rounds are snug in the cylinder! You have to firmly push them into the cylinder, and use the extractor wheel to get them out. None of this drop-'em-in or dump-them-out stuff.

I think I'm on the other side of the spectrum.  I usually shoot about 2-3 times per month, and I should probably do a little more training and a little less fun.  However, sometimes the fun can help you shoot better.  When I go shooting, I usually go with family or friends or both.  We also have friendly competitions which include:

--Handgun P.I.G. (just like the basketball game, but with handguns.  One guy calls the target and how to hold the gun, ie: strong hand, weak hand, both hands, upside down, etc...)  Having various steel targets in different sizes and shapes and colors helps keep this interesting.

--Handgun Duels on the Dueling Tree (speed and accuracy practice) *also can be done with teams, ie: 2v2 or 3v3

--Lever Action Duels on the Dueling Tree (speed and accuracy practice) *also can be done with teams, ie: 2v2 or 3v3

--Timed distance shots (how fast you can shoot a number of steel targets ranging from 100 yards to 500 yards--seeing who can hit them all in the shortest time)

--Too far shots (shooting firearms beyond their normal range, ie: pistol sniping or lever action lobbing)

Anyways, those are some of the things I do for fun when I shoot.  I have found that sometimes friendly competitions and practice can help you shoot faster and more accurately.  Also, I forgot to mention "blowing stuff up with large calibers."  Using a .45-70, 460 magnum, 500 mag, 50 ae, .44 mag, etc... on water filled milk jugs.  Sometimes it is just fun to see things explode.  Around halloween, I will either take extra pumpkins from our garden or ones left over from halloween sales and drill a hole in the top and fill them with water.  I use duct tape to seal them off and shoot them with big guns--they also explode nicely.

Unfortunately for me, .22's usually are not very fun for me to shoot unless we engage in some sort of friendly competitions like .22 dueling tree battles.  I just enjoy shooting other stuff more.