Shot first handgun today.

[mikld]

Today I shot my very first handgun, the first handgun I bought. In '68 I bought a used Ruger Single Six with both cylinders. I really like this gun, but I was reminded what a bad shot I am. At 35 yds. from a rest the best i could do was about 8" groups. I guess I could blame the itty-bitty non-adjustable sights, but I didn't do much better with my 629 or my Super Blackhawk. I shot a few of several different ammos, some grouped a bit better than others,but I had a lot of fun. Need much more practice...

One very positive aspect of todays shooting, I salvaged/scrounged about 100 .45 ACP brass and mebbe 150 .223/5.56 cases (I don't count .40 or 9mm).

[Griff]

Today I shot my very first handgun, the first handgun I bought. In '68 I bought a used Ruger Single Six with both cylinders. I really like this gun, but I was reminded what a bad shot I am. At 35 yds. from a rest the best i could do was about 8" groups. I guess I could blame the itty-bitty non-adjustable sights, but I didn't do much better with my 629 or my Super Blackhawk. I shot a few of several different ammos, some grouped a bit better than others,but I had a lot of fun. Need much more practice...

One very positive aspect of todays shooting, I salvaged/scrounged about 100 .45 ACP brass and mebbe 150 .223/5.56 cases (I don't count .40 or 9mm).

Aye, practice does improve one's results. And perfect practice makes performance even better! I went to a match a few weeks ago, and like you, I think I came away with more 45ACP than I used. And loved every second I spent reloading them!

[AJMD429]

FWIW I find I can shoot the Ruger Mk-2's WAY BETTER than I can the Single-Sixes. Dunno if it's the ergonomics or what. Some (who unlike me, are good-enough shots to tell the difference) tell me that a .22-LR-only gun will be more accurate than a 'combination' WMR one, because the bore is different.

BOTH Ruger rimfires ARE VERY FUN, however...

On a side note, check the .223 cases to be sure you don't try depriming any Berdan ones, and if any have crimped-in primers, be prepared to deal with that extra step.

[C. Cash]

Somedays are like that! Good to smell some powder even on those days.

[44-40 Willy]

Even a bad day shooting beats a good day at work.

[piller]

Even the good shottists have to practice. Now, me, I am not more than so-so on most days because I don't have the time to practice. I am looking forward to some time off this weekend. 1 day off in the last 20 is not conducive to going shooting.

[bdhold]

...the best i could do was about 8" groups. ...

if you were forced to defend yourself at that range, the perp would be toast.

[Stan in SC]

I have to say that I can identify with the OP.I like shooting pistols and I own a few but I will be the first to tell you that I am a really LOUSY pistol shooter.I am fairly good with a rifle but not with a handgun and I have been shooting pistols over 50 years.I still shoot them a lot but I realize my limitations.
"A man has got to know his limits".

Stan in SC

[awp101]

Aye, practice does improve one's results.

Indeed it does, up to a point. For some of us the law of diminishing returns kicks in sooner than for others...

A friend of mine who is a former Ranger (US Army, not Texas) says shooting skills go stale faster than bread and he's right. I try to get out often enough to stay proficient but sometimes I might as well be starting back at square one.

OTOH as it was said, it usually beats a day at work.

[shooter]

FWIW I find I can shoot the Ruger Mk-2's WAY BETTER than I can the Single-Sixes. Dunno if it's the ergonomics or what. Some (who unlike me, are good-enough shots to tell the difference) tell me that a .22-LR-only gun will be more accurate than a 'combination' WMR one, because the bore is different.

BOTH Ruger rimfires ARE VERY FUN, however...

I have never liked the Ruger semi-auto .22's. They are great guns, but just don't fit my hand like a Single Six. I'm the exact opposite, I shoot the Single Six much better than the Mk 2. In general, I am more accurate with single action revolvers than semi-autos. As for the .22 LR only gun, that is generally true, but there are exceptions. 2 of the most accurate Single Sixes I have ever handled have been combo guns. Or you can do like I did, get a Single Six .22 LR only bisley and then get a .22WMR cylinder for it. Or you can use Paco's accurizer to bump up the diameter of the .22LR to hug the rifling a bit better in the larger bored guns. Paco's accurizer works wonders even if you don't have the larger bored gun. Performance on game is also noticeably enhanced.