Learn from my mistakes #137 – Having the right ammo makes shooting more fun.
bullet, components, parts of ammo, whats in a bullet, round, handgun ammo, gunpowder
There’s a lot of industry language, and if you’re new to firearms it can be ‘just one more’ thing to make you feel unsure, filled with anxiety and well, like you know nothing.
So, let’s start at the beginning, with our ABC’s as it were
I get it. No one wants to sound dumb, or vulnerable. But we all start with little knowledge at the beginning of our journey. Whether it’s a new sport like golf or tennis or even driving a car.
I know from personal experience that it can be a bit intimidating as a woman, to walk into a gun range or store, by yourself (and no friend for moral support).
I think many stores now realize that the female shopper makes up the fastest growing demographic and if they ignore you, they are missing out on a loyal shopper. This is good news and I hope encouraging to all the new female shooters and new gun owners!
With that, let’s get started with A for AMMO
As you’ve heard “knowledge is power”, so here’ a bit of ammunition knowledge.
Incognito Wear IX is a founder member of The Woman’s Concealed Carry Alliance. The WCCA is a group of women entrepreneurs coming together to help women in their concealed carry journey. T1 Ammo is our newest member. Yep, female owned!
The casing is the outer metal piece of the cartridge that contains the primer and the powder. Casings metals matter and can affect the recoil. See photo for more information.
Understanding your ammunition caliber and grain can make a difference on how quickly you’re able to get back on target after a shot and how much recoil (or kick) you feel after pulling the trigger.
If you’re new to shooting, you may find that starting with a smaller caliber pistol, like a .22, is a great introduction. Not much noise or “kick” (recoil). You’ll love shooting this firearm! It’s easy to handle and has minimal recoil. “Think” bb gun.
And given the current shortage of ammunition, this is one caliber of ammo you’re likely to find!
Another important fact is to have the right caliber of ammunition for your firearm (there are a few exceptions but you get the point). This is so important that gun manufactures stamp the type of cartridge on the barrel and / or on the slide. So, if you’re ever unsure, look for this information.
B for BANG!
The gunpowder burns hot and quick and high-pressure gas is created, explodes and forces the projectile (bullet) down and out of the barrel… with a B-A-N-G!
Another factor to bang and recoil of shooting is how much does the actual bullet weigh? The part that explodes out of the muzzle and hits the target. This is where Grain comes in. The heavier the bullet, the more force it takes to have it leave the muzzle and thus we must have an equal and opposite motion… and we feel the recoil.
“The grain is the number next to bullet caliber that refers to the actual weight of the bullet. Some common 9mm grains are 115 GR, 124 GR and 147 GR. The grain coupled with the amount of powder impacts the felt-recoil. The higher the grain, the heavier the bullet which means the lower the felt recoil. A happy medium for most is usually the 124 grain.” (T1 Ammo)
C is for (re) COIL
To assist with recoil management, make sure you have a good proper grip. The webbing between your thumb and index finger should be up as high as possible on the back or “beaver tail” but it must be just below where the slide racks backwards, it won’t take your skin with it.
Wrap fingers around the grip firmly with your strong hand. Using your support hand conversely wrap around the grip.
A good grip with keeping your wrist/arms firm and stiff allow the firearm to do it’s thing (recycle to load another round). Chances are if you don’t have a good grip it’s possible that recoil could get knocked out of your hands.
You’re on your way to having more fun at the range know that you’re armed with more knowledge.
Remember your ABC’s – having the right AMMO, produces the right BANG while managing the (re)COIL.
Howdy! How do you greet someone? What kind of handshake do you present?
This week on “Learn from my Mistake” – #98, we’re talking GRIPS and “getting to know” your pistol. It occurred to me that even though some of you may have been shooting for quite some time, we may have bad habits that need some attention.
One common bad habit is your grip.
It may not be a surprise to even spot a poor grip at the range. When getting a grip (on your firearm), think like you would be introducing yourself to someone. You wouldn’t want to give a loose handshake; typically know as a dead fish handshake.
handshake indicates a reserved or a passive personality or an indifference, making it seem as though the person has no bones
Don’t be afraid of the gun.
You can’t over grip or crush the firearm. You want a good firm grip so you don’t drop the firearm once you pull the trigger but also, the firearm needs a firm & rigid support so it can eject the casing and reload; recycle itself, after the shot.
So, grip the firearm with the type of handshake that says I’m confident, strong, and in control. I mean business.
Isn’t that how you’d like to think of your relationship with a lifesaving tool?
With your strong, dominate hand, you want to place the web, the space between your thumb & index finger, of your hand (some call it a “V”) as high as you can on the back (back strap or grip) of the firearm. If it’s a single or double action, there is typically a indentation for the web of your hand that will keep it from going above and getting in the way of the slide.
With the trigger guard resting comfortably on your middle finger, wrap remaining fingers around the grip of the gun. On a revolver, you want your hand as high as possible but out of the way of the hammer.
The placement of your grip high on the firearm helps control the recoil each time the gun is fired.
After all, you mean business, right? Whether you’re putting rounds down range or defending your home, you’re a boss! You can do this! We’re not having tea and cookies. We’re practicing, training to save lives. So, no dainty “teacup” grips.
Tea cup style grip – weak hand is under the butt of firearm offering No support
We don’t need to be delicate with your firearm. We want a good high grip -strong like a handshake. Grip high, but stay under the slide! We don’t want any Biting!
Be mindful of the slide moving over the back of your hand as it cycles another round. If your hand is in the way, you will know it quickly and it could put an end to your time on the range.
Safety is so important when handling firearms, but we must also be safe when gripping & picking up guns.
Your index finger is a POINTER FINGERFIRST – then a “Trigger finger”.
So, make sure it POINTS when you grab any firearm. Keep that finger straight along the side of the frame of the firearm.
Now let’s get the other (weak) hand involved. Now, that we have the firmness of the grip out of the way, what do you do with the weak (supporting) hand?
Again, thinking of a handshake, wrap
your weak hand fingers around the grip and over top of your strong hand fingers,
your thumbs should be in line with each other along the frame of the firearm.
When shooting, especially for ladies, you want to have about 40% squeeze (strength and control) with your strong hand, thus allowing Mr. Trigger Finger to move smoothly and independent of the hand; and about 60% squeeze, control and firm grip with your weak hand.
For men, 30/70 percent of strong to weak hand is more ideal.
Of course, everyone is different. Some may have hand strength issues, arthritis or other physical issue that limit or alter one’s grip. However, the main objection is to safely and accurately place hits on the target.
Get a grip on Safe shooting!
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