Ranger on my range!

[Gregorsway]

Yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting and taking pointers from a real life, American hero. One who served 30 years as a Ranger in the Army. Now that he has officially retired- he is having to reinvent himself. He doesn't say much about what he did for our country. His eyes tell the stories untold. It was an honor to have him at my range. His name is withheld out of respect for his privacy.

We both shot our Glock pistols at 7 and 5 yards. I also shot my Walther PPQ. To say that I am a neophyte when it comes to pistol technique is being quite kind. The capable Ranger gave me a lesson that took my groups from barely staying on paper to one ragged hole (almost, not counting the 4 fliers) in less than an hour. I had never had a formal lesson or any training prior to this humbling session. I learned I shot the Walther much better than my Glock, which was a surprise to me. He said that is the gun to go with in my practice sessions.

His shooting was flawless as one might expect. His pistol was simply an extension of his arm and hand. His focus was so keen it looked natural- eagle like precision on the target. We used Ranger targets, improvised with Gorilla tape and white printer paper. He tore a 2" square with the tape for the center aiming point. "Put 4 our of your 6 in the black," he directed. Even though my Glock .45 holds 13 cartridges- he insisted I only put 6. Before doing that he showed me some "dry-firing" techniques to save me money and grief. He observed so many bad habits I've developed that will have to be "deprogrammed" for me to shoot tighter groups.

We covered stance, breathing, trigger control, triangulating to target, hand position (off-hand pressure), both eyes open, proper sight indexing, straight arms out from chest and back in, and follow-thru after the shot. With all circuits overloaded and a Ranger at my side and in my ear- you don't have to have a very good imagination to see my first groups. They looked like I had shot a scatter gun instead of an accurate pistol. There is no problem with my sidearm- he shot it and shot it well! I was suffering from the fatal "paralysis by analysis" for sure.

But my last groupings, after I slowed everything down by his constant coaching- I watched my groups slowly shrink too. It was the best hour I've ever spent on the range. He also taught to select one weapon and one weapon only to train with if I intended to carry or use it as a bedside protector. A handshake is all he would take from me at the setting of the sun.

He patted me on the back with a grin and said, "You have lots of work to do." That I do. That I do.

[BigAl52]

Nice story and keep practicing.

[JEBar]

as you have learned, one can learn much if they are willing to listen and put to work lessons taught by someone who knows what he/she is doing .... nicely done, I know I'd try to shoot with him often

[CT_Shooter]

Great range report, Gregorsway. Thanks for telling the story so well. I know you'll keep this lesson fresh in your mind each time you shoot. It really was a special day with a special guy.

[ditto1958]

Wow, what a story. Thank you for posting it.

[Gregorsway]

Great range report, Gregorsway. Thanks for telling the story so well. I know you'll keep this lesson fresh in your mind each time you shoot. It really was a special day with a special guy.

Appreciate all of your comments. Much to learn for me behind a pistol on the range. He certainly is a special individual. His lessons are slowly soaking in like something in the crock pot. It will be a challenge to put all he showed me into action. If I am to improve my shooting, practicing a new practice routine with (finally) the "right" form will be something worth tracking. Muscle memory and employing some of my archery mental imagery should aid me as well. It's a long road to unlearn what I've learned myself over the years. The good thing is I want to change. The Ranger said he'd be back to monitor my progress. Yikes! That's a sobering thought isn't it?

[22LR]

Great story.

Sounds like you got the best deal from the Ranger - real life instruction and a shooting mentor. Your experience with the Ranger would be a water mark life event for me.

Just remember to keep an open mind and be ready to learn from experience and you will become an extraordinary pistol shooter.

Did you ask about going plinking with rifles?

[Gregorsway]

Great story.

Sounds like you got the best deal from the Ranger - real life instruction and a shooting mentor. Your experience with the Ranger would be a water mark life event for me.

Just remember to keep an open mind and be ready to learn from experience and you will become an extraordinary pistol shooter.

Did you ask about going plinking with rifles?

22LR,

Of course I invited him back out anytime he wanted to come! He mentioned bringing an AR-15 he has tricked out and a tactical shotgun back out. In the meantime, I plan to add more steel and a few more reactive targets to my country boy range. Normally, I shoot cinderblocks, bricks, old computers, televisions, and other redneck, low tech targets. Thanks for your comments! Yes, it was awesome experience to have someone of his high caliber to learn from.

[BigAl52]

So will we see you on You Tube with your very own show smokin pots and shootin 2 litres.

[ace73]

Very cool story! Sounds like a good time! I bet he enjoyed it too!