Range Report: A Little Practice, 2/19/25

[BassCliff]

Hey gang,

Nothing much to see here today, just a quick 100 rounds sent downrange through my two newest pistols. I started off pretty lousy and gradually got less lousy with each 10-shot string. It was a bright, brisk afternoon as I made my way to the range. I got a late start today, hence the low round count and the closer/older facility.

It wasn't very busy this afternoon so I got my favorite lane. I'll be shooting at 10 yards for the whole session.

For some contrast, I put a 3x5 card in the middle of that small silhouette. I stuck a red circle on it too.

Here you see my two newest babies, Echelon 4.5F Comp and XD9 Mod.3 with the Holosun 507c. I'll be using the Blazer 124 grain.

I had also brought another 100 rounds of S&B but decided to save that for the next session. I had to make this quick. I guess I was a little too quick because the first target came back like this.

My very first shot hit that red circle. I got a little excited and just horked the rest of them. So I patched the target and affixed another 3x5 card for round two. It was a little better.

Let's try this target one more time. I'll patch it up with a new 3x5 card, new red circle bullseye, etc.

I sent it back out to 10 yards and used my newest remote hole puncher. If you give me the line breaks, there's only a couple off the 3x5 card.

Now let's use one of my favorite targets, the 1/3 size USPSA silhouette. I'll even put a red circle on it to give me something to focus on.

Hmm, I got a few high and right that time. I think I may have adjusted my 6 o'clock hold a little too much. Well, I've got 10 more rounds to put through the Echelon. Let's see if I can get this thing figured out. I'll affix a fresh target and a different bullseye.

OK, that's starting to shape up. Once I get a little more familiar with this Echelon, it's gonna be great. Now it's time for five 10-shot string through the XD9.3 to see if I've got the optic zeroed and can keep the muzzle steady during the trigger pull. Target #1 has a lot low-left. Drat.

We'll zip through these targets, each one sucks a little bit less. Here's #2.

Let's use another of my favorite targets, the B-8 center with yellow bullseye. Here's target #3.

Well, this one hardly sucks at all. There are six hits in one hole inside the 10 ring, only three hits outside the 10 ring. Woot! Now let's put a reactive 4" circle on the bullseye for a little extra incentive.

Guh. I was hoping to get more hits on the reactive. But there's only one outside the black. That's not too bad for this old noob. OK, I've got 10 shots left. Let's try a fresh reactive circle and I'll really concentrate.

Now there ya go! I'm almost proud of that one. I see eight hits inside one ragged hole. Now that I'm warmed up and on a roll, it's time to leave. At least I believe the optic is zeroed properly. As long as I do my part correctly, I should be able to have more targets look like this. I'll continue using this in my training and carry rotation, along with the VP9 and original XD9. I'm not sure if I'll carry the Echelon but I did have holsters delivered. It's a bigger gun so I'll have to see how well it conceals, how comfortable it carries, etc. It's good to have choices.

It's supper time now so I gotta run. Thanks for hanging out. Until next time.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Belt Fed]

Good shootin Sir, you secret agent guys just gotta get warmed up on these cold days.

 

[Annihilator]

Nice shooting Deadeye!

 

[belladonna]

Well done Cliff!! Sometimes it takes a while to get in the groove - you got it! But it only counts if you had fun . Great report, as always, Thanks for taking us along.

 

[Bobbym.]

Hey gang,

Nothing much to see here today, just a quick 100 rounds sent downrange through my two newest pistols. I started off pretty lousy and gradually got less lousy with each 10-shot string. It was a bright, brisk afternoon as I made my way to the range. I got a late start today, hence the low round count and the closer/older facility.

It wasn't very busy this afternoon so I got my favorite lane. I'll be shooting at 10 yards for the whole session.

For some contrast, I put a 3x5 card in the middle of that small silhouette. I stuck a red circle on it too.

Here you see my two newest babies, Echelon 4.5F Comp and XD9 Mod.3 with the Holosun 507c. I'll be using the Blazer 124 grain.

I had also brought another 100 rounds of S&B but decided to save that for the next session. I had to make this quick. I guess I was a little too quick because the first target came back like this.

My very first shot hit that red circle. I got a little excited and just horked the rest of them. So I patched the target and affixed another 3x5 card for round two. It was a little better.

Let's try this target one more time. I'll patch it up with a new 3x5 card, new red circle bullseye, etc.

I sent it back out to 10 yards and used my newest remote hole puncher. If you give me the line breaks, there's only a couple off the 3x5 card.

Now let's use one of my favorite targets, the 1/3 size USPSA silhouette. I'll even put a red circle on it to give me something to focus on.

Hmm, I got a few high and right that time. I think I may have adjusted my 6 o'clock hold a little too much. Well, I've got 10 more rounds to put through the Echelon. Let's see if I can get this thing figured out. I'll affix a fresh target and a different bullseye.

OK, that's starting to shape up. Once I get a little more familiar with this Echelon, it's gonna be great. Now it's time for five 10-shot string through the XD9.3 to see if I've got the optic zeroed and can keep the muzzle steady during the trigger pull. Target #1 has a lot low-left. Drat.

We'll zip through these targets, each one sucks a little bit less. Here's #2.

Let's use another of my favorite targets, the B-8 center with yellow bullseye. Here's target #3.

Well, this one hardly sucks at all. There are six hits in one hole inside the 10 ring, only three hits outside the 10 ring. Woot! Now let's put a reactive 4" circle on the bullseye for a little extra incentive.

Guh. I was hoping to get more hits on the reactive. But there's only one outside the black. That's not too bad for this old noob. OK, I've got 10 shots left. Let's try a fresh reactive circle and I'll really concentrate.

Now there ya go! I'm almost proud of that one. I see eight hits inside one ragged hole. Now that I'm warmed up and on a roll, it's time to leave. At least I believe the optic is zeroed properly. As long as I do my part correctly, I should be able to have more targets look like this. I'll continue using this in my training and carry rotation, along with the VP9 and original XD9. I'm not sure if I'll carry the Echelon but I did have holsters delivered. It's a bigger gun so I'll have to see how well it conceals, how comfortable it carries, etc. It's good to have choices.

It's supper time now so I gotta run. Thanks for hanging out. Until next time.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

That’s the way to knock off the rust. I have been trying to get to the range for months. Weather and dr appts always show up. Keep up the practice. Bobby

 

[BassCliff]

Hi guys!

Good shootin Sir, you secret agent guys just gotta get warmed up on these cold days.

It wasn't all that cold. Seems we made it up to 18° on Wednesday.

Nice shooting Oldeyes!

Fixed it for you.

Well done Cliff!! Sometimes it takes a while to get in the groove - you got it! But it only counts if you had fun . Great report, as always, Thanks for taking us along.

Thank you, ma'am. Yep, seems I was just getting into my groove when I had to leave. I'll try to get my groove back sooner next time.

That’s the way to knock off the rust. I have been trying to get to the range for months. Weather and dr appts always show up. Keep up the practice. Bobby

I try to practice once a week. I think I'd like to practice more but, like you said, the schedule doesn't allow. But if I play my cards right I might be able to get to the range twice next week. Maybe I'll have time to practice better. We'll see.

Thanks for stopping by guys. I appreciate the encouragement.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[wolfpack076]

Great Shootin SIR

 

[somorris]

Good shooting Cliff!

Last time I went, I just used a Ruger SR22 out in the country and walked around just shooting at random targets (pieces of paper, leaves, used 12 ga. cartridges etc.) at unknown ranges. I was impressed by the accuracy of that little gun and had the most fun shooting I had had in a long time. Fairly cheap too!

 

[Mr. Untactical]

Hey gang,

Nothing much to see here today, just a quick 100 rounds sent downrange through my two newest pistols. I started off pretty lousy and gradually got less lousy with each 10-shot string. It was a bright, brisk afternoon as I made my way to the range. I got a late start today, hence the low round count and the closer/older facility.

It wasn't very busy this afternoon so I got my favorite lane. I'll be shooting at 10 yards for the whole session.

For some contrast, I put a 3x5 card in the middle of that small silhouette. I stuck a red circle on it too.

Here you see my two newest babies, Echelon 4.5F Comp and XD9 Mod.3 with the Holosun 507c. I'll be using the Blazer 124 grain.

I had also brought another 100 rounds of S&B but decided to save that for the next session. I had to make this quick. I guess I was a little too quick because the first target came back like this.

My very first shot hit that red circle. I got a little excited and just horked the rest of them. So I patched the target and affixed another 3x5 card for round two. It was a little better.

Let's try this target one more time. I'll patch it up with a new 3x5 card, new red circle bullseye, etc.

I sent it back out to 10 yards and used my newest remote hole puncher. If you give me the line breaks, there's only a couple off the 3x5 card.

Now let's use one of my favorite targets, the 1/3 size USPSA silhouette. I'll even put a red circle on it to give me something to focus on.

Hmm, I got a few high and right that time. I think I may have adjusted my 6 o'clock hold a little too much. Well, I've got 10 more rounds to put through the Echelon. Let's see if I can get this thing figured out. I'll affix a fresh target and a different bullseye.

OK, that's starting to shape up. Once I get a little more familiar with this Echelon, it's gonna be great. Now it's time for five 10-shot string through the XD9.3 to see if I've got the optic zeroed and can keep the muzzle steady during the trigger pull. Target #1 has a lot low-left. Drat.

We'll zip through these targets, each one sucks a little bit less. Here's #2.

Let's use another of my favorite targets, the B-8 center with yellow bullseye. Here's target #3.

Well, this one hardly sucks at all. There are six hits in one hole inside the 10 ring, only three hits outside the 10 ring. Woot! Now let's put a reactive 4" circle on the bullseye for a little extra incentive.

Guh. I was hoping to get more hits on the reactive. But there's only one outside the black. That's not too bad for this old noob. OK, I've got 10 shots left. Let's try a fresh reactive circle and I'll really concentrate.

Now there ya go! I'm almost proud of that one. I see eight hits inside one ragged hole. Now that I'm warmed up and on a roll, it's time to leave. At least I believe the optic is zeroed properly. As long as I do my part correctly, I should be able to have more targets look like this. I'll continue using this in my training and carry rotation, along with the VP9 and original XD9. I'm not sure if I'll carry the Echelon but I did have holsters delivered. It's a bigger gun so I'll have to see how well it conceals, how comfortable it carries, etc. It's good to have choices.

It's supper time now so I gotta run. Thanks for hanging out. Until next time.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

So which one do you like best? Echelon or XD3? I was going to get an Echelon, but opted for a Walther PDP F-Series since Walther had the proverbial deal I couldn't refuse at Cabela's back in November. I've been kept from the range most of the winter so looking forward to 100-200 rounds downrange in this puppy soon. I've only had one chance for live fire and like it a lot based on that small sample size. Lots of dry fire with and without the Mantis X10, so I feel like I'm learning the Walther platform and trigger pretty well. Still... really would like an Echelon, too

 

[BassCliff]

Good morning!

Great Shootin SIR

You are too kind. But that's OK. I can take it.

Good shooting Cliff!

Last time I went, I just used a Ruger SR22 out in the country and walked around just shooting at random targets (pieces of paper, leaves, used 12 ga. cartridges etc.) at unknown ranges. I was impressed by the accuracy of that little gun and had the most fun shooting I had had in a long time. Fairly cheap too!

Thanks. That sounds like a ton of fun. I have a Mark IV target pistol that I haven't exercised with for a while. Yep, those .22s are good, cheap fun. I also have a P22 and a Heritage cowboy revolver. I was pretty accurate the last time I shot them. I can't remember when that was. I guess it's about time again.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

So which one do you like best? Echelon or XD3?

Oh, I don't know. That's sort of like asking me, which do I like better, a socket wrench or pliers? I know that's not a very good analogy but they are different tools and both are still pretty new to me. This was my second trip to the range with the Echelon and maybe the third or fourth with the XD9.3 and optic.

I was going to get an Echelon, but opted for a Walther PDP F-Series since Walther had the proverbial deal I couldn't refuse at Cabela's back in November. I've been kept from the range most of the winter so looking forward to 100-200 rounds downrange in this puppy soon. I've only had one chance for live fire and like it a lot based on that small sample size. Lots of dry fire with and without the Mantis X10, so I feel like I'm learning the Walther platform and trigger pretty well. Still... really would like an Echelon, too

Springfield has a "gear up" deal going on now. I just got notice that my three free mags AND free optic (a Hex model) should be here in 8-12 weeks. I'll be patient.

I had installed the larger backstrap on my Echelon but after shooting it, I don't think I need it. I'll go back to the medium size for the next practice session. That, and the sight system is new to me. Once I get more familiar with both platforms, I will still have a hard time choosing a favorite. Basically, I just wanted to add a comped gun and an optic gun to my little tool box. I like both of my choices.

I was looking at the F series Walther for a while. I think my wife would like the ambidextrous controls, being a lefty. I got her to try my HK VP9 but she didn't seem impressed the first time. We're still shopping around for her "perfect" pistol. OK, I'll stop rambling now.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff