Something To Think About

[remington]

I was walking through the woods today and had my Ruger MK-III 22 LR in an open carry holster. Well two grouse flushed out of a tree right beside me, scared me half to death. I went for the gun reflexively, with no thought involved, but my pinky got caught on the holster. Was just thinking, if that had been some meth junky out there I would be dead. Just think, one little hang-up and you can die. Kinda sobered me up.

[jim]

That's why one starts out sloooooow, and creates perfect muscle-memory patterns for gun handling skills. Very slowly build up speed and maintain perfection (nearly as possible). Accuracy, power, and speed in that order.

jim

[Tuckahoe]

Pratice more draws (unloaded) you will get much faster.

[remington]

I practice every day for 20 minutes minimum, going from slow to about as fast as I can. Unloaded? Why? LOL. Went out afterwords and put 100 rds. through the gun just drawing and emptying the clip into the target as fast and as accurate as I could. Didn't hang up once. Only takes once though.

[iammarkjones]

I shoot more than the average person. I also practice unloaded in the house. Draw fire repeat. Use snap caps if you dry fire. I unload because I fire on each draw adds to muscle memory.

[Stinger]

::) Proves nothing other than, perhaps, that you need a new holster.

I, also, do more than my fair share of drawing and firing. I always start each practice session with snap caps and progress to live ammunition. I usually use an OTB open topped Kydex holster, too.

Never let my ego get in the way of a muzzle either. First mistake you make with a loaded gun often leaves a mark.

(I've got several!) *;D *

[remington]

Another thing. That gun is my normal woods carry gun. I like the 22 over other bigger guns since I mostly only use it for killing snakes and trapped animals. I shot a couple hundred rounds through it yesterday and it works fine until I try rapid fire. It doesn't eject the fired case far enough. Ideas?

[Stinger]

First, are you breaking your wrist on the shot?

Next, check the chamber. Is it all crapped up? If so, give it a good cleaning.

Then, check the extractor. Is the claw clean? Does it flex properly?

Finally, check the ejector. Is it worn or broken?






Could be the ammo, too. Have you changed brands recently?

[remington]

I keep the gun very clean, claw flexes, and a good ejector on it. I usually use Remington but I was using Federal on this shooting trip (it was on sale and they do come in 525 round boxes)

[docsoos]

Sadly, I've noticed the last year or so that some (a VERY small percentage, one or two rounds per 525 round-pak) of Federal Bulk-Pak .22's have misfired, requiring a second strike, and last month, I had one outright dud. I have bought these for YEARS, and just recently noticed the trouble.

When I strap on my Mark II for a walk in the woods, it only has CCI Stingers in it. A lot more power than Federal bulk .22's, and I can't EVER recall having a misfire with them, and their velocities are super-consistent. But, plinking DOES get a little expensive with them.

I now use the Federals for range-only duty, where there are no meth-head grouse that won't make me draw. ;D

DocSoos

[remington]

Yeah, I did have one misfire. It was right after a jam and the firing pin hit, and nothing happened. I ejected the round after about a minute and stood back. Put it back in the gun and tried again. It fired. I use a combination of Stingers and Subsonics when woods walking. The Subsonic is my first round since it is quiet and good for the snakes. The rest are Stingers

[martialcanine45cal]

Have someone with more experience check your practice routine firsthand. Frankly, the fact that you're training up to fast draw and fire until empty sounds like the problem to me. If a millisecond draw is the only thing to save your life, you're probably dead anyway.

What would have happened if you had pulled your gun that fast? The only reason you said you didn't was because your finger got caught. You would have been pointing a loaded gun and - based on your practice - possibly fired at flushed grouse.

In other words, you were drawing defensively against a non-threat target, which violates a few of the basic safety rules of firearms handling, such as knowing your target or not pointing your firearm at something you weren't willing to destroy (ok, maybe you don't mind killing grouse, but was that the reason for needing a fast draw on a 22?)

Don't get me wrong, instinctive reactions are not a bad thing, but if a little kid had wildly jumped out from bushes or tree, would your reaction had been different? I catch people out in my parents' woods all the time.

I'm not trying to be critical and am far from perfect, but it was a thought-provoking scenario you presented and that's how I see it. I'll pay attention for some different perspectives and more expert advice.

[remington]

allright martial. There is no point to a fast draw 22 unless you think about the fact that I kill on average 2 copperheads or rattlesnakes a day in spring, summer and early fall. These are sometimes small and all the time well camoflauged snakes that when I am working on something are hard to see until I am almost stepping on them. In that instance the faster I can pull the gun and accurately fire the gun the less bit I will be. Also like I said it was purely instinctive with no thought process involved. It was all based on many hours of practice with various firearms that makes drawing a handgun on the same level as drawing breath.

[scanr]

What is your holster made of? Leather, or a Uncle Mikes nylon? My leather holster draws very well, where as my 22 hangs up on my Uncle Mikes holster just about every time.

[remington]

It's a leather holster. All mine are. I know the Uncle Mike's is more practical but I just love the leather.