Couldn't decide where this belongs. Apologies if I chose incorrectly. In the pistol clinic what positions are fired from? Is it all standing? And what is the maximum distance to target? Is there a summary of all courses of fire posted and if so where? Thanks.
All standing, all at 7yd.
Thank you. Standing I'm still fairly good at maintaining. And my old eyes still can see 7 yards, for the most part anyway. :)
There is a Pistol "Practice Pack" of targets
https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=61707.msg394637#msg394637
We also shoot exclusively with the pistol starting on a table. The course of fire includes rapid-fire stages, one-handed, both right and left, and slow-fire. It will exercise a lot of skills. Iron sights and optics are welcome. Both/either centerfire and rimfire can be used. Round count is around 600 for the weekend.
I will opine that because of the rapid fire stages, you can get more out of the class shooting center fire. It's difficult to learn much about recoil control shooting rimfire.
Quote from: Zorak on March 24, 2026, 12:41:32 PMI will opine that because of the rapid fire stages, you can get more out of the class shooting center fire. It's difficult to learn much about recoil control shooting rimfire.
Agreed. Although rimfire isn't as likely to be as humiliating. :) Already thinking rimfire to get experience and CF for the second time. Plus easier to afford 500-600 rounds of rimfire which even then isn't just a happy meal anymore. Sigh. If only I'd been born rich instead of so good looking. ::) **)
When i took one shooting a 9mm I used bulk 9mm from Freedom Munitions/LAX at the time it was the best option and kept my price pretty low.
Least expensive name brand 9mm seems to be Fiocchi, $11.90/bx equivalent plus shipping/tax vs. $2.36/bx equivalent for the case of Armscor .22lr I just got from CMP. Roughly 5:1.
Quote from: LDB415 on March 24, 2026, 12:48:28 PMAgreed. Although rimfire isn't as likely to be as humiliating. :) Already thinking rimfire to get experience and CF for the second time. Plus easier to afford 500-600 rounds of rimfire which even then isn't just a happy meal anymore. Sigh. If only I'd been born rich instead of so good looking. ::) **)
LDB415, you seem to be really interested regardless, and to have a positive attitude, so this is more for anyone else who may be reading this or thinking about coming to an Appleseed clinic: please don't worry about how well you're shooting coming into the class. We're here to teach you!
When I attended a pistol clinic, I brought a 9mm and a 22, with the intention of shooting the 9mm all weekend. Unfortunately I didn't bring enough 9mm and had to switch. I found that I immediately got a lot faster... which was exciting at first, but then I realized that now I was not going to have the chance to work on any of the recoil control issues that were bedeviling my 9mm targets. If I had it to over again, I'd have packed more 9mm ammo.
That said, of course you need to do what is right for you and your budget. We'd rather have you on the firing line that at home looking under the cushions for loose ammo. :)
Well, I just bit the bullet, not too hard as I can't afford to waste any of them, ::) anyway, I came across Aguila 9mm 124gr. they call "low pressure, light recoil". Who knows, but ordered a brick of it and figured it hopefully is telling the truth and would be for left hand magazines. And Federal AE 124gr. for right hand magazines. Least expensive options. So enough ammo for 2 clinics if/when.
Still debating, and probably for a good while, .22lr or 9mm. .22lr gives up most of the recoil factor but maybe gives a better grasp of the basics and general handling and practices. And presuming Appleseed sticks around for the duration, a given I think, there's always "next time" for 9mm. I just wish there was a pistol clinic closer to home. I have until September to figure it out, plus travel etc.
I don't own a pistol and have only shot pistols a few times. I was not great with them, but I did best with a friend's .22 with a red dot on it. If I personally were to buy one (which is probably more than a year off), I feel like I'd be leaning toward something similar. I understand the logic of going with a 9mm to learn recoil management, but I'd still like to work my way into the larger calibers gradually.
In CA, there is a state handgun roster, and you can't buy new guns that are not on the roster. I'd have to see what is available if/when the time comes, but one I'd like to try is the Ruger Mark IV 22/45. It's on the Roster, and people seem to like it. Another option I'd consider would be a multi-caliber platform and get something I could switch between .22lr and 9mm.
Quote from: Fulcrum on March 24, 2026, 06:27:56 PMI don't own a pistol and have only shot pistols a few times. I was not great with them, but I did best with a friend's .22 with a red dot on it. If I personally were to buy one (which is probably more than a year off), I feel like I'd be leaning toward something similar. I understand the logic of going with a 9mm to learn recoil management, but I'd still like to work my way into the larger calibers gradually.
In CA, there is a state handgun roster, and you can't buy new guns that are not on the roster. I'd have to see what is available if/when the time comes, but one I'd like to try is the Ruger Mark IV 22/45. It's on the Roster, and people seem to like it. Another option I'd consider would be a multi-caliber platform and get something I could switch between .22lr and 9mm.
The Mark IV is a very well liked pistol from what I know. I don't have one (yet) :) If I go .22lr I'll use my Glock 44 and if I go 9mm either my Glock 48 or Beretta PX4 Compact. They say the PX4 is good on recoil with the barrel system it uses. May be finding out. Good luck with your own decisions.
It is a great class to learn recoil control and how to shoot with your off/weak hand. I went through on day one with the .22 pistol. Day 2 I switched out pistols and went through with the 1911 in .45 Auto. Very quickly learned recoil control. Fun class and great instructors in Muenster, TX.
My two cents.
Gus