Joe L

Good range session today, 200 rounds of 22 followed by 80 of 9mm. Of the 22 rounds, 100 was from a rest at 30 yards, then standing, single hand, weak side only, of course, since right arm is still in a sling. Was able to cure the high right groupings by stronger grip and higher grip, in other words, better recoil control. Left arm is still weak so really had to try to get a "normal" strength grip on the pistol. With the limp grip, the muzzle would come up and to the right before the bullet left the barrel, I think. Trigger control was not the problem. Shot a lot of rounds, free hand today, instead of just from a rest. Results were very encouraging. Enough so that I got out the 9mm guns. First, 20 rounds with the X-5. Pistol is just too heavy for me to hold right now. Put it up and got out the P226 alloy frame with 9mm Bar-Sto barrel. This one I could handle. Shot 60 rounds from 10 yards to 30 yards. Felt great, shot it OK for weak hand, but it will be a while before I can shoot 3" groups from 25 yards. Right now, more like 6". But I survived 80 rounds and the left arm was not whipped. I needed this confidence builder. Today was a great day with good results for me. Will stay with 5 shots, stop and check targets, mark shots, then another 5 rounds. I can't hold the gun steady enough long enough to shoot 15 rounds between rest periods anyway. 5 rounds at a time will also allow detection of problems early and possibly prevent repeating incorrect technique. Joe

Out of town on work since Sunday, got to shoot 270 rounds with the 22 slide on P226 on Thursday afternoon. 200 rounds from 30 yards on a rest, weak hand only. Left hand trigger finger working fairly well, can't see sight very well unless left arm is fully extended. Shot OK. Will go back Friday afternoon and shoot 5 round series instead of 15, check results, try not to burn in any bad habits by shooting too much before checking. Good to shoot after 3 days off. Even in cold and wind. Joe

I'm a little late but I would like to share my experience. I have my strong (right)arm in a sling after shoulder surgery and it will be January before I can shoot with two hands. I am right handed and right eye dominant. Had surgery last week, hit the range last weekend to shoot single hand only weak side. Felt a little clumsy at first, but I have since put over 1000 rounds downrange with a 22 slide on my P226 frame. I am getting there. By January, I should be pretty good out to 25 yards, standing, weak hand only. Hopefully 3" groups. In other words, you can re-train yourself to do almost anything you HAVE to do, but it takes a lot of rounds. I welcomed the challenge and hope that my left index finger slowly catches up with where I was with my right when it became "unavailable". Shooting right hand single hand only while recovering from left side shoulder surgery definitely improved my overall shooting accuracy, and I didn't do nearly the round count since I didn't have the 22 slide then. My left arm is still weak but I can shoot a 22. Tried my X-5 and made it 20 rounds before putting it down yesterday, too heavy for me right now. I think it took me something like 200 rounds before I could shoot worth a toot, by the way. But the improvement was rapid after that, at least for me. Joe

Saturday, monthly club match IDPA, 34F, windy, overcast. I showed up and was scorekeeper, non-shooter, on my squad. It was good experience, and I got to watch everyone else very closely. Other people get more nervous than I do!! And some definitely don't shoot as well. The weak hand only/ strong hand only stages really hurt some shooters' scores. I confirmed what I already knew--shooting single hand, both sides, is necessary if you are going to shoot IDPA. Got major points with the MD for showing up just to volunteer, although I wasn't any help setting up or breaking down the stages. Overall a great experience. Also got my classifier card signed off for CDP and ESP. Joe

Was able to shoot 300 rounds on Thursday and 200 today, weather 40F and winds out of north. Today shot exclusively from a rest at 30 yards. By the end of the session, I was getting 90% of the shots on a 3" target single hand left. This is a good improvement for the week. Goal for next week is to get 100% on a 3" target at least 1/2 the time. I am confident I can do that. Then back to standing, no rest at 15 and 25 yards. Eventually 3" groups at 25 yards, standing. Will volunteer at local IDPA match on Saturday, probably scorekeeping, since I can't really do anything physical. Certainly can't shoot.

So, how'd it go shooting this week? I hope it went well. Joe

Snow cleared today, 50F, calm, sunny, shot 180 rounds with the 22 on P226, most at 25 yards from a forearm rest, weak hand only. Was able to get 60% in a 3" target, all the rest in a 6" group. My left index finger is getting educated. I'm starting to feel comfortable shooting single hand weak hand. This is definitely going to help my recovery. Right shoulder is still a little sore from surgery one week ago, but not bad at all. Shots at 15 yards, standing, all good, in a 3" group. I'll be happy when I can do this at 25 yards. Joe

First time ever I have shot more than 30 rounds weak hand only during one range session. Shot 200 22LR rounds with the P226 Basic 22 and know understand that it is like starting all over again learning to control the trigger consistently with the left hand. But, I got to go to the range, worked out all the logistics of loading magazines and racking the slide with one hand in a sling. I am very, very happy to have made this first trip after surgery last week. Results, several 9 out of 10 round series inside a 3" target at 10 yards. This is a good start for me. Joe

Starting shooting in March of 2011, had rotater cuff surgery in July on the left shoulder, and on the right shoulder in late November, Nov 29 to be exact. IDPA classified as Marksman in CDP and ESP, have only shot 4 matches, all local, two while injured. Shot first time today after right shoulder surgery. Right arm in sling, left arm weak, but OK for single hand shooting of P226 22 slide. Shot 200 rounds weak hand only at 10 yards, got most in 3" groups, but it is like starting over learning to shoot. Pushing shots 2" to right due to uneducated inexperienced trigger finger. Overall, though, not too bad. Shot one 1" group from a rest so there is hope. This is fun. Joe

Thanks for the input. Going to the range today for the first time in 6 days.

thanks, I'll try some 50 yd shots, also. I had surgery Tuesday, will go to the range this weekend, with a very light range bag, as the left side isn't back up to full strength yet, either.

Matt--some people have a spare tendon in their forearm that can be used for repairs. I did and it was used to reconstruct my wrist...40 years ago! Good luck on Friday.

Had srong side surgery yesterday. This is going to be fun! Seriously, all went fine, this week is the toughest.

What I have observed is that I can't easily make the transition to good groups with the 9 after 100 rounds or so of tight groups with the 22. So now I tend to shoot the 22 one day and the 9's the next. This works great for me and the 22 training definitely has helped my accuracy with the 9, especially at 25-30 yards.

Had strong arm (right side) rotater cuff surgery today, did weak side in July. Left arm is doing very well. Here is what I am thinking...when my right side is strong enough to allow me to load magazines. 100 rounds/visit of 22 in my P226 IDPA frame, single hand, left hand, standing 15 and 25 yards, slow groups, for 3 visits. 100 rounds/visit 9mm same groups as 22 above, 3 visits. Left hand only, no draw, 3-target drills, 2 shots/target, 6 shots/drill, no timer but rapidly, 90 rounds total/session, 15 drills/session. three sessions. Shoot left handed but with two hands when right arm is out of the sling, about 6 weeks from now. Schedule above is 1-2 range sessions per week. Continue two handed (left strong)until released for right hand shooting. Any suggestions? Joe

Not exactly what you were looking for but I have this fresh on my mind so I thought I would mention it... Make sure the grease in the gun is not too thick for the weather temperature. I learned last weekend in Ruidoso that I have to use oil below 30F on a 22 slide during practice instead of Slide Glide Lite. Slide Glide Lite on a 9mm or larger was OK, but this will be my first winter shooting in Midland and Ruidoso so I will learn. Carry some oil with you so that you can add some to the rails if you get a failure to feed or extraction problem due to the colder temperatures. Joe

I offer a little different point of view. I'm 63, just started shooting pistols in March of this year. I am learning from you guys!! Even I would have done things differently for my short experience span to date: 1. I would have gotten a 22 slide for my P226 at first instead of after several thousand 9mm rounds and not picked up a 9 until I could put every 22 shot on a 10" plate at 25 yards, standing, in the wind. 2. I would have gotten Brian's book in March along with Matt Burkett's DVDs. 3. I would have gone to a multiday class with Bruce Gray in April. 4. I would have started dry fire drills in April. In short, I would have done what I have done in the last 3 months, 7 months ago. I would have spent more time here than on the Sigforum, LOL. Joe

Sure, I think going in without expectations was a help. I didn't realize how much of a help until I went in WITH expectations, and didn't do as well. Definitely a lesson there for me, even at my novice skill level. I hope to become a much improved weak hand shooter by January. Joe

Kevin--no one mentioned it above, but, if you continue to have problems, disk pressure on the nerve can be relieved by arthroscopic surgery. Procedures were developed 10-15 years ago and I had my L4/L5 disk partially removed in 2002. At the time, I was nearly paralyzed, so there were no other options for me. But, I had the surgery one morning, and was able to walk out of there. Next day I was able to spend 2 hours in a car, and went to work on the 3rd day. Not bad. I still have some problems because the material is nearly gone and the bones will eventually fuse together. Symptoms have been very manageable. If you have any more problems, find a doctor that is experienced in the procedure and discuss with him. Joe

I used some epoxy on my toilet seat bumpers but knocked one off at the range last Sunday. This was on a 9mm base plate that has a little ledge on it so that the pad didn't fit flat along the length. I may have to use completely flat metal base plates only and maybe a different glue. JC-the rubber pad you used should be pretty dense and about 1/2" thick, right? How did they specify the density for the material you bought? Joe

Greg, 6 weeks in a sling, then 12 weeks therapy, but I was shooting in a match at 8-10 weeks. This was a weak arm side surgery with a production pistol that was difficult to rack. But 100% recovery, which I define as good enough to shoot a pistol with the repair not limiting, but not weight lift, maybe 12 weeks. I can let you know more starting next week. Moving your range bag and handling the gun such as racking the slide, reloads, weak hand only shooting, are going to take a while. Your arm is pretty weak after 6 weeks in a sling. There is a range of motion concern also for prone position in the steel challenge. Plus getting to and from prone. I'm thinking maybe 3 months from surgery to 100%. You better talk to your doctor and physical therapist and tell them exactly what kind of strength and motion you need. My surgeon was a shooter, so he understood what I was asking about. Joe

I appreciate the replies. This injury in my right shoulder has been with me for a couple of years. It is limiting my ability to do what I want to do with the race cars and pistols, so I will have it done. I have had good success with the left one so I look at it as an investment. While recovering, I will become a good weak hand shooter. I just bought 1000 rounds of ammo and intend to consume it over the next week, then surgery on the 29th. After a week, shoot the 22 weak hand, then the alloy 9mm, then all stainless X-5 9mm, then the full size all steel 45. I can't wait. Weak hand IDPA match in February. Strong hand in March. Maybe. Joe

I found some commode seat lid bumpers that fit a P226 metal magazine base perfectly if you make one cut and drill a hole for the release. Then I epoxied them on the bases of all my standard magazines and use them with the extended mag well grips on both P226 and X-5 frames. So far they have held up well. Also fit in an IDPA box and don't add hardly any weight. I've been checking all the commodes I can for some black ones, LOL. Joe

Patrick--Well written, thought inspiring. I'm not a 3 gunner...yet. It is all I can do to participate in an IDPA match, but my local club is having its monthly 3 gun match this morning, and I will go watch, just to see the equipment. The concept you presented of moving out of your normal game for practice is a great one. No telling what you will learn or who you will meet. Many good things can come from doing that. Thanks. Joe

A November update, and an apology for turning my own thread in to the training diary above. I have continued to improve. But not by trying. By doing what Brian has suggested, getting the gun aimed at the target while focusing on releasing the shot. A 22 slide has helped with this development a bunch. Changing the thought process from aiming then pulling the trigger to moving the gun to the target and releasing the shot while the gun is on target has helped me a bunch. I had a match after my weak arm had healed up 80% from shoulder surgery in which I made a mental mistake. I tried too hard. I didn't have any excuses any more in the form of wounded shoulder. I was physically capable of "trying" for a good match. Didn't work. Shot worse than when my left arm was in and out of a sling. Why? Because I moved away from what was working so well at practice. Instead I forced shots, worried about the timer, thought too much about points down instead of all the 0's. I had shifted my injury from a physical one to a mental one. The mental one is worse. Joe