muleymaniac81 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I came up with an idea that may be stupid, but I'm gonna try it anyway. I live in a small town (299 people) but I obviously still can't shoot in my yard. My idea to get in some practice every day is: I bought an airsoft 1911 to practice my draw and get some hybrid dry-fire practice inside city limits. Anyone try this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmw5142 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I came up with an idea that may be stupid, but I'm gonna try it anyway. I live in a small town (299 people) but I obviously still can't shoot in my yard. My idea to get in some practice every day is: I bought an airsoft 1911 to practice my draw and get some hybrid dry-fire practice inside city limits. Anyone try this? One problem I see with your idea is the weight difference. You would be better off practicing draws with your unloaded pistol. Airsoft can have some uses in your practice routine, but you have to be careful how you use it. Ben Stoeger has a good article on the use of airsoft for training on his website. Ben Stoeger website <<<< click here then check out the articles section to find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muleymaniac81 Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 I found an airsoft that is made of steel and weight 32 oz. Thanks for the link. I've checked out his list of drills, it actually in my bookmarks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I do all my draws and reload practices with my actual gun and mags (with dummy rounds of course). Nothing like the real thing. I do have an airsoft setup as well (didnt see as much use as I had hoped this winter) that I use on occasion. like the Ben Stoeger article, you do have to be careful when using it alot, but it definitely gives a different aspect on transitions and such. I have some small plates and a Texas Star that I shoot it with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muleymaniac81 Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 So, here's what I've been doing w/ a Walther P99 airsoft in my back yard I do the following(with 14 rounds in the magazine,7 yards to a pop can every time): 1)From Surrender, free-style 2)Low Relaxed, free-style 3)Surrender, strong hand only 4)LR, strong hand only 5)Surrender, weak hand only 6)LR, weak hand only 7)Table start, free-style 8)table, strong hand only 9)table, weak hand only 10)Surrender, turn and draw, free-style 11)LR, turn and draw, free-style 12)5 yards behind box, step up and shoot, free-style 13)3 yards to the left, step right and shoot, free-style 14)3 yards to the right, step left and shoot, free-style 15)3 magazines on transitions, both left and right 16)2 magazines on groups, free-style, not in a hurry Total: 266 shots, takes about 45 minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Those are good drills! Some in there I have not thought to practice. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudman Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Where I live, we're not allowed to take our blasters home (have to store them at a gun club) so the airsoft is my only option for practice at home. It's lighter than my real gun, but it doesn't make that much of a difference. I can still work on most of the stuff I need to, except for recoil management and timing. If you can, try to get a metal slide, frame, outer barrel and chamber for your airsoft - that'll give you a bit more weight. Edited February 23, 2011 by mudman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWLAZS Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 I like to draw while looking into a mirror. I use my dominate eye for the target. I can watch for wasted movement that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) I like to draw while looking into a mirror. I use my dominate eye for the target. I can watch for wasted movement that way. Good one. I did that for many years, double checking for head or shoulder movement during the draw. Before starting the draw, note the relationship of the top of your head to something reflected in the mirror. Then watch that spot for movement as you draw. be Edited February 25, 2011 by benos added "for movement" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bouttime Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I have never tried the mirror before. Will do that tomorrow night when I practice. Thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I like to draw while looking into a mirror. I use my dominate eye for the target. I can watch for wasted movement that way. Good one. I did that for many years, double checking for head or shoulder movement during the draw. Before starting the draw, note the relationship of the top of your head to something reflected in the mirror. Then watch that spot for movement as you draw. be Yep, you don't want your head "ducking"....bring the gun up to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryShoots Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Anyone ever go between the airsoft and the real deal with a .22 converter? I have a Kimber kit and it allows me to shoot every day since the ammo is so much cheaper. Originally bought it to test trigger jobs (hehe a lot easier to hang on to a full auto .22 than a 45 right!) but I love the thing. Also I found out when it's time to run a 22 in things like steel challenge rimfire or the odd local club shoot-off this kit on my single stack gun outruns any Ruger or S&W 41 I've ever shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivers_AR Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 VA just passed preemption law so that local entities cannot stop you from firing air guns in your yard, will have to look at airsoft pistol. Any recommendations on G17/34 for a reasonable price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 dry fire is one the best ways to build skill without firing a shot. good idea about doing draws in front of a mirror to look for wasted movement. gonna try that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romans 13 4 Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 I use an airsoft to practice when I can't get to the range. It helped me alot with my transitions between targets and in my reloads (airsoft mags I have are weighted and are the same as a fully loaded mag). I like it because I can't get to the range nearly as much as I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 airsoft looks like an awesome training tool. been meaning to buy one but I keep putting it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyoBob Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I bought a Tokyo Mauri MEU (1911) a few years ago and I think it helped me quite a bit. I have a plate rack in my garage using 5, 5" high density foam "plates", hinged with duct tape, in my garage. (Distance is 21 feet.) We shoot 5, 6" plates at 7 yards at our local plate shoots and practicing with the airsoft has helped me quite a bit---and---it's fun! As I haven't upgraded to all metal, I epoxied some lead sheet to the dust cover of the airsoft to increase the weight. In the last year, I've been pretty busy and haven't practiced much with the airsoft. I do quite a bit of draw and dry fire on my "plate rack" (right before a match) and find that very helpful. I haven't had much time to practice live fire but, between the airsoft and dry fire, I manage to win my fair share of matches. In the last year I shot 3 local IDPA matches (local being, 45 miles away). Lots more complicated than plate shooting but lots of fun. "Running and gunning" is a lot harder than standing in one place and shooting plates, that's for sure. WyoBob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbagum Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I have a airsoft Glock and it feels nearly identical to my Glocks. I practice draws in my garage as well as shooting on the move since my local indoor range doesn't allow either. I have a plate rack setup with 10 hinges that have 2x4 steel mending-plates as targets. It is a lot of fun and has really sped things up for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfred Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I came up with an idea that may be stupid, but I'm gonna try it anyway. I live in a small town (299 people) but I obviously still can't shoot in my yard. My idea to get in some practice every day is: I bought an airsoft 1911 to practice my draw and get some hybrid dry-fire practice inside city limits. Anyone try this? One problem I see with your idea is the weight difference. You would be better off practicing draws with your unloaded pistol. Airsoft can have some uses in your practice routine, but you have to be careful how you use it. Ben Stoeger has a good article on the use of airsoft for training on his website. Ben Stoeger website <<<< click here then check out the articles section to find it. amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joedodge Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 great thread I gotta try the mirror Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakuna Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I have a KJWorks 1911 MEU all metal. Great for drill practice on full size targets in the back yard. Amazingly accurate gun! Way more accurate than a bb gun....the hop up on the airsoft pellets takes away the random spin problem. With heavier 6mm airsoft bbs, I can get groups way smaller than I would have ever guessed possible with a "toy" gun. I also shoot it in the garage for draw practice dot drills. It runs on propane so it's darned cheap to shoot. You can also practice mag changes. I drop the mags into a pile of towels to protect them. It's amazing how similar in weight and feel the gun is to my Kimber TLE. The safety isn't as positive as I'd like and the lack of recoil makes follow up shots way too easy, but the practice mechanics and repetition of motion for draws, etc., can be done no problem. I highly recommend a good all-metal airsoft gun as part of a training plan. Cost was around $125. I also use a Laser-lyte on my Kimber, but the airsoft is more "fun". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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