Range report for the R9

[C0untZer0]

I've been taking my kids shooting and haven't been shooting the R9.  I meant to practice with the pistol at least once a month, time just seemed to whiz by, I do carry it with me all the time, and I keep meaning to shoot it, but then something comes up and I don't get around to it.

But in the past I've pit 50 rounds through the R9 in an single range session.

In 2011. I noticed I was getting fatigued at the range doing offhand shooting. After 20 minutes or so of shooting I couldn't hold a steady sight picture, my arms were trembling.

I was a little amazed at this because I hadn't had the problem before, and every morning I do pushups, situps, leg lifts and I curl 30lb dumbbells. I also ran and did cycling.

At that time I also purchased a Glock 17L, and I was not able to dry fire it and maintain good follow through - the sight always twitched to the right. I had people tell me I had to pull the trigger more slowly - more slowly still. I had people tell me I needed stronger fingers so I could do a smooth pull...

I started doing research and I added different exercises to my workout.  Basically I focused on adding muscle mass to my forearms and increasing the strength of my fingers / hands.

I have a routine now that I do to keep muscle mass in my shoulders and forearms, as well as keep my grip strong, and it has made a huge difference in keeping a steady sight picture, and being able to shoot better for extended range sessions:

Hammer curls:



http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Brachioradialis/DBHammerCurl.html


Ulnar dumbbell:



http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristFlexors/DBUlnarFlexion.html


Wrist curls:




http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristFlexors/DBWristCurl.html


Reverse wrist curls:



http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristExtensors/DBReverseWristCurl.html
 

[C0untZer0]

Wrist roller:



http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristExtensors/CBRollerWristExtention.html


I also exercise the fingers to improve grip. I notice it's improved my ability to hold a steady sight picture for longer range sessions:



I use Captains of Crush and adjustable grippers to strengthen my grip and to increase muscle mass in my forearms:




I also use meridian balls to work my hands out. The guy in this video makes it look easy, but it's not. And when I do this 200 times with 1¼ lb steel balls - all the tiny muscles in my hands are sore - which is a sign that they are getting worked out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-bGPcdL4nU&feature=player_embedded#t=0s

[C0untZer0]

I'm a lot better at consistently exercising than I am about consistently going to the range with My R9.

[tracker]

You have your priorities in the right order; the pup doesn't lose its grip over time with no exercise.

[bamboobob]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscopic_exercise_tool

Dyna bee    Very cool      Heard about decades ago from Long time friend / instructor.

Gets going very fast, quite a workout.
Starting,  speeding-up, maintaining and slowing down are all different.

Very cool!!!          ( for hand and forearm )

[C0untZer0]

Took the R9 to the range this weekend, and I did a couple of things I haven't done before.  I didn't clean it before the range trip, I've been carrying it in my pocket for a month with no cleaning.  I noticed it did have a little lint and crumbs in it - I don't know how that gets there, there is no lint in my pockets and it isn't like I eat crackers or cookies over my R9, but about every week when I inspect the R9 I notice that it somehow got shmutz on it.

So anyway I just fired it, didn't clean it.

Also, the screws with the rubber seals did not loosen up at all from either carrying it or firing it

I also shot the 147gr Winchester Ranger "T" Series at the beginning of my shooting session and not the end, to see if it made a difference in the accuracy department, and it did.  I got a 5 shot group at under 2 inches at 21 feet and I'm happy with that.  Actually only one flyer.