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It is always a bit nerve-racking to try new things. I can’t stop the adrenaline, anxiety, and excitement. If I make myself as comfortable and safe as possible, it is easier to step out of my comfort zones. I used the same logic when shooting firearms like a 9mm.
Shooting a 9mm for the First Time
Baby steps were the best way I could come up with to get used to shooting firearms. Beginners see firearms as something new and strange and should be treated with caution. I started small and worked my way up through each caliber.
When I shoot, my goal is comfort. I don’t mind if I miss a target at first, I just want to be comfortable and safe. To grow, it is necessary to experience periods of discomfort and uncertainty. I had already shot a handgun and a rifle, both.22 calibers, and felt ready to move up the ladder.
The 9mm gun was designed to look like the.22, but it emits a different type of energy. Powerful, resilient and protective. As soon as I locked my eyes with the gun, I knew I had two choices: let anxiety win, or show anxiety who’s boss. I chose the second option.
Comparisons between.22 and 9.mm
You can tell the difference in size between the.22 and the 9mm. The.9mm is the larger of the two. Not only that, but.9mm guns are louder than.22s. A.22 produces about 120 decibels and a 9mm can produce up to 160. Although it may not seem like a big difference, the sound can be quite jarring if you aren’t expecting it.
This raises the question: Does the caliber size make it more or lesser viable for self-defense? The short answer is no. The shot placement, or where the bullet strikes when it enters the body, is more important. It doesn’t mean that you won’t notice a difference in the way you feel when shooting different calibers. There are also some distinct advantages to larger caliber guns.
Smaller bullets have less recoil. This is perfect for beginners. Shooting becomes more difficult when you move up to a larger caliber.
A.9mm caliber handgun is a popular caliber for concealed carry and shooting. Initially, 9mm handguns made me hesitant. They changed my life.
I felt that I was officially diving further into the world of guns, and my journey with guns was becoming more serious. I suddenly felt that I wasn’t just doing it for fun anymore. I was doing it to achieve a greater goal that I didn’t think I could accomplish at first.
It was the same way I shot both a 9mm and an.22. The firing pin and its mechanisms were the same. Stand with your feet slightly apart. Bend your elbows just a little, move your hips and aim.
The Pep Prep
I’m notorious for guilting my way into doing things I don’t want to by telling myself that I will regret not doing it. The thought of being in anxiety and regret for the rest of the day is enough to overcome my fear.
I tell myself that I will be grateful the next day if I fill up my gas tank now and not later. It works nine times out of ten and I’m glad I did it.
I had a method for my madness and I used that same mentality when I shot a.9mm pistol for the first time. Did I want to regret the rest of the day that I didn’t fire it? No, I didn’t. So, I fired the darned gun…even though I was scared.
No turning back now
I knew that I couldn’t back out of my decision as I stood with the black pistol in front of me. I knew I couldn’t let my anxiety win. My finger glided against the trigger with each breath I took.
It finally broke and a loud boom rippled through the silence of nature. My anxiety was broken, and I could focus on the world around me. It was like the first time I shot a firearm. It was a sensation I grew to love. The world seemed clearer and I felt more focused.
I couldn’t help but feel pride in my chest. I knew that I was becoming more confident and comfortable around firearms. This was evident when I pulled the trigger back much quicker than my first time shooting a gun. My first time shooting took me ten minutes of shaking like a tree and shouting “I can’t do it!”
Two things happened. The relief I felt at my progress and the fact that I could now shoot 9mm handguns exceeded my expectations. It was actually not bad. It was educational, exciting, safe, and fun.
As I stood there I could not understand why I had been so worried. I thought that the recoil was going to knock me off my feet, or that I wouldn’t be ready. But I was firmly planted on the ground, and I knew I could do it. I could feel the tingle at my fingertips, and knew that the urge was strong.
I wanted to shoot it again. I wanted to shoot again. And again.
First Impressions on Running a 9mm
Power is the first thing that comes to mind. Strong, raw, radiating power. The.9mm handgun’s power was manageable to say the least. It certainly had a kick. It was a vastly different weapon from the.22 handgun.
The size difference was also immediately apparent compared to a.22 handgun. The grip was wider and gave me a better grip. I didn’t have to fight to get enough room to grip the pistol.
I would have thought that the smaller the grip the better. In fact, I found the opposite. I liked the bulkier feeling. It made me more relaxed and comfortable. The.22 handgun was fun to shoot, but I felt safer with the.9mm.
I knew that it would keep me safe if I ever needed it. It served a purpose and I could only admire it.
I never wanted to get a CPL. The thought of concealed carry causing me to feel ill made my stomach turn in all directions. I assumed that I would never get my CPL. The gears in my head shifted and I realized I could do it.
It seemed easier to carry a gun now that I had experienced what it was like to shoot and hold a defensive pistol. I still have a lot to learn before I can take that step.
Rookie Mistakes
The biggest mistake I made was to take my hand off the handgun, especially when shooting the.9mm. The cartridges flying back at me made me nervous and startled me a lot of the time.
It took a lot to get over the feeling of unease, even though this mistake could have been avoided. I had to force my mind to adapt and learn from this experience. My two goals were to adapt and overcome. The more I prepared for what would happen while I shot, I became more comfortable.
I found that the more rounds I fired the less likely I am to remove my hand from the gun immediately after firing. As I aimed the gun, I would move it at the last moment. When I had finished firing, my hands would move away from the firearm.
Practice is the best way to fix my mistakes. I know that I won’t become a master shot overnight. It would take me a lot more time and dedication. The biggest lessons that shooting teaches you are patience and endurance.
It is inevitable that mistakes will occur. It’s normal, especially if you’re a beginner. It is important to be patient and to encourage yourself to try again. I had to accept my mistakes, be willing to correct them, and continue to improve.
I could have given up and gotten frustrated, but that would have brought me nothing.
Find Confidence
I didn’t seek perfection. I was aiming for confidence. For me, the ability to say “I can do this!” and “I’ve done it!” was most important when shooting a.9mm. I felt a little more energized when I left the next day.
I felt like I could do anything. I was untouchable. That was worth it to me.
I thought the 9mm handgun would be powerful, resilient and protective. I realized that it was actually me who was strong, resilient and protected when I left. The pistol was the key that I needed to unlock this truth.
Who knew that the realization was just a trigger away?
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Keep ReadingThe article Outsider’s insights: A new shooter reflects on shooting a 9mm handgun appeared first on Athlon Outdoors.
