OT: Anyone here shoot trap?
 

I'm getting ready to give it my first go. I just know I'm gonna suck ass at this, but I'm determined to learn.

I'm using a 20 gauge over/under. I'd really like to use a double barrel, but this is a borrowed gun from my father in law. Anyone have experience with a one vs. the other, pros cons? I don't think I can handle the kick of a 12 gauge yet, that's why I'm starting with the 20.

Any good advice, anecdotes, .....anything?

Do you mean you'd like to use a side by side? an over/under is a double barrel. Anyway, I shot on the Trap and Skeet team at the Academy for 4 years. I shoot a Beretta 687 Silver Pidgeon II (over and under) and a Remington 1100 (autoloader). An over/under is more accurate than a side by side, use the bottom barrel as it is the more accurate of the 2. You will have a harder time hitting the clays with a 20 gauge vice a 12 gauge. Any other Qs just holler

If your 20 gauge has choke tubes, use at least an improved modified to keep your pattern tight.

my next door neighbor hit me in the head with a clay pigeon once

I love shooting trap. Put a Turkey choke on your shotgun for extra fun!

I only shoot my trap when I'm drunk...

Sorry, never shot trap. However if you ever need any handgun/personal defense/target shooting advice, I'm your man!

I haven't shot much trap but when I have I was more accurate with a 20 gauge. I was shooting in a group and we shot 5 sets of 10 clay pigeons. The first couple of sets I used a 12 gauge and I shot around 5 or 6 out of 10 each time. The next 3 times I used a 20 gauge and each time I hit 9 out of 10 pigeons.

Glock? Cmon man, put down that overrated thumb blaster and pick up a Springfield.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun...xd_061206A.jpg

Accurate is really not the word I was looking for I guess. If you are 'scared'(not questioning anyone's manhood here) of the kick of a 12, then a 20 can be more accurate. The reason a 12 is always better is that you get a lot more lead down range. Instead of .75-1 oz of shot, you get 1-1.25 oz.

There are 25 'birds' in a standard round. You usually shoot 4 rounds per match for a total of 100. A good average is anything above 90. I shot with some guys that would go 2 or 3 hundred without missing. My best was 98 (25-24-24-25) but I'd average over 95. Trap is much easier than skeet because you don't move much in trap. Once you have the muscle memory down, it is really just a mind game. Bustin' clay is always a great way to blow off some steam.

Well, the thing is I'm going into the police academy this summer, and the department I am planning on going to work for issues the Glock 21, so that is what I have to qualify with. Figured it would be good to go through the training with the same gun I have to qualify with.

I wasn't a fan of Glocks, but after buying this G21 my opinion of them has changed alot. It's a very solid gun that is extremely accurate.

As far as the Springfield XD, I shot one before I bought my Glock. It's a nice gun, and I like the trigger better than my Glock, but the Glock fit my hand alot better and was seemed to be more accurate than the Springfield. Also, I thought the XD was pretty ugly as well.

Once I'm done with the academy and hired with the Sheriffs Dept, I plan on carrying a Sig Sauer P220 (45 ACP) or P226 chambered for the .357 SIG round.

I shoot a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 and I love it. The XD is very nice and if I ever get a .40 that'll be it. The only foreign handgun I'd own (beretta, HK, Glock, etc) would be a Sig. Very nice though you pay for it.

I'm too the point where the only 1911 I'd consider buying is a Para Ordinance. They're high capacity (14+1 rounds of 45ACP), better quality than Kimber and very reasonably priced.

The basic model Colt and Springfield 1911s are very nice, accurate, reliable guns, but for less than $300 more you can get the aforementioned Para Ordinance 1911.

http://www.paraord.com/images/pixel.gif

Ahh working for the Sheriffs Dept will be priceless - I envy the opportunity to have a trunk lined with all kinds of fun. The Sig is the favorite down here in our local club but they all hate the new guys with the new Springfields - I just can't line anything up with the Glock sites. GL and keep us informed. What's a qualifying score?

Yeah, we are one of the lucky departments that get to carry AR-15 assault rifles locked in our trunks, plus our sidearm and Remington shotgun.

As far as the qualifying goes, I am not yet sure how they do the scoring. I have a friend who used to work for the Sheriffs and when he comes back to town, he's going to help me go through a practice regime much like the shooting qualifications the Sheriffs use.

I absolutely love the Springfield 1911. I have 2 1911's, Beretta .40 PX Storm, Beretta CZ75, 3 Springfield XD's (.45, .40 and 9mm) and I always wait till the very end to pull out the 1911 - it just makes me feel perfect.

Heres my dream - for Christmas maybe after I quit spending all my cash on Broncos games:

http://www.pearcegrip.com/images/pmg1911.gif

My 1911-A1 is the full sized stainless w/ rosewood grips and Novak sights.

410? Hand the girfriend a 12 gauge and take cover.

I'm on an industrial trap and skeet team. The best gun to shoot with is one you are comfortable with. I currently use a plain Mossberg pump. I would love to have an over/under, but too pricey for me. There are several people that shoot with 20 gauges.

I'm decent at trap, but skeet is horrible.

1911 maybe the best pistol ever. JMO though.
AR-15 is nice. we recently got the Mk18s(basically a short barrelled M4) but it is a nice assault rifle. aim point, rail system, etc. perfect for shipboard use.
cant beat the consistency of the old M14 though.
as far as skeet goes. we USED to do alot of it off the ship(ORM prevents that now) and I always favored the 870. We had the 1100 express' and they were nice, but it seemed like after about 20-30 rounds theyd start to jam. hell, wed use the riot shotguns with leftover 00 buck. practically have to shoot it on the tray with that thing. that'd make you sore for a day or 2.

All these replies and no practical advice?

Wait until the target reaches its apex - it will give the appearance of hanging in mid-air for just an instant - that's when you need to fire. Make sure you aim just below the target. This will give you the greatest possibility of success.

Have fun, Montana. Don't Cheney anybody in the side of the head.

:)

And don't go up on that tower in Austin Texas.

yeah and dont forget to breathe.

Model 1912 Winchester 12

It's also very important to keep your sight picture. Don't lift your head from the gun until you see the bird break over the top of the barrel. Most people's greatest problems (once they get the timing down) is shooting and lifting their head up too soon, somewhat similar to jerking the trigger on a rifle.