I belong to two local gun clubs. The one closest is only about 3 miles away and has an indoor range that is open until 11 p.m. Last night I went for an hour or so and shot my P229 and G27 (Glock); I was the only one there the whole time. I found it very therapeutic and when I got home was very relaxed - more than I've been in a long time. I didn't shoot any better or worse than I normally do, but was struck by the calmness I felt. Reflecting back I think the experience was better because I was able to clear my mind of day's crap. I think being alone helped as well. Anyone else ever had a similar experience?

Yes, I've always felt relaxed following time at the range. I don't know why that is, either, but it's always calming for me.
Maybe it's just because we're doing something we enjoy.

I'm a member of a private club that has a bunch of outdoor bays. My work schedule allows me to go during the week when everybody else is at work, so typically I have the place to myself. I know exactly what you're talking about. Especially on days when I'm in a mood where I can just relax an enjoy the process, with no time constraints and not having to worry about anybody else needing me to do anything, it's incredibly soothing.

The two other things I can compare it to are sitting out in my little boat on the lake on a warm evening fishing (especially before Memorial Day when all the FISHTABS show up and make everything loud and crowded), or taking a nap on the couch with my puppy curled up on my lap. There are some things in life that are just perfect.

Works with horse shoes , bull head fishing , and some people say lawn mowing

quote:

Originally posted by chbibc:
Last night I went for an hour or so and shot my P229 and G27 (Glock); I was the only one there the whole time.

I found it very therapeutic and when I got home was very relaxed -

more than I've been in a long time. I didn't shoot any better or worse than I normally do, but was struck by the calmness I felt.
Reflecting back I think the experience was better because I was able to clear my mind of day's crap. I think being alone helped as well.

Anyone else ever had a similar experience?

YES...it is one of the reasons I have been shooting more lately.

I find that shooting requires not only concentration but requires a calmness to function properly.
You have to mute out distractions but still have an overall awareness.

I also have this similar feeling when golfing especially if I just go practice putting.

Afterwards the benefit is you are still in that mode for a while ... it's great.

quote:

Originally posted by chbibc:

the experience was better because I was able to clear my mind of day's crap. I think being alone helped as well. Anyone else ever had a similar experience?

In the past, I have had similar experiences with activities that I did alone -- activities that required concentration, such as sailing (solo) on Lake Michigan, or flying, or going for a motorcycle ride on back roads. Focusing on the task at hand and getting my mind off problems was great.

I'm not a horse guy, but I bet that some time spent with a horse would work well, too.

I like to call my shooting sessions " group therapy."

I call it range therapy as well. It does produce a calming effect afterwards.

If I go in Sunday, I tell my wife I’m going the the church of the Expended Shell.

Absolutely…I chalk it up to slow, controlled breaths while focusing on posture, sight picture, and trigger squeeze. All of the hamsters usually running in my head take a break, and there is something calming about the smell of burnt powder and dirty suppressors.

Boy howdy,I totally agree. Beginning right after thanksgiving I started shooting precision rimfire rife. My range only goes to 200yds so it works for my purpose.

After my second range trip I noticed that I was relaxed, cheerful when I got home.
The 200 is usually either empty or sparse so I'm basically alone.

I'm lovin' it. Pretty unmacho but I can live with that and I've got about a zillion rounds in the ammo safe for some reason and I'm going to shoot them all.

Yes, life has a way of stacking up on you. Doing something you enjoy or being someplace you can relax and enjoy is essential in my book.

Glad you got that time.