Becoming a better shooter

The first time I shot a gun was with my dad. While on vacation in Florida visiting my grandmother, my dad and I were sent to the store for some grocery or another, but on the way my dad saw a gun range on the side of the road. Without even asking, he pulled into the parking lot, informing me it was time that I learned to shoot.

My dad wasn’t much of a shooter at the time, but he knew his way around a gun. He rented some small stainless steel .22 and we plinked away at this small, dark indoor range. I was shaking the first time I wrapped my hands around the little gun, but I was able to put quite a few rounds on target. Memory of my accuracy may be exaggerated, but I knew this was something I’d enjoy.

Most of my experience the next few years was centered around busting clays at the shotgun range. I’ve become pretty handy with a shotgun, but I’d figure it’s more dumb luck than anything. At 21 I took a CCW class and purchased my first handgun, a Bersa Thunder 380 Plus, the double stacked 15 round version.

Since then, my only classroom instruction has been that single CCW class. I’ve tried to learn how to practice, read articles, searched forums, and watched many videos, but this will be a disciplined, documented attempt to assess my shooting skill and improve.

Areas to improve/things I’d like to do:
-Moving and shooting
-More advanced concealed weapons training (shooting from defensive positions, drawing, using cover, things I don’t know I don’t know)
-Longer range rifle shooting
-Shorter range rifle shooting
-Competition shooting (IDPA, 3 gun, etc.)
-Reloading
-Big Game Hunting
-Force on force training

This list is far from exhaustive. I won’t have the time or money for all of it, but it’s a start. I’ll probably find some of these things interest me more than others, but I can go from here. What am I missing? Is there something you enjoy that I should add? Tweet or comment or whatever.