We've been talking about getting a gun, and our retired police officer friend, Officer C, took us to a shooting range so we could try out a few different weapons and see what we felt comfortable with. My hubby has shot before, but this was a whole new thing for me. I've always been afraid of guns and never pictured myself, until recently, owning one. So it was a great opportunity to get some instruction from a pro and the chance to actually shoot a real gun.
Officer C's wife, Mrs. C, came along and she is a pretty good shot, too. We each had our own target and took turns trying out the different guns. The first gun I tried was a rifle, and actually I think my best shots were with it...guess the scope had something to do with that.
Officer C has quite an arsenal, and we had the opportunity to try out several different types of guns. There was one 22 caliper rifle and the rest were hand guns: Smith and Wesson 9mm; Sigsauer 40 cal and 45 cal; Colt 38 cal; Ruger 22 Cal and a Smith and Wesson 357.
Here I am, first time ever shooting a real firearm.
I did pretty good with the rifle, especially for the first time I've shot a real gun. Here's my target with the bullet holes from the rifle right in the middle.
I did pretty good with the smaller caliper pistols, and the more powerful they got, the less my arthritic right hand could handle the recoil. Here are some photos of the hand guns we used today.
Here's hubby taking a few shots.
Here's Officer C, our instructor.
This is Mrs. C.
We had a terrific time and it was a great experience. I've gotten over my initial fear of having a real gun anywhere near me and am ready to begin deciding which will be a good choice for us.
Here's my final target. Not too bad for the first time!
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I do not own a firearm, but have shot a few times. It is a very empowering experience, and I believe somewhat humbling too. There's a lot of power in your hands at that moment, and a lot of responsibility as well..
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great experience, and what a treat to have someone you trust with so much knowledge to teach you!
Oooo, girl! You are DANGEROUS!!!! LOL!!!! Glad to hear you had a great day. I love the shooting range.
ReplyDeleteHi Sol,
ReplyDeleteIt was a good day. It was a little weird to actually hold and shoot a gun for the first time. I respect the power of the thing and there is much responsibility when handling them. It's also good to have a friend who is well versed in them.
It sure was a lot of fun shooting targets, but I would hope never to have to use one for defense.
Good for you. It's alot more fun than you think it would be isn't it? Plus shooting pistols is not as easy as it seems to be in the movies!
ReplyDeleteI shot rifles when I was a kid but never had a pistol until I got one in 2006. I now have seven pistols and have put over 50,000 rounds downrange through them. I know that sounds like bull but once you get bit by the bug it's very addicting.
RKL
My husband is a retired military guy...military family all around. You go girl.
ReplyDeleteSue (emptynester)
Well done Conservative Lady. I haven't been out shooting for a while. You may have inspired me.
ReplyDelete@ Solomon. You are absolutely correct on the empowering and humbling aspect of firearms. Before my siblings and I could shoot my father's 357, he filled gallon jugs with water and shot them. We gained a totally different respect for the gun after that, and took handling them all the more serious.
I hope the milk bottles are hiding from you!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've learned a lot. I probably won't take up this sport.
good for you, I, too, am about to embark on this and found someone here to do a one day workshop. Never considered my right middle finger full of arthritis though.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I'm happy for you CS. I used to go fairly often with some friends, the ranges are all far away in the suburbs...you know SHITcago....but they moved away and Now I can't anymore.
ReplyDeleteI remember my first time, it was a BLAST! I had so much fun. I had bruised upper shoulder area from the kick on the shotgun. I was a great shot too, and saved my targets....mean looking bad guys, etc.
I bet someone would make alot of money making new targets now a days....hee hee.
Thanks for the memories! Let us know what you end up with, I'm Soooo jealous. Happy weekend.
Opie:
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you enjoy it, too.
RKL:
ReplyDeleteI believe you. It's easy to use up your ammunition when your having fun. It only takes a second to shoot, and if you spend a lot of time doing it, you're bound to eat up the ammo.
Sue:
ReplyDeletePlease tell your hubby I thank him for his service. And thank you, too. Military families are owed a big debt of thanks for their sacrifice and service.
Matt:
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of respect for firearms and now that I have actually handled them, the respect and responsibility (as Sol said) has only grown stronger.
Linda:
ReplyDeleteI think, if I am going to eventually own a gun, I will have to stay in practice using it.
I didn't think I'd ever even try it, so maybe someday you'll try it too.
Rotti:
ReplyDeleteI have osteo-arthritis in both of my thumb joints, and it bothers me in my right hand much more than the left. My right wrist hurts, too.
The rifle was fine, but the bigger the hand gun got, the more powerful the recoil. I found that supporting the butt of the gun with my left hand helped a lot. It's my thumb joint and wrist that hurt. Maybe your middle finger won't be so bad. I'm sure your instructor will have some pointers on the best way to hold the gun to protect your finger.
Have fun.
My husband's been spending more time at the shooting range lately. Having spent a good deal of his childhood on his grandparent's farm, he has experience with firearms. He's been trying to get me to go to the shooting range and learn how to properly handle a gun as well. Based on your experience, I may give it a try after all.
ReplyDeleteHi Bunni:
ReplyDeleteToo bad you can't go shooting anymore. I haven't shot a shotgun, but I've heard that they can knock you on your butt.
You have a great weekend, too.
SHITcago...that's funny.
Hi Chick:
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
Oh, you should at least go with your hubby to the shooting range and give it a try. Our friend says that sometimes the ladies do better because they aren't trying to prove anything...just relax and shoot.
Go for it and let me know how you make out.
Hope you come back and visit again.
Ha ha ha, love the pun--a 'blast' at the firing range. Good for you. In these hard times it is wise to own a firearm. Especially here where I live.
ReplyDeleteBe careful, and stay safe.
UCA:
ReplyDeleteI will be careful. Holding a "real" firearm in my hands brings a whole new meaning to "BE CAREFUL".
You go, girl!! You did awesome!! That sounds pretty neat. It looks like you really enjoyed yourself! I have neither owned a gun or shot a gun before, but now I think it might be a good idea to own a gun and learn how to shoot.
ReplyDeleteTeresa:
ReplyDeleteTry it...it's really fun.
Congratulations on your shooting
ReplyDeleteexperience and hope you persue
it further.
C&L:
ReplyDeleteThank. I sure hope to do it again soon.
Wow! It looks like you had a great time! :D
ReplyDeleteYou should be able to post on my blog again! :D
Hi Again CL: This awesome post got me thinking about my fun days at the range, and I did a post today about guns with a cool vid, and I linked to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all the cool pics & your fun story.
Hi Bunni:
ReplyDeleteThanks...I'm headed your way to check it out.