The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: General Handgun Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 24, 2014, 09:38 PM   #26
jimbob86
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 4, 2007
Location: All the way to NEBRASKA
Posts: 8,722
Quote:
Weren’t you taking a risk letting other people use your handguns? You could lose your pistol permit and having the others be arrested for felony position of a handgun? Aiding and abetting in the commission of a felony is also a felony. New York is a no fun state.
DavidAGO is from Arkansas ..... what does whatever goofy law is in force in New York have to do with him?

Do you actually believe that it's a felony for a New Yorker to leave New York and shoot a gun in, say, Arkansas?
jimbob86 is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 09:48 AM   #27
aarondhgraham
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 1, 2009
Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma
Posts: 8,638
Wow!,,, What a morning.

First off let me say that all went very well,,,
Everyone got to fire several different handguns,,,
And there were no accidental discharges or safety concerns.

There were however 3 times the amount of people I expected.

My friend, who asked me to do this in the first place,,,
Well, let's just say there was a slight communication breakdown.

I thought the group was to be four adults,,,
It turns out they actually meant four adults and their adult children.

So I show up at our arranged meeting place,,,
To find eleven smiling faces all eager to shoot something.

I had changed the gun list a little bit,,,
  • 2 Ruger 22/45 pistols,
  • CZ-75B in .22 and 9mm,
  • Bersa Thunder in .22 and .380,
  • S&W models 34, 15, 18, and 629.

Since these good folk are all French Canadians,,,
I decided to do an homage to their heritage,,,
I brought out the 1892 8mm Lebel revolver.

That was a particular hit with one of the older ladies,,,
She remembers shooting her grandfathers Lebel as a child.

We went to the part of the range reserved for SASS shooters,,,
There were trees for shade and a 3' by 6' table at the line.

I laid all of the guns out and had all of the magazines pre-loaded,,,
Then I handed out the safety cards and went over the rules,,,
The seven unexpected guests were all in their 20's,,,
And I must say they were very attentive.

I had two shooters going at any given time,,,
I let them choose what they wanted to try out.

As I got one going I left them in the hands of my friend,,,
Then I went to the other end and started another,,,
Then the first went to the shade and waited,,,
It was a nice assembly line type of thing.

Man was it hot out there,,,
It hit 100 by eleven o:clock,,,
The danged humidity was high as well.

The Rugers, CZ's, the Lebel, and the 629 got most of the use,,,
Although all of the handguns got some bit of workout,,,
I was loading 10 in the 22's and 5 in the semi's.

After about 90 minutes of furious helping and loading of mags,,,
The older folk retired to the shade and left it to their kids,,,
Two of the girls got into a serious duel with the Rugers,,,
And the guys got to do 9mm 16 round mag-dumps.

One lady was a very tiny little thing,,,
She took to the Bersa Thunder 22 very quickly,,,
By the end of the day she was cutting a hole in the bullseye at 15 yards.

The matron of the group was in her early 60's,,,
She was the first to ask to try shooting the .44 Magnum,,,
I only loaded one round at a time but she had no problem handling it.

At any given moment there were 2-3 cell phone videos being made.

All in all we were on the line for about 3 to 3.5 hours,,,
My thumbs are sore for loading so many rounds of ammo.

I gotta get an Uplulu for the 9mm mags.

I bought those large (18") Shoot-N-See targets,,,
They worked well as people could see where they hit,,,
I also taped some clay pigeons to a large cardboard sheet,,,
The two dueling girls made good use of that shooting the Rugers.

My friend had already said she and her boyfriend would front the ammo costs,,,
But the Canadian gentleman who was in charge of the group said no,,,
He asked me how much ammo money we had gone through,,,
I did an accurate estimate and gave him the total.

If the size of the grins was any indication,,,
Everyone had a great time.

We parted amid lots of hugs and handshaking,,,
The last thing the patriarch did was hand me an envelope.

It contained exactly twice the amount I had quoted him,,,
I was told in no uncertain terms to accept it,,,
So I thanked him and did just that.

It was hectic, frantic, and involved a lot of quick improvisation,,,
But everything went off without a hitch,,,
And everyone had fun.

By the way,,,
the tiny blonde was Joannie Rochette.

I can't believe I introduced a Canadian Olympian to handgun shooting.

What a day,,,
I'm glad it's over,,,
But I had an absolute blast!

Aarond

.
__________________
Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat.
Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once.
Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it?
Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)
aarondhgraham is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 09:58 AM   #28
Magnum Wheel Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 26, 2006
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 9,333
Awesome job... & great write up...

BTW... did you get her autograph ???
__________________
In life you either make dust or eat dust...
Magnum Wheel Man is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 10:03 AM   #29
aarondhgraham
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 1, 2009
Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma
Posts: 8,638
No autograph, dangit!

Quote:
BTW... did you get her autograph ???
I was going to,,,
But in the excitement,,,
It completely slipped my mind.

Aarond

.
__________________
Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat.
Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once.
Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it?
Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)
aarondhgraham is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 10:14 AM   #30
Magnum Wheel Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 26, 2006
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 9,333
maybe your friend that hooked you guys up, could get a request through, & you could get something to remember the occasion... though I'm sure you'll never forget
__________________
In life you either make dust or eat dust...
Magnum Wheel Man is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 10:14 AM   #31
2damnold4this
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 12, 2009
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 2,525
Great job! Sir,you are a fine ambassador for the shooting sports.
2damnold4this is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 05:21 PM   #32
Hurryin' Hoosier
Member
 
Join Date: March 1, 2012
Location: Columbus, Indiana
Posts: 98
Weren't you going to say any more about the Lebel?
Hurryin' Hoosier is offline  
Old August 25, 2014, 06:34 PM   #33
Shotgun Slim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 9, 2014
Location: Va
Posts: 291
Thank you for doing that.
Shotgun Slim is offline  
Old August 26, 2014, 08:05 AM   #34
aarondhgraham
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 1, 2009
Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma
Posts: 8,638
About the Lebel,,,

Quote:
Weren't you going to say any more about the Lebel?
Why should I?

You and the person from the other forum,,,
Seem to be the ones who have a problem with it.

It was a gesture that was well received by my Canadian friends.

If that somehow bothers you,,,
In all honestly, I could not care less.

Aarond

.
__________________
Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat.
Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once.
Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it?
Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)
aarondhgraham is offline  
Old August 26, 2014, 11:58 AM   #35
kilimanjaro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 23, 2009
Posts: 3,963
You did good.
kilimanjaro is offline  
Old August 26, 2014, 02:12 PM   #36
Sevens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 28, 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 11,753
Aarond, so many of your tales are fantastic to read, this one must be right near the very top!

Personally, I think that is just too many people to corral in one group, but you did have an assistant and it definitely sounds like you had a fine group of people to work with and THEY had one heckuva leader running the show. Truly, that makes all the difference in the world.

I have done sessions like these also, I find that it works better for me to keep a group sitting together while I work, hands-on with the subject shooter. Of course, many of my experiences have been with kids between 8 and 14 or so years old. Typically, when it's an adult, I'm working with a single one.

I also like to have a sit-down session well before, and NOT on the range. We use that time to do the safety stuff and also to have a conversation about the different guns, which parts move (and can slap/cup fingers/hands) or which areas BLAST (flash gap on revolver cylinders) and I very much prefer to do that somewhere that does not have any gunfire constantly popping off, which can make it extremely difficult to communicate.

Lastly, I much prefer to do the shooting outdoors as you did. Indoor ranges, IMO, are a slightly advanced platform. Noise level is radically increased, as is the blast from each & every shot in the room, and then when someone brings in some kind of a big bore, it gets even worse. I find an indoor range to be just too much for most brand-new shooters. Also, just not much space to work with almost all of the time and you really can't vary the targets a whole lot, either.

Phenomenal story and what an accomplished young lady mixed in with the group. It's no shock whatsoever that someone of that stature can take instruction well.

Aarond does it once again!
__________________
Attention Brass rats and other reloaders: I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.
Sevens is offline  
Old August 26, 2014, 07:41 PM   #37
pathdoc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 12, 2013
Posts: 669
Canadians, like Australians, are often not shy around guns. It's quite often ducks to water territory if they don't already own one.
pathdoc is offline  
Old August 27, 2014, 07:43 PM   #38
X_shooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 14, 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 274
You were brave to take on such a large group. Awesome job.
__________________
X_shooter
X_shooter is offline  
Old August 27, 2014, 08:15 PM   #39
Nick_C_S
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,510
Excellent read. Good job promoting the shooting sports. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.

I'd clean a gun or two for you, if I were local.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself.
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Nick_C_S is offline  
Old August 28, 2014, 02:52 PM   #40
Armybrat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 10, 2009
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Posts: 975
Very impressive, and a great job by a thoughtful host & goodwill ambassador!

When a Brit friend visited here in Texas for the first time several years ago, his prime request was to go to the range. So I took my S&W M29, a Springfield Armory 1911, a Ruger SP101 (.357), and a Colt New Frontier .22 SA.

Being a veteran of the Falklands War, he was well acquainted
with firearms and needed little instruction.

After 6 rounds of the .44 Magnum, he said, "Enough of thet one".

His favorite was the 1911.
Armybrat is offline  
Old August 28, 2014, 05:11 PM   #41
Nick_C_S
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,510
Quote:
His favorite was the 1911.
No surprise there.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself.
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Nick_C_S is offline  
Old August 28, 2014, 06:20 PM   #42
Mastrogiacomo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 10, 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,297
Wow...just found the post, best news I've heard all week! Canadians enjoying guns...who'd have thunk it?

Laura
__________________
"Luctor et Emergo" - Struggle and Emerge
Mastrogiacomo is offline  
Old August 28, 2014, 08:55 PM   #43
rightside
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 4, 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 419
Aarond,
I wish I knew you. I live in the city and I'm a certified RSO. It would certainly have been my pleasure to assist you, although it appears you needed none! Well none from a fellow Okie and PM me if I can ever be of service . I get up to Stillwater fairly regularly. Bob

Last edited by rightside; August 28, 2014 at 09:55 PM. Reason: sp
rightside is offline  
Old August 29, 2014, 09:35 AM   #44
aarondhgraham
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 1, 2009
Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma
Posts: 8,638
Thanks for all your kind words gentlemen,,,

Thanks for all your kind words gentlemen,,,
I appreciate your good thoughts.

This is how I try and counter the anti-gun folk,,,
I don't argue with them or engage them,,,
They are too entrenched in their ways.

But I take every opportunity I can,,,
To introduce new people to the sport of shooting.

I firmly believe that's the only way to keep our 2A freedoms.

So find a fence-sitter or a newbie,,,
And take them plinking.

It's one of the more satisfying things to do with your guns.

Aarond

.
__________________
Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat.
Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once.
Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it?
Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)
aarondhgraham is offline  
Old August 29, 2014, 03:41 PM   #45
TailGator
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 8, 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,786
Quote:
This is how I try and counter the anti-gun folk,,,
I don't argue with them or engage them,,,
They are too entrenched in their ways.

But I take every opportunity I can,,,
To introduce new people to the sport of shooting.

I firmly believe that's the only way to keep our 2A freedoms.

So find a fence-sitter or a newbie,,,
And take them plinking.

It's one of the more satisfying things to do with your guns.
I agree entirely, and I think it is one of the most effective tools that we have. I wish I could say that I do it as much as you, but the times I have followed your august example were quite satisfying and enjoyable.
TailGator is offline  
Old August 29, 2014, 11:53 PM   #46
RodTheWrench
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 24, 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 365
Excellent AaronD! One helluva great way to teach and have a lot of fun showing others our sport! I've been in (smaller) similar situations where a "couple friends" wanted to try out guns and several more showed up than anticipated - too bad I didn't see this thread BEFORE you went. BUT it looks like you pulled it off with skill and aplomb - BRAVO Sir!

And I'll be the first to guess: They shot about $300 in ammo.
__________________
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo
RodTheWrench is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.10054 seconds with 8 queries