Guns (no politics)

[dashDustin]

I was recently gifted a Glock G23 (.40 S&W) with a 2nd .357 S&W barrel.

I had never shot a pistol before. Wife's had a G37, and to be honest, it made me uncomfortable. Something triggered an interest back around November, late October ish. Mentioned it to wifey's parents and come Christmas time, they hand me a Glock. Her dad is big into guns, actually gave her the G37 (.45 GAP). As I said, I was too comfy at that time.

Before doing anything, I learned to field strip it. And a few days later I got a lesson. Like I said, I had never shot a pistol before and it had been 20yrs since shooting a rifle. I didn't want to make a mistake. The lesson was good, and I feel it made a substantial impact on my confidence.

I gotta say...I've become slightly obsessed with it. I've shot every weekend. The mechanics of the gun fascinate me. Very simple, yet powerful machines. Cleaning mine is relaxing. Like cleaning a bike. One of these days I'm going to sit down and learn how to completely disassemble it. I do intend to get my CCL, and have been dialing in my accuracy, as I'd like to maybe get into the sport.

As it turns out, they aren't as bad as I thought they were, provided knowledge and proper instruction.

[maunahaole]

I enjoy shooting guns. It's fun. That said, I hate going to the range, as I really don't like being around gun people.

[EricKeller]

I will never willingly go to a range again. I've had a loaded gun pointed at my head twice at military ranges. And from what I've heard, civilian ranges are much less disciplined. At least at a military range, you know someone is watching and worrying about your safety. We just had a negligent discharge at a local range, 13 y.o. kid will never see again. Last time I felt comfortable at a range was with the boy scouts, the range discipline was a thing of beauty.

When the Air Force got 9mm, I thought about buying one. It's a really beautiful thing. But with my ability to aim, a shotgun would be more useful.

[dashDustin]

The range I go to here is quite strict. And they have no problem kicking you out and saying don't come back. Co-worker was asked to leave for approaching his bench (3x) during cease fires. I believe that deters a lot of folks, as all the reviews on Yelp and Google say "too strict". I feel safe there. The one thing that really bugs me and hurts my focus is someone taking pictures.

I'm thinking about piecing together a 9mm...making a project out of it.

[dashDustin]

I was recently gifted a Glock G23 (.40 S&W) with a 2nd .357 SIG barrel.
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Fixed

[Scott G.]

Cyclist to Gun conversion guide

Ed Brown = Richard Sachs
Track of the Wolf/Mountain Men re-enactor = Compass Bicycles/Jan Heine
1911 = Steel is real
John Moses Browning = Tulio Campagnolo
Glock = BMC
Kimber = Vanilla
Dillon Precision = Tubular user
IPSC = Tri Geek
Tweed Ride = Single Action Shooting Society
Velominati Rules = Jeff Cooper Commentaries, rules

[Too Tall]

Good for you Dustin. I've always treated it as a sport. I was raised by liberal quasi-hippy parents who would not allow a gun in the house. However, they were all for me belong ing to a shooting club starting in Jr. HS. Currently, I belong to a range a few miles from my house that is terrific BECAUSE the local law enforcement uses it as their qualifying range. Consequently, the range is run like a well oiled clock. Public ranges, I'd never do it man. I never want to be around "gun enthusiasts" ever ever ever.

[dashDustin]

Glock = BMC

almost thing that's being a bit generous. i was thinking about this the other day...i compared my Glock to a CAAD9 4...I think. The US-made CAAD with a threaded bottom bracket and 105. Nothing sexy about it, but gets the job done.

[Saab2000]

The only time I have ever discharged a gun was at the Acorn Inn in Nellysford, VA. TooTall was there to witness the event!

For any wondering, it was safe and the gun owner next to me providing instruction and checked that the chamber was empty when he went to check the target which was in a field away from buildings.

[Corso]

The only ranges I go to are with my father & brother. They belong to multiple ranges, and know when to go when we end up being the only ones there. We trust each other.

When others start showing up, that’s when we typically pack up and leave. You can’t assume everyone with a gun has the same respect for safety as you do.

My dad was on a military competitive marksmanship team (sorry I don’t recall the proper term) when he was stationed in Germany. I’ve had good instruction.

On the other hand...My brother-in-law has lot’s of guns, grew up for the better part of his life in a rural northeastern state. I’ve seen him and his teenage son target shoot on rural family properly. They are “safe enough--“, but not enough where I feel 100% safe around them, I barely hang with them, and I NEVER let my kids near them when they are target shooting.

You have to trust your gut when it comes to people & guns.

[Too Tall]

Jimbo, you were in the presence of greatness. Randy, rest in peace, would not even allow so much as a open beer within sight of the shooting. I only allowed .22 and Randy insisted on single shot eg "one and done" for the new shooters. You did good but a certain woman put us all to shame.
FWIIW that particular .22 we were shooting was used in past Olympics biathlon....pretty cool.

[dually]

Army Marksmanship competitions were some of the best times of my life! That is where I fell in love with shooting pistols.

Jake Aisenbrey - Jake Aisenbrey posted a video to his... | Facebook

[jclay]

When others start showing up, that’s when we typically pack up and leave. You can’t assume everyone with a gun has the same respect for safety as you do. You have to trust your gut when it comes to people & guns.

Actually you can safely assume that others will not only lack adequate safety knowledge, behaviour and range discipline but that somebody will arrive that acts a bit psychopathic and doesn't mind pointing a muzzle at you when you aren't looking. If, when at an uncontrolled range, your gut doesn't tell you to leave, trust mine; it does, loud, clear and immediately. Better still, don't visit uncontrolled or poorly controlled ranges.

And as to that new .40 S&W (or whatever), give some thought as to which neighbour’s house the slugs might enter if ever you, in the astronomically unlikely event you were able to do so, needed and managed to bring it to bear on an intruder. Few people who own firearms for home defense adopt living and operational protocols that would make them come out on top, or even be able to respond at all, in the event of the sudden arrival of an armed intruder. If that's the underlying reason for the sidearms it's worth giving it, and the cartridge choice (so it doesn't go through too many walls), some serious thought. A stronger door would be a better bet. And it's not political, it's statistical reality and worth a lot of thought.

[dogrange]

The only ranges I go to are with my father & brother. They belong to multiple ranges, and know when to go when we end up being the only ones there. We trust each other.

. . .

On the other hand...My brother-in-law has lot’s of guns, grew up for the better part of his life in a rural northeastern state. I’ve seen him and his teenage son target shoot on rural family properly. They are “safe enough--“, but not enough where I feel 100% safe around them, I barely hang with them, and I NEVER let my kids near them when they are target shooting.

May be OT, but I have been wondering . . . I'm a little in this latter category (grew up in Western state where we shot a fair amount outdoors with OK, but not state of the art, safety practices) - I haven't shot in years but wouldn't mid getting back into it a little. Now that I live in a major metro as an adult, how would I go about identifying a range & instructors in my area that are better as opposed to worse? Any advice welcome.