Guns (no politics)

[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.

[AngryScientist]

clay bird shooting is where it's at. lots of fun to be had.

[Too Tall]

clay bird shooting is where it's at. lots of fun to be had.

I've never done that or bird hunting and would LOVE to have the opportunity.

[Markco]

The Las Vegas SHOT Show is a life list item. Philly Bike Show to the Nth power. Never seen anything quite like it for better or worse.

[Chad]

I've never done that or bird hunting and would LOVE to have the opportunity.

Standing invite Toots, if you're ever in Nebraska during waterfowl season, look me up. I'd love to put you on some birds.

I love the waterfowl, my 12 year old has been hunting with us for a while now I have determined that a duck blind is not the best place to learn to shoot. So this year he went out for the middle school trap team. So far it's been quite fun. Kids learn better from others, ATMO, his trap coaches are a husband and wife that do an excellent job. I kind of have the bug. Thinking about joining the Ikes where they practice.

Sporting clays, now that's the ticket, probably the most fun you can have with a shot gun and clay targets.

[Peter Polack]

clay bird shooting is where it's at. lots of fun to be had.

Skeet murderer!

[Gern]

I too like the mechanical aspect of guns and shooting. In truth, I find it quite relaxing, as the mechanics of body position, breathing, grip, sight picture and trigger control all have significant inputs on accuracy. That said, I do not hang out with overt "gun people." It is more of a grey man, concealed carry versus open carry mentality for me. I also have nothing to prove. Guns do not represent anything oedipal to me. They are tools -- nothing more than that.

I shoot Glocks quite well, but that did not come overnight. A good 1911 will have the best trigger break and reset you are likely to experience but with the cost of greater mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements (magazine capacity and recoil are issues for some as well, although I would like to try an STI 2011). Use a full-frame pistol if you just want to shoot at the range -- comparatively less recoil and longer sight radius. Compact pistols will magnify any deficiencies in technique. If you will carry, though, practice is key. Hot loads out of a compact polymer gun like a G26 or G30 are very well managed with correct technique. Spend some money for a quality holster and belt.

IMO, rifles are much easier to manipulate and achieve reasonable accuracy for novice shooters. As has been mentioned, a good .22 is a good start. Shotguns are a little more difficult, mainly because of recoil, but they are fun.

Look for a range with posted rules and intrusive range masters. It keeps the knuckleheads under control.

[Saab2000]

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 got an e-mail the other day informing me of his passing. I was saddened greatly. I definitely enjoyed his presence and expertise and sense of humor on our France trip and the days I was able to join up in Nellysford.

He will be missed.

[spopepro]

I love my pistols, but have a hard time with Glocks. The worst pistol I ever fired was a borrowed sub compact Glock (I don't memorize models... don't remember which number they give this) chambered in .40 S+W. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Between the super heavy "the safety is the trigger" trigger pulls, the extra lightweight composite frames making recoil kick unbearable, and the general ergonomics, I don't know how anyone hits *anything* that they are aiming at. I mean, they are great to carry (light), indestructible, and inexpensive, but actually firing the thing is painful atmo.

It should be no surprise that I favor the old school, big steel options like my 1911, cz75, and .357 revolver.

[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.

[monadnocky]

You manly men can pop off your 357's and 45's all day long. Every time I feed this thing box after box of .22's I'm reminded how much fun it is, even when I bring the CZ75 and the (Ruger) GP100 38/357 pistol...

678gc_00.jpg

[spopepro]

You manly men can pop off your 357's and 45's all day long. Every time I feed this thing box after box of .22's I'm reminded how much fun it is, even when I bring the CZ75 and the 38/357 pistol...

678gc_00.jpg

It is probably worth noting that there have likely been at least 4x as many rounds through my .22 conversion upper than the standard .45acp one on my 1911. .22 is great, and makes it more affordable to shoot often. Also my wife adores her mark2 (but has the standard barrel).

[znfdl]

I am looking forward to having the time to spend at a shooting range.....

[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.