Bucketlist item unlocked...I've finally shot a gun.

Way out of my comfort zone, I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

So a coworker said he'd meet me at a range near my house, and bring a few guns. He brought two 9mm pistols, a S&W Chief Special (CS) and a S&W 915 single-action. I tried the CS first, but ended up being WAY more accurate with the 915. He said the single-action and less trigger pressure needed usually helps newer shooters (I think that was his reasoning, or something similar).

My very first shot ever was just barely off dead-center in the X! Ended up being a lucky shot, most of the other's were low-right or missing completely. But when I switched to the 915 I actually did quite well.

Some observations: it was louder than I expected, even with hearing protection. I can't decide if the kick was more or less than I expected (that was my main concern, getting surprised and dropping it or something ridiculous).

I had fun, and my coworker seemed very knowledgeable and made me feel relaxed. The range/shop seemed very clean and professional, and nice employees. (Point Blank in Dayton)

I would do it again, with my friend. I don't think I want to go on my own, even though they offer rentals, and I really have no desire to own one. But with the Mid Ohio track event a few weeks ago, that's two bucketlist items crossed off...

I'm glad you had fun. You might want to visit an outdoor range with skeet and clays. Many rent shotguns and also have specific novice times where you'll be matched up with a coach to help you succeed. This can also be a lot of fun.

I haven't shot in years, but used to enjoy long range shooting.
300-400 yard shots with a .223 across an asparagus field was an enjoyable feeling once dialed in.

I think it's less the sound levels your ears perceive but more of the pressure wave hitting your body that's surprising to non-gun type people.

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

We kept the target at 7 yards. He said most confrontations with a gun would happen within 7 yards or closer. (I was still surprised how many early shots I missed completely)

nderwater wrote:

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

Good thing I worked in the engine room of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier then.

Some of the most fun I've had shooting has been little things like, passing a pellet gun between a bunch of guys trying to hit a can 40 yards away, or shooting down a tree with a .22. We also shot down a widow maker of branch with a shotgun.

Sporting clays are a lot of fun too. You walk through a woods and each take turns at different stations trying to shoot 2 or 3 clay pigeons coming from different directions one after another. It's sometimes compared to as golf with shotguns.

I've been a shooter (rifles, pistols and shotguns) for most of my life but some of the most fun I've ever had with a gun was destroying a bunch of 12yr olds at a kid birthday party until they organized and covered me in welts. If you ever go paintballing - wear something more than a thin t-shirt.

I used too shoot alot but was never a huge fan of handguns. Shooting 75-100 yards with .22lr was what we spent alot of time doing. Most of the group including myself still use our 22's too squirrel hunt but with the cost and how hard it is to find 22 ammo here we try not too waste it.

Skeet shooting can also be a blast, if your friend ever offers you should give it a try!

Jerry wrote:

nderwater wrote:

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

Good thing I worked in the engine room of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier then.

Ever stationed in Idaho falls? One of the larger naval nuke training sites...

In reply to RossD:

We did a lot of that, too. BB guns pumped to the min, and watching it go to a model ship across the lawn.

Fun times.

nderwater wrote:

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

Good job making a man feel bad about his service to our nation. I commend you for your thoughtlessness.

nderwater wrote:

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

I suspect you're confusing infantry with military. They aren't the same. Many in the military have no need for weapon and would not carry one, even if they were in combat.

Even in action (which I've been in), I didn't fire a gun or carry a gun. Nor did almost any of the thousands of sailors with me on my ship, or on the other ships in my battle group. Oh, we fought with the ship, but that's a different thing entirely from shooting a firearm.

So don't make a big deal out of a military member not shooting a firearm. Those that need to be good at it are indeed well drilled and trained in their use.

At some point in my life I want to get into distance shooting. Stuff that is 100+ yards out. I like plinking with my BB gun, but what I want is a challenge. A bench, a good scope, a spotters scope, and a gun with just enough power to make the distance but not break my shoulder.

foxtrapper wrote:

nderwater wrote:

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

I suspect you're confusing infantry with military. They aren't the same. Many in the military have no need for weapon and would not carry one, even if they were in combat. Even in action (which I've been in), I didn't fire a gun or carry a gun. Nor did almost any of the thousands of sailors with me on my ship, or on the other ships in my battle group. Oh, we fought with the ship, but that's a different thing entirely from shooting a firearm. So don't make a big deal out of a military member not shooting a firearm. Those that need to be good at it are indeed well drilled and trained in their use.

One of my favorite WWII veterans spent his stint in the marines as a POW camp guard in Minnesota or North Dakota(can't remeber which one). Sure he carried a gun, never needed it or shot it. Just a cool guy. My grandpa was a radio man.. He had a gun, never fired it, except once when leaning on it when he fell asleep at the radio. He was boarded in a french farm house at the time and the baby upstairs stopped crying immeadiately when the M1 carbine when off. He said he felt horrible the whole night. Thought he killed the baby. First time every firing a gun and it was done by accident and he killed a child. But the next morning the french lady came down and thanked him for scaring the baby to sleep. They said it was their best nights sleep ever... HA!

Sporting clays sounds like fun..

Lately a friend has been taking me to turkey/ham shoots. I hadn't been to one before this year: They're at a local gun club out in the woods (which is three miles away out here), and you set up a line of targets 20 yards away. Everyone uses a shotgun and they walk down the line to give you a shell for that round, aim and fire at the target. Closest hole to dead center wins. It's a combination of luck & skill since you have to at least hit the target, but even if you're dead on center with a shotgun it's still random.

There's 10 rounds, so every round someone gets a ham/turkey/steak/lobster (whatever the prize is).. It's a lot of fun.

In reply to foxtrapper:

Just seems like it should be covered in basic whether you're going engineering, front line infantry, or recon to me, but that's beside the point and the only comment I feel comfortable making on that subject.

I still remember my first shooting experience. I was 3 or 4 years old and me and my dad went out in the back yard with a shotgun he was fixing up for someone at work. Damn 12 gauge was bigger than I was, but I was a big bad ass and (thought) I could shoot it. Knocked me on my ass, gun hit the dirt, and I kinda fell in love from then on. Spent the next 10 years shooting trap and clay pigeons twice a week(with a .410 until I got bigger). A good one was when I was 8 and got to shoot the .357 revolver. Did you know revolvers can fly? particularly out of the hands of an undersized and unprepared child?

Those may sound like "unsafe" stories these days, but a single round in the weapon leads to great learning opportunities and prevents injuries or misfires when you KNOW the weapon will be dropped. A little common sense goes a long way in the way of safety.

I really need to start doing that again, there's a Wednesday night trap/skeet shoot by my house I should really start visiting, and I've got quite an abundance of shotgun shells.

Fun. By local standards, rural, I was a late bloomer at 12. I have still yet to shoot a hand gun.

slefain wrote: At some point in my life I want to get into distance shooting. Stuff that is 100+ yards out. I like plinking with my BB gun, but what I want is a challenge. A bench, a good scope, a spotters scope, and a gun with just enough power to make the distance but not break my shoulder.

Move the target farther out. And use a smaller one.

When you get to distance shooting, you will be really good.

Anything with a shotgun is fun. I do remember the first time I shot a 12ga that the noise/shock was unbelievable. It's so cool. I still have a ring in that ear from shooting clays with no hearing protection (dumb idea.)

In reply to Jerry:

If you are around Columbus and want to try a long gun let me know. There is an ODNR range not far from my house.

Jerry wrote:

nderwater wrote:

Jerry wrote: I had never shot a real gun before. Even with 6 years in the military, with the range closed for some reason during boot camp, and when I tried to get my marksman medal on the ship, no one wanted to get up to be at a range at 6am on a Sunday when we got back to port...

This doesn't instill much confidence in our modern military.

Good thing I worked in the engine room of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier then.

I have it on good authority some things in there don't react too well to bullets.

I'm trying to convince my highly talented musician daughter to join the military and see if she can be part of a military band.

In reply to Datsun310Guy:

A friends dad was in the marine corps band and also ended up on White House honor guard duty. It's a good gig if you can swing it.