Friday, I went to the range with SarahK to teach her how to shoot. Since most of the range time was instructional, any bad shots you see on my targets were just to give SarahK examples of how not to shoot.
At the range were two other people shooting. It looked like a father and his twelve year old son, but it ended up they were sheriffs, the older teaching the younger quick reloads. This involved lots of rapid firing which made SarahK scared. Thus, I patted her on the head and said, “There there.”
When I remarked how young one of the sheriffs looked – using a phrase like, “There better not be a crime at a night club, because I don’t think he’s old enough to go in.” – the older sheriff told me that the average age for a sheriff in my area was 23 for the night shift.
Those wacky, law-enforcing kids.
Anyway, on to shooting.
It seemed like a good idea to start out with my Browning .22 target pistol, so I showed SarahK the basics of shooting.
Me Shooting the .22
My Target After 2 10rd Magazines
Now SarahK tried out shooting.
SarahK Figuring Out Which End to Point
Her Target
Notice how she didn’t waste the target like I did and instead put holes all over it.
Next we moved up to the Walther P99 .380 long (9mm for you Euro-weenies). I tried out a 16rd magazine, and got them almost all in the black.
Eat Your Heart Out, Bond
When SarahK tried it, there were some feeding problems where the bullet wasn’t getting struck by the firing pin. The sheriff recommended I clean it and grease the rails before trying again (I hadn’t fired this particular gun in a while). Sorry, SarahK (she really liked the look of the P99). When the sheriff saw my 16rd magazine, I told him out it was illegally shipped from Turkey before the AWB expired and to just keep that between him and me (no reason to get the law involved).
Onto my 1911s. For those new here, I have my Colt 1991 (old faithful), a Colt Mk IV Series 80 with adjustable sights, and a Springfield stainless steel Mil-Spec.
First I took out my Colt 1991 with Wilson Combat 8rd magazines and showed SarahK how it is done… sorta.
My Target
SarahK then tried out the .45s, starting with the 1991 and then moving to the Springfield which she thought was pretty looking. I put a sticker up the sheriff gave me to help highlight where she hit.
SarahK’s Target
I then tried the Springfield one-handed and tried the Mk IV with two hands (I’m still not sure I set the sights right).
My Target
SarahK then tried out the fancy Colt Mk IV again.
She’s so pretty… and SarahK Isn’t Bad Either
Her Target
Next was time for some dual-.45 fun. I set up two new targets and took my Colt 1991 and my Springfield (they’re pretty much symmetrical except that the Springfield is stainless steel).
Prepared for Action
Pow Pow Pow
Well, I landed six of the eight bullets on the left target, but only two on the right target even though I’m right-handed. The guy at the range, who apparently had seen people trying that before, wasn’t surprised. He said the reason was I was so focused on my off-hand that I neglected the other. Well, I’ll need more practice firing two guns standing still before I practice firing them while diving for cover.
I let SarahK put some more holes in the target I put only two bullets through using my 1991 which she thought fired the best out of the tree.
Her Results
I then took out my peacemaker and loaded it with some surprisingly expensive .45 Colt rounds. I had trouble with the gun before, so I tried to compensate for the sights. I fired at the target I had put six bullets through, but, after four shots, I hit the hanger. D’oh!
The Target
Notice the bullets at the top creeping upwards until they hit the metal clip.
I decided to let that gun be for now and took out my Colt Anaconda (.44 Magnum, baby!). The sheriff wondered why I would need a gun like that. I told him it was big and cool so I liked it. Also, what if I ran into a bear or an alligator? He admitted that if you shot an alligator with a 9mm, it would just look at you funny. Anyway, my dad had gotten a great deal on the gun ($350!). The sheriff then related how, when he was twenty, he went to buy a 1911 from a widow. It was an unused one meant for her husband who never shipped out during WWII. She then asked if $50 was too much for it. The sheriff said he replied, “No, that’s… not too much,” while knowing full well he was going to hell.
Anyhoo, look at my target after putting a dozen .44 rounds in it. Nothing but black.
My Target
It’s like it homes in on the target– except when SarahK uses it. At least she’s cute trying to hold up that heavy gun.
SarahK Holding My Anaconda
Her Target
Finally, it was time to try out my carry gun, my Kel-Tec .380.
SarahK Looking Cute
Now She Concentrates on the Target
We both used the same target (my shots are the ones nearest the center).
The Target
SarahK did very good for a beginner, and really enjoyed herself.
Isn’t She Precious?
Can’t wait to go shooting with her again.
UPDATE: Here is SarahK’s version… including a comic!
first?
That was her first time shooting?
Not bad, not bad at all.
Frank? No samuri sword?
Sarah: Chief Mac said (wise old Navy Chief with time hauling SEALS around): 50 rounds down range a day….if you want to be good
I shot a rifle for the first time a couple of months back. Not sure of the name, but it had two pegs that fold out at the end of the barrel to rest it on something and it had a scope. I decided to put my face about a quarter of an inch from from the end of the scope before taking my first shot. Now I have a kickass scar over my right eyebrow. It itches when I’m near evil wizards or terrorists.
Cool, except you lose style points for not holding the dualies “gansta-style” sideways 😛
Frank,
It looks like you’re ‘pressing’ with the .45s. I do the same thing sometimes. Like my Navy shooting team buddy always says, “Let the shot come to you.”
As far as the lovely and talented SarahK, ensure that she’s using her dominent eye. To do this make an ‘O’ with both of your hands then line up a circular object in the distance so that while both eyes are open the object is clearly seen. Now, keeping your hands and arms still, close one eye and then the other. When you can see the object clearly through the ‘O’ that will be your dominent eye.
Cheers! And good shooting!
this story is only mostly true! you can read the real story over at mountaineer musings.
i can’t wait to go shooting with you again either, sweetness. that was a most fun day, and you were a nice, patient teacher. 🙂 except when you yelled at me all those times. 😉
el jefe, i use both eyes.
el jefe,
Pressing?
Frank, old top, I’m jealous. Now I’ll have to get Mrs. Exile to go shootin w/me. Course, I’ll have to buy a gun first. (The only weapons I’ve ever needed before have been my intellect and my hippy stranglin’ grip).
Any suggestions for beginners would be welcome.
Regards
Frank,
I’m surprised that Sarah did as well as she did! Didn’t you notice while taking her picture that the back of her head was being attached by a crab?
“No, that’s… not too much,” while knowing full well he was going to hell.
Been there.. 🙂
Great report. Very good shooting, SarahK!
Well, I’m impressed. Although the caption “Now She Concentrates on the Target” should have gone with the picture of her looking at you!
true dat, jonag. i think i’ve snagged the target of which you speak. how else can we explain him using words such as “cute” and “precious” in a public forum such as IMAO? :^O
Whereas Frank is going to hell for the caption; “Sarah K. Holding Frank’s Anaconda”
You shouldn’t tease your sweetie. Especially after you teach her how to use firearms.
This is so fun reading the adventures of Frank J and SarahK! You two have inspired me to learn my own shooting instead of letting my dh be the whole expert in that area for our family. I get my very own first gun for our anniversary this year! And I get to learn shooting!! I can’t wait!
I was thinking the same thing Greg.
Frank maybe you could change that?
Ah, yes, sweethearts at the range! Shooting together is surprisingly romantic. This probably explains why liberals have so few children.
Frank, you didn’t really mean that you had a problem with the firing pin hitting the bullet, did you? Say it isn’t so or at least provide specs – that would be one unusual gun.
“…there were some feeding problems where the bullet wasn’t getting struck by the firing pin.”
Well derrrr, no wonder you were having feeding problems ya great monkey! If you were trying to get the firing pin to strike the bullet you were putting the ammunition in backwards. Try orienting the rounds so the firing pin will hit the primer. Then things should work a little better. Or at least go BANG! Whether it is a healthy BANG! or not is another question.
Nice results! Makes me want to return to the range as well. Kudos, SarahK! Far better control than was depicted in the cartoon.
So was this the Sheriff Torpy you voted for? He sounds cool. The sheriff’s here in CA would have confiscated most of what you were using.
Oh and SarahK is pritty cool too! Glad you are teaching her usefull stuff.
i am not familiar with the term pressing, but my defensive pistol instructor spent alot of time breaking me of my thumb crossing. it improved my shooting ten fold. I noticed both of you crossing your thumbs. Not to make any accusations, but if that is how you shoot every time, it could acount for some looseness of grip, and innacuracy. Better to have both thumbs stacked on the frame. Food for thought.
Adam
yeah…and by the way….not for your life would i open a picture entitled, sarah k holding your anaconda. 🙁
adam
Good times…
Hey, you two should go shoot rifles next time. The day after you guy went shooting, my grandpa and I helped one of his friend’s sons to sight in a left handed bolt-action rifle. I favor the “Jackson” (Barry Pepper) left-hand sniper action myself… Or I would if I were left handed…
… Frank, you lucky bastard…
This doesn’t match the cartoon you did yesterday.
Where’s the hat?
Where’s the bow?
How are we supposed to tell you two apart?
Frank, you are a dork…
But you write well.
In the “Isn’t She Precious” shot, I was straining to see a gleam of light from her [ahem] ring finger, but I failed to see one.
What’s the deal?
SarahK,
Try using your dominant eye.
Frank,
Pressing as in pushing the gun forward in anticipation of the shot. Like I said, let the shot come to you. Let it surprise you that it went off.
Cheers!
Frank, you’re a lucky man.
Frank Frank Frank…
If you’re going to buy a .44 magnum, you should get a S&W 629 classic. The choice of Dirty Harry wannabes everywhere. It’s looks cooler, too.
So, SarahK, when are you going to get a pistol of your own?
as soon as i can afford it.
Wow…What a smokin’ Hottie! (SaraK you doof, not you! We only see you from the back…She turns and cuts loose with that killer smile…)
Hey what’s with all the “I’m surprised she did so well?” I picked up a gun for the first time in 1998, during my firearms class. I scored a 98% on my final the next day. Sarah – you did great, and Frank… I know you’re going to take her rifle shooting next, right? No depriving her of the joys of a Bushmaster now, hear?
Whereas Frank is going to hell for the caption; “Sarah K. Holding Frank’s Anaconda”
You shouldn’t tease your sweetie. Especially after you teach her how to use firearms.
greg zywicki
&
I was thinking the same thing Greg.
Frank maybe you could change that?
Laura
Holy crap, even I didn’t think of that, and I’ve been in college 5 years! Get your minds out of the gutter!
i thought it.
“Sarah holding my Anaconda” had me thinking a whole different picture was coming up. Thank the gods it was about a gun…
Frank, I was a little worried at first when I saw some of the photographs. It appeared in several of SarahK’s targets that the pattern created by her shooting skewed to the left. I thought that this might be the result of some subconscious lefty dominance that could slowly be taking over her mind.
But then I reconsidered that analysis.
These are bullets and they’re going left — violence directed towards the left. After realizing that I felt much better and very safe. Being naturally on the right, I have nothing to fear from SarahK — even if she accidentally shot in my direction the bullet would fly harmlessly over my right shoulder.
Matt
Great story… Reminds me of some good time in college… (books were not the only thing I studied) Where’s yer Glock?
YOUR SHOT GROUPING (OR HERS) WAS EXCELLENT. REMEBER, SUPERIOR FIRE POWER=PEACE.