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!