Unchained Preppers

Off Topic/ B.S. => General Off Topic => Topic started by: Well-Prepared Witch on November 11, 2013, 09:57:21 PM

Title: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: Well-Prepared Witch on November 11, 2013, 09:57:21 PM
Last week we joined our local Izaak Walton League (http://www.iwla.org/) so we could use their ranges.  Tonight we took Mr. WPW's father's .22 (his father traded it to him for another .22) and my .38 S&W out to the range.  I had such a great time!  I've shot guns once before when I took the NRA safety course, but I'd never shot my gun.  I had a lot of fun.  I shot both .38 and .357.  I liked both, but I think in a real-world situation I'd prefer to carry the .38.  It's less wearying to shoot repeatedly.  The .357, though, was much more fun.  Big-bad-a-boom! ;)  I just wanted to share with some people who would understand the fun of shooting.  I won't exactly post this on Facebook, and most people that know me have NO idea that I own my own gun, much less much of the other stuff I'm into like prepping.  So, *bounce*!

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/10811215696_8896053e5a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/108485776@N08/10811215696/)
My target (http://www.flickr.com/photos/108485776@N08/10811215696/#) by wellprepared.witch (http://www.flickr.com/people/108485776@N08/), on Flickr

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/10811214765_ffa7295601.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/108485776@N08/10811214765/)
Me shooting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/108485776@N08/10811214765/#) by wellprepared.witch (http://www.flickr.com/people/108485776@N08/), on Flickr

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/10811219505_c057fa5225.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/108485776@N08/10811219505/)
My brass (http://www.flickr.com/photos/108485776@N08/10811219505/#) by wellprepared.witch (http://www.flickr.com/people/108485776@N08/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: sledge on November 11, 2013, 11:10:20 PM
Well done WPW, you're hooked now!  I agree that you are probably better off with the 38 special, they will do some serious damage.  But those 357 mags are sure fun aren't they?  :)

It really seems strange to see someone in a coat.  Makes me feel guilty for wearing shorts and a tshirt today.   8)
Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: Well-Prepared Witch on November 11, 2013, 11:54:42 PM
Lucky! Cold & windy here! I was glad we were protected from most of it by the range. We cleaned our weapons at home in the comfort of our heated dining room!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: APX808 on November 12, 2013, 08:54:59 AM
Nice Wellie, everyone should practice with their weapons to get to know them well.

In a picture I can see you were cocking the revolver manually, were you using it always in single action?
How do you find the trigger pull in double action?

If you look at the target you'll notice that you shoot to the left, that could be two things.

1 - Usual drift because you can't use your left hand to hold the gun, that is common in revolvers, although a stronger grip will help control that.

2 - You find the trigger pull too hard, and you are doing the pull not perfectly straight back so you end up torquing the gun to the left, that's a common error also when shooting Glocks, that's why I know about it.

To solve that cheaply, you can get a few caps and run dry fire drills to get a stronger finger and a straight pull.
Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: Well-Prepared Witch on November 12, 2013, 09:13:37 AM
APX, thank you for the suggestion!  I like the idea of the dry fire drills.  That's got to help a lot.  I didn't actually try it in double action.  I was so focused on the simple mechanics of cocking and shooting.  Next time we go out to the range I'll give it a try and see how that goes. 

That's great advice about the reasons of the shooting in the same place.  I thought part of it was probably anticipating the recoil, too.  Especially with the .357 I knew it would be a big jerk.  Thank you for the feedback!
Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: JohnyMac on November 12, 2013, 10:20:24 AM
Great job Wellie!

It's a good thing that you will not post the pic's on FB as you really do not want anybody to know you have a firearm. Surprise is a wonderful thing.  :dance:

Sledge, t-shirt & shorts huh? Well it snowed here at the cabin this morning. As a matter of fact it is still coming down.  ::)

Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: crudos on November 12, 2013, 01:53:43 PM
Nice shooting Wellie, practice makes perfect.  :gunner:
Title: Re: Got to shoot my gun for the first time
Post by: hjmoosejaw on November 13, 2013, 01:34:09 AM
Glad to see you enjoying shooting WPW! :thumbsUp: