Jessica Wellman
New member
I had the most heart racing, adrenaline pumping experience of my life today. I shot my first set of firearms. I knew in my heart this was something I wanted to do and it surpassed all that I had imagined. What surprised me the most and also the group of guys that hovered, was my ability to shoot as well as I did. I was proud of myself today. I was finally doing something I had only dreamed of in the past.
My brother in law is the one teaching me to shoot. He didn't realize just how serious I was about firearms until I showed up at his doorstep with my notebook in hand ready to take notes. I had so many questions and was very eager to actually see the guns I had been reading about. He asked me, "what would you like to shoot?" I replied, "whatever you got." The grin on my face was all it took. He disappeared into a different part of the house returning with lesson #1.
While I'm glad we finally got the rain we needed, it just HAD to come on the day I decided to take my first shooting lessons. I had never seen so much rain! This was actually a blessing in disguise because this gave me a chance to find out just how many firearms my brother-in-law had. As long as it rained, he kept dragging out more...
Lesson #2, Lesson #3…
We discussed each gun in detail. I asked about the capability of each gun and their ages. I learned about the different distances and situations where each firearm was recommended. We talked about different ammunition and the actual anatomy of the guns and ammo.
As I'm sure you have guessed, I've never held a gun in my life. The only information I had on firearms, up until today, was what I've read in books. Luckily, I had an informative instructor who was willing to answer each question. I've always been comfortable with my brother-in-law and after today, I'm glad that I have that comfort with him. Some of my questions may have been silly and simple to him, but he treated each question as if it were of the utmost importance. While it rained, we examined every firearm he had and I took four pages of notes. I must tell you, my blood was pumping before I was ever able to fire my first shots. After three hours of discussion, I was really getting aggravated at the rain!
I got to his house at 9:30am and it was 1:00 before we finally got to shoot. By this time, I'm really getting nervous. I asked, "what exactly are we going to shoot at?"
I didn't see him grab any target sheets. "Well, he said, "I'm out of targets so how about an oil can." I'm thinking to myself, an oil can?
Hum…OK then, an oil can it will be. There wasn't much left of the oil can when I got through with it. I returned to the house and grabbed some paper plates. I drew 4 inch diameter circles in the middle of each one and back out to the field I traveled. By this time we were beginning to attract the neighbors. Each one that came was packing and ready to play along. Just what I needed, A CROWD. As if I weren't nervous enough, let's add an audience to my first day out! Luckily, it didn't take but a few rounds to realize this is where I wanted to be. The nervousness left and I was having a blast.
While shooting "my gun of choice" the guys were calling it, I could hear them snickering behind me. One said, "Oh Geeze man, she hasn't missed that plate yet." I just grinned and kept firing away. One of the guys left and came back with a proper target for me. "Let's see what you can do with this one," he said. I couldn't believe it really. I think they were having a hard time believing it too. I didn't miss a shot with this particular rifle I was using. I've got my mind set now, I have to have one just like it.
I had back surgery this past April and I am really feeling the effects of one of the shotguns I fired. I have bruises on my right shoulder from one, and bruises on my hip (12 Gauge Pump Shotgun that I had to hold at hip level. He replaced the butt of the gun with a pistol grip….Big ole bruise on the hip from that thing). I must say, I would take ten times the amount of bruises all over again. I can't wait to have another go at it.
Excuse me if any of my notes are wrong, but here's a list of what I shot today.
9mm Makarov Compact Frame Semi Automatic
9mm Ruger P89 Semi Automatic
Russian SKS Rifle (This one was heavy for me and hard to control. I didn't do so well with it.)
M1 Grand (Garand Dennis?? OOOPs)
12 Gauge Pump Shotgun (Didn't like this one at all. It left bruises on my hip)
1911 Colt .45 APC (This was a gem, I really, really liked this gun)
.44 Magnum Ruger Super Hawk with a 7.5" barrel (I was Shooting hand loaded ammunition with this thing.) This bad boy made me feel like Mrs. Clint Eastwood. I was scared of it at first, but all fear was gone when I seen how well it could be controlled.
And last but not least….
M1 Carbine Semi Automatic Rifle (the weapon of choice for me, the guys were saying anyway) It was lightweight and I really enjoyed shooting it. I had excellent control and hope to improve my target shooting with one like it.
I dragged myself back to the house at 7pm. I was hungry, tired, hurting and had used a bunch of their ammo. With promise of my purchasing the next rounds, I'm sure they will practice with me again soon.
Whew! I'm off to bed now. I'm going to use Ibuprofen as my nightcap. Hopefully it will take away the ache from all the new muscles I found.
Good night all.
[This message has been edited by LadydeeJ (edited August 09, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by LadydeeJ (edited August 09, 1999).]
My brother in law is the one teaching me to shoot. He didn't realize just how serious I was about firearms until I showed up at his doorstep with my notebook in hand ready to take notes. I had so many questions and was very eager to actually see the guns I had been reading about. He asked me, "what would you like to shoot?" I replied, "whatever you got." The grin on my face was all it took. He disappeared into a different part of the house returning with lesson #1.
While I'm glad we finally got the rain we needed, it just HAD to come on the day I decided to take my first shooting lessons. I had never seen so much rain! This was actually a blessing in disguise because this gave me a chance to find out just how many firearms my brother-in-law had. As long as it rained, he kept dragging out more...
Lesson #2, Lesson #3…
We discussed each gun in detail. I asked about the capability of each gun and their ages. I learned about the different distances and situations where each firearm was recommended. We talked about different ammunition and the actual anatomy of the guns and ammo.
As I'm sure you have guessed, I've never held a gun in my life. The only information I had on firearms, up until today, was what I've read in books. Luckily, I had an informative instructor who was willing to answer each question. I've always been comfortable with my brother-in-law and after today, I'm glad that I have that comfort with him. Some of my questions may have been silly and simple to him, but he treated each question as if it were of the utmost importance. While it rained, we examined every firearm he had and I took four pages of notes.
I must tell you, my blood was pumping before I was ever able to fire my first shots. After three hours of discussion, I was really getting aggravated at the rain! I got to his house at 9:30am and it was 1:00 before we finally got to shoot. By this time, I'm really getting nervous. I asked, "what exactly are we going to shoot at?"
I didn't see him grab any target sheets. "Well, he said, "I'm out of targets so how about an oil can." I'm thinking to myself, an oil can?
Hum…OK then, an oil can it will be. There wasn't much left of the oil can when I got through with it. I returned to the house and grabbed some paper plates. I drew 4 inch diameter circles in the middle of each one and back out to the field I traveled. By this time we were beginning to attract the neighbors. Each one that came was packing and ready to play along. Just what I needed, A CROWD. As if I weren't nervous enough, let's add an audience to my first day out! Luckily, it didn't take but a few rounds to realize this is where I wanted to be. The nervousness left and I was having a blast.
While shooting "my gun of choice" the guys were calling it, I could hear them snickering behind me. One said, "Oh Geeze man, she hasn't missed that plate yet." I just grinned and kept firing away. One of the guys left and came back with a proper target for me. "Let's see what you can do with this one," he said. I couldn't believe it really. I think they were having a hard time believing it too. I didn't miss a shot with this particular rifle I was using. I've got my mind set now, I have to have one just like it.
I had back surgery this past April and I am really feeling the effects of one of the shotguns I fired. I have bruises on my right shoulder from one, and bruises on my hip (12 Gauge Pump Shotgun that I had to hold at hip level. He replaced the butt of the gun with a pistol grip….Big ole bruise on the hip from that thing). I must say, I would take ten times the amount of bruises all over again. I can't wait to have another go at it.
Excuse me if any of my notes are wrong, but here's a list of what I shot today.
9mm Makarov Compact Frame Semi Automatic
9mm Ruger P89 Semi Automatic
Russian SKS Rifle (This one was heavy for me and hard to control. I didn't do so well with it.)
M1 Grand (Garand Dennis?? OOOPs)
12 Gauge Pump Shotgun (Didn't like this one at all. It left bruises on my hip)
1911 Colt .45 APC (This was a gem, I really, really liked this gun)
.44 Magnum Ruger Super Hawk with a 7.5" barrel (I was Shooting hand loaded ammunition with this thing.) This bad boy made me feel like Mrs. Clint Eastwood. I was scared of it at first, but all fear was gone when I seen how well it could be controlled.
And last but not least….
M1 Carbine Semi Automatic Rifle (the weapon of choice for me, the guys were saying anyway) It was lightweight and I really enjoyed shooting it. I had excellent control and hope to improve my target shooting with one like it.
I dragged myself back to the house at 7pm. I was hungry, tired, hurting and had used a bunch of their ammo. With promise of my purchasing the next rounds, I'm sure they will practice with me again soon.
Whew! I'm off to bed now. I'm going to use Ibuprofen as my nightcap. Hopefully it will take away the ache from all the new muscles I found.
Good night all. [This message has been edited by LadydeeJ (edited August 09, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by LadydeeJ (edited August 09, 1999).]
It truly is a thrill to hear the "wchak" of pumpin' that action!
My hubby and I are plannin to go in a couple o' weeks though, when we can afford all the ammo. We've got 2 new guns we're itchin to shoot: Mine's a 1911 and his is a SIG P245. WOO HOO!