An Angel Gets Its Wings
I took Rich shooting handguns, his first time. Read his account here and please offer any advice regarding weapons choices and other things.
One note to Rich, it’s called a magazine not a clip. This tends to get under the skin of some gun folks (not me, I know what you mean). The rule is that a clip goes in a magazine but a magazine doesn’t go in a clip.
And I gave Rich the larger caliber gun first. Some people say this is a no-no. I disagree. After firing a short barreled 45, a 9MM is a rather relaxing (for lack of a better word) round.
Also, the shooting stance I tried to teach is known as the Weaver Stance (left foot forward) as opposed to isosceles (both feet aligned). Here’s some info on the two.
As Rich squeezed off his first round, he had gathered quite a crowd. Gun types typically offer their support to any new shooter.
Rich seemed to enjoy it and we plan on going again. In fact, I may organize and RTB day at the range. It’d be fun. I’d even invite Barry, who wouldn’t go what with all that radiation seeping into his brain and stuff.
I did try (unsuccessfully) to not let my preference for handguns influence Rich but he does seem to favor the Glock. Good choice. Here’s why I like Glocks.
Welcome to the shooting sports, Rich. I’m glad I have annoyed Sarah Brady.
January 12th, 2004 at 3:32 pm
I’m getting a range hankering again. Maybe I’ll try to swing by late this month, when we’re in East Tennessee to pick up our puppy.
January 12th, 2004 at 3:34 pm
Shoot me an email, can do. Give some advance notice though π
January 12th, 2004 at 3:34 pm
And congrats on the pup too!
January 12th, 2004 at 3:35 pm
I too, am in favor of shooting the big boy first. Two many times have I seen a novice shooter get their confidence up by plinking away with a lesser caliber to have that confidence shot(no pun intended)by getting surprised with a larger caliber.
I usually start my beginner friends off with the 10mm. Everything else is gravy after that.
January 12th, 2004 at 5:06 pm
For some reason, I just don’t trust a handgun that doesn’t have a visible hammer.
Ah well, I guess we all have our little neuroses.
January 12th, 2004 at 6:19 pm
Is it responsible to recommend a pistol with no mechanical safety for a first time gun owner? Wouldn’t a revolver be safer and easier to operate?
January 12th, 2004 at 6:46 pm
Let me know via email when you guys head to the range next time. I would love to show off my kids to you lol (.40 and .45 Sig).
January 12th, 2004 at 8:45 pm
Well bubba, a revolver has no manual safety. Of course, I assume you meant manual as the glock has three mechanical safeties (and a typical revolver has none): firing pin block, trigger safety, and a firing pin housing safety.
Glocks and sigs have the best safety feature ever: don’t pull the trigger, it don’t shoot. Of course, so do revolvers.
Justin,
We’ll keep you in the loop. I’m sure rich would like to shoot the 40.
January 12th, 2004 at 10:25 pm
SU, some revolvers have safeties. Almost ALL semi-autos have them, except the Glocks.
And I thought nearly all revolvers have a much heavier trigger pull than the Glock or other semi-autos if you carry the cocked like most yahoos.
I was also under the impression that the Glock “safety” features were more “PR devices” than actual “safety devices” to counter the many complaints about accidental discharges from people like law enforcement agencies and whatnot.
But, I will defer to your more knowledgable insights, because I am certainly no expert.
But, I do worry about quick-draw yahoos like Rich running around loose with hair-trigger semi-automatic weapons. Hope I’m never in the vicinity of his fire. I hope he’s careful not to shoot off any important parts of his anatomy on the quick draw, too.
January 12th, 2004 at 11:33 pm
He’s gonna use his big gun to round up you yahoo lefties and throw you between the concertina wire in the free speech zones…
π
January 13th, 2004 at 9:03 am
Glocks have very good safety features (and you probably know more about revolvers than I). The only issue is the light trigger pull (about 5 pounds) and this is solved by following gun safety (finger off the trigger). But glock does make a police trigger pull (7 pounds) and the new york trigger pull (11 pounds) to compensate for people who don’t like the lighter trigger pull.
For my carry glock, i use a Saf-T-Blok because i don’t put it in a holster. With any carry method, the trigger should be covered. A holster covers the trigger whereas the Saf-T-Blok blocks the trigger eliminating my need for a holster. And being the yahoo that i am, i carry it cocked.
here’s a good guide to glock safeties with pictures of how they work.
Also, my sig doesn’t have a manual safety. It has a firing pin block and a decocker. The sig has the added advantage of being a true double action (DA trigger pull is about 12 pounds).
January 13th, 2004 at 3:04 pm
I’d even invite Barry, who wouldn’t go what with all that radiation seeping into his brain and stuff.
Bad form, man…bad form.
January 13th, 2004 at 3:17 pm
WEll, i can’t let you live that one down . . . yet. :^)
January 13th, 2004 at 6:43 pm
Count me in on the visit to the range. Melissa is back in school, so I have four nights a week free and clear. I’m renewing my Guncraft membership in two weeks.
January 16th, 2004 at 12:27 pm
I always like to start people shooting (rifles) with the largest caliber available. When your first shot is with an L1A1 in .308 (with a big scary muzzle break) suddenly the “eeevil” AR-15 doesn’t seem so bad.
January 16th, 2004 at 12:29 pm
Good point but it’s winter and we were at the indoor range so no rifles.
January 16th, 2004 at 12:38 pm
another convert
Geiger counters not-withstanding, it sounds like a good time.