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A Day at The Gun Range
townhall.com ^ | 1/24/2016 | Bruce Bialosky

Posted on 01/24/2016 5:50:04 AM PST by rktman

With all the guns owned by Americans and the surge of purchases every time President Obama opens his mouth on the subject, there is still a huge population of adult Americans who have no knowledge of guns and how they work. I would fall into that category even though I once owned a rifle, but that was a lifetime ago; any knowledge I then had has totally dissipated. My son was interested in the experience so we engaged my brother who target shoots as a hobby and he willingly provided us a primer on the gun range experience.

We met my brother on a Sunday morning at a gun range in Burbank, California. My brother had driven up from Orange County, CA where he shoots at his local range. Before we arrived he had sent us a couple of videos on basic safety and etiquette at a gun range. It had handy tips like never point a gun at anyone and when you are in your shooting bay always leave your gun unloaded with the side up that shows it is not currently loaded. It is also provided basic instruction on how to handle a gun and hold it while shooting. This range was only a fifty-foot range; it is really meant for hand guns though we did see some people do a little practice with long guns (rifles).

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: 2a; 2ndamendment; banglist; brucebialosky; burbank; california; guncontrol; orangecounty; rangeday; secondamendment
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Hmmmm. If introducing a noob to the firearms world, for me, starting small and working up is the best way for the introduction. Maybe even a nice HP air rifle then on to the .22's. I know there are some out there that find it entertaining to want to start someone out with a .357 mag or .44 mag. NOT funny. That, to me, is a good way to turn someone off to shooting. Patience and practice. Repeat.
1 posted on 01/24/2016 5:50:04 AM PST by rktman
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To: rktman

Finally got my pistol permit in NJ!!!!! Can’t wait to get my 38 (:


2 posted on 01/24/2016 5:53:22 AM PST by 1217Chic
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To: 1217Chic

My wife wanted a Smith & Wesson Lady Smith Model 60LS 5 shot revolver. It will shoot 38 special, 38 +P or 357 magnum so there’s a range of ammo it can shoot. I did get her a Hogue Rubber monogrip to replace the slick wooden grip that came with it though. She likes it a lot.


3 posted on 01/24/2016 5:59:10 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: 1217Chic

How many mons did you have to wait? NJ is the worst in this process (speaking from my experience).

People in other states laugh at how law abiding citizens are treated in NJ.

My bro-in-law in PA just goes into the store, presents his DL, gets the NICS check done, pays and then leaves with his new handgun. It should be that way everywhere.


4 posted on 01/24/2016 6:04:45 AM PST by Constitutional Patriot (Socialism is the cancer of humanity.)
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To: 1217Chic

You actually got a permit? In NJ? How long did that take? Congrats in any case. Is that a carry permit or just a permit to obtain a firearm. Practice, practice, practice.


5 posted on 01/24/2016 6:05:15 AM PST by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
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To: 1217Chic

I was at Walmart yesterday “window shopping”. After all the discussions about this gun vs that gun, I realized that for me, the technical discussions usually lack the most important factor that came up as I considered my choices for a 22 rifle.

I am 75 years old, of sound mind and body, I think.

While I understand all the points in favor of the Ruger 10/22,
one look and the feel of a Henry Golden Boy and I was 10 years old instantly. And no, I am not going to shoot out my eye!

Now if I can just find 22 ammo.....


6 posted on 01/24/2016 6:06:08 AM PST by Gadsden1st
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To: rktman

Let’s give the author credit for being open and objective.

Let’s resist the urge to comment on some of his noob phrasing.


7 posted on 01/24/2016 6:06:47 AM PST by G Larry (ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS impose SLAVE WAGES on LEGAL Immigrants.)
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To: rktman
Agreed. Setting someone up for failure, embarrassment, even injury is not funny at all.

I've started a few people "from scratch" with firearms. For me, that starts days ahead of time before we even get to the range. I cover basic firearm safety; specific firearm safety and operation (what we'll be shooting); and then range rules and etiquette. This includes both a written briefing and hands-on practice with the firearms (no live ammunition, just snap caps)

My favorite firearm to start someone with is a heavy barrel .22 target rifle with a 4x scope and wood stock. It is *heavy*. With the weight of the rifle and the little .22 LR cartridge it has just about no recoil - you literally sneeze harder than this rifle kicks. With a bench rest the scope makes hitting the target easy - always nice to start people off making them feel good/successful.

8 posted on 01/24/2016 6:08:46 AM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: 1217Chic

Is that a permit to buy one to keep in your home?


9 posted on 01/24/2016 6:10:25 AM PST by Bob (No, being a US Senator and the Secretary of State are not accomplishments; they're jobs.)
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To: rktman

From 8-yrs-old on, I took my son hunting. He was allowed to shoot when he was 10-ys-old and earned the money for his license cleaning my guns. The ex-wife didn’t mind but was shrewd enough to know that the judge would get his panties all in a bunch over it and tried to use it against me.

There was never any ammo near the guns and the worst thing that could happen was to get the web of your thumb/forefinger pinched in a slide.

By he time the hearing was over, the judge thought gun safety and proper cleaning should be taught in schools.


10 posted on 01/24/2016 6:18:56 AM PST by Ex-Pat in Mex
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To: 1217Chic
"Finally got my pistol permit in NJ!!!!! Can’t wait to get my 38 (:"

Do you mean you received your permit *to purchase* a pistol? A permit *to carry* a pistol here in the People's Republic is virtually impossible except for retired LEOs and politically connected Democrats!

A few weeks ago I walked out of a the local gun store with three (3) long guns in boxes without any anything except for my FPID, driver's license and a credit card. (Two were target rifles -- I've promised my daughter that I would teach her how to shoot.) It felt weird, but the only purchase in NJ that requires a specific permit beyond the FPID is for a pistol.

Some interesting fun facts:

According to the Washington Post, there are 8.1 guns in the average gun-owning household.

According to the US Census Bureau, there were 115,610,216 households in the US in 2013.

According to Gallup in 2015, 45% those polled reported that they had a gun in their home or elsewhere on their property.

That produces an estimate of, 8.1 x 115,610,216 x 0.45 = 421,399,237 privately owned modern firearms in the United States.

Nearly half a billion which which is a number that could send hoplophobes back to their "safe space" sucking their thumbs! Happy Anthropogenic Global Warming Snow Shoveling Day!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/10/21/the-average-gun-owner-now-owns-8-guns-double-what-it-used-to-be/

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1645/guns.aspx

11 posted on 01/24/2016 6:19:02 AM PST by Sooth2222 ("In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve." - Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859))
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To: Gadsden1st

I bulged a couple of lower disks in my back and havent had a decent trip to the range since last July. I’m a hankerin’ pretty hard. 3 weeks ago it only took 3 shots from my -06 to let me know that I am NOT healed up yet.

Henry Golden Boy .22 is next on my list as well. The grandsons are 6 mo and 1 yr. They can fight over it when the time comes.


12 posted on 01/24/2016 6:20:03 AM PST by Delta 21 (Patiently waiting for the jack booted kick at my door.)
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To: G Larry

Roger that. But what would you expect from a noob? LOL! I try to remain calm and assist when I see a noob being helped by his buddy who may or may not have much more of a clue. Turn them on the sport, not off. But, one does observe strange happenings at the range. I was seconds too late when I saw a young lady with a revolver using a two hand grip. The bad part was her left hand was gripping around the cylinder. I guess nobody told her about the discharge exiting from between the cylinder and barrel. OUCH!


13 posted on 01/24/2016 6:25:26 AM PST by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
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To: rktman

Depends on the person. When DW started shooting many years back, we did it the recommended way. Hired an instructor and started with small calibers. Turns out she didn’t like those much at all. What she liked was the.45ACP. And she was putting all the shots in a 2 inch group.

The look on the face of the instructor was just precious.


14 posted on 01/24/2016 6:26:08 AM PST by RKBA Democrat (The schadenfreude is going to be epic)
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To: rktman

I concur, always start beginners with a .22 then work up to larger calibers.
Handguns require alot of practice to be proficient.
I am usually at the range at this time on Sunday, but 10 inches of snow has me stuck in the house.


15 posted on 01/24/2016 6:32:21 AM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: rktman

I’ll be off to the range later this afternoon for regular handgun practice (every couple of weeks) and to sight in a reflex sight I put on my Chiappa 9mm carbine.


16 posted on 01/24/2016 6:32:27 AM PST by JJ_Folderol (Just my opinion and only worth what you paid for it.)
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To: rktman

I have personally taken down as many deer with a .22 (LR) as with a larger caliber. I use a technique instilled in me by my father (The Revenant) called “hunting”.


17 posted on 01/24/2016 6:33:39 AM PST by disndat
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To: Constitutional Patriot

Same way here in Virginia and all the free states. Patriots should flee the commiunist states


18 posted on 01/24/2016 6:33:48 AM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: Gadsden1st

“Now if I can just find 22 ammo.....”

This is a good site for finding ammo:

http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rimfire/22lr/


19 posted on 01/24/2016 6:35:12 AM PST by Elderberry
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To: Gadsden1st

Henry’s are wonderful rifles. I have one in .22 magnum.
If you do get a semi-automatic, I recommend an older Marlin 60.


20 posted on 01/24/2016 6:35:30 AM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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