Hi, babydolls!

 

Well, I finally shot some guns, gentlemen--no, not in the optometrist's office, but at the range. Yesterday morning I rode to Ft. Dix with a friend (Greg) and his dad. My workout started in their truck. Technically the cab seated only two people, so I had to wedge myself in between the two men by sitting on the skinny seat in the middle. Since all of us were thin the ride should have been comfortable, but I had nothing to hold onto or steady myself with during turns except my abs, which were engaged practically the whole half hour to Pemberton. Also, the coffee cup holders were built-in down by the floor, so I had to turn my feet out in second position, ballerina-style, to avoid knocking over the Starbucks.

 

When we got to the range, with relief I let my core muscles sag and hobbled around trying to straighten out my ankles while Greg and his dad set up two targets and brought out four guns. The first gun Greg had me try was a .22 Sig Mosquito. Boys of the Gun Forum: there are a lot of buttons and bows on semis, aren't there! Press the round button, the magazine falls out. Flick the one switch, the hammer moves. Flick the other switch....something, something, something happens, I forget what. And then there was racking the slide. All these steps. Aiming and shooting was the least stressful action for me when handling the Sig. And then it kept jamming, so I had to keep racking in order to unjam. And filling the magazine--I thought it would be as easy as filling a Pez dispenser--http://www.mistystar.com/misc/pez/0002.html But it was a lot harder than that.

 

Then Greg handed me the .22 shot gun. That thing weighed at least 20 pounds. I weigh 110. It was almost impossible for me to hold that gun out in front if me. I needed to use not only my abs, but my upper back, deltoids, and biceps (a slight version of which exists on me). Guys, do those guns have to weigh that much? And the recoil! I mean, I know it's the cost of doing business, but I'd like to still be standing after I make a shot. I'm funny that way. Anyhow, I made six shots with that gun.

 

The .22 rifles were less troublesome to me compared to the shot gun. They were not as heavy, had no recoil, and racking was easier even than on the Sig. I used these two guns at the end of our two-hour shoot.

 

So, today, all of my upper body muscles are sore, I have a nice bruise on my arm, and I'm sunburned. Had I known Ft. Dix was an outdoor range I'd have brought sun screen. But all in all, I was happy to have been challenged yesterday in entirely new ways and I look forward to continuing.

Why doesn't my little linky work? Here it is again. http://www.mistystar.com/misc/pez/0002.html

Yeah the Sig Mosquitoes are picky with what ammo they like. That's what causes them to jam a lot. Glad you enjoyed yourself though!

Rose,

 

Outstanding!! Congratulations on your first outing.

Guys, do those guns have to weigh that much? And the recoil! I mean, I know it's the cost of doing business, but I'd like to still be standing after I make a shot

 

Just a quick point here. The heavier the gun, the lighter the recoil. Weight in a shotgun isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

That said, you should try a small or youth model 20 gauge or .410. It won't beat you up nearly as much as a 12 gauge will.

Or you might want to try a revolver.. there's really only three things.. the unlock button, the push the empty's out stick, and of course the trigger.. lol..

 

I kind of feel bad you got beat up on your first outing. Give it another try..

anyone want to take rose to the range with a Storm or a AR? =o)

Storms are fun. Rose look into a S&W 317 an 11 oz 22 revolver.

After the jams and bruises you still want to keep going. That is outstanding. If you are able to make it to Brick Armory on a Tuesday night there are enough of us there to let you try revolvers and non jamming 22s. Or maybe someone here can hook up with you on different day.

 

Sounds like you may have small hands as well.

You guys are the best! <3 (That's not "less than 3". It's a "heart emoticon.)

 

The .22 revolver I'm thinking of buying weighs 41 oz. That'll be less twitchy in my hands than the Sig was, won't it? The Sig was so light my aim was reactive to every little hand tremor. Shouldn't I be able to keep a revolver steadier?

 

I'm almost afraid to look up the Storm on the Internets.......

Rose,

Also look at the Ruger LCR. It is a .38 spl. My wife loves hers. It is VERY light and does not have much kick.

yeah.. a .38/.357 revolver is nice because you can start with lightly loaded .38's.. then move up to +p's, and finally when you are ready, to the .357

 

Plus.. you don't need to bend down to pick up the empties!

Wolfy here has a great 10 shot smith wesson 22lr revolver. my gf is in love with it. =) Taurus also makes a cheaper one as well.

 

come to a few tuesday night meetups, and trust me, you will make up your mind.... or at least have more information as to what you like or dislike.

Also with enough notice one of the employees at BA has a 317 which weighs 11ozs and he will let you try it.