I don't know exactly why, but today finds me in a somewhat melancholy mood. Perhaps it's the news that my old gun range has closed (mentioned yesterday in passing). This was the first place I shot a handgun (a .410 shotgun in the back 40 as a kid was my first time shooting a firearm, for those who are curious) at the tender age of 18. I've been going there off and on for almost 20 years, and now it's gone.
Also gone, or at least going, is Kim's place. He's decided to move on to other venues, other adventures, and my hat's off to him. I owe Kim a pretty big debt of gratitude - it was his site back in the day that got me back into the shooting sports; re-awakening the love of all things that go boom. I was surprised to see that he pre-dated my blogging at Toys in the Attic by only a year, starting in 2002. It seemed to me that the Nation of Riflemen had been around forever.
So that's two important pieces of my life gone. Forgive me if I seem a little on the blue side today.
Quick funny story regarding the range above, though, to lift the mood a bit.
The first time I went shooting, I was with some friends from work who had been to the range shortly after it opened. It was one of a very few public ranges in MA, and anyone could shoot at the range. The first gun I tried was a Ruger Security Six .357 Magnum with .38 special reloads. After putting a box through the Ruger I was ready to move up to the .357 Magnum. Put a box of .357 Magnum reloads through the Ruger and I was hooked.
The second time I went shooting, I decided to try the .44 Magnum. They had a S&W Model 629 for rent, and reloaded .44 Magnum for not a lot more than the .357 Magnum. What the hell.
Put a cylinder through it, kinda surprised by the recoil, when I decide it's time to be macho. I switch to a one hand grip, aim carefully, and squeeze the trigger.
Next thing you know, I'm seeing stars - the gun recoiled back straight into my forehead. Right back to a two-handed stance after that... It would be a long time, and many more rounds, before I was confident (read: Stupid) enough to try it again (and no, the second time there were no cranial indentations...)
That is all.
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6 comments:
Maybe this will make you happier...we are thinking about moving back to the northeast, specifically NH.
Remember those "quiet" days at HSC, burning through hundreds of dollars of milsurp ammo?
No foolin'?
SWEEEET.
Whereabouts in NH? Would you go back to HSC?
Details, brother, details...
:)
The devil's in the details, but the sun and the surf get...tiring. Looking at the Exeter/Portsmouth/Nashua area. My wife wanted to go back to the PRofMA and I put my foot down.
Would rejoin HSC and get some NFA travel papers to go into MA. Probably spend the $100 ($200?) to get an out of state CCW too.
Sweet. See if you can scarf up some 9mm 226 pre-bans before you leave. Seeing as how they're not needed in FLA... ;)
Keep me posted. Haven't been to HSC in ages...
Funny you should mention the .44 mag story. My older brother has a clear, distinct indentation courtesy of the front sight on my dad's Ruger Blackhawk.
Dad: "It's got some stiff recoil so be sure to keep your elbows *BOOOM* . . . locked."
Yep, elbows not locked, and the gun came up and bit him right between the eyes.
And sorry to hear about your public range closing down. Always a sad occasion.
Er, *indentation on his forehead.
Helps if you include ALL the words in the sentence . . .
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