My first experience

[ralphwiggum 6]

well, as they say always , make your first experience memorable. and for me my recent 'first experience' was indeed memorable.

of course, we all hear about safety, safety, safety and prevention. so just to be careful, I was ready for the safe experience.

and when it started, I was nervous. breathing heavily, and had to be calmed down. the surge within my body told me that this is what I've been waiting for all my life. it ain't gonna be same from this point on.

i place my hands gently...and squeezed...not too hard, but just enough that I can get hold of. and concentrated on my breathing, while staying focused. a slight squeeze...there was no turning back...with a short burst, I crossed the line.

my action resulted in penetration that felt so great. again and again, as I repeated, I could not help but feel how great it was...it was beyond words...waiting all my life...and this was worth the wait! my action resulted in shivering...yes! yes! this is a memorable experience!

when it was over, as a great person i am, I cleaned after myself. and collected memorabilias.....ahh...the first experience...!

I had my first live ammunition experience.

ok..i think I made all those teenager forum members horny..sorry for that!      

anyway, yes. I did have my first shooting experience and it was great.

ever since Denoir temporarily took my 300 post count, I've been thinking about buying a handgun and start practicing it. so, I went around my town and talked to numerous firearm dealers about purchasing a fire arm. when I first walked into the first firearm dealer, i said, "I have a question." and one of the clerk immediately replied, "don't do it."

anyway, I asked about requirements/laws regarding handguns, and had some great info. the firearms dealer suggested that I should goto the firing range and see what kind of firearm i would enjoy. and he refered me to this one indoor firing range near my house.

so last saturday, I went there and took some safety classes. it was basically made of 2 hours of BFSC(Basic Firearm Safety Certificate) class and 1 hour of live fire.

ok..the BFSC is a must if you are going to buy fire arm in California, so what the heck. I took it. and it was a bit disappointing...it was just playing vedio of what to do with a firearm and so forth. like i didn't know that  . things like, 'point your gun to safest place', 'never assume gun is empty (eh hem...denoir!  )', think of target area and danger zones' and some firearms law in State of California and so forth. it did cover some stuffs like difference between double action, single action, semi auto and so forth, but most of hte stuff I knew already...so I should have just taken test instead of watching the video tape.(it is cheaper too). the video is made by State of California Department of Justice, and I gotta say, this is best, state-government-made educational video ever.

one of the dumbest thing that reinforced my pessimism about human nature is when they showed some guns that were improperly used. like using a 9mm in .40 caliber pistol(cartridge casing was shattered) or sticking ammunition of wrong length in revolvers cylinder.

then came instructors on things like how to load and aim, which was pretty basic.

then to the firing range!

i was given 3 guns, one .22 Ruger single action pistol, one .357 magum double action revolver(which was later loaded with .38..don't remember the make though), and 9mm  Springfield XD. all targets were placed at about 15-25 feet away.

first was .22 Ruger, and here is the result.

as you can see, i sucked. this was my first target, and my first shot is one of the three on top left. the target was 5.5 inches in diameter.

and here is another shot, with 3 inch target.

the bottom one is the first one that I shot. as you can see, 5 shots were well under the target. well, RalphWiggum is an under-achiever anyway

on second shot i did better(top one)

the Ruger got jammed twice, but I forgot which one it was. probably one on the first one and another on second one.

and my third target, with .38 loaded in .357 double action pistol. bith with 5.5 inch target

the bottom one is the first try, with double action. and I really hated double action revolvers from that point on.

seocnd one(top) was single action. did better i think, but wan't good enough to turn my dislike towards revolvers.

revolver used 'wad cutter ammunitions(?)' so the hole wer clean

and last but not least, 9mm

it was fun shooting, not as simple as .22, yet powerful enough and fun to shoot.

as always, bottom one was the first try. the bottom 4 shows what kind of horrible aim i had

the top one shows even more how bad i am. i think it was 2nd shot that is just below the target, and 7th shot that is way below the target

so in retrospect, my shooting is horrible(stop laughing Denoir!  ) and unrefined..but i still have a lot more to go, so i'll see what happens.

[Jester983 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">ok..i think I made all those teenager forum members horny..sorry for that!<span id='postcolor'>

No you just got me confused.

Anyways How far away were the targets? Like Meter wise?

[ralphwiggum 6]

1 feet = 30 centimeters = 0.33 meters.

15 feet = 4.5 meters

25 feet = 7.5 meters

1 inches = 2.54 cm

5.5 inches = 13.97 cm

3 inches = 7.62 cm

so, basically point-blank range

[Mister Frag 0]

Ralph, you'll be pleased to know that on January 1, 2003, it will get harder to buy handguns in California. No longer will it be sufficient to have a BFSC, you will actually have to demonstrate proficiency and safe gun handling. See California SB 52.

I can't wait for the first negligent discharge that results from this...

[ralphwiggum 6]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Mister Frag @ Aug. 01 2002,08:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ralph, you'll be pleased to know that on January 1, 2003, it will get harder to buy handguns in California. No longer will it be sufficient to have a BFSC, you will actually have to demonstrate proficiency and safe gun handling. See California SB 52.

I can't wait for the first negligent discharge that results from this...<span id='postcolor'>

thanx for in fo Mister Frag.

i bet no one will fail the demonstration.

[Guest]

Ralph, those results are not at all too bad for somebody firing a gun for the first time in the life. Handguns, especially larger cal. can be a bit tricky to get the hang of at first.

[Jester983 0]

So how much does this cost ya? For the lessons.

[ralphwiggum 6]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Jester983 @ Aug. 01 2002,09:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So how much does this cost ya? For the lessons.<span id='postcolor'>

$50 for instructions and video,

add 14 bucks for guns and ammunitions.

[Jester983 0]

Wow thats a pretty good price. Did you like your instructor/coach/whatever they call em?

[ralphwiggum 6]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Jester983 @ Aug. 01 2002,09:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Wow thats a pretty good price. Did you like your instructor/coach/whatever they call em?<span id='postcolor'>

a bit cold guy, but he was nice and i prefer his attitude too. not too loud, just plain smooth voice to calm you down.

EDIT: instructor was my word choice.

[USSoldier11B 0]

Congrats on discovering the wonderful world of slangin' lead.

[Major Fubar 0]

*sob* *bangs my head on my desk*

Why do I have to live in Australia, where the gun laws are so screwy it's almost impossible for a civilian to get a gun!

When I go on holiday to the states, I'm gonna go nuts on one of those ranges where you pay your money and get to try out the "house guns" on car wrecks, drums etc.

That is, unless, you have to be a US citizen...

[ralphwiggum 6]

i don't think you have to be a US citizen to spend time at firing range. it's purchase of guns that require citizenship/permanent resident status.

you can rent guns there too.

[JohnBEsq 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Major Fubar @ Aug. 01 2002,08:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">*sob* *bangs my head on my desk*

Why do I have to live in Australia, where the gun laws are so screwy it's almost impossible for a civilian to get a gun!

When I go on holiday to the states, I'm gonna go nuts on one of those ranges where you pay your money and get to try out the "house guns" on car wrecks, drums etc.

That is, unless, you have to be a US citizen... <span id='postcolor'>

Come to Knob Creek Gun Range in West Point KY during their machine gun shoots. We cut cars in half and blow up water heaters with TNT.  Flamethrowers for rent also

This place is about 15 miles North of Ft. Knox in Bullitt County.

Knob Creek Gun Range

I work a few miles from here and play paintball regularly there also.  A very fun time.

[Blaegis 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ Aug. 01 2002,07:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1 feet = 30 centimeters = 0.33 meters.

15 feet = 4.5 meters

25 feet = 7.5 meters<span id='postcolor'>

Seems awfully close. Whenever I've been shooting (with a pistol), it's been from 25 meters (82 feet), it seems to be the standard distance for pistol ranges in Finland. I've heard that for "practical" shooting shorter distances are used, but I've never been to one of those as they are restricted to law enforcement people. Any experienced pistoleros willing to comment?

[Espectro (DayZ) 0]

Dont be sad... just aim at their heads and theyll never get children

[RedRogue 0]

Hmm let me remember my first "experience" with a firearm.

I believe I was 8 or 9, could have been 10. But anyway my dad decided it was time to instruct me in firearm safety and operation so I could go with him during deer and turkey season. Anyway, he gets out his 22. semi-auto and we go into the holler and he sets up some paper targets.

First he shoots a bit showing me what to do and what not to do. Then he hands me the rifle and carefully helps me place my firing hand and shoulder the rifle properly. Then noticing I'm having trouble supporting the rifle on the forward stock because its a heavy ass .22 and I'm not even a teenager he slides my hand back a bit under the action.

Now the shooting begins, or so I thought. I line up the target carefully in the sights and gently squeeze the trigger. And I IMMEDIATLY feel a SEARING pain in my left hand. My dad in his infinant Wisdom of helping me hold the rifle better placed my hand precisely under the ejector plate. So after ALMOST dropping the rifle on the spot and yelling and cursing and waving my hand around I look to see a nice 2nd degree burn of a .22 casing in the palm of my hand.

After that I refused to even touch a real firearm for the better part of a year being content with my pellet gun that thought (stupidly) couldn't hurt me. Of course when my younger sister was taught by my dad later and she started shooting .22s often I wasn't about to be unstaged by a ... girl... so I overcame my hesitation to the burn sticks.... er firearms and have been hunting for many years since.

[Major Fubar 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (JohnBEsq @ Aug. 01 2002,18:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Major Fubar @ Aug. 01 2002,08:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">*sob* *bangs my head on my desk*

Why do I have to live in Australia, where the gun laws are so screwy it's almost impossible for a civilian to get a gun!

When I go on holiday to the states, I'm gonna go nuts on one of those ranges where you pay your money and get to try out the "house guns" on car wrecks, drums etc.

That is, unless, you have to be a US citizen... <span id='postcolor'>

Come to Knob Creek Gun Range in West Point KY during their machine gun shoots. We cut cars in half and blow up water heaters with TNT.  Flamethrowers for rent also

This place is about 15 miles North of Ft. Knox in Bullitt County.

Knob Creek Gun Range

I work a few miles from here and play paintball regularly there also.  A very fun time. <span id='postcolor'>

Knob Creek...is that where that great bourbon of the same name comes from?

[MDRZulu 0]

Thats so cool, I would love to go there. Can anyone shoot? or is it just a few guys with an audience.

"Belt fed weapons range from M-60, MG42, 1919A-4 and others. "

MG-42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no way.

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Blaegis @ Aug. 01 2002,19:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ Aug. 01 2002,07:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1 feet = 30 centimeters = 0.33 meters.

15 feet = 4.5 meters

25 feet = 7.5 meters<span id='postcolor'>

Seems awfully close. Whenever I've been shooting (with a pistol), it's been from 25 meters (82 feet), it seems to be the standard distance for pistol ranges in Finland. I've heard that for "practical" shooting shorter distances are used, but I've never been to one of those as they are restricted to law enforcement people. Any experienced pistoleros willing to comment? <span id='postcolor'>

25 m is the standard distance in Sweden too. There are however also 50m and 15m ranges, but they are more unusual.

[Eza 0]

I think you can shoot "Practical" in finland too as a civilian, Blaegis.

At least where i live there's a nearby shootingrange that has practical range. And it's not a Police range.