I think it would have been better if I had shot a gun for the first time OUTSIDE
rather than a shooting range as my mom has shot OUTSIDE many times, but once
she entered the range, she was all jittery and jumped every time she heard someone
else’s gun go off at another lane (there were ten or so lanes in total and most of them were being used). She decided after getting hit by the shell
of my first couple of rounds that she wasn’t really all that into it and opted to
go “grocery shopping”.I couldn't convince her to even shoot one round... when she is certain... you cannot convince her. Her face was stoic and sincere... she just wanted "out".
It was quite disconcerting for me, too, and I jumped every time I heard a BOOM from the pistol in the next lane… ha,
otherwise, I probably
would have hit the target on the black EVERY time. LOL!
Seriously, though, even though I had really good ear gear on and goggles, I was still “annoyed” with the surrounding sounds and the fact that every time I shot there was the cartridge that flipped out and hit the wall to my right, ricocheting into my hair or head. NOT good, but I persevered and shot until I could shoot no longer… Not that I didn’t have enough ammo… I bought two different boxes (9mm
and 45) of 50 rounds each, but the guns were quite heavy and
to hold out my arms and steady my shot every time made me quite sore in my shoulders so after
shooting about 5 or 6 guns both 9mm and 45’s a few times, my hand, arms and neck/shoulders were really throbbing.What a woos! I kept thinking
about the calligraphy class that I had to teach the next day and wondered whether I was going to be
able to do it without pain and if I could do it with accuracy. I managed, but was a little sore… nothing a
round of Aleve couldn’t cure, though.
I think it will be much better when I actually get a gun
with a grip that FITS me. That was the main obstacle we found for me. Since I have a
hand the size of a ten year old or younger, that was a major challenge. Oh
well… They did show me one gun which they had in one of their cases which they would have sold to me called a Walther
PPQ, butI wasn’t prepared to BUY one that day… and they wouldn't let you try it out first. Afterall, it was
only my first day ever to shoot a gun.
The gun I am holding in the picture is a 40 caliber Sig, semi automatic. It was Jason’s and the one he
trained my mom and I on… showing us how to load the mag and advance the cartridge into the barrel, how to make the
trigger pressure shorter…etc. He was great…. He has a flashlight and a laser target on his, which you can see, as well as night time sights that glow in the dark… thought
that was a great idea… I think I would upgrade to that for sure. I know that the flashlight and
the laser
probably would make it that much heavier, though it seems like a
great option.
Overall, it was a …. TRIP! I’m not sure I’m “hooked” as
Jason would have liked me to be, but I can see a purpose for a gun in the home and
probably will get one for self defense, although I doubt that I will get a concealed
handgun permit. I just don’t see me carrying one… but as they say, you should always
have something to defend yourself….
It was scary… the first shot. It was loud and I didn’t know
what to expect. It really rocked my little body, too… the whole muzzle went up and on
the .45, the recoil made my body go backwards even. Jason giggleed at me….In my town, for the past 8+ years, I have passed the indoor shooting range never to step foot in there... and wondered many times when I saw "MONDAY is LADIES Day" what it would be like in there... NOW, I know. I remember just before entering the facility for the first and only time I had that feeling like I was about to ride a roller coaster.. you know that butterfly in your stomach feeling.. like you have to go to the bathroom.... NOW, I know what it feels like and I will be more apt to walk in there with more confidence next time and feel a little more comfortable handling a gun. I have a long way to go, though.
On my last shot, when the gun was empty… it smoked…..If I
weren’t so tired and still a little in beginner’s shock I would have blew on it and
said, “Go ahead, make my day”…. LOL! I was beat
by then. though. I DID IT!!! Something that i never thought I'd ever do in my lifetime... another check off my bucket list...even though I had never put it there. Thanks, Jason!
by then. though. I DID IT!!! Something that i never thought I'd ever do in my lifetime... another check off my bucket list...even though I had never put it there. Thanks, Jason!
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| I'd hate to be on the other side of my gun if someone enters my home!! |
