I know we have a few shooters on the board and I had to share this. I grew up around this stuff all my life, my brother was always very much into competition shooting and many of my family enjoy hunting. For some reason or another, I never even remotely had an interest in it. However, considering that I live in the boondocks and I'm here by myself much of the time, I figured for safety's sake, I at least needed to know how to operate a fire arm.

James, who is an avid shooter finally talked me in to going to the gun range (indoor) with him. I tried several of his pistols, but the one I really liked was a Sig(?) because it was so accurate. I was so surprised that I actually had fun doing this, and seem to be a pretty decent shot. This was my very first time, and I was able to shoot as well as most of the people there who were experienced shooters! James has been teasing me that it is because of my outlaw genes.

James has been wanting to get into something called Cowboy Action Shooting, and has wanted me to be able to participate with him, so we may have found a new hobby to do together!

Awesome! Target shooting is so much fun! Cowboy Action Shooting is fun to! You get to dress up like a cowboy / cowgirl, and can compete in several different events. Everyone makes up a nickname as well (they introduce you by this), like "Texas Joe" or "The Navajo Kid". It's good fun! A little expensive, but fun!


PS - Sig is absolutely correct. Short for Sig-Sauer, a very good brand.

I'm glad you enjoyed Carrie. My Dad take my little brother shooting- my sister sometimes too- and they keep asking me to come with them. I've been tempted to go along but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Did James show you how to take the gun apart and clean it too? If I go I want to learn all that stuff as well. My dad and brother have a couple of rifles and a shotgun, no handguns, don't ask me what type because I have no clue. I'll have to ask them to teach me. Sounds like it's fun to shoot at a target, I can see how it would be addicting. That cowboy action thing sounds like it would be a blast.

[ March 26, 2005, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Renee ]

Renee, yesterday James just gave me a sampling of handguns he thought I might be able to shoot. He explained some of the stuff like cleaning to me, and I was watching him do it this morning, but he didn't get too technical my first time around. I agree, if you are going to learn how to do it, it would be important to know how to care for the firearm.

PorkChopExpress, my husband has already figured out that I'm going to be a "gun snob". Just like everything else in my life, I can go into a store and pick out something that's going to be expensive. He wondered out loud today if my handgun budget would ever match my shoe budget. -- No chance.

Shooting is also one of my favorite past times though I have not done much lately.

What caliber were the pistols?

I shot a .22, .380, and .38's in a 357. I also shot a 9mm and a .45 . (I had to check with hubby on that). James wanted me to start with the .22 . He said that a lot of people make the mistake of "over-gunning" novice shooters, and that ends up intimidating people who are first starting out. We had another couple that we are friends with come with us, whose wife was a first timer also. He started her on the .38 and she was ready to hide under the benches. James suggested she try the .22 and she did fine and started enjoying herself.

James and our friend were firing an LAR Grizzly N .45 Winchester Magnum. I swear it sounded like a cannon. The shop owners were literally standing in the windows to watch. At this range, earmuffs or plugs are mandatory, and I was certainly glad! The guys had great fun with it, but I didn't think I was quite ready for that one!

I think just about everyone should know how to handle a firearm. It's part of our culture and the most dangerous person with a firearm is someone who doesn't know how to properly handle one.

I'm glad you had fun Carrie. Sport shooting is pretty fun. My parent are 67 and 70 and still active in sport shooting.