Gaaa...my right thumb joint is pissed at me. It spent over five hours getting pounded upon by 9mm, .45, and .38-caliber autoloading handguns and revolvers with my father standing by, making sure I didn't do something stupid. It's been well over five years since I've fired a gun and it showed today. My groups were erratic; sometimes bunched nicely together and sometimes seemingly scattered far around and below the X ring. I did get better as the day went on, however. I had to shake off the recoil and report skittishness I'd developed over the years.
The main reason I did this is to get ready for a required handgun safety/useage course I need before I can earn a concealed handgun license. I spent the most time with Mr. Browning, shown above.
I like it. Though I need to get used to holding 32 ounces out in front of me like that (no, I don't have a beer mug that big and if I did, I sure as hell wouldn't hold it 18" away from me and keep it as steady as possible), I like the overall balance and weight. The safeties are easy to understand and use and the slide lock isn't difficult to operate. The recoil was manageable and the sights easy enough to aim. One thing that I don't like is the molded composite grip. Being right-handed, a bone at the base joint in my thumb was punished by the grip from the kick. I'm just too bony and my skin's too sensitive to take so much (we probably shot upwards of 6 50-round boxes today) in such a short period.
We had the handgun range all to ourselves most of the morning. My dad is friends with the place's owner so we set up exactly as we wanted to and went at it. I remember how fun it is to "put steel on target" and to control the minute movements in your body so your round goes right where you want it to. I missed the smell of gunpowder and gun oil. I can't wait to get back on the firing line.
UPDATE(6/2/2003 5:15pm)
I've received my Concealed Hangun License.
Posted by Drizzten at November 23, 2002 10:52 PM
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Ahh, I know how you feel. The other day I went shooting with my dad for what might be the last time. He had this 222 he wanted me to use. A 222 doesn't give much kick, but I couldnt nestle it comfortably against my shoulder. About 10 rounds later I had a slight pain in my chest from the butt kicking into my ribs. I also slightly burned myself on the barrel. Totally underestimated how hot the thing gets. I'm a fully licensed shooter on Dec 23rd. I'm gonna get a gun safe in the meantime and yeh, so as soon as I get my license, I have a gun handed down to me from my dad.
My ultimate aim is to do the 500m shoots. They're awesome. Also I wanna try pistol shooting, but I'll wait until things in Australia re-stabilise. Atm the Prime Minister is trying to ban all (or most of?) semi-auto pistols.
Posted by: Ken on November 27, 2002 11:18 PMWell, after demonstrating to my father that I can field strip and clean the firearm, take care of it safely on a range, and generally act *gasp* responsible with it, I now own it as a gift. I just have to survive the 8 hour concealed handgun class this Saturday and apply for the permit. Gotta find some cheap target ammo now. Paying $9.99 for a box of 50 simply will not do. ;)
Posted by: Drizz on December 1, 2002 11:56 PMWhy do you feel the need to pack a concealed weapon?I prefer the Browning Hi power (1976 Herstal FN)with 15 round mags as a combat weapon but it is hard to beat the 1908 Colt 380 hammerless as a boot gun or concealed automatic.Love that grip saftey
Posted by: Grant on December 7, 2004 12:36 AMWhat are you whining about? at least you aren't in a trench sitting in your own shit.Try shooting a 300 win mag all day. I build alot of custom rifles and my favorite mag is built on a 338 and is actually comfortable to shoot.222 remington isn't bad as far as shells go but I love my 220 Swifts. Awsome sniper rifles. I've got a new cartrige based on the old 264 win mag which is still a 6.5 mm slug but is necked into a 300 H&H case with 85 gr. of 4851. We are still experimenting but hope to achieve 4500 fps with accuracy. If you want a good packer handgun then check out a few "08" hammerless Colts in 380. They can be made quite accurate. I win popcan races all the time with mine even though it only has 7 shots. it's that good up to 50 ft with a 3 1/4 " barrel. Why do you need a concealed gun anyway?I have weapons up to ying yang bu I don't need to leave home armed
Posted by: Grant on December 7, 2004 01:32 AMGrant, I feel no need to carry a concealed firearm all the time, everywhere. But there are occasions when I want one around. I just moved to a neighborhood whose occupants don't exactly inspire feelings of security, but I don't need to justify why I want to have a handgun on my person at times. I'm only a threat to people who post a threat to me.
No, I'm not in a trench sitting in my own shit. What the fuck does that have to do with anything?
There are a number of small-frame 5-shot .38+P revolvers that would work far better as concealed weapons, but I only have the Browning right now and given its size, I don't wear it that much.
Posted by: Drizz on December 8, 2004 02:08 PMqestion? Just got a colt 1908 vest pocket auto, can anyone help me and tell me how to field strip it?
Thanks....never owned one before
Susan
Posted by: Susan on September 26, 2005 10:36 PM