Got an appointment tomorrow.

[camwyn]

6 PM. West Side Pistol Range.

Those of you who know me, fear not; they won't let me anywhere near the .22 rifle until I've completed half an hour or more of classroom safety first.

Comments

[unsigned.livejournal.com]

.22..

No. No, for real pain, get the .308. Haha..just kidding...not about the pain, but about shooting one. It's a canon (well not really, but you can only shoot it once, maybe twice, before you really don't want to do it anymore.)

.22 is fun, and a good place to learn. Practically zero kick (less than someone bumping into you), and fairly light. Do you know what the make is? Not that it will matter much at this point anyway.

Anyway Good luck and have fun!

PS. The key in hitting things, is breath control. Assuming you're standing, sitting, lying down, or otherwise bracing without a sighting over a mount of some sort. (If you didn't already know that anyway.)

[camwyn]

No idea what the make is. The range says the .22 rifle is used for this because you don't have to have a permit in NYC to shoot one. I suppose there might be some indication of the manufacturer on the Range's web site.

I haven't ever used a firearm, with the exception of about fifteen minutes with a cousin's bb gun something like eighteen years ago. All my experience with projectile weaponry involves traditional archery. You don't get recoil so much as handshock, and you have to keep control of your shoulder and back muscles more than anything, really.

..archery...

[unsigned.livejournal.com]

Having done archery for a number of years as well, I can say that shooting a .22 rifle accurately is far easier (at least in my experience). You're not holding the bowstring and pounds of force for one, and sighting the target is a more invovled process in archery, than in...marksmanship (shooting?)(for the most part). Not actually sure what the sport target shooting is called? Anyway.

There are of course differences in aiming, and setup. Archery is more muscle intensive than shooting a .22 rifle. You're not holding the poundage of the string for one thing. The weight of the rifle actually assists you in accuracy, same as the bow, but you don't have to hold a perpendicular weight/force while sighting. Breathing affects accuracy, which is about the same in both.

If they haven't told you, or maybe they'll supply you, take safety glasses and earplugs. They'll probably provide the mouse-ear protective devices. But you'll save money if you bring your own eye protection and earplugs.

Someone below noted that longarms are safer for the user than handguns. They're really the same unless you intend on pointing it at yourself (which I suppose qualifies the statemet, in a way). It's slightly more difficult, but not impossible to do with a longarm, than a with handgun. However, let's not do that...it isn't pleasant. Respect their ability to do serious damage, and treat them accordingly, you'll be fine.

The basic safety is the same for any weapon, the basic rules always apply. Rules one and two, order depends on instructor, are: Never point a weapon anywhere but down range and the weapon is always assumed to be loaded with live rounds in the chamber/magazine/cylinder/arrows (ok bows may be not quite the same, but you wouldn't point your nocked and drawn bow anywhere but down range at your target).

There are of course a lot of other 'rules' and some exceptions, but thats out of the scope of your class. :) Be safe, and have fun, that's the main point!

PS.

[unsigned.livejournal.com]

Make doesn't really matter, at least at this point. Haha. Some makes are more accurate than others. The action is makes a difference though. I suspect that the range will probably start you with a bolt action, so each shot is deliberate, and requires preparation and choice. (you have to cycle the action to put the round in the chamber for firing).

But keep in mind, each type of action (semi-auto, bolt, or lever action) are all different, and each has a varying degree of enjoyability (depends on what you seek out of it really).

[maps-or-guitars.livejournal.com]

Sorry if you said before and I missed it, but why with the bang-bangs?

In any case, have fun. I shot a rifle a couple times, at camp long ago - gravitated more towards archery.

Not that I've done anything with that skill since.

[camwyn]

No particular reason. I'd just like to find out what it's like, maybe learn how to do it on an ongoing basis. I'm more of an archery person but it would be good to know this as well.

[firestrike.livejournal.com]

As previously noted, longarms are safer for the user than handguns. Even for a gal who bounced an arrow off of her own head. You shouldn't have any problems. (Try shotgun at some point. It's an interesting variation.)

Waaaaay off topic, but...

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

Um...Hellblazer:Hogwarts? Any time soon? *is just wondering*

Re: Waaaaay off topic, but...

[camwyn]

Soon. I have to write a bit more of the chapter whose snippets I was posting. That'll be soon.

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

*sings* Happiness is a warm gun--bang, bang, shoot, shoot...

[camwyn]

Specialization, m'dear, is for insects.

[taennyn]

*grin!* .22 rifles are fun. So are light-loaded .38 pistols--big holes, not too much kick (my father was doing cowboy re-enactments for a while)--but I'm very fond of rifles.

[firestrike.livejournal.com]

So are light-loaded .38 pistols--big holes, not too much kick...

Loading wadcutters, are we? It's a great way to make the guy with the .45 in the lane next to you feel inadequate...

[taennyn]

*innocent sparkle* I have no idea of what you speak. :D