Dave McCracken
November 20, 2004, 04:21 PM
I hit the range today to get in a little practice, but it wasn't quite that easy.
As soon as I set up on Range 7, I was approached by another regular, a nice guy frequently seen teaching new shooters. He had some new folks and a bad headache. I took over.
Two guys, one female quite comely in a Pixie-ish way. One male had shot "A little" but the other two were brand new to shotgunning. Between them, they had two rental Beretta break actions and an heirloom.
The heirloom had been someone's grandfather's bird gun. It was an 1100 Special Field in 20 gauge, possibly the best possible upland autoloader ever contrived. Nice wood, with its English style straight grip. With an IC choke, it was a little too open for trap, but it was what he had.
So, a few minutes of Shotgun 101 and a walk through had them hitting some targets and enjoying the heck out of it. We were chased off Range 7 because a lesson (An official one) was to start so we moved up to 8.
There, joined by two friends of theirs, we shot a little more. The 1100 was used this time by the female, who said she preferred the rental. Go figure.
I took a couple shots with the 1100. I could learn to like the Special Field rather easily.
After I was thoroughly thanked, I broached the idea that they should get their own shotguns. The guy with the SF mentioned he had also inherited a Model 12. He asked what it was good for.
He wasn't being sarcastic or smart alecky. He just didn't know.
After I recommended having a smith going over it, the group moved off to turn in the rentals. I looked at them, grinned and shook my head.
Here was a guy who didn't know how good he had it. Given two of the best shotguns ever made, he'd never know the tribulation of making do with say, an H&R single barrel or a bolt action.
And more importantly, he had just been outshot by his wife and hadn't noticed it. It'll sink in soon.
And since I gave them the URL here, maybe he'll figure it out fast.....
As soon as I set up on Range 7, I was approached by another regular, a nice guy frequently seen teaching new shooters. He had some new folks and a bad headache. I took over.
Two guys, one female quite comely in a Pixie-ish way. One male had shot "A little" but the other two were brand new to shotgunning. Between them, they had two rental Beretta break actions and an heirloom.
The heirloom had been someone's grandfather's bird gun. It was an 1100 Special Field in 20 gauge, possibly the best possible upland autoloader ever contrived. Nice wood, with its English style straight grip. With an IC choke, it was a little too open for trap, but it was what he had.
So, a few minutes of Shotgun 101 and a walk through had them hitting some targets and enjoying the heck out of it. We were chased off Range 7 because a lesson (An official one) was to start so we moved up to 8.
There, joined by two friends of theirs, we shot a little more. The 1100 was used this time by the female, who said she preferred the rental. Go figure.
I took a couple shots with the 1100. I could learn to like the Special Field rather easily.
After I was thoroughly thanked, I broached the idea that they should get their own shotguns. The guy with the SF mentioned he had also inherited a Model 12. He asked what it was good for.
He wasn't being sarcastic or smart alecky. He just didn't know.
After I recommended having a smith going over it, the group moved off to turn in the rentals. I looked at them, grinned and shook my head.
Here was a guy who didn't know how good he had it. Given two of the best shotguns ever made, he'd never know the tribulation of making do with say, an H&R single barrel or a bolt action.
And more importantly, he had just been outshot by his wife and hadn't noticed it. It'll sink in soon.
And since I gave them the URL here, maybe he'll figure it out fast.....