Shot a few new guns today, interesting experience.

[Matt-J2]

So I went to the Great Outdoors Festival today in Oshkossh, WI. It was pretty neat, the tickets were a wedding gift from my wife, and a big part pf why was so we could watch Tom Knapp(awesome show, btw).
What also was neat is there were several manufacturers on site with booths in a building, and a range where you could test fire. You bought tickets for $5 each, and they could be used for shotgun(10rds), handgun(10rds), and rifle(5rds). The shotgun areas had clay throwing things so you could fire at clays. Handgun was shoot'n'see type targets on cardboard at 7yds or so, rifle same but at 25yds or so. You had to shoot rifle and pistol while sitting, but you didn't have to use the rest if you didn't want to.

So anyway, the booths I recall were Para-Ordinance, Glock, Ruger, Beretta, S&W, Winchester, Browning, Rock River, DPMS, Olympic, Thompson Center, Uberti...think that's it. Shotgun I don't recall, forgot to wander over there. :( Each company didn't have their full catalog of course, but selection seemed pretty decent.
What I fired:
Ruger SP101 DAO- fired 10rds .38, 10 of .357
S&W 637
S&W 60 pro-chose to use .357
Glock 19(20rds)
Para Ordinance 1911 SSP(20rds)
Beretta 92(9mm)
Beretta 90-Two(.40S&W)
Rock River AR with Eotech
I think that's all. Aside from the Beretta 92, I had never fired any of the above, and I'd only fired any other 1911 once(SA Loaded, one mag worth). Oh, I've fired an M-16A2 in the Army, but never one with the trigger worked, or with optices, etc.

The 637 was somewhat unpleasant. Didn't hit exactly where I was aiming but close enough for social work at that range. Wouldn't want to shoot it a lot, tbh. Not 'omg' terrible, just not fun. The SP101 was the first I went for, and went straight for .357. Shouldn't have, I think. First time with any DA revolver, I suppose groups weren't too bad all considered, but I sure felt it in the hand. Wasn't as bad with .38, but that was rather later and maybe my hand was already a little sore by then. S&W 60 pro had a nice trigger, the one shot I fired SA went right on target, but I should have went with .38s. Again, I'm not in real pain or anything, but it wasn't really pleasant to me. I suppose different grips could help with any of the above, but with stock grips, these are my impressions. The Berettas were ok. No big problems, but no big thrills either. The .40 wasn't as bad as I though it would be, though, so that was nice.
The Para was fine, quite pleasant to shoot. Didn't do too bad group or poa wise, but not great either. Oh, I didn't rest any of the handguns.
The Rock River was awesome. Easy as pie, blam, hits on target. Just used my elbows for a rest.

Oh, yeah, the Glock. Can't forget that. I went back for a second time after all was said and done because it made me feel damn good about myself. I think only 1 round I fired wasn't didn't break the edge of the little sticker, and 3 were away from the center. Just pointed it, and it hit for me. Didn't think I'd do that well with it beforehand, tbh, but it was great. Ooops, guess I sipped the kool-aid. :p


So I walked in hoping to be more in the market for an SP101 or another small revolver, and kinda hoping to shoot a Glock just to see what the fuss was about. Now I think I should seriously look at getting a G19. I can only get one handgun for now(for a variety of reasons), I figure I should get one I do well with and enjoy.

Oh, if you made it this far, a few pics:
Tom Knapp exploding stuff:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/bladesinger/IMG_3920.jpg
Me before firing the Para the first time, safety/handling instruction:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/bladesinger/IMG_3921.jpg
Me meeting THE R. Lee Ermey, serious highlight of the show for me:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/bladesinger/IMG_3927.jpg

Fun time, now I owe my wife something special!:what:

[SamG.]

Cool! :d

[panther22]

Tom Knapp, R.Lee, and all those guns, you were in Heaven and didn't even know it!!
Thanks for sharing the story.

[3KillerBs]

:)

Sounds like a great time.

[Creade]

I didnt even realize this was going on this weekend, i would have driven up!!

[mgkdrgn]

"Oh, yeah, the Glock. Can't forget that. I went back for a second time after all was said and done because it made me feel damn good about myself. I think only 1 round I fired wasn't didn't break the edge of the little sticker, and 3 were away from the center. Just pointed it, and it hit for me. Didn't think I'd do that well with it beforehand, tbh, but it was great. Ooops, guess I sipped the kool-aid."

I will be the first to admit that my handgun experience is rather limited, but when it comes to the Glocks it does seem that there are two kind of people: Those that pick one up for the first time and shoot great with it (usually to their surprise), and those that don't and detest them from that day on.

I put my hands on one at Front Sight in Nevada two years ago, and joined group #1. They are butt ugly, stone simple, go BANG! every time, and I actually scored hits with the damn thing. I was really NOT expecting to like the Glock AT ALL ... but living with it for 4 days in Nevada changed my mind.

Two years later I now own a 26.

[Elvishead]

Man, I can just feel the heat from the flames on my face.

Not much for Glocks, but I'd never tell somebody not to buy one. Great shooting guns, I just don't like there safely system, if thats what you call it.

[hotshotshoting]

why not elvis? its more reliable than most....


either way im not a glock guy... but not because of "their safety"
i don't like how they feel compared to lets say an hk...


ps im glad you had a good time... r. lee is a trip aint he?

[glockman19]

I have the Glock 19 & Beretta 92FS INOX. Love the Glock. my favorite pistol.

I've shot the Ruger SP101 & GP100 and prefer the trigger of the S&W models. I have the 686 4" and I'll be getting a 60 Pro 3".

I have and regularly shoot a S&W 442 & 642 and don't find 100 rounds, in practice a problem. They are similar to the 637.

I can certianly say that I love the Glock 19 and you would be well served by one. they are reliable, accurate and practically indestructible. IMHO the best 9mm you can buy, 17/19/26/34 you can 't go wrong.

Sounds like a good day to me.:)

[Matt-J2]

Yep, Ermey was great. He tried to find a little something to chat with each person about rather than 'Hi, here's your autograph, have a nice day'. Always a nice touch. :)

Looking fairly hard at getting a G19 now. It'll do what I want an apparently I do well with it, so I reckon I'd be a fool to discount that. :)

I think the 637 could have been much better with different grips. I didn't seem to get much hold on those stock grips, and the checkering actually seemed to slide in hand more than anything else. Though I still think I'd prefer something like a 36 with a Tyler T-grip. I'll freely admit to not liking or being used to much recoil.
The best part was that most everything I tried was something I'm considering buying, or very similar. Now I can make a more informed decision. :D