First, the background.
A young gentleman sold me a Lee-Enfield a few years ago. He claimed he was selling it to finance his first 1911. I gave him more than it was worth, hoping he would enjoy his new pistol.
Within the next year, we had bumped into each other occasionally...he always asking about the rifle and I was always asking about his pistol shooting. One thing led to another, and he joined me at a local IDPA match. He had the time of his life and has subsequently been to the majority of matches over the last year or two.
We've become pretty good friends since last months IDPA match.
We met up last week and did some pre-match practice for this months shoot. He got to see where he stands on the timer and it's obvious that he's pushing himself to become a better shot. Sometimes it only takes a nudge to get him going the right direction, while others times I can sit back and watch the lightbulb flick on by itself. It's pure enjoyment to watch and assist.
I get a call from him just a few days ago. We're talking guns and it sounds as if he's beating around the bush....I ask him what he really wants... "Uh...well, could you teach me to reload?"
Of course I can.
First things first. "I'm going to give you a few manuals...now, I'm not asking you to read the whole thing..just the beginning portion so that you fully understand what you're getting into," I tell him. I hand him the Hornady Vol 1, Speer and Understanding Firearm Ballistics. "When you're done with them, let me know," I say as I usher him out the door.
See...this is my little test. If you're serious about wanting to learn... obviously you'll read the books. If you don't read the books, it's still obvious you want to learn, but aren't willing to put in the time to do it right and I won't waste my time on you. I've had several people tell me they want to learn how to reload ammunition, and I put the books in their hand, yet after they leave I find the books sitting right where they put them down.
Back to the story...
Two days later, I get a call. "I'm done with the books."
"Great, come on over, we'll get started. I just happen to be getting ready to load some .45 Colt," I say.
He shows up with two of the three books...he's still reading the ballistics book. (I can't blame him, there's a lot of information in there)
We get started loading the ammo. He creates 15 cartridges from start to finish on my old Pacific single stage press. He was pretty amazed it was so simple. We talk about required purchases (tumbler, scale, calipers) while examining different bullets, powder and primers.
I then take him over to my Dillon 650 and tell him how to operate it to complete one cartridge. He sits the bullet on the case and cranks the handle. The machine spits out a completed round. He turns around and looks at me, eyes wide, jaw officially dropped...."I have to get one of these!" Uh, huh...I know exactly the feeling. Several years ago, that's how I got reeled in too.
Before he left tonight, he stated that his list of things to purchase is getting longer and longer. I just smiled.
Ladies and Gentleman, I've officially created a monster.
Hopefully, he'll show up here soon.
Ed
A young gentleman sold me a Lee-Enfield a few years ago. He claimed he was selling it to finance his first 1911. I gave him more than it was worth, hoping he would enjoy his new pistol.
Within the next year, we had bumped into each other occasionally...he always asking about the rifle and I was always asking about his pistol shooting. One thing led to another, and he joined me at a local IDPA match. He had the time of his life and has subsequently been to the majority of matches over the last year or two.
We've become pretty good friends since last months IDPA match.
We met up last week and did some pre-match practice for this months shoot. He got to see where he stands on the timer and it's obvious that he's pushing himself to become a better shot. Sometimes it only takes a nudge to get him going the right direction, while others times I can sit back and watch the lightbulb flick on by itself. It's pure enjoyment to watch and assist.
I get a call from him just a few days ago. We're talking guns and it sounds as if he's beating around the bush....I ask him what he really wants... "Uh...well, could you teach me to reload?"
Of course I can.
First things first. "I'm going to give you a few manuals...now, I'm not asking you to read the whole thing..just the beginning portion so that you fully understand what you're getting into," I tell him. I hand him the Hornady Vol 1, Speer and Understanding Firearm Ballistics. "When you're done with them, let me know," I say as I usher him out the door.
See...this is my little test. If you're serious about wanting to learn... obviously you'll read the books. If you don't read the books, it's still obvious you want to learn, but aren't willing to put in the time to do it right and I won't waste my time on you. I've had several people tell me they want to learn how to reload ammunition, and I put the books in their hand, yet after they leave I find the books sitting right where they put them down.
Back to the story...
Two days later, I get a call. "I'm done with the books."
"Great, come on over, we'll get started. I just happen to be getting ready to load some .45 Colt," I say.
He shows up with two of the three books...he's still reading the ballistics book. (I can't blame him, there's a lot of information in there)
We get started loading the ammo. He creates 15 cartridges from start to finish on my old Pacific single stage press. He was pretty amazed it was so simple. We talk about required purchases (tumbler, scale, calipers) while examining different bullets, powder and primers.
I then take him over to my Dillon 650 and tell him how to operate it to complete one cartridge. He sits the bullet on the case and cranks the handle. The machine spits out a completed round. He turns around and looks at me, eyes wide, jaw officially dropped...."I have to get one of these!" Uh, huh...I know exactly the feeling. Several years ago, that's how I got reeled in too.
Before he left tonight, he stated that his list of things to purchase is getting longer and longer. I just smiled.
Ladies and Gentleman, I've officially created a monster.
Hopefully, he'll show up here soon.
Ed
