Last Weekend at Larry's

[Jadecristal]

I'm a little slow about getting postings done, so forgive me...

While visiting a friend in Colorado, Larry was nice enough to allow us to come down from Colorado Springs and shoot. The original plan was to go blast prairie dogs, but due to some availability issues, that didn't work out. We had a great time anyway, despite the rain that rolled in a little earlier than we would have liked, doing some shooting at the local range there in Pueblo.

It was the first time for me shooting a rifle, which in this case was my Bushmaster M4gery; it was different, to say the least, from my previous experience with handguns. And hitting things is hard, especially without a scope. Maybe that will get better over time.

Larry also brought along his Colt 1911, which was another first for me. I like the 1911 a lot more than I expected to. I also like his wife's cookies and salsa, which flowed freely after the shooting session... so a nice big, public "Thank you, Larry!" is in order here.

Oh, and I'm supposed to say something to P95Carry about getting out there to shoot before he did.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Glad you had a good time! The weather could have cooperated a little better, along with the prairie dog situation.

We did go out the next morning and popped a few, although it seems they have figured out our little "game". They seem to have learned that the guy in the blue and white truck, with the black rifle, is NOT shooting a .22.

Oh, and I didn't know that was your very first time firing a rifle. You acted like you knew what you were doing. Maybe that explains the "ouch" when you fired my Garand.

We didn't really have salsa and cookies. We had salsa then cookies.

 

[P95Carry]

Oh, and I'm supposed to say something to P95Carry about getting out there to shoot before he did.

Haha!! Well, I guess when factoring in the different distance factors - I have to concede - no contest.

One day Larry - one day my friend! Dreams are free.

 

[Jadecristal]

Knowing what I'm doing...

Well, I tried to have a good idea of the concepts beforehand - you know, how rifles work, and the specifics of the M16/M4 platform. Nothing really prepares you for the first "whack" of the action cycling and the thump against your shoulder, though. There was a little bruise for a few days afterwards.

As usual, just like with motorcycles (I bought a 600cc first, and now have a 250cc) and handguns (I bought a G17, not a .22), I bought what I wanted first and ignored some suggestions on getting a .22 rifle as well. Maybe it would have mattered, maybe not. My whole basis is kinda what I said before, though - *if* I'm only going to get one handgun, and one rifle (for now), they should be flexible, useful tools that will work in all the situations that I might need them in. 9mm is cheap, 5.56mm is cheap and plentiful, and both have an acceptable amount of stopping power to go with the cheapness. I don't present them as holy grails, or anything, and no system - weapon or cartridge size - is perfect for all situations. I just felt my choices were good for *me*.

/me steps off the soap box now.