campergeek
Member
Over the 4th of July weekend my parents were here to see my kids (they readily declare that they don't come to see me any more) and while they were here my 6 y.o. son got an opportunity to show Grandpa how he could shoot his bb gun (Daisy Buck).
Before he shot, I made him recite the 4 rules for Grandpa and then demonstrate the 4 shooting positions. He did a great job, and then proceeded to impress Grandpa with his marksmanship. Our shooting sessions tend to follow a pattern: Son starts out enthusiastic and focused; groups shots well and close to the middle. Son continues shooting, begging after each set of 5 shots "can I shoot some more?" ("Yes, of course", is always the answer). Son begins to tire of shooting, loses focus and the shots begin to spread around the target. At this point I always let him quit when he's ready - he already enjoys shooting; why push him?
At about the time my son was tiring out, my dad asked to take a few shots. I offered to get him my full-size bb/pellet rifle (we were shooting in my 5-meter range, a.k.a. my garage), but he insisted that he was fine with the itty-bitty lever action.
A little background: my dad is 72 and a Korean War veteran, although in his position he was in country but didn't see any action. I once asked him what his job was during the war, and after he described his duties I realized that he was roughly the equivalent of the unseen "sparky" on the television show M*A*S*H. Forgive the sitcom reference - that show was a family favorite and is my primary mental picture of the Korean conflict. But now I digress. Growing up, my dad taught me to shoot but we didn't spend a lot of time hunting or shooting together. He only had 1 rifle - a bolt-action .22, and had only a utilitarian interest in firearms, at least from what I saw.
In any case, this veteran of war and life sprawled out prone on my garage floor and scrunched up to sight down the little Daisy Buck, firing 5 shots. To my son's delight Grandpa didn't shoot as well as he did, but I think that may have had something to do with stock fit.
Afterwards I got to have a rare conversation with my dad on his military experience and firearms. His favorite rifle was the M1 carbine, and he told of guys in training who would occasionally end up (by personal act or indadvertent issue) with a rifle on which the sear was filed down. He said it would be quite a spectacle on the firing range when the steady "bam! bam! bam!" would be interrupted by a sudden "brrrraaaap!". The RO would call a cease fire, and the culprit (easy to find - he's the guy with the empty magazine) would be marched out. My dad said he never knew what happened to those guys.
Then my dad said he kind of liked the .45's that they were issued (I assume 1911s, but he didn't remember), but he felt that they were underpowered. He said that they were okay at close range, but beyond about 15 yds they lacked punch. As evidence, he shared a story of one guy in his unit who attempted to shoot one of the officers. Apparently he tried to do so with a shot in the back, during the dead of winter. Korean winters being about the same as Nebraska winters, the officer was insulated by winter layers and apparently the bullet never made it through the fabric. (understand, here, that my dad was not lamenting that the shooter did not have more firepower, just using this as a case in point)
This brings me to the question: I don't have a 1911 personally, but this seemed odd to me as I've never heard similar complaints about the .45. Is this something that was a problem with issue ammo during the 50's?
In addition to our discussion, my dad began doing rifle drills with the diminutive Daisy. Even with the ridiculous picture of this retiree drilling with a tiny lever-action, it was still quite touching to see him relive some military memories with pride. After he went through some drills he remarked that he guesses it's something you never forget.
I know this was long and rambling, but I just wanted to share for posterity some meaningful gun time that 3 generations shared in my garage. Thanks for the opportunity. While my dad is healthy now I know that he won't be with us forever. I'm hoping maybe to get my hands on a M1 Carbine before his next visit and present him with a gift of some range time.
edited to correct a spelling error
Before he shot, I made him recite the 4 rules for Grandpa and then demonstrate the 4 shooting positions. He did a great job, and then proceeded to impress Grandpa with his marksmanship. Our shooting sessions tend to follow a pattern: Son starts out enthusiastic and focused; groups shots well and close to the middle. Son continues shooting, begging after each set of 5 shots "can I shoot some more?" ("Yes, of course", is always the answer). Son begins to tire of shooting, loses focus and the shots begin to spread around the target. At this point I always let him quit when he's ready - he already enjoys shooting; why push him?
At about the time my son was tiring out, my dad asked to take a few shots. I offered to get him my full-size bb/pellet rifle (we were shooting in my 5-meter range, a.k.a. my garage), but he insisted that he was fine with the itty-bitty lever action.
A little background: my dad is 72 and a Korean War veteran, although in his position he was in country but didn't see any action. I once asked him what his job was during the war, and after he described his duties I realized that he was roughly the equivalent of the unseen "sparky" on the television show M*A*S*H. Forgive the sitcom reference - that show was a family favorite and is my primary mental picture of the Korean conflict. But now I digress. Growing up, my dad taught me to shoot but we didn't spend a lot of time hunting or shooting together. He only had 1 rifle - a bolt-action .22, and had only a utilitarian interest in firearms, at least from what I saw.
In any case, this veteran of war and life sprawled out prone on my garage floor and scrunched up to sight down the little Daisy Buck, firing 5 shots. To my son's delight Grandpa didn't shoot as well as he did, but I think that may have had something to do with stock fit.
Afterwards I got to have a rare conversation with my dad on his military experience and firearms. His favorite rifle was the M1 carbine, and he told of guys in training who would occasionally end up (by personal act or indadvertent issue) with a rifle on which the sear was filed down. He said it would be quite a spectacle on the firing range when the steady "bam! bam! bam!" would be interrupted by a sudden "brrrraaaap!". The RO would call a cease fire, and the culprit (easy to find - he's the guy with the empty magazine) would be marched out. My dad said he never knew what happened to those guys.
Then my dad said he kind of liked the .45's that they were issued (I assume 1911s, but he didn't remember), but he felt that they were underpowered. He said that they were okay at close range, but beyond about 15 yds they lacked punch. As evidence, he shared a story of one guy in his unit who attempted to shoot one of the officers. Apparently he tried to do so with a shot in the back, during the dead of winter. Korean winters being about the same as Nebraska winters, the officer was insulated by winter layers and apparently the bullet never made it through the fabric. (understand, here, that my dad was not lamenting that the shooter did not have more firepower, just using this as a case in point)
This brings me to the question: I don't have a 1911 personally, but this seemed odd to me as I've never heard similar complaints about the .45. Is this something that was a problem with issue ammo during the 50's?
In addition to our discussion, my dad began doing rifle drills with the diminutive Daisy. Even with the ridiculous picture of this retiree drilling with a tiny lever-action, it was still quite touching to see him relive some military memories with pride. After he went through some drills he remarked that he guesses it's something you never forget.
I know this was long and rambling, but I just wanted to share for posterity some meaningful gun time that 3 generations shared in my garage. Thanks for the opportunity. While my dad is healthy now I know that he won't be with us forever. I'm hoping maybe to get my hands on a M1 Carbine before his next visit and present him with a gift of some range time.
edited to correct a spelling error