Winchester Model 1912

[kudu]

Ade,

Check here for a public range near you. http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/findlocal.asp?State=KY

 

[Ade]

Dave and Kudu,

I'll be damned! There are two trap ranges within reasonable driving distance. They are both private ranges, though. Any idea how that works? Never been to a private range before. All of the ranges I have been to were either military or VERY public (big open spot in the country side).

Thanks guys.

Andy

 

[kudu]

Ade,

I would first call the range up and tell them you are interested in learning trap shooting and ask what thir requirements are for membership. Many require an NRA membership for insurance purposes. The skeet and trap club I belong to needs at least a 50% NRA membership to get insured through the NRA club insurance program for ranges. My club has a yearly membership fee of $35 for reduced rate on rounds of skeet, trap, and 5stand sporting clays. It saves us a dollar a round compared to the occasional shooter who is not a member.

Call around, some may offer some type of teaching for new shooters to get them started in trap.

Whatch out, you may get hooked on shooting clays.

 

[Ade]

Thanks for the advice Kudu. I've called the range and left a message--just waiting for someone to call back. I'll let you know if and when.

I'm looking forward to it. I don't expect that I'll ever be good, but if I can go from hitting 1 out of 50 or a 100, to say maybe hitting 20 out of a 100, it would be great. There are a few grouse here, and I've even seen a couple of pheasants. If I stand a 25%, or even a 5% chance of hitting (as opposed to 1%), it would be much easier to justify to myself taking a shot. I always go, any excuse to be in the woods is a good one, I even pack a shotgun, but I haven't actually fired a shot in a long time.

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[Dave McCracken]

New shooters have little trouble getting to the 15/25 level or so, Ade. Tweaking the form and technique to run them takes more work.

Taking a shotgun into the woods makes sense, provided you violate no ordinances with your ordnance.

Be safe, have fun and BA/UU/R....

 

[bobdog]

Model 12 Chamber length

If there's any doubt left about the chamber length in your Model 12, I've got one built in 1914 with an 88xxx serial number (my grandfather's) in 12 gauge, and it's got a 2-3/4" chamber. Nice shooter, too.

 

[Ade]

Sorry for the delay in responding guys, last week was finals week, and I've either been working, studying, or taking tests. I spent yesterday recovering (work, school, and family is a bear....why didn't I finish school back when I was in my twenties and single?)

Dave,

Good to know about the new shooters. I still haven't heard back from the range yet (holidays and weather, I'm guessing), but I look forward to learning how to shoot better.

Bob,

Thank you, sir! I read that and the last bit of my trepidation disappeared. A shell has been fired in the 1912, and I liked it. Obviously, there was no problem as I'm typing this, and not in the hospital.

Thanks again.

Andy

 

[Sparky]

Ade, You have THE best pump shotgun ever manufactured. I admit to prejudice however.
I'm still shooting a 20 bore 1912 that has had NO repairs in the 38 years I've had it.
It was made in 1918 and has a 2.75 in. chamber. The cool thing about mine, at least to me, is it was made the year my father was born, and won in a poker game by my grandfather the year my mother was born, 1925. He rabbit hunted with it from then until he gave it to me on my 16th. birthday.
It will NEVER leave this family! It will be passed on or I'll haunt 'em!!

 

[Ade]

Sparky,

Thanks for the great story! My wife's shotgun WILL stay in the family. We've already discussed who to pass it on to, even to the extent of returning it to one of her uncles in the horrible event that she, and both of my boys pass away before they can determine who to pass in on to.

Now, I just need to get her to let me use it.....

Take care,

Andy