Adventures on the Gun Range
Aug. 27th, 2008 11:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
przedI haven't felt too much like posting lately, but I did something tonight that I have to mention: I went to a gun range. And shot a gun. Quite a few guns, actually.
For years, I've been meaning to go shooting with a friend who belongs to a local gun club. Well, the club is getting pushed out of the current premises, high in the rafters of Union Station, by their landlord, the City of Toronto. (Toronto has problems with gun crime, and council figured the optics looked bad, having a gun range on city property.) Tonight was the last night the range is open, so I headed down with Bernie and his son, our sometime babysitter, Luc.
It was very, very cool.
After a primer on gun safety, I started with a 22 calibre revolver, 'cause it was the gun with the least recoil. It was also way too big for my hand. It was a struggle for me just to pull the trigger, let alone aim it. Then I switched to a .22 semi-automatic pistol that was pretty much awesome, though having hot brass jackets blow out of the gun and into your face takes some getting used to.
I tried one magazine's worth of bullets in a Sig Sauer, and that had one heck of a kick. But not as much kick as the .357 Magnum. I only shot two bullets from that one: one to prove I could do it, and one to prove I wasn't scared of it. But I doubt I could hit the side of a barn with it, the recoil is so great.
The range took some getting used to. Even with ear protectors on, I flinched every time someone took a shot for the first ten minutes. And cordite definitely smells pungent. My throat was getting totally dried out by the end of the evening.
After we closed the joint down (Bernie was the range safety officer for the night), we took a nighttime walk on the roof of Union station. As much as the shooting, that was amazing. The city skyline surrounded us, but we were totally alone up there. (I cursed myself for not bringing my camera for that one. I'm never likely to get up on the roof of Union Station again.)
As expected, I enjoyed the experience immensely, and if the club ever finds a home again I might go more often.
Here's some photographic evidence of my adventure:
The casing from one of the .357 Magnum bullet's I shot.
My best target. Note the bullseye! (I won't mention I did this from a resting stance that made it way easier to hit the target. And I also won't mention the other targets that I didn't leave a scratch on.)
Me with my target. Yes, I'm squinty. So is Renee Zellweger. Get over it.
For years, I've been meaning to go shooting with a friend who belongs to a local gun club. Well, the club is getting pushed out of the current premises, high in the rafters of Union Station, by their landlord, the City of Toronto. (Toronto has problems with gun crime, and council figured the optics looked bad, having a gun range on city property.) Tonight was the last night the range is open, so I headed down with Bernie and his son, our sometime babysitter, Luc.
It was very, very cool.
After a primer on gun safety, I started with a 22 calibre revolver, 'cause it was the gun with the least recoil. It was also way too big for my hand. It was a struggle for me just to pull the trigger, let alone aim it. Then I switched to a .22 semi-automatic pistol that was pretty much awesome, though having hot brass jackets blow out of the gun and into your face takes some getting used to.
I tried one magazine's worth of bullets in a Sig Sauer, and that had one heck of a kick. But not as much kick as the .357 Magnum. I only shot two bullets from that one: one to prove I could do it, and one to prove I wasn't scared of it. But I doubt I could hit the side of a barn with it, the recoil is so great.
The range took some getting used to. Even with ear protectors on, I flinched every time someone took a shot for the first ten minutes. And cordite definitely smells pungent. My throat was getting totally dried out by the end of the evening.
After we closed the joint down (Bernie was the range safety officer for the night), we took a nighttime walk on the roof of Union station. As much as the shooting, that was amazing. The city skyline surrounded us, but we were totally alone up there. (I cursed myself for not bringing my camera for that one. I'm never likely to get up on the roof of Union Station again.)
As expected, I enjoyed the experience immensely, and if the club ever finds a home again I might go more often.
Here's some photographic evidence of my adventure:
The casing from one of the .357 Magnum bullet's I shot.
My best target. Note the bullseye! (I won't mention I did this from a resting stance that made it way easier to hit the target. And I also won't mention the other targets that I didn't leave a scratch on.)
Me with my target. Yes, I'm squinty. So is Renee Zellweger. Get over it.
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I'm curious
Date: 2008-08-28 04:10 am (UTC)Nosy, I know, but I call it "research" ;).
Re: I'm curious
Date: 2008-08-28 02:26 pm (UTC)The .22 pistol was by far the best for me, though the Sig Sauer felt okay. This .22 revolver actually hurt to pull the trigger on; my hand was just too small to handle it comfortably. The grip on the Magnum was actually a bit more comfortable.
My hand wasn't tired, but my neck got all tight. Still is, as a matter of fact. And guns are wayyy heavier than you expect. I borrowed a paintball gun from the same friend years ago when I was going to a costume party as Illya Kuryakin. Wearing that thing in a holster all night was really uncomfortable, mostly because of the weight. Which is why most people who carry guns regularly use side holsters as opposed to shoulder ones. (They're nowhere near as sexy, but far more comfortable.)
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 04:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 02:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 05:53 am (UTC)Silly you, no camera and on top of Union Station. I can imagine the wonderful view.
Congrats for trying something new.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 02:28 pm (UTC)I'm still kicking myself for not having a camera. But it was a cool experience.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 02:30 pm (UTC)Definitely yay on the bullseye. *g*
Ahhhh! You rock!
Date: 2008-08-28 11:59 am (UTC)Also, YAY!!!! for publishing and huge hugs of support and love for you 'cause I let John do the supportive calling about your Dad... I feel like I have still to run over and give you lots of hugs and support. It's been a hell of a year...Zaida, your Dad and we had a family friend pass away just before we went up to the cottage last week. Bring on 2009 cause 2008 sucked.
Need date. We need naked men, doncha think?
Re: Ahhhh! You rock!
Date: 2008-08-28 02:32 pm (UTC)Thanks for the hugs. I've been meaning to call you all week, but I've been knackered, not to mention trying to get sorted for the film fest. (Are you going? Do you want to see my list, in case there's any chance of us seeing something together?)
As for 2008, it's certainly not going to be one of my favourite years. Naked men are definitely in order.
Re: Ahhhh! You rock!
Date: 2008-08-29 12:27 pm (UTC)Let's make arrangements for Naked Men though I'm guessing we should waut a couple weeks until the film fest is over. I've got to get Wee Monster all ready for Grade 3! (OMG!)
How's my favourite Daycare Attendee???
Re: Ahhhh! You rock!
Date: 2008-08-29 12:46 pm (UTC)We should definitely plan for a fun night after the fest. And maybe a kids' dinner night too. (I can't believe Matty's going into Grade 3.)
Your favourite Daycare Attendee is doing well. Though she's becoming the delaying tactic expert. Getting her to bed at night and to daycare in the morning is becoming increasingly difficult.
Re: Ahhhh! You rock!
Date: 2008-08-29 01:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 01:46 pm (UTC)I'm around all weekend. Are you available?
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 02:34 pm (UTC)But yeah, it is getting long, ain't it?
Alas, we're going up north this weekend, to hang with my mom. And then I'll be MIA for two weeks for the film fest. But after that we'll have to make some plans. (How long is it since I've seen you, anyway?)
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 03:40 pm (UTC)Have you met me? ;-D
Have fun up Nord. So... you know Paul Gross's new film debuts at TIFF, right?
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 05:49 pm (UTC)Yeah. Don and I have already begun the mocking.
I'm sorry. I like him in Slings & Arrow's, 'cause he's playing a freak, but mostly I'm not a Paul Gross gal.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 05:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 06:16 pm (UTC)(If it makes you feel any better, I'm totally feeling the need to see Men with Brooms, though mostly 'cause I'm in the middle of a serious Peter Outerbridge crush.)
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 06:44 pm (UTC)\o/
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 06:49 pm (UTC)I'll be borrowing the autographed copy the next time I see you.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-29 02:56 am (UTC)Hey...wait. I don't think Canadians are ALLOWED to carry guns. It's so...un-Canadian...isn't it?
no subject
Date: 2008-08-29 03:20 am (UTC)As for guns being un-Canadian, well, you can't carry concealed weapons. Unless you've got a trigger lock on 'em and have 'em in a locked bag. And handgun ownership is restricted. And... you get the idea.
I have to say I'm totally for most of our gun laws, but man, sport shooting is fun.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-29 07:10 pm (UTC)I am envious.
Ever since I learned Union Station had a gun range in it I thought it would be a cool place to check out.
Too bad the City had to close it down.
What no pictures from the roof of Union Station?