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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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)