Spent the day at the range with 2 of my former students from the FIRST Robotics team I mentor.
One is now a Junior at UMass Lowell, studying Aeronautical Engineering (or something like that), the other graduated last year, and went right into the work force welding 50-60 hours per week.
Both of them were Boy Scouts, both were Eagle Scouts, both earned rifle merit badges.
For the engineering student, his firearms education didn't stop there, he has traveled this country far and wide, and shot some really fun things in far-flung places.
The welder on the other hand, never did more than a .22 rifle. He received an education today.
Started with Pistols.
Ruger MKIV
Smith and Wesson 659
Glock 23
Remington R1 Stainless 1911
Ruger GP100
Glock 20c
Walked welder through loading of magazines, then put the magazines down on the table, made him tell me the safety rules, we went and hung some targets, then I explained the workings of each handgun as we walked up the curve.
I threw a curveball at him with the GP100 and loaded 2 .357s and 4 .38 Specials in it, but he took it all in stride.
Ear to Ear grins.
His favorite was my Smith and Wesson 659 - said it just felt right in his hand.
After 90 minutes or so, we moved to rifles.
Remington 597 (.22LR)
Springfield Trapdoor - Model of 1884 (.45-70-405)
Yugo M48A Mauser (8mm Mauser)
Daewoo DR-200 (.223/5.56)
PTR-91 (.308)
AR-10 (.308)
Same pitch as before, loaded magazines, talked about what goes where, rules again, then we hung an 8 inch square plate at 100 yards, as well as a number of paper targets.
Ran the rifles in the order listed above, taking time to explain each control set, etc, pest practices, etc (good thing I had my engineering student handy, as both young men are lefties, and I am absolutely not) and we got him off and running.
The .22 could barely be heard when hitting the plate, just a faint "ting"
The Springfield made a good thump
The Mauser was magical (both of them loved it)
Both .308's were fun, with the AR-10 being enjoyed more than the PTR
The real fun was with the Daewoo. I went 30 for 30 with a single mag on the plate at 100 yards, then turned it over to my welding protege with a 10 round mag. His first go, he went 4 for 10, then 8 for 10 on his second mag. Grinning like a Cheshire Cat!
Engineering student was lighting the thing up with the Mauser too, and loving every minute of it.
All in all, the young men were beyond happy to have had this opportunity and thanked me profusely for the great time.
The Engineering student has been trying to get his FID for almost 3 years, but the CoP keeps moving his appointment JUST before the appointment day, then moving it to a day he is at school. Told him to keep at it, and if need be, get in touch with some of our wonderful advocacy groups to bring light to this situation, especially since it added $75 to his cost. (He has been trying to apply since 17)
Good times were had by all involved, in a safe and responsible manner!
One is now a Junior at UMass Lowell, studying Aeronautical Engineering (or something like that), the other graduated last year, and went right into the work force welding 50-60 hours per week.
Both of them were Boy Scouts, both were Eagle Scouts, both earned rifle merit badges.
For the engineering student, his firearms education didn't stop there, he has traveled this country far and wide, and shot some really fun things in far-flung places.
The welder on the other hand, never did more than a .22 rifle. He received an education today.
Started with Pistols.
Ruger MKIV
Smith and Wesson 659
Glock 23
Remington R1 Stainless 1911
Ruger GP100
Glock 20c
Walked welder through loading of magazines, then put the magazines down on the table, made him tell me the safety rules, we went and hung some targets, then I explained the workings of each handgun as we walked up the curve.
I threw a curveball at him with the GP100 and loaded 2 .357s and 4 .38 Specials in it, but he took it all in stride.
Ear to Ear grins.
His favorite was my Smith and Wesson 659 - said it just felt right in his hand.
After 90 minutes or so, we moved to rifles.
Remington 597 (.22LR)
Springfield Trapdoor - Model of 1884 (.45-70-405)
Yugo M48A Mauser (8mm Mauser)
Daewoo DR-200 (.223/5.56)
PTR-91 (.308)
AR-10 (.308)
Same pitch as before, loaded magazines, talked about what goes where, rules again, then we hung an 8 inch square plate at 100 yards, as well as a number of paper targets.
Ran the rifles in the order listed above, taking time to explain each control set, etc, pest practices, etc (good thing I had my engineering student handy, as both young men are lefties, and I am absolutely not) and we got him off and running.
The .22 could barely be heard when hitting the plate, just a faint "ting"
The Springfield made a good thump
The Mauser was magical (both of them loved it)
Both .308's were fun, with the AR-10 being enjoyed more than the PTR
The real fun was with the Daewoo. I went 30 for 30 with a single mag on the plate at 100 yards, then turned it over to my welding protege with a 10 round mag. His first go, he went 4 for 10, then 8 for 10 on his second mag. Grinning like a Cheshire Cat!
Engineering student was lighting the thing up with the Mauser too, and loving every minute of it.
All in all, the young men were beyond happy to have had this opportunity and thanked me profusely for the great time.
The Engineering student has been trying to get his FID for almost 3 years, but the CoP keeps moving his appointment JUST before the appointment day, then moving it to a day he is at school. Told him to keep at it, and if need be, get in touch with some of our wonderful advocacy groups to bring light to this situation, especially since it added $75 to his cost. (He has been trying to apply since 17)
Good times were had by all involved, in a safe and responsible manner!
