Shooting

With the weather like it's been, and the loss of my friend's shooting area - some kind of stupid social falling out that caught me in the fallout - I've not been out shooting for a long while. Now, this isn't so important if you are into target shooting, but I'm not. At least not yet. My focus now is on self defense tactics and in order to get competent and stay that way you have to practice. A lot.

So, I found another piece of land on which I could shoot and there was about a week between snow storms, melt and the attendant mud, so on a kind of dry day I drove out to the land and packed my handguns. LC9, LCP and SR9c. Yes, I'm a Ruger fancier for reasons I will probably go into in another post. I packed along some 9 mm FMJ and .380 FMJ practice rounds and an innocent cardboard box for the target. Walked, sluged through snow and mud mostly, about a mile to a good spot and set up.

Then commenced the lesson showing me (once again) that I am not such a good shot, especially not having been to the "range" for too long. Even more interesting is that each of these guns has a different trigger, meaning that the LCP and LC9 are "double action" with long trigger pulls before the gun fires. The LCP, being so small, seems like it has an overly long pull. It's long, but it just takes getting used to. You can't jerk this gun and expect to hit much. Anything less that a yard or two away will require some concentration on the grip and trigger action. This is something that must be practiced to get muscle memory involved because in a hurry-up self defense action, you don't have time (and probably can't) to think slowly and deliberately.

The LC9 also has a long pull, but being bigger and heavier, and fitting my hand better, is more manageable. Some story though. Practice. A lot.

The SR9c is a real sweetie when talking about triggers. It has a kind of Glock-like safety on the trigger and the pull is probably around 5 oru 6 pounds and short. Compared to the other two guns, way short. But with that, the great ergonomics and weight of the gun, it shoot fast and stable.

I had fun. Seriously wounded the cardboard box, and an innocent sandstone boulder nearby and shot up a few dollars worth of ammo.

That brings up my second point. Ammo. I worked out a minimum practice schedule and routine for  the year. At the absolute minimum number of trips out and rounds fired, I would still be sending about $300 worth of lead down range each year. I thought about reloading. Then, I thought about shooting more cheaply and more often so that I could hone my shooting skills without going broke. That's when the light dawned that the answer is another Ruger! 

Of course! What I really need is a new Ruger SR-22 Pistol so that I can buy carloads of .22 ammo and shoot ten times as much at less cost that I would need to even with reloading my own ammo.

Hell, I don't know why I didn't think of this before....

Letter to business prohibiting firearms

Letter to ccw store prohibition:
I was (activity) and I noticed your sign prohibiting concealed weapons. I understand and appreciate your concern for the safety of your employees and your customers. I am not a nut or an extremist. I am a responsible, law abiding citizen and I would like to share with you my opinions on this topic. I would appreciate it if you would view them with an open mind.
I have a permit to carry a concealed weapon issued by the State of XXX. I have received training, passed a background check and have my photo and fingerprints registered with the state. I am careful to exercise my right to carry a concealed weapon within the laws of XXX and I understand the serious nature of this responsibility. I do this to protect myself and my family and because I feel strongly that armed, law abiding citizens are a significant deterrent to criminals. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers cannot be everywhere at all times to protect us. Sometimes we have to be prepared to protect ourselves.
Please be aware that anyone legally carrying a concealed weapon has passed a background check and has no felony convictions. These are the "good" guys, not the people you should be worried about. The vast majority of crimes involving weapons are performed with weapons obtained illegally by individuals who would not qualify for a concealed carry permit. Anyone illegally carrying a concealed weapon is not going to concern themselves with your posted prohibition, after all, we have already established that they are criminals. If anything, the sign will give criminals confidence because it is likely that they will be the only ones in your facility armed with weapons.
I generally carry a weapon. When I arrive at your location and see your sign I have four options, none of which are good.
1. "Open carry" my weapon which is legal in XXX and not prohibited by your sign but tends to make people uncomfortable.
2. Leave my weapon in my vehicle, unsecured while XXX, which is much riskier than keeping it with me.
3. Ignore your sign and carry my weapon legally concealed.
4. Leave and find another place to do business.
Of course, the safety of your employees and customers is infinitely more important than my dilemma about what to do upon seeing your sign. Please understand that a concealed weapon which remains concealed is much safer than one in transition from concealment to open carry or to storage. A quality weapon secured in a quality holster is very safe. Also understand that a trained, certified, permit carrying "good guy" in your facility with a legally concealed weapon may be your best defense when a criminal shows up with no regard for your signs or your safety.

Michael