edler7
08-09-2012, 09:53 PM
I got a couple shooting buddies that are youngsters- 18 & 25. I've known them since they were sprouts and have hunted with them on occasions. Lately they have both shown interest in shooting, the younger of the 2 buying himself a 308 for a high school graduation present to himself. We have started loading for it to save him some $$$ so he can shoot more. His dad isn't in this area, so I am always glad to help out in these areas.
Today, they wanted to go to the range and asked if they could bring their grandad and uncle from out of town along to shoot. I said sure. Turns out the uncle was a social worker from New York and all he knew about guns was he didn't like them.
We shot rifles first- the 308, my M1 and a .44 lever action. Uncle hung back a bit at first, but we got him behind all 3 rifles and he kind of seemed to be enjoying it. I explained stuff to him, answered questions and generally helped him out.
After rifles, we went to the pistol range plate racks with a 1911 in .45 and a .357 revolver. He was ready to shoot both and turned out to be a fair shot with the 1911. By the time we were done, he had gone through the lion's share of .45 ACP and was having a ball. He even had his picture taken with the 1911 to show his friends back east.
He told me when we were done that he had no idea shooting could be such fun. I told him it wasn't all about rambo, cammo and shooting everything that moves. He said that was pretty much his impression of the sport up to today. He knows a guy back east that has a gun collection and thinks he will see if he can go to the range with him...something he never would have done before today.
Grandad didn't shoot a lot, but he shot everything and enjoyed himself. I think he enjoyed watching his grandsons, who are becoming fairly proficient shooters.
All in all, I think shooting sports had a small victory with Uncle Richard today.
Today, they wanted to go to the range and asked if they could bring their grandad and uncle from out of town along to shoot. I said sure. Turns out the uncle was a social worker from New York and all he knew about guns was he didn't like them.
We shot rifles first- the 308, my M1 and a .44 lever action. Uncle hung back a bit at first, but we got him behind all 3 rifles and he kind of seemed to be enjoying it. I explained stuff to him, answered questions and generally helped him out.
After rifles, we went to the pistol range plate racks with a 1911 in .45 and a .357 revolver. He was ready to shoot both and turned out to be a fair shot with the 1911. By the time we were done, he had gone through the lion's share of .45 ACP and was having a ball. He even had his picture taken with the 1911 to show his friends back east.
He told me when we were done that he had no idea shooting could be such fun. I told him it wasn't all about rambo, cammo and shooting everything that moves. He said that was pretty much his impression of the sport up to today. He knows a guy back east that has a gun collection and thinks he will see if he can go to the range with him...something he never would have done before today.
Grandad didn't shoot a lot, but he shot everything and enjoyed himself. I think he enjoyed watching his grandsons, who are becoming fairly proficient shooters.
All in all, I think shooting sports had a small victory with Uncle Richard today.