pudge's Journal: Call Me Lucas McCain

OK, Lucas shot a rifle and not a shotgun, but still.

I fired a shotgun for the first time in my life on Sunday. A 12-gauge Beretta over-and-under, trap model. The bottom barrel is a full choke, which means the shot stays together longer; the top barrel is modified, so it has a wider spread, making it easier to hit those flying discs.

I joked with my brother-in-law that I'd be happy to hit with just one of the 50 shells I had. Of course, that would not make me happy. But it'd be better than missing them all.

For my first shot, I used the (harder to hit with) bottom barrel. I planted my left foot in front, put most of my weight on it, crouched down a little, and closed my left eye (it's far more powerful than my right, so I can't clean it open unless it's covered) as I sighted the front of the tower. I meekly coughed "pull!" and followed the clay pigeon up to the left, and just as it reached its peak, I pulled the trigger.

Shards of pigeon flew every which way. Victory is mine.

I dunno how much of it was beginner's luck though, as the rest of my day saw me hitting only about 4 out of 25 shots with the full choke. But I hit about 18 of 25 with the modified choke, so that's still pretty good for a beginner.

It's the stationary targets I have trouble with ... if you're breaking into my house, pretend I'm a grizzly bear, and just stand still.

Speaking of Lucas McCain -- you know, The Rifleman -- I picked up three episodes of The Rifleman on DVD for $1 at Target. The had a whole box of DVDs of old TV shows, and they don't even give you a case for the disc: it's got gummy glue on the label side, attached to the inside of a cheap cardboard box. Nice way to mass produce some of this stuff people wouldn't spend much money for.

Today I went skiing. First time this season. I've not played hockey since Christmas 2004 either, so I am just out of shape. By mistake I went to an intermediate trail for my first run, and my legs were burning trying to navigate the several inches of powder. I got better as the day wore on, of course.

Until we decided to go home, and I left my skis behind, which I didn't realize until I got home. We called them, and they said they would look. We'll call again in the morning. I *really* hope they find them. I am optimistic.

Congratulations.

[Kymermosst]

You have some catching up to do.

I have shot, in increasing caliber order:

.17 air rifle (doesn't really count, but hey)
Too many .22 rifles to count.
Several .22 pistols.
M16 (.223/5.56mm)
M249 (.223)
Remington 700 (.223)
M60 (.30/7.62mm)
AK-47 (7.62mm)
Beretta Tomcat (.32)
Beretta M9 (9mm)
Glock 22 (.40S&W)
Colt 45 (.45)
Thompson submachine gun (yes, the full-auto) (.45)
.50 cal muzzle loader
M203 (40mm grenade launcher)

I think that's it for pistols and rifles I've personally fired. While many of those were in the

Re:Congratulations.

[pudge]

You have some catching up to do.

I'll point at you when people accuse me of being a gun nut!

I've shot various air guns, and yeah, they don't count. I've shot a .22 rifle, and an assortment of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols (9mm, .38, .357, .40, .45). And now a shotgun. I want to try some rifles next ...

Interestingly enough, I have never fired a shotgun.

I also note you didn't list a 9mm or .38.

Re:Congratulations.

[Kymermosst]

I'll point at you when people accuse me of being a gun nut!

Be my guest... but I must say, of the above list, the only ones I own are a .22 rifle, a .22 pistol, and the Beretta Tomcat.

Now some other people I know... they are a different story.

Another Congrats.

[JesseL]

My wife Melissa and I got that same DVD from Target as one of our Christmas gifts to my father-in-law. He got me two boxes of (hard to find) 16 gauge shotgun shells.

Be careful, shooting sports may be addictive. It won't be long before you're shopping for your own shotgun. After that you'll wan't another in a different gauge, then an autoloader, then a side-by-side, then different ones for trap, skeet, sporting clays, and hunting. Pretty soon you'll be dreaming about dusting clays and trying to figure out ju

Re:Another Congrats.

[stoolpigeon]

Now a list like this is handy when my wife says I have too many guns. Because obviously I don't have many at all.

I have consciously stayed away from shooting any nice shotguns so that I can just go on enjoying my 870 Express. Ignorance is bliss. I'll throw in my list while I'm here:

Remington 870 Express
Springfield Armory 30-06 (Old springfield armory- not the current company)
Ruger 10-22 (synthetic stock, fluted bull barrel, scope and bipod)
Ruger 10-22 (no modifications or scope)
Chinese SK

Re:Another Congrats.

[JesseL]

Now a list like this is handy when my wife says I have too many guns. Because obviously I don't have many at all.

Now what the heck am I supposed to tell MY wife? I still want more!

I still really want a couple magnum revolvers, a more modern 1911, an AR, a nice OU shotgun, and a couple lever-actions. It's gonna be a while though because I probably couldn't afford to shoot what I have if I didn't reload.

I inherited about 2/3 of my guns from my grandfather when he passed away. He was a gunsmith and most of t

Re:Another Congrats.

[pudge]

a more modern 1911

I really like my Ruger P345. It's not a 1911 specifically ...

Trap Shooting

[rholliday]

I had to agree that the systematic annihilation of clay fowl and mammals can be quite addictive. My father and I own several shotguns of varying style, gauge, and quality. His company sponsers a team or two each year at the local Budweiser brewery's charity shoot. Good times.