Shooting military arms

[Gil Martin]

I took a new shooter to the range this past weekend and he had never fired a firearm in his life. The guy is middle aged and a successful businessman originally from Poland. For some reason he wanted to try target shooting. He shot the M1 Garand and did rather well.

We moved over to the handgun range and he shot the 1911A1. The trigger was a challenge and he did not do very well. Then I handed him a P-38 and he fired at clay pigeons on the target embankment at 25 yards. He started hitting the clay birds and really liked the Walther. Now he wants to buy some guns. Later that day I saw him at a local gun shop handling every firearm in the place. He joined the gun club and agrees to willingly drive over 100 miles to go shooting.

Thought you folks might find this interesting and inspiring. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

We must keep assisting new shooters to the fold. I usually have new shooters fire bolt guns and revolvers rather than give them a semi because the gun "gets ahead" of the thinking of some novices. I introduce about a dozen new shooters to the sport every year. Fortunately, we have a nice range nearby and there are rarely others on the range in the morning.

All my new shooters joined the gun club, bought their own guns and 4 have gotten a CCW. Oh, yes, and many were neutral on slightly anti-gun at the start and all are good Second Amendment folks today, and they vote.

Adam

[Cal Sibley]

Hello Gil,

The range I use is over 100 miles away so I usually take 6 or 7 rifles with me and make a day of it. Once each summer I leave all my other rifles at home except my 5 military rifles. It's "their day at the range." It's my favorite trip. I love shooting those old rascals. I've restored most of them to like new condition, and most of them shoot quite well. If someone wants to shoot one I'm more than glad to let them. The reaction is invariably quite favorable. I also am a lover of rifles from the past. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal