Monster creation underway?

So today Jon and I went out to cruise through the gun shops in town (there's really only three).  First one is a small shop with what seems like a regular customer base and a barber shop attached - totally old school.  Went in, told them I'd never shot a handgun but had just taken the course and was drawn to the single action revolver.  The ones I was really interested in was the Colt 1873 and Colt 1911.They showed me several, but then started talking about accuracy with it - and apparently a single action isn't so accurate.  It's a lot of fun - especially at the cowboy events, but not so accurate.  So I decided to look at the double actions.

I found quite a few I liked, that sat well in my hand and seemed to suit me.  The top ones on the list, however, all ended up being .357 Magnums.  I was staying away from that because it seemed so cliche, but it seemed to be the ones I kept saying "I like this one".  There was a gentleman there who was obviously a regular - he was chatting with the owner and staff, then sat down in the barber shop to get a cut.  When I lifted the S&W he said "that looks good on you, you should take it", and proceeded to make the rest of the time feel like we were with old friends.

The second place we stopped at had a range, so we were looking at the rental prices, etc., and who walks up but the same gentleman we saw earlier.  I asked if he was following us, and his answer was "not deliberately" with a huge grin.  He and Jon chatted while I looked over what they had to use on the range and got some information from the staff.  When I was done I joined them, and he introduced himself to us. (I'm not naming him here to keep his privacy in place)  We had a couple of laughs, then he said see you around and we all left.  Jon and I went and grabbed a bite to eat, then headed to the third place.

We went in and right away we decided it was definitely a better environment than the second place we were at.  There was a young man at the front of the store, and when I asked about the revolvers, he took us over to a display that held a whole lot of pretty guns!  As I pointed at two I would like to see, he says "do you guys know someone named X?"  My response was "are you kidding" and Jon laughed.  Sure enough, they went and let X know we were there, and he invited us back to the range to shoot!  With Jon's injured arm, he couldn't, but I was able to accept the invitation.  And then it got REALLY fun!  I had been pointing at a variety of guns asking to handle them, and every single one (and this happened at every store) EVERY SINGLE ONE that I said "ooooo I like this one!" was a 357.  Go figure.

Then it turns out that X has a S&W 686 .357 revolver.  EXACTLY the one I was most intrigued by.

We went back to the range, he reviewed some safety rules (still very fresh in my mind after the course), and then we went shooting.  X was gracious, and allowed me to shoot a box of .38 first - I did pretty good with that once I had figured out the sights on his gun, then he let me shoot the .357 ammo.  An entire box.  And it was AWESOME!  (Yeah, I know I've written about word usage, but truly - at that moment that's how it felt - awesome)  I was consistent, the gun felt really good, I figured out a stance that works well for me, and well, it was just TOO COOL FOR WORDS!

I can't wait to go again - I'll try other guns obviously, but this one felt....right.

We were so lucky to meet X, and I am very thankful for the opportunity.  When I have my gun and I go to the range, I will be paying this forward - as often as I can.

Target on the left is the .38, the right is the .357 magnum. Not too shabby for the first time ever shooting a handgun!

PAL - achievement unlocked!

So I finally took the course for my PAL.  Non-restricted and Restricted.  Passed with flying colours, thank you very much.  The only questions I got wrong both days were ones on ammo, and I wasn't surprised, as I'm fuzzy on many of the different types of ammo.  I believe that those are the less important ones tho - important in their own way, but not as important as the safety taught during the course.  If I'm going to purchase a firearm you'd better believe I'll know everything about it and the ammo it takes before buying, so I was less concerned if I missed the question on "which cartridge on the table is the rim fire".  Yeah, I got that one wrong.

There were some fun moments during the course though, and I don't want to forget them.  There were 18 of us, I was the only woman.  It amazed me how chivalrous most of the guys were, getting my ammo when it was on the floor, letting me go ahead of them (didn't take advantage of that one), encouraging me (that was HUGE!), etc.  It was totally cool.

Moments:

During NR:
Instructor (walking towards me and looking right at me, then pointing): You are on a beach in Maui, your house is broken into and your firearms are stolen, what happens?
Me: report the theft to the Police.
Instructor: No, you are on a beach in Maui, your house is broken into and your UNSECURED firearms are stolen, what happens?
Me: It wouldn't happen, our firearms are secured appropriately.
Instructor: (small grin, I think deciding if he was ticked I didn't answer or if he was pleased I got the message), if SOMEONE was on a beach in Maui, their house was broken into and their unsecured firearms are stolen, what happens?
Me: They are guilty of an indictable offense, subject to up to five years in jail, or a summary conviction, and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
Instructor: (larger grin) Yes (turning away to ask someone else something)
This was an instructor that didn't really grin, I was pretty pleased I managed to get a grin out of him.

Today, during the R portion, we were handling the semi-auto 9mm, and the slide was tricky - on all of them.  If you pay attention to what the instructor does and says, it makes it way easier.  We were told to pick up the firearm and PROVE it.  I managed to get the slide to catch on the second try, and stood waiting.  There were three guys in my group who struggled, and the instructor walked down the line and said to the guys "what's going on?  Laurie has it!" In my mind was "nyah nyah" :D

When we were handling the firearms yesterday during the NR, I had the break action shotgun.  They had warned us to do every single step every time, because they  might change ammo, or load the gun on us, or something.  I pick up my shotgun, go to PROVE it, and poof - out pops a shell.  I look around, and there's the non-grin instructor staring right at me.  Sneaky devil must have loaded the shell on me.  I nailed it though, and was rather pleased.

During the Q&A prep for the test, every single question that was asked I knew.  We were to put our hands up if we knew, this also told the instructors that they had covered everything.  There were several where my hand shot up, and I wanted so badly to wave it around  crying out ME ME ME!!! PICK ME!!!!  But I didn't.  I got a chance to answer some, and they always seemed to be the wordy ones.  Funny that.

After the written portion yesterday (NR), the non-grin instructor walked my test over to me and said I passed by the skin of my teeth.  I had been so stressed and nervous about it, I figured I'd take it.  I started looking it over, and couldn't find more than 2 "x" marks.  I asked Sean (who took it with me) "don't they tell you what you got wrong?"  he said yes, and started flipping through my test.  He couldn't find the x marks either, so flipped to the front page and pointed.  I had gotten a 96% - pass is 80.  Doh.  I had the other examiner for the practical, so didn't get a chance to say anything.  After the practical, the instructor asked me how I thought I did, and I answered that I thought I missed a few things - but no, I received 100% and he asked if I knew why I had done so well.  I asked why, and he said it's because I listened to everything and did it all right - also I verbalized everything I was doing.  Fantastic!

After the written portion today, the same non-grin instructor was with the instructor who was marking the tests.  He was not marking at all, but when I walked up with my test he took it - mine was the only one he marked.  I just knew he was targeting me, but it was all good - I really took a liking to him as an instructor, and after yesterday it was kinda funny.  He took my paper, and seemed to take a long time marking it - then he motioned for me to come over.  He pulled the paper against him, and asked how I thought I had done.  I told him, there were 7 questions I was unsure of, when I went back through the text I think I marked three of them right,  maybe four.  So, I figured I had either three or four wrong (would still give me a pass, but not as good as I'd have liked).  He grinned again, said I got one wrong and just like yesterday it was about the size of ammunition, and what is it with women and issues with size?  I let that one slide completely.  I was so happy about the mark!  Then for the practical I had the same instructor.  He had me pick up the dual action revolver, and PROVE it.  I then put it on the table.  He said "I didn't tell you to put it down, please do exactly as I say".  I picked it up again, and we proceeded through the rest of the routine on that firearm.  He then asked me to pick up the single action revolver.  So I picked it up, and held it pointed downrange - and stopped.  I waited, it seemed like an eternity.  Then I turned only my head and said "You didn't say to PROVE it, and I'm trying to do exactly as you say".  He grinned again, then said "Good.  Now PROVE it".  I wasn't sure if he was testing me or if it was an accident, but it worked out in my favour I think :D

When it came time to give me my mark, he said I did great, and I achieved a 98% on the practical, then congratulated me.

In hindsight, I maybe could have chosen a more appropriate wardrobe piece. I just went for comfort, so  I wore my WHGames shirt -

Not sure that's the right top to wear to a Restricted Firearms course :)



I am so chuffed about this - the instructors were fantastic - taking me from where I was yesterday morning to comfortable that I can PROVE a NR or a R firearm - wow!

It was a memorable weekend, and well worth it.  I will now send in my application and wait for my PAL to arrive, then will likely show it off to the family.  This is exciting!