On Friday I went to the range with Noah, from the CAPS class, and Christian. They had never shot before, and I think I gave them a great first time experience. I taught them the four golden rules of gun safety (always treat the gun as if its always loaded, keep the gun in a safe direction at all times, only put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire, always be aware of what's behind your target) as well as many other safety rules and precautions. I started them off on a few .22's the Ruger Mk. III and the Smith and Wesson model 617. After that, we shot a Sig .45 1911, then a 6" .357 magnum, and finally a 12 gauge shotgun. Here are some pictures
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Today I went to trap practice and shot my new shotgun for the first time. It was very nice, but it's a heavier and longer barreled gun so it will take me some time to get used to. After practice I cleaned the gun, here are some pictures of the process. The first step is taking the gun apart, Using a cleaning rod, a bore cleaning patch, and a bore cleaning solvent, I carefully made multiple many passes with these patches.
While I was at Bass Pro Shops buying my gun yesterday, I noticed some safety posters at the gun counter that should be in all gun stores in America. This is one of the steps that I have promoted in my research paper to help reduce handgun deaths and it was great seeing it in effect.
Finally, I bought my very first firearm!!! I bought a 12 gauge 30" Stoeger Longfowler with extended chokes. I did a lot of research before purchasing this firearm and I think it is perfect for me. I really wanted a wood stock double barrel over under shotgun which is exactly what I got. It is a very heavy gun which isn't for everyone, but I love the feel of it. It was only $500 which is essentially as cheap as it gets for over under shotguns. I haven't shot it yet, but I will this Thursday at trap practice. I oiled it today to prevent rust and stored it in my gun case. The original trigger lock the gun came with was a complete joke and could be taken off with a tiny hit of a hammer, or just prying it off with a screwdriver. So, I bought a much stronger combination lock. I also locked my case for increased protection, and I do not keep any ammunition in the house. As well, I am the only one who knows the combinations to the locks. I am very excited to keep this firearm in good condition and maybe pass it down to my kids in the future. Here are some pictures of my gun! Below is the original trigger lock my gun came with. It was extremely flimsy so I bought the combination lock that you can see attached to the trigger on the above pictures.
Since I have been getting into Trap and Skeet I really want to buy my own shotgun! I have been doing a lot of research and I am going to buy a 12 gauge 30" Over-under Stoeger Longfowler. This is a very accurate shotgun and it is perfect for duck hunting which I am going to do in the winter. Here is a picture of the shotgun.
Today I went to my second trap practice and I feel like I made some improvement! Last week my highest score was 18/25, but this week I got a 21/25! I also got my first badge today as a Provisional Marksman. My goal is to become a Distinguished Expert which involves getting a 22/25 10 times. This will be difficult, but I am very determined to achieve this goal. Here is a picture of my rocker.
I was doing some research on safe firearm ownership to see what people have to say/how they store their firearms. I found a short video about a man's response to a shooter in Tuscon, Arizona. The 24 year old gun owner was carrying his weapon with him at the time and his actions and what he says about the event are safe and responsible. Yesterday I went skeet shooting for my first time! I went to a local skeet and trap club to try it out. I will be shooting a lot of skeet on the junior sporting clay team I joined so I might as well get some practice in. I also took Lauren and we shot two rounds (50 shots total) each. I was really surprised by how difficult skeet was and how mental the game is. My second round I hit 23 out of 25! Here are some pictures and videos from yesterday's practice! Skeet field I missed the first one, but I got the second!
This weekend I went to Maine to do a college visit, and while I was there I decided to check out some gun shops for a little bit of research. I went to three gun stores and each one was surprisingly casual with their guns. At each store, all of the guns were unlocked and sitting out in the open for the customers to hold. As well, all of the ammunition was unlocked and right below all of the guns. It seemed very common for every gun store to do this. Gun stores in MA are completely different. All guns are locked, and behind the counter with the ammunition.
Today I went to my first trap shooting team practice. It was awesome! I never thought that living in Newton I would ever be able to join such a great team at an outstanding gun club with very helpful coaches. Today I met the team and the head coaches and they were very welcoming and helpful for my first time trapshooting. The clays, or birds, are thrown from a machine that hurls them toward hillside and the shooters hit the birds in mid air using a 12 gauge shotgun. The hillside at Woburn Sportsmen association, the gun club I will soon be a member of, was completely covered in orange clays. I thought the hillside grass was orange at first! One of the coaches stood by me for all 100 rounds I shot today and gave me tips and pointers for each shot I took. He was extremely helpful. The team consists of me and 7 other kids all 9th to 12th graders from the Woburn area. We all have shirts, hats, and shooting vests! We will be competing in the Northeast all of this summer and I am extremely excited to practice!
I would have taken pictures, but the head coach said she would have to ask the board of directors before I can take any. But, here is a picture of the Woburn Trap course that they have on their website. |
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