I have a suggestion for teaching new shooters.

If your newbie is a photography dork, tell them to counterbalance like they would with their camera.  I've used this suggestion twice now and in both situations, said newbie was getting shots in the inner circle.

It's a bit of a forehead slapper, and I wish I'd thought of it before now.  It really does make sense...and it works.  Go ahead and use that tip next time you take a photography nerd out...see how they do once they internalize the idea.


In other news, got a little more time with the PX4.  Better reliability this time around.  Didn't really start to have FTFs until round 35-40.  Still need to get some +P to run through it.  Starting to like it about as much as I like my Bersa (and the Bersa is still my go-to carry pistol, so that's saying something).

Maryland HQL license requirements (and other stuff).

I took a Utah CCW class through Mid Atlantic Firearms Training, and they added me to their mailing list.  Fortunately they're not spammy so I tend to pay attention when I get something from them.

Earlier in the week, they sent this out to customers.  I've asked permission to reprint it in its entirety here:

Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training  October 6, 2012

Folks, We are sending out this email as a courtesy to those of you who may have some questions regarding the new firearms laws that have gone into effect in Maryland on October 1, 2013.  This is known as the Firearm Safety Act 2013 aka SB281. Like many of you, I did everything I could to protest, discourage and stop this bill from being signed into law.  However, that did eventually happen and here we are 1 week later.  At this point, it is no longer theory or "what if", rather it is a reality and now we deal with it's implementation. We have been quite silent in sending out too many announcements as it became clear the law would go through as it seemed everything was in a state of flux and in reality, things are still in a state of flux.  However, we do now have some more concrete info we can share that will hopefully help you understand how this law may/may not affect you and if you will need to acquire further training under it's provisions.

Handgun Qualification License and Training Requirements I am going to outline the requirements for the Handgun Qualification License hereby referred to as HQL and the training requirements. Under the Firearms Safety Act 2013 also known as SB281, all new handgun purchasers must apply for and receive a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before purchase.  This HQL must be presented to the FFL or gun shop.   There are certain individuals who exempt from the handgun qualification license: A Licensed Firearms Manufacturer. Active law enforcement officer or a person retired in good standing from a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State, or a local law enforcement agency of the State. A member or retired member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard.  (This may apply to quite a few of you.) A person purchasing, renting or receiving an antique, curio or relic as defined in federal law or in determinations published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  (For those of you who deal with C&R firearms) The above listed individuals or entities must provide acceptable documentation to the dealer or FFL prior to purchasing a regulated firearm.  Do your self a favor, save a trip and bring it with you. There are certain individuals who will need an HQL but are exempt from a further training requirement:    Have completed a Maryland State Police (MSP) approved certified firearms safety course Have completed a course of instruction and been issued a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Is currently a qualified handgun instructor Is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard. Is an employee of an armored car company who has a valid Wear and Carry Permit issued by MSP. Lawfully owns a regulated firearm.  If you own a regulated firearm prior to October 1, 2013, you are not required to complete the training and may apply for the Handgun Qualification License. Pay particular attention to the last bullet point as that will affect many of you.  In other words, if you already own a handgun you will NOT be required to take the HQL training course, BUT you will need to apply for the HQL if you want to purchase any future handguns. Soooo, the question is:  What if I need HQL Training?? If you are in the category of individuals who will need to take the HQL training course, we certainly have you covered as well as your other firearms training needs.  The course will be a 4 hour course mandated by law that includes the following main topics: State Firearms Laws Home Firearms Safety Handgun Operation and Mechanisms Live Fire Component (obviously we provide the gun and ammunition) For a more detailed course description please visit the HQL page on our site at: Handgun Qualification License Training As usual, we will provide a COMPLETE course including help with the application if needed and discounts on LiveScan Fingerprinting services(required by MSP).

I hope you have found this information helpful and if you need our assistance please know we are there to help you through this confusing maze of new laws as well as provide the quality training you expect and we demand of ourselves.  We ask that you share this email with family and friends who may be thinking of purchasing a handgun for the first time.  I can tell you there are "Instructors" coming out of the woodwork looking to capitalize on this "opportunity".  Please let your family and friends know of your positive experience with us and send them our way.    Sincerely,    Bryan Fletcher Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training

The MDSP have released criteria for the license to own pistols/restricted firearms in Maryland.

More info here.

I believe I've said this many times before, but I truly hate this state. This will completely affect my ability to take newbies to the range, and I abhor this infringement of my and my friends' rights.

New, currently free, potentially useful ebook.

Weerdy posted it. I nabbed a copy. Have sent the link to a few friends, too.

Got another couple of newbies lined up for range time.

I'm excited about this one. A dear friend has been talking about it since she moved into her condo, and now her guyfriend wants to come along. She's asking all the right questions. She's never handled a firearm before, so this should be a treat. Not sure about him - will suss out the important info beforehand regarding his history with firearms.

Should be happening in about 3-4 weeks, and I hope to get a post up shortly after (with their permission, of course).

More women taking the plunge.

I came across this post recently, and I'm tickled pink.

Another post courtesy Michael. One by one, those afraid of firearms are getting over their fears. And they seem to be mostly women. I'm thrilled.

Even Sundance is taking notice of women who hunt. Maybe it's because female hunters are still a novelty, but I welcome positive media, no matter who's talking about it. Watch the video - it's refreshing to hear women sharing their thoughts regarding hunting. And, of course, one of our own is taking the plunge further into self-sufficiency.


*Yes, I'm still lacking in writing creativity. Have other, big things on my mind right now.

"How did you become gunnies?"

Jennifer asked and lots of people are answering, so I figured I'd toss in my little story.

I remember, as a child, not being allowed guns.  The boys in the neighborhood had these neat guns that actually went bang, and I was insanely jealous...but terrified.  Y'see, my parents always appeared to be incredibly anti-gun.  They didn't like me having squirt guns, cap guns were a no-no, and BB guns?  Yeah, they didn't exist in my little world.  Heck, even snap-caps were absolutely verboten.  At the time, I though it was because my parents never wanted me to have any fun EVER because they were the MEANEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.*

This got long, so hit the jump for the rest!

Well this is interesting - attention Maryland people!

Every morning I get deals in my inbox from both Groupon and LivingSocial.  Today's "deal" from LivingSocial is particularly interesting.  Apparently you can get a package deal for Horst & McCann, up in Harford County.

Now, I've never used LivingSocial, and I've never been to Horst & McCann, so I can't vouch for this one way or another...but this might be a great idea for those people who've never been to a range before and want to learn how to shoot.

Who'dathunk we'd see package deals to the local shooting ranges on a deal site?  I sure didn't...

For new gun owners...

In honor of a good friend who recently attained citizenship here in the US (woo, conga rats!), I wanted to share two books worth checking out.

Dirtcrashr has more California-specific info, as well.

Holidays!

I realize I'm a week or three late, but: Happy Hanukkah, Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holy-Crap-I'm-Glad-It's-Over to my 4 readers.

I hope you were treated well in your preferred gifty holiday...I certainly was. C purchased a shotgun with the intention of the two of us using it for skeet/trap shooting. It's a Mossberg 500 Bantam Field and Deer package - two barrels, optics, wood furniture, and it's in 20ga since his 12ga hurts me something fierce. I'm still floored he picked it up, and ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT to hit the range with it.

In other news, I'll be picking up my first 1911 after tax time.

In still OTHER news, I'm planning on going to the NRA meeting in 2011...since it's being held in a city that's a day trip away from here, I really should go. Are you going?


Other other news: I have a few people who want to hit the range with me as first time shooters. Most of them are WOMEN. I love being in the position to introduce them!

My cousin bought his first shotgun today. After examining everything in his price range he ended up taking home a Remington 870. I'm so proud I could pop right now.

Range time with a friend. Also: Ooooooooooowwwwwwww.

Sunday dawned bright and beautiful, and C and I decided to hit the range for an hour. I still hadn't shot my Plinkster, he still hadn't shot his 12ga pump. We invited my best friend, L, as he hadn't seen any firearms in the past decade.

Turns out, dude needed the range time.

Anyway, here's a couple of short reviews.

Mossberg 702 Plinkster: GREAT little semiauto .22. This little bugger is accurate right out of the box. I attribute it to a good set of sights - the hooded front really helps when shooting all the way to the end of the range.* It had no feed issues, but the magazine definitely needs some oiling. At $125, it was well worth the money - it ate through a box of Remington target crap ammo like it was nothing. Overall, I'm pleased with it, C is pleased with it, and I think it'll be in the safe for a good, long time.

IAC Hawk model 982: decent shotgun. I believe it's based off the Mossberg 500 design - it certainly looks like it. There are options out there to modify it - C's has an extended tube and a new stock/grip, as well as a side holster for extra shells. He seems pleased. I only know the pain of shooting a shotgun not meant for my stubby little hobbit arms (though after our Hunter Safety course came to a close last night, I have since realized the beauty of a well-fitted shotgun).

We didn't rent any, since L got enough jollies from that which we brought along to shoot. I also got a chance to talk with the guys who work at the range, and apparently I can, in fact, get my hands on a Para GI Expert ESP - I merely need to bug them to get it. They certainly seemed to like it more than I expected...I'd say they liked it as much as the STI Spartan (which they really do like). This gives me a good idea of what I'm doing by the end of the year.

I forgot to mention the last newbie I took to the range.

Somehow I forgot to make this post...sorry, C. I know this is all about you, and I meant to post it eons ago.

Anyhow, on with the post.

My friend C. had been having a BAD week at work, and I happened to have ammo in the locker, so I suggested we meet at the range and I teach him a thing or two about shooting pistols. His experience was limited - he'd only ever shot a long gun or two - but he at least had the 4 rules down, so I had less concern about safety than I normally would. I'd also like to mention that C has played plenty of first person shooter type video games, so I knew he'd at least have a good grasp of proper aim.

When we arrived, we rented a large-frame .22 revolver, and got to work. The revolver in question may have been a S&W, but it's been so long I've forgotten (C, if you remember the brand, please let me know). It proved to be an effective introduction - he giggled like an idiot through most of that box of ammo, and was damned accurate. I think the lack of recoil helped.

We moved up to the Bersa (I swear, she gets around nowadays!) and let him fire off a round to see the difference between the two calibers. He knew it had a stronger recoil, but he managed the difference very well. Again, he was scary accurate...so we worked on his stance. I forced him to lean forward a little, since one's natural inclination is to lean back while firing, and his accuracy got better. I insisted he work on groupings, and his accuracy continued to improve.

He seemed thoroughly pleased with the evening, and still itches to go back. One of these days, when life isn't quite so busy, I think we shall.

Next range report will likely be an introduction for either my friend R, or my cousin V. Both have expressed interest, so we're working on scheduling.

I took a friend to the range recently.

He's a newbie shooter, and wanted to be broken in gently.

I had him shoot a .22, my .380, and a 9mm to start.

The .22 was a Kimber 1911. While it was a very nice firearm, I decided I won't be getting a .22 conversion for the 1911 I intend to purchase in the next 12 months or so. It had consistent FTE (failure to eject) issues, and more than one FTF (failure to fire). This may have simply been a symptom of firing range ammunition through a 1911, but I'm not willing to waste money on my own to find out the hard way. A .22 conversion kit runs about $200-$300 on average.

My friend thoroughly enjoyed moving up to the Bersa. He noted it had a much more solid feel because of the harder kick. He didn't like that it was made for a righty, as he's a southpaw. Unfortunately, this caused him some difficulties with the slide release and mag release. He also seemed afraid to damage it, as he consistently released the slide entirely too gently. Fortunately, there were no ejection or firing issues for him...just a right-handed configuration for a left-handed shooter.

He moved up to an XD-9, and had a horrible time. Because he's such an extreme lefty, he couldn't manage the slide release. Because he's a newbie, he had a case of the DreadedLimpWrist, and let it kick up far too much...and misfire, FTE, etc. He then switched to an H&K P2000 - an ambidextrous pistol - and had a huge thrill. He blew through a box and a half of 9mm before he decided he was done for the night. He intends to shoot a few more, but I think the H&K is on his short list.

I enjoy taking newbies to the range when they're interested in learning, and pay attention to what they're told. I also revel in their delight when they discover they enjoy it so much they want to come back.

I wonder, who of you will accompany me next? :)