Comments for I love the smell of gunpowder in the early afternoon...

I love the smell of gunpowder in the early afternoon...

2009-03-22T14:00:44Z

...it smells like the exercise of a guaranteed Constitutional right.

Well, a Constitutional right until the composition of the Court changes. Nothing is written in stone any more.

So, Friday evening I'm looking at Facebook and I see an update: "We're 70 miles out from Des Moines."

It's longtime reader, commenter, and occasional photo contributor Randy K and his new bride Cristi - heading back from their honeymoon in Colorado.

On a whim, I wrote on his wall. "Hey, you're only about 5 hours from the Arsenal..."

And the response is, "Cristi says okay if she gets to shoot big guns."

To which the answer is "Of course! Everybody shoots at Castle Argghhh! It's one reason my sister won't visit!"

And mid-morning Saturday Randy and Cristi pull into the barbican of Castle Argghhh!

The Arms Room was visited, questions asked, answers given. Then began the Great Schlep up the stairs to the firing step on the parapet. The M1, M1A, ROMAK-47, the Bushmaster O.R.C. and the Austrian FAL (built on an Imbel receiver for Pacific Arms) went up to represent the long guns, while the Desert Eagle, Inglis Chinese-contract Hi-Power (with stock), Vis-35 and Chinese Type 51 Tokarev went up as the handguns. And the requisite fodder for same. I'm going to have to restock on some calibers. 7.62x39 is awfully popular. Good thing it's cheap, for the nonce, until the Gun-Grabbers-Turned-Ammo-Haters have their way with it and make sure that shooting is a rich man's sport.

Everybody did some shooting, except SWWBO, who sat out there with us carding her wool.

Cristi did get to shoot her big gun - she fired the .357 Magnum Desert Eagle Mark 1 exactly once. It didn't recoil into her face, but the recoil was of sufficient violence she decided to check that block for the weapon. She's shot a .357 before, but it was a ported revolver. She wasn't ready for all the movement that comes with a gas-operated semi-auto pistol. She handled the O.R.C. in a workman-like fashion. Well enough that if he ever annoys her sufficiently, Randy might as well not run, he'll only die tired. Since they've been putting up with each other for 10 years before they got married, I think he's safe.

Randy opened with the O.R.C. (an M4 clone) because while he'd carried an M16 around for seven weeks in Boot Camp, they managed to destroy his knees and invalid him out of the service before he got to shoot one. Randy proved a competent shot, with all weapons and calibers.

If he had a weakness, it was understanding target systems. Being lazy, we weren't swapping targets out, just using different parts of the target. Randy proved that he can hit a pencil-thin rod of aluminum at 50 feet.

Of course, that breaks the target standard. Ah, well, we knew there was going to be wastage. Goes with the territory. We sent them on their way later than afternoon - Randy taking his trophy with him. But I really do need to weld up some iron target standards. Cheaper in the long run.

Comment from Randy K on 2009-03-23

2009-03-23T23:41:32Z

I'm a little late in adding to a post about me and my lovely bride, but on the way home yesterday our car desided after 2700 miles in a week it was done. So one hotel room and car rental later we are home a day late and a car short.

Wanted to say thanks again, we had a wonderful time. It was the cap to a wonderful honeymoon. We enjoyed the tour of the Arsenal, the shooting and the tour of the castle grounds provided by SWWBO, but most of all we enjoyed the converstation.

I still need to go though the photos I took while I was there, but it's been a long and frustrating 2 days, so I think it'll be a few days before I get to do that.

Thanks again!

Comment from Cricket on 2009-03-23

2009-03-23T19:02:04Z

Well, we know we are too close for comfort for many of them to be fired safely. It is more common sense, but we did have neighbors who thought nothing of shooting into the woods for laughs and giggles. They have been gone for a couple of years, and the New Neighbor is a grandpa, a Vietnam Vet and seems to be a Righteous Dude.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-03-23

2009-03-23T12:11:46Z

we are aware of the legalities involved in living in a subdivision and firing weapons

Annnnnd there's your problem. Living in a subdivision!

Comment from Cricket on 2009-03-23

2009-03-23T06:05:06Z

Yup.

Not yet. Our choices were decent ones, given the selection and price, so we decided to practice first. We have some friends who have a decent piece of land on which practicing is not only allowed, but encouraged. We just haven't had a chance to get to it. CLU #1 has a black powder .50 rifle. He is a fair shot (Okay, he has both rifle and shotgun merit badges), but needs a longer range than just 25 yards, and we are aware of the legalities involved in living in a subdivision and firing weapons. Paintball markers and pellet pistols are okay. Anything with more bang for the buck is verboten, unless of course, it is self defense.

Comment from BillT on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T19:42:35Z

Woo-HOOOO!

Organic holsters?

Comment from Neffi on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T19:05:42Z

Got yer CCW's? Cool beans...

Comment from Cricket on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T18:47:59Z

Ah, Bill...you are such a sweetie. No wonder they call you Sugarbuttons! No indeedy. The subject of this thread is a big clue.

Comment from Josh on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T18:39:26Z

Ahaha at my local range, they charge BIG BUCKS for a shot like that!

Comment from BillT on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T15:14:31Z

You're legal? You turned 21!?! Happy Birthd

What?

Comment from Cricket on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T15:04:53Z

Sounds like a good time was had by all. We needs to get up that way, we does, Precious. I have carders...and a small bombshell to drop here at the Castle: The Engineer and I are both legal now.
Those who know, know.
*skips away*

Comment from Spanky on 2009-03-22

2009-03-22T14:35:39Z

Nice shooting Sgt. York