She'll hold your shotgun while you do-si-do
Took sarcasticval, ladybrick, and izhilzha shooting on Saturday!
Had a grand time, despite the fact that there was NO AIR CONDITIONING due to some new rule that only outside air can be used in the actual lanes because AC recycles the smoke from the gunpowder, or something. I would just like to say that in the many years I've been target-shooting, I've never known anyone to pass out due to recycle-gunpowder-air-inhalation, but I cam close to passing out from the oppressive heat yesterday. So I'm calling this new rule a dumb one.
Anyway, I think a good time was had by all, even though aiming with my .22 continues to be a problem (the scope is supposed to be all calibrated and stuff, but I still can't shoot worth peanuts with it, and I miss the iron sights, which are still missing a screw). Jody demonstrated a slightly-scary aptitude for firearms operation, Val was extremely cautious at first but got more comfortable once she'd tried it, and Izh was her usual methodical self, already analyzing how various fictional representations of gun usage compared to the real thing before we even got home.
I felt bad for all of them for the first several minutes, because I'd forgotten how nerve-wracking it can be just standing in a room full of shooters doing their thing. Guns are loud, and the human brain is understandably hard-wired to regard the sound of one or more being fired as a Bad Thing Run Away Fast. I'm sort of used to all the bangs and flying brass, so I forgot to warn them that the whole scene takes some getting used to. Everybody seemed to acclimate after a while, though, and by the end of the day, I think all three of them could load, ready, and fire the .22 all by themselves (the 9 mm being a little more labor-intensive in the loading and action departments).
Speaking of which: my mag reloader works as advertised! Yay! I'm such a wuss, but now at least I'm a wuss that can get all nine rounds into the magazines of Real Guns.
Also of note: ladybrick gets to claim a gun-related injury, in that a hot casing from the .22 went down her shirt (I don't know what law of physics allows this to happen, but it's happened to me multiple times) and left a burn that has apparently turned out to be on the unpleasant side. Sorry, Jody! *sends Neosporin*
So after shooting, there was cleaning of guns, followed by food (I made Lo Mein for the first time in a really long time, so if it was a tad spicier than I'd intended, we'll say that's why). Also lending of t-shirts, because after a few hours shooting in the ridiculous heat, we were all four in need of fresh apparel. Val brought cookies, which were awesome, and the SPN S3 DVDs so that we could watch the new gag reel, which was hilarious. I got in some quilling while we hung out after dinner, and Val brought up the very valid question of why I have yet to quill Cthulhu. I mean really, why haven't I? How has this thought not occurred to me already? Jody suggested quilling the TARDIS in the time vortex, but that would require a better knack at square coils than I currently possess. Perhaps in the future. (Oo, maybe if I brushed up on husking, and made the square pieces that way...*disappears down theoretical quilling rabbit hole*)
All of that plus more geeky conversation than you can shake a stick at = very happy Marie.
Had a grand time, despite the fact that there was NO AIR CONDITIONING due to some new rule that only outside air can be used in the actual lanes because AC recycles the smoke from the gunpowder, or something. I would just like to say that in the many years I've been target-shooting, I've never known anyone to pass out due to recycle-gunpowder-air-inhalation, but I cam close to passing out from the oppressive heat yesterday. So I'm calling this new rule a dumb one.
Anyway, I think a good time was had by all, even though aiming with my .22 continues to be a problem (the scope is supposed to be all calibrated and stuff, but I still can't shoot worth peanuts with it, and I miss the iron sights, which are still missing a screw). Jody demonstrated a slightly-scary aptitude for firearms operation, Val was extremely cautious at first but got more comfortable once she'd tried it, and Izh was her usual methodical self, already analyzing how various fictional representations of gun usage compared to the real thing before we even got home.
I felt bad for all of them for the first several minutes, because I'd forgotten how nerve-wracking it can be just standing in a room full of shooters doing their thing. Guns are loud, and the human brain is understandably hard-wired to regard the sound of one or more being fired as a Bad Thing Run Away Fast. I'm sort of used to all the bangs and flying brass, so I forgot to warn them that the whole scene takes some getting used to. Everybody seemed to acclimate after a while, though, and by the end of the day, I think all three of them could load, ready, and fire the .22 all by themselves (the 9 mm being a little more labor-intensive in the loading and action departments).
Speaking of which: my mag reloader works as advertised! Yay! I'm such a wuss, but now at least I'm a wuss that can get all nine rounds into the magazines of Real Guns.
Also of note: ladybrick gets to claim a gun-related injury, in that a hot casing from the .22 went down her shirt (I don't know what law of physics allows this to happen, but it's happened to me multiple times) and left a burn that has apparently turned out to be on the unpleasant side. Sorry, Jody! *sends Neosporin*
So after shooting, there was cleaning of guns, followed by food (I made Lo Mein for the first time in a really long time, so if it was a tad spicier than I'd intended, we'll say that's why). Also lending of t-shirts, because after a few hours shooting in the ridiculous heat, we were all four in need of fresh apparel. Val brought cookies, which were awesome, and the SPN S3 DVDs so that we could watch the new gag reel, which was hilarious. I got in some quilling while we hung out after dinner, and Val brought up the very valid question of why I have yet to quill Cthulhu. I mean really, why haven't I? How has this thought not occurred to me already? Jody suggested quilling the TARDIS in the time vortex, but that would require a better knack at square coils than I currently possess. Perhaps in the future. (Oo, maybe if I brushed up on husking, and made the square pieces that way...*disappears down theoretical quilling rabbit hole*)
All of that plus more geeky conversation than you can shake a stick at = very happy Marie.