Post by Bri M on May 20, 2021 8:42:02 GMT
The lockdown and general malaise of these Covid 19 times has affected us all in various ways. In my case, the lack of regular shooting has seen what little shooting skill I had erode away to nothing and recent outings with my beloved pistols have just been disappointing and depressing. I've also noticed that my eyesight is no longer up to the job with open sights (and to a lesser degree, red dots) and I reckon that's because I haven't been "adjusting" subconsciously to my fading vision every week as I would have with regular practice. So that's a trip to the optician then.
All is not lost though as I decided to ditch the pistols for a while and break out the classic rifles for a blast. Taking three old BSAs along (Standard, Meteor and Cadet) was damn good fun and a nice reminder of how capable these guns are although I did struggle a little with the irons on the Cadet. The 4 x 20 scoped Meteor proved surprisingly accurate but the star of the night was my 102 year old Granny Gun.
With the idea of a competition in my head (three rounds a minute as in "Sharpe's Rifles",) I set out three pellets, laid the Standard down and timed myself. Wow, what a surprise - from picking up the rifle, cocking, loading, aiming and firing, I managed a 10, 9 and an 8 within 35 seconds. I tried that another four times on the same target and got this -
15 shots fired as quickly as possible and all in the black - chuffed! The Granny Gun Contingent will be having a competition along these lines at some point.
After that, with Nick timing me and Chris shouting out instructions on how to load a Baker rifle - pour, spit, tap, prime, Etc., I tried a "Mad Minute." Eight aimed shots within 60 seconds although two of the shots were outside the black this time. That was with the underlever taploading Standard which leant itself to a nice rhythm. Should have tried it with the break barrel Cadet to see which gun type was faster but that's something for next time.
So, good fun on the indoor range although a couple of the usual suspects were missing, Les having started a course of Chemo (hope you're OK Sir) and Russ being down south visiting family.
Chris also had a couple of prospective new members in for a tour and he reported that there's been a few new guys signed up (welcome aboard folks) and some more in the pipeline. Good work Captain!
Popping down to the 50m range to sign out, it was good to see the guys getting on with the serious business of having fun with the tin chickens. Black Tony, ensconced away at the far end with Bill and their array of targets, has just got into pistols and was happily blatting away at steel plates with his '92 Beretta. Can we talk him into the Pistol League? Answers on a postcard please. Tony will be Master of Ceremonies next week so be kind to him.
After that, it was off home for - what else? - a martini.
All in all, an enjoyable visit. A shift of priorities from trying to regain lost form to simply having fun was just what the doctor ordered. A big part of GARC for me is the people and, as more return to Denwood after being vaccinated, the old atmosphere and banter will return and that can only be a good thing.
Bring it on.
All is not lost though as I decided to ditch the pistols for a while and break out the classic rifles for a blast. Taking three old BSAs along (Standard, Meteor and Cadet) was damn good fun and a nice reminder of how capable these guns are although I did struggle a little with the irons on the Cadet. The 4 x 20 scoped Meteor proved surprisingly accurate but the star of the night was my 102 year old Granny Gun.
With the idea of a competition in my head (three rounds a minute as in "Sharpe's Rifles",) I set out three pellets, laid the Standard down and timed myself. Wow, what a surprise - from picking up the rifle, cocking, loading, aiming and firing, I managed a 10, 9 and an 8 within 35 seconds. I tried that another four times on the same target and got this -
15 shots fired as quickly as possible and all in the black - chuffed! The Granny Gun Contingent will be having a competition along these lines at some point.
After that, with Nick timing me and Chris shouting out instructions on how to load a Baker rifle - pour, spit, tap, prime, Etc., I tried a "Mad Minute." Eight aimed shots within 60 seconds although two of the shots were outside the black this time. That was with the underlever taploading Standard which leant itself to a nice rhythm. Should have tried it with the break barrel Cadet to see which gun type was faster but that's something for next time.
So, good fun on the indoor range although a couple of the usual suspects were missing, Les having started a course of Chemo (hope you're OK Sir) and Russ being down south visiting family.
Chris also had a couple of prospective new members in for a tour and he reported that there's been a few new guys signed up (welcome aboard folks) and some more in the pipeline. Good work Captain!
Popping down to the 50m range to sign out, it was good to see the guys getting on with the serious business of having fun with the tin chickens. Black Tony, ensconced away at the far end with Bill and their array of targets, has just got into pistols and was happily blatting away at steel plates with his '92 Beretta. Can we talk him into the Pistol League? Answers on a postcard please. Tony will be Master of Ceremonies next week so be kind to him.
After that, it was off home for - what else? - a martini.
All in all, an enjoyable visit. A shift of priorities from trying to regain lost form to simply having fun was just what the doctor ordered. A big part of GARC for me is the people and, as more return to Denwood after being vaccinated, the old atmosphere and banter will return and that can only be a good thing.
Bring it on.
