My First Time...

We have many of them, firsts.  We probably remember them quite clearly at least I do.  Our first car, first kiss, first job, and even our first marriages; maybe not so fondly, but it was a first.  Recalling each of these marked a distinctive point in our lives.  When you got your first car you were no longer dependant on others for rides and you could explore distant places, first jobs marked a time where we actually started to build financial freedoms and finally get that “thing” you always wanted, our first kiss got us through the butterflies and in most case signified our arrival into the world of relationships.  From each of these we take away lessons, things we would do differently, things we would definitely do again, and most importantly, the knowledge that can be applied into our lives as we go forward.  The first day at the range would fit squarely into this realm.

Here is my experience, the time I would challenge myself, and be able to erase my virgin status with the first trip to the range.  Now it is not to be expected that I would simply walk in and get to business.  There is just way too much that has to be understood before embarking on this and taking your first shot.  How was I to get the knowledge that would prepare me?  Well, in a few ways.  I spent a great deal of time researching on the internet.  Finding value in what others have experienced.  Also, a phone call to a friend got me setup with some time to go over the finer points and as it so happens, a friend to go to the range with.  

I started that Saturday with a bit of trepidation.  Not knowing what to expect and relying completely on others to guide me, ensuring I would have fun and more specifically I would be safe.  I arrived a little over an hour prior to our planned departure for the range.  I came prepared to review the basics and get some fundamentals under my belt.  I had a bunch of information floating around my head, some from common sense, some more from conversations I have had with others on the topic, and the remaining bit filled with useless images of cats in sniping positions I got from the interwebs.

We started by enforcing and reiterating (many times) the three basic fundamentals of gun safety.  These apply not only to handguns; however they should apply to any firearm and with a little tweaking can be applied to ANY weapon:

1.     Assume every gun is loaded.

Even if it was checked in front of you, once you are handed a gun you become responsible for anything that happens involving that gun from that moment.  Always, and this bears repeating, always check the gun yourself to ensure there is nothing in the chamber or in the receiver.

2.     Do not put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to pull it.

Seems simple enough, however without experience the natural habit is to immediately wrap your index finger right around the trigger.  Take the time to consciously keep your finger off the trigger.  I was taught to find a spot on the frame, usually just below the slide, that can be a point a reference.  Could be a notch in the slide, maybe a burring on the frame, or even just a smooth spot that is comfortable to the stretched finger, whatever it may be, find it and remember it.

3.     Never, again I feel it is important to repeat, never point the gun at anything you do not intend to kill.

Yes the word kill is harsh, but at the end of the day it is a very possible reality if care is not taken.  My introduction included the often overlooked fact that this also includes you.  Be aware of your surroundings and your location.  Take time to ensure all movements will not “muzzle sweep” anyone or yourself; for the love of whatever deity you believe in, NEVER LOOK DOWN THE BARREL FOR ANY REASON.

Next we began to look at what makes a gun work.  Understanding the key parts of a pistol, the differences between a revolver and semi-automatic, understand of what Single Action and Dual Action does, and review of the mechanisms that make the work.  Little things like “it’s a magazine not a clip, you are not a gang-banger” and “hold the gun upright, this is not a movie, nothing good comes from holding the gun sideways and pulling the trigger…”  After we cover the gun we take a deeper look at the cartridge itself (a bullet is the projectile, when assembled it is a cartridge or round) and how it works.  The primer is struck causing an initial blast to ignite the gun powder, pressure is built up in the case, and eventually the bullet is forced down and out the barrel towards the target it was aimed at.  Yes, it is a simplistic view, but sometimes the most effective explanation is one that does not spend too much time, initially, on things like bullet weight or brand of powder used to get the point across.  That detail, of course, will come with time.

On to the range we go. Ok, I am surprisingly not as anxious as I was before.  As we arrive at The Range At Lake Norman I am actually feeling excited.  I will say this, when I think of a gun range I usually immediately think of a dark and dirty place often inhabited by equally dark and dirty people who have no intention on sharing their place with the likes of me.  Let’s be honest I think that of quite a few places I go, the DMV is one and there has been many occasions where I have thought of a workplace the same way.

Walking in I did my best to not let my thoughts get the better of me, I did not want to look a fool the first time I walk in, don’t want to incite the unsavory characters.  Boy was I wrong.  I have been in luxury car dealerships that were not as nice, not as clean, and to be completely honest not having the staff nearly as friendly as they were here.  We were greeted warmly and encouraged to take a look around while a few other customers were waited on.  In what seemed to be almost no time we were next.  

Two lanes please, was our request.  After filling out all the obligatory notices and waivers we were on to watch the range safety video that detailed our responsibility once we are inside.  After the video we were greeted by another employee that guided us through what we would need, should expect, and provided us with ample time to ask questions and inquire about other services available.  Grab some ears (already had my own eyes), a few targets, and after a quick check of the guns we brought in we proceed to lanes 2 and 3 on the ‘tactical side’, I already feel like a bad-ass.

Now, one would think of the constant shooting, the violence associated the mini-explosions of gun powder and lead, one would not be considered weird for expecting the range itself to have a certain “character” about it.  Not here.  The cleanliness of the environment continues from the showroom all the way to the 15 lanes.  We line up and go through some final checks, setup the target, and send it out to 5 yards.

Breath… Breath… Relax… Squeeze… Bang… that is all it took to bust my cherry.  As simple as that, not insinuating that there was some climactic expectation of joy or revelry, but it certainly was not as scary or intimidating as I built it up to be.   

We spend the better part of two hours, burnt through untold number of rounds, and slayed several targets.  It’s all it took though.  I was hooked.  It was not a macho thing or even feeling the power of each round.  It became something completely different, it was about being a little better the next shot, moving a little further away, and getting a little faster.  A challenge that I enjoyed, not being a competitive person, this one allowed me to challenge myself, and admittedly look to my neighbors lanes to see how I compared. 



I will be back.