Range Time

[firehawkordy 34]

When I was in the Navy I shot every quarter, since my retirement it's like every 12-18 months. That said, a friend and I hit the range today and shot four different weapons with three different calibers. I am happy to say that all but 2 rounds hit the aim point and I was able to hold a decent group. Tomorrow I head to my Godfather's place to do PM's on some of his weapons. I may not be a full time AO these days but I still get to put my skills to use a few times a year.

[+streakeagle 871]

I haven't fired a pistol or rifle since 2002. Far too long. From 1995-1997, I went to the range almost weekly firing 0.45 M1911A1 and/or 0.223 Colt Sporter HBAR (AR15A2). Those were good times :)

 

In that same time frame, I also maintained USS Dolphin's M-14, 4 x M1911A1s, and Remington 870. The M1911A1s were replaced by M92F Berettas during 96 or 97. I also coordinated the ship's range shoots with the tender's gunner's mates. We qualified with all three weapons using their weapons and ammo.

[firehawkordy 34]

We, HCS-5, had to give up our M1911's around the came time but we picked up the SiG P-226 instead of the M92. At the time of my retirement we still had M-14s in our inventory along with the M-60s. That was the best part of being aligned with SpecWar, we had enough of everything to suit the tastes of our personnel. My preferred weapons were the M-14 and the .45 as side arm in a custom shoulder rig. I had that holster for years and the command never said I could not use it, hell, they didn't say I could use it for that matter. If I could not carry the M-14 I would use a Mossburg 500 12gauge. That will get someones attention. Now days I have a Ruger 10-22 Magnum that suits me fine. It's light and well made and fires .22 Magnum hollow point. With the bi-pod I just mounted it is very, very accurate at 20- 150+ meters. The only thing I miss at the range from my Navy days is the guys I would normally shoot with. One day I think I'm going to get everyone together and have a reunion on one of the local ranges.

[+streakeagle 871]

I never cared for the shotguns. I fired both Remington and Mossberg while attached to submarines. I prefer rifle the most and I like the feel of the M-16 over the M-14 regardless of ballistic data. I don't like using any weapon that can eat my fingers during normal operation :P The M92 is a great range weapon: fire fast with great accuracy, but with a 0.45, you only need one hit per target to get the job done :) I have always preferred the fell of the 0.45 grip/weight/balance over any other pistol I have ever fired. If I was going to go NATO 7.62 mm/0.308 cal., I would very much like a modern AR-10 equivalent to my AR15A2, though it would be better if I went with the modern detachable carry handle to make it more practical for scope shooting. But my favorite way to shoot is with iron sights in a standing position with no support or sling... just the rifle and me. When I was shooting every weekend, I actually got fairly proficient on a standard 100-yard target, but of course nothing near the 5-shot group I could cover with a dime that my HBAR did with competition ammo and a bipod while laying prone.

 

I really miss shooting. Since 2001, Operation Flashpoint has been my way of scratching the itch to shoot. But there is no substitute for the real thing.