It's been 5-6 weeks since I've smelled burnt gunpowder and I was going through some serious withdrawals. I kept putting a few guns in my trunk once or twice a week but just couldn't make it to the range. Well I finally made it happen and had a great time. This trip I shot a couple old IJ 38's (dated 1911 and 1921) and my Browning Trombone (dated in the mid 30's). The Trombone had a broken striker which I fitted with a new one, what a pain, and I had a box of 38 S&W that I had loaded myself (my first attempt at this caliber) so I really wanted to try it all out. Here's a picture of the guns, I know I've posted them before but I thought some may like to see again. The Trombone has a new rear sight which I need to take an updated picture of it to share.
I started off with the hammered IJ and here's how I did at 14'. Not too good but I had an awful time seeing the sights against the red/orange target.
Then I switched to the Hammerless and got better results I think for two reasons. One, the trigger is nicer on it and secondly I started choosing a spot NOT in the orange center. One I aimed at an emblem on the bottom of the target, then I made a dot on the left and last started shooting at the number "8" to the right. All are five round groups, imagine that, and for a 105 year old gun I think it did just fine.
Then I moved to the 22 and ran the target back as far as it would go, I believe the distance is 43'. The rifle is really accurate, much better than I'm capable of shooting. There are 20 rounds in the center of the target not counting the four or five that are high in the orange, that's after I added the yellow dot. I did have about 8 light strikes so I need to stone the striker down just a bit more. I also experimented with adding a yellow dot to the target which seemed to help. Still, my eyes kept getting fuzzy and I'd have to blink a few times to try and eat them to focus. I also pushed my shooting glasses up over my eyes which seemed to help some. Looks like newmshooting glasses are in order, maybe something that cost more than $3.50.
All in all a great hour spent unwinding and enjoying a wonderful hobby.
Merry Christmas
I started off with the hammered IJ and here's how I did at 14'. Not too good but I had an awful time seeing the sights against the red/orange target.
Then I switched to the Hammerless and got better results I think for two reasons. One, the trigger is nicer on it and secondly I started choosing a spot NOT in the orange center. One I aimed at an emblem on the bottom of the target, then I made a dot on the left and last started shooting at the number "8" to the right. All are five round groups, imagine that, and for a 105 year old gun I think it did just fine.
Then I moved to the 22 and ran the target back as far as it would go, I believe the distance is 43'. The rifle is really accurate, much better than I'm capable of shooting. There are 20 rounds in the center of the target not counting the four or five that are high in the orange, that's after I added the yellow dot. I did have about 8 light strikes so I need to stone the striker down just a bit more. I also experimented with adding a yellow dot to the target which seemed to help. Still, my eyes kept getting fuzzy and I'd have to blink a few times to try and eat them to focus. I also pushed my shooting glasses up over my eyes which seemed to help some. Looks like newmshooting glasses are in order, maybe something that cost more than $3.50.
All in all a great hour spent unwinding and enjoying a wonderful hobby.
Merry Christmas