A bad day at the range... - The Firearms Forum

gdmoody · 06-22-2009, 08:19 PM

…but still better than any day at work!!

I took myself, my granddaughter (9 yr old), and grandson (14 yr old) out the range this morning. Every thing started out pretty good. The sky was a little overcast so the heat wasn’t unbearable.

Went to the pistol range first and fired my new (to me) XD in .357 Sig, didn’t like it all that much, and just don’t know why! I was not holding it correctly because it took chunks of skin off my thumb twice. That was the first thing not so great.

Then both of my grand children out shot me on the pistol range with the XD, a Ruger 22/45, and my 9mm Sig, that was Number 2. This was not so bad, though..

We moved over to the Rifle range and things went down hill. We went down to the 50 yard line and the 100 yard line and put up targets, (that part went well). I took my H&R Handi-rifle in .204 Ruger out of the case and got to the firing line. I put the first cartridge in the chamber and it “stuck”. It wouldn’t go in so I could shut the action and I couldn’t get it out. The only rod that I have (had) was a .30 cal rod, it don’t fit the .204 hole!!.

To say the least, I didn’t get to shoot the .204. (Number 3).

I took out my AR 15 and we shot it with a .22 conversion in it and every thing was going along pretty good. I decided to put the regular bolt back and the piston system back in it and shoot some .223. I guess the .22s fouled up the gas piston area because I could not get the gas piston to fit properly. (Number 4)

. I had some cleaning supplies with me so I cleaned the piston area and got the piston to fit so we got to shoot the .223. One of my new Magpul P-mags would not seat in the mag-well and would not feed properly (Number 5).

We did shoot up all the 5.56 ammo we had so it wasn’t a total loss on that part. My grandson again out shot me, this time with the AR 15.

Took out a Ruger .44 Magnum carbine that I recently traded for. This was the high point of the day. This thing shot good at both 50 yards and 100 yards. I am going to have to put a new scope on it though, just could not get it far enough right. My grandson learned about that Kentucky windage stuff and was putting them in the bullseye at 100 yards. And again, he out shot me with it, he says that he likes it so I will probably end up giving it to him with the time comes!

Then the worst part – when we got home they went to play video games and I had to clean half a dozen guns. Plus I had to go and buy a smaller rod so I could “beat” that stuck round out of the .204, but I did get it out, and now have another rod to stick in the trunk next time we go shooting!

Even though I said it was a bad day at the range, it was actually a great day. It was so much fun just watching my grandkids getting into shooting and to see how good my grandson was doing. My granddaughter really likes the pistol shooting and just doesn’t want to shoot rifles, but I hope to change that soon.

Sorry for the long post but I didn’t have anybody else to tell and most of you all will appreciate it.

Haligan · 06-22-2009, 08:25 PM

No sorry necessary gdmoody.
With all the bad news in the world, it's nice to hear someone had a good day.
I hope tomorrow is good too.

358 winchester · 06-22-2009, 08:27 PM

Well it sounds to me that even with the bad stuff, you still had a great day!
You spent it on the range with your grand kids and got a new rod to boot

bcj1755 · 06-22-2009, 08:38 PM

Sounds like a good day to me

Gabob · 06-22-2009, 09:10 PM

Our grandson came and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. He and I shot a good bit Saturday. Good weekend. He has been my shooting buddy since he was about six. Now he is 22 and in law school at U of Ga.

FTK87 · 06-22-2009, 10:31 PM

Glad to here stories of people bringing new blood to our addiction. I can't wait until my boy is old enough to come with me, he's only 4 months, wife won't let me start that early lol

Bruce FLinch · 06-22-2009, 11:24 PM

Hope you had a good Father's Day, GD! I bet the grandkids didn't pay any attention to your problems, they were glad to hangin' w/ Grandpa. You made a nice Memory for them.

buffalo jump · 06-23-2009, 08:19 AM

Anytime with the grandkids is a great day.

06-22-2009, 08:19 PM	#1
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,317	A bad day at the range... …but still better than any day at work!! I took myself, my granddaughter (9 yr old), and grandson (14 yr old) out the range this morning. Every thing started out pretty good. The sky was a little overcast so the heat wasn’t unbearable. Went to the pistol range first and fired my new (to me) XD in .357 Sig, didn’t like it all that much, and just don’t know why! I was not holding it correctly because it took chunks of skin off my thumb twice. That was the first thing not so great. Then both of my grand children out shot me on the pistol range with the XD, a Ruger 22/45, and my 9mm Sig, that was Number 2. This was not so bad, though.. We moved over to the Rifle range and things went down hill. We went down to the 50 yard line and the 100 yard line and put up targets, (that part went well). I took my H&R Handi-rifle in .204 Ruger out of the case and got to the firing line. I put the first cartridge in the chamber and it “stuck”. It wouldn’t go in so I could shut the action and I couldn’t get it out. The only rod that I have (had) was a .30 cal rod, it don’t fit the .204 hole!!. To say the least, I didn’t get to shoot the .204. (Number 3). I took out my AR 15 and we shot it with a .22 conversion in it and every thing was going along pretty good. I decided to put the regular bolt back and the piston system back in it and shoot some .223. I guess the .22s fouled up the gas piston area because I could not get the gas piston to fit properly. (Number 4). I had some cleaning supplies with me so I cleaned the piston area and got the piston to fit so we got to shoot the .223. One of my new Magpul P-mags would not seat in the mag-well and would not feed properly (Number 5). We did shoot up all the 5.56 ammo we had so it wasn’t a total loss on that part. My grandson again out shot me, this time with the AR 15. Took out a Ruger .44 Magnum carbine that I recently traded for. This was the high point of the day. This thing shot good at both 50 yards and 100 yards. I am going to have to put a new scope on it though, just could not get it far enough right. My grandson learned about that Kentucky windage stuff and was putting them in the bullseye at 100 yards. And again, he out shot me with it, he says that he likes it so I will probably end up giving it to him with the time comes! Then the worst part – when we got home they went to play video games and I had to clean half a dozen guns. Plus I had to go and buy a smaller rod so I could “beat” that stuck round out of the .204, but I did get it out, and now have another rod to stick in the trunk next time we go shooting! Even though I said it was a bad day at the range, it was actually a great day. It was so much fun just watching my grandkids getting into shooting and to see how good my grandson was doing. My granddaughter really likes the pistol shooting and just doesn’t want to shoot rifles, but I hope to change that soon. Sorry for the long post but I didn’t have anybody else to tell and most of you all will appreciate it. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant) -->

06-22-2009, 08:25 PM	#2
Haligan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FEMA Region II Posts: 1,900	Re: A bad day at the range... No sorry necessary gdmoody. With all the bad news in the world, it's nice to hear someone had a good day. I hope tomorrow is good too. __________________ "He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falshoods and errors." - Thomas Jefferson

06-22-2009, 08:27 PM	#3
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: A bad day at the range... Well it sounds to me that even with the bad stuff, you still had a great day! You spent it on the range with your grand kids and got a new rod to boot __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?

06-22-2009, 08:38 PM	#4
bcj1755 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: A wretched hive of scum and villiany Posts: 4,357	Re: A bad day at the range... Sounds like a good day to me __________________ History is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace, and revolution continue on forever. Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges - Cicero If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. - Samuel Adams

06-22-2009, 09:10 PM	#5
Gabob Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW GA CSA Posts: 1,160	Re: A bad day at the range... Our grandson came and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. He and I shot a good bit Saturday. Good weekend. He has been my shooting buddy since he was about six. Now he is 22 and in law school at U of Ga. __________________ NRA Endowment Member Keep Your Powder Dry

06-22-2009, 10:31 PM	#6
FTK87 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chouteau, Oklahoma Posts: 481	Re: A bad day at the range... Glad to here stories of people bringing new blood to our addiction. I can't wait until my boy is old enough to come with me, he's only 4 months, wife won't let me start that early lol

06-22-2009, 11:24 PM	#7
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: A bad day at the range... Hope you had a good Father's Day, GD! I bet the grandkids didn't pay any attention to your problems, they were glad to hangin' w/ Grandpa. You made a nice Memory for them. __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

06-23-2009, 08:19 AM	#8
buffalo jump V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: pensacola, fl. , escambia county Posts: 496	Re: A bad day at the range... Anytime with the grandkids is a great day.