A Day At The Rage- Part 2 & Other Stuff

I shot my M&P most of the day and she preformed well.  I had a number of light strikes which concerns me, so I need to get that cheeked out.  I am not a fan of the sites either.  The huge white dots are messing me up.  My groupings are ok, but I am shooting lower than where I think I am aiming.

3 yards-(This was pretty good, but it's 3 yards, so)

5 yards. Two separate sessions.

7 yards

We also took her back to the 10, 15, and 25 yard lines.  It got very busy and I was focused on what I was doing, so no pictures, but the gun did fine.  It is not a precision weapon, so no little tiny groups, but I still could kill someone from that distance, I do believe. However, if I really wanted to do some damage, I think I would use this...

The M1 Garand

This is the first time I have ever heard about this weapon, so, of course, it was the first time I shot one.  LOVE IT!!!  I love everything about this gun.  I love the look, I love the history, I love how it felt in my hands and I loved the power against my shoulder. 

As an aside, we shot for probably 2 hours, then the whole reenactment type drill which felt like 10 minutes to me, but was probably 3, then we immediately went on to the long guns.  The second that drill was over, I was good.  I have had some people email me privately with concerns that the drill might have crossed a line.  I don't know, but I do want everyone to know that honestly, I am fine.  I had no repercussions at all.  The drill was done and I could not wait to get my hands on the next gun.  We shot for 2 more hours and I had a blast.  Slept like a baby for the past 2 nights and I feel more confident then ever.  Let me also say, how blessed I am that you care enough to send me a note of concern.  That touched me deeply.

Ok, back to the guns...

Right after I shot the M1, I shot an AR-15 chambered in .22.  I have shot several .22's before, so I  knew there was no kick, but I still prepared for one and it was a shock when it was just a little tiny kitten sneeze(that is how one of the shooters described it) that came out the other end.  Even though there was no real power, I loved shooting that gun.  As everyone in this community knows, gun people are very generous.  Some of the other people there that day brought their guns(they prefer not to be outed on the blog) and were so unbelievably kind to me.  So supportive and strong and amazing.

One person had an AR 15chambered in  .223, I think, I didn't ask.  Anyway, it was set up in what I would describe as a tactical mode.  I felt tougher just holding the thing(I know it is not politically correct to say that.  I know the gun isn't suppose to make you feel anyway, but I am not that evolved:).  The owner took the time to explain all kind of things to me and then let me go.  Crazy cool! 

Last time I was at the range with John, I only got to touch the LaRue(AR-15).  This time I got to shoot it...yep, loved it!

Someone emailed me and asked if I only own one pair of pants because the black ones are all they every see me in...lol  Yes and no.  I do, in fact, own other pants, but none that I want to get messed up. I am not or haven't been a real outdoorsy kind of gal.  I mean, I have enjoyed camping and hiking for years, but I haven't had a real need for outdoor gear and since I would rather spend my money on guns, ammo and training, the wardrobe is whatever I have.  These black pants, I have had for 10 years.  They are old, faded and I don't care what happens to them.  Not the best for holding extra magazines and whatnot, but they work...for now.  Pretty much when I shoot, my hair is up exactly like this, I wear those black pants, my new boots, and a long sleeve shirt, usually with my Gun Goddess shirt over the top. Not a lot of variety, but then no one is looking at me at the range anyway, so I don't worry about it.  

Lastly, I got an email from a reader who is looking for some help from you all.  She has a questions and is really hoping you will give her some feedback. Here is her question:

Here's the thing, I got my CPL over a year ago, and have been taking advantage of my range's Ladies Nights at least once or twice a month to shoot everything they have available to rent in order to settle on my carry weapon. While I like some handguns better than others, the problem is with my eyes.

I am unusual (I think) in that my *right* eye is far-sighted, and is also my dominant eye. I can read road signs and see targets just fine with my dominant eye. The problem comes in because my *left* eye is near-sighted, which means I could focus on the sights, but then the target is a blur, and since it is my non-dominant eye, it completely screws up my stance, etc. I've tried keeping both eyes open when I shoot, but then I wind up actually seeing 2 guns, one in focus and one not. Usually I close my near-sighted, non-dominant eye, and focus on the target. I can see the sights, blurrily, but enough to line them up and usually keep a 4 inch grouping at 15 yards with a 9mm. (Well, depending on the weapon I'm shooting, some of them don't like me!) Do I even *have* a problem? So many instructors, books, etc. stress keeping your focus on the front sight, but I literally cannot do that without learning to shoot all over again using my non-dominant eye. I'll say that while I do wear glasses to drive, it's the ONLY time I wear them (I always just leave them in the car), and I don't want to practice in a way that's not going to duplicate what I'd experience in real life.