Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, January 20, 2013

After Action Report

We arrived to a brisk cool wind and gray skies. Perfect weather for a day at the old farm. Pirate Jim and I arrived first and the first course of action was to build a fire. I wore a heavy black hooded sweatshirt and still the chill seemed bone deep. Out with the lighter.

So, I made a small campfire. Thankfully Pirate Jim had thermos of good hot coffee.

Our plan of the day was simple. Finish a bit of light construction on our 'shooting shed.' Remember the flood of last July had taken our shed, and well, slapped that sucker to the ground. We've since improved the shelter, enlarged it and now it needed shooting benches and gear tables. After, we'd spend the rest of the day on the firing line.

When the rest of the crew arrived we stood around the fire and chewed the fat. We had a good long heated (all agreed on the issue) debate about gun control and the actions of the fools in our nation's capital. Then we set to work. Above Senior and our resident hippy, Rebel, as they measure and cut lumber.

When six men work in harmony it doesn't take long to finish a task. We used scrape lumber salvaged from the old structure and from long discarded piles left at the farm and before long the yell, 'the range is hot,' was accompanied by live fire. It felt so damn good.

In this next picture notice the pair of legs just beyond the open ammo can. The ammo can belongs to me and is filled with nine millimeter Luger...the open puke green range bag and legs belong to my friend, Duke. Keep your eyes on the range bag....I had plans.

We intend to cover the two boards, our new bench rest, soon. The Ruger LC9 is my new, and very inexpensive, baby and she was put through her paces. She functioned very well indeed.


Above, as the men worked, Senior and Pirate Jim took it upon themselves to paint target stands on the range. According to them they 'zombiefied' the range. Our long term goals for the range are to build stations for combat shoots. Between continued improvements on the Boar's Nest and the range we have a heavy workload. (I used the word, range, four times. Shameful.)

Below, a random selection from my gun safe. Even though it hurt I ran thirty rounds of 5.56 (yes, I own many evil thirty rounds mags) thru her. Oh, the pain. With every shot I kept a tally of cost. Still, it sure was fun. 


Ah, the prize in sight. Duke's range bag. Look very carefully...see the old Smith .38.

Now, notice how its stocks are visible above the rim of the bag. As MLK said, I have a dream.

Duke is easily distracted. One can point towards a rare bird or offer him a bottle of water or ask him a question, and poof, he's deep into a fog.

Notice how the Smith has worked its way to my side of the bench. The ammo can gives concealment. Step two was a complete success. Sorry for the blurry picture but I was, you understand, in a hurry.

In the meantime, Senior prepares his Ruger 10/22 for a workout. He has a tendency to 'tactical the heck' out of his firearms. You should see his childhood Red Rider. It has a light and siren. Thing is, his stuff works. The purple velvet bag belongs to Pirate Jim. He slurs his speech. But, that's fine. He's also our medic and a damn good one. He'll hit you square between the eyes at four hundred yards then save your life.


This next shot is of ShooterSteve's station. He's far too alert for one to gather needed items.

Now we have Pirate Jim's range bag. He'd just broken out a very nice Ruger MKII, which reminded me Duke owned a nice MKI.


Just a box of ammunition. For those of you new to the gun culture guess its purpose. 

Duke's Ruger...isn't it pretty. Yes, its blue is worn, but it has the patina of grace which makes it a beautiful piece of history.


Duke's Ruger in my range bag. He'll never miss it....






He's so easy. Once, when his back was turned I used forefinger and thumb to pinch a couple of extra 1911 mags. Don't tell him...





(boys and girls, I do not recommend you pinch items from range bags when the owners of said bags hold fully loaded rifles and handguns. Wait until they reload. The above demonstration is for training purposes only.)

Stephen


27 comments:

  1. Sounds like a mighty fine day.

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  2. Anything you grabbed, can I have?

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  3. looks like you guys had a blast and nice weather to boot!

    hope you 'completed' the necessary improvements to the shed before the fun began ;-)

    take care friend - fishing season starts soon!!

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    1. We have a few minor cosmetic touches but for the most part its finished. You take care too and enjoy the fishing season. Thanks, my friend.

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  4. sounds like a great day to get out and cut up some.

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    1. It was truly a nice day. Cold early but soon enough I had my sweatshirt off. Thanks, my friend.

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  5. sounds like you all had an awesome time. now, dear sweet one, you do know that our friend Duke does occasionally read your blog, eh? bahahahahahahah!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. I know, but the thing is, he doesn't understand what he reads...he'll believe I loaned him those items...

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  6. Dang! My last range day was canceled due to snow and wind.

    Really miss those shoots we used to have at the hunting camp. Alas, the camp was sold when dad retired and moved to FL.

    Good times.

    One of my buddies used to work for Ruger and he could sign out stuff from the shop. Got to shoot the XGI, which never made it into production.

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    1. Ah, Bubba, you didn't shoot because of a little snow and wind...just adjust your sights for windage. Did he sign the stuff out and forget to return the items?

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  7. HEH Pilfered Duke's stuff. Prepare for the backlash one of these days :)

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  8. That's hilarious! Sorry you're not having more fun ;)

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    1. Thanks, Cathy. It is a shame how much fun we don't have during our gatherings. What until next month when we plan to spend the evening. Now, that should be fun. Duke will probably wear his Spiderman undies...

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  9. Looks like great fun! I recently moved to Oregon from Florida to live on the family "farm". While I've set up my re-loading area and am building a shooting bench and have an 1000 yard range, I have yet to get together with some friends to share it with. I left shooting buddies in Fla. Time for the hermit to hit the local range I guess.

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    1. It was fun. It shouldn't take you long to have a bunch of friends since you own a nice thousand yard range. I wish we could take a few shots at the thousand yard mark...as you well know, here in Florida four hundred yard shots are very rare, much less a thousand. Take care, my new friend.

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  10. It was a great day, good weather, good work, and good lead down range. Looking forward to the camp-out next month. BTW, my Red Rider also has a Expresso Machine.

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    1. Yes, it was indeed, Bubba. Bring along the Red Rider, we'll need coffee.

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  11. Dag-gummit, Now I will have to inventory my whole bag again.

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    1. It's all there...really, trust me. Don't bother.

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  12. Lights and sirens on a Red Rider??? That's funny.

    Incidentally, where can I find one like that for my little girl?

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    1. Sadly, my friend, its a one of a kind knock off...he stole it. You've gotta keep your eyes on these guys when you lay out your bags and gear. Thanks, my friend.

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  13. Is Duke's range bag a Domke? I have two and they are superb.

    ~ rdc

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    1. Unknown, I don't really have a brand name, it is just heavy canvas bag, not even sure where I got it.

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    2. Unknown, all I care about is its easy access....thanks for dropping by.

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