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Old 10-25-2013, 03:19 PM
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Default A Short Trip to the Range

I have a friend Dave (Dave1) who has a friend Dave (Dave2).

Dave1 had no interest in firearms until after the election of you know who in 2008. After that, he decided he wanted a license to carry firearms and a few guns. He has his license and a couple of guns. He's a so-so shooter, but could be better with more practice and a bit of coaching.

Dave2 never had any interest in a license or firearms until after his father died. One of the things he inherited was a 1944 built Radom P35 from his dad. His dad was in the US Army in WWII and liberated this from a German officer who made the mistake of trying to draw it from a holster behind his neck. The German survived, but absent several teeth and with other facial injuries from the butt stroke Dave2s dad used to disarm him.

Anyway, the town that Dave2 lives in requires a range test before they will issue a license. Dave1 asked me if I'd prep Dave2 for his range test since Dave2 had never held a gun before and in this state it's not legal to own any firearms without a permission slip from the state.

About six weeks ago or so I met the Daves at my range, ran Dave2 through the qualification course a few times and off he went to the police range to qualify. He's a pretty good shot, actually.

Fast forward to today. Dave1 called me and told me that Dave2 has his license and wants to shoot the Radom. He asked if I'd like to go along.

Sure, I've seen the Radom and it's a nice firearm. Dave2 has had the pistol checked out by a gunsmith who cleaned and lubed it. Said gunsmith, who has a really good reputation, said he's only seen 5 Radom pistols in 30 years and that this one looks to have never been fired and not carried much.

So, off to the range we went. Dave1 brought his 442 and Mossberg 500. Dave2 brought the Radom, and I brought my 6906.

Dave2 was up first. He'd never loaded or shot a pistol before, so I ran him through a quick course and off he went.

He's a pretty good shot, as I said. The Radom is a very accurate pistol. We were shooting only at 7 yards, but he was shooting single handed. He put most of the first magazine on the 9 inch paper plate we were using as a target. He got better the more he shot.

Dave1 shot next and was far less accurate. My diagnosis was flinch, but he didn't buy it.

Then it was my turn. No problem hitting the paper plate. As I said, Dave1 was flinching.

Dave2 tried the Mossberg. Which he enjoyed shooting. So much so that he had a huge grin when he was done. He also liked my 6906 once I explained that it was just a bit different in operation from the Radom. Again he shot well.

Dave2 is pretty liberal, so I don't know if he'll get more involved in shooting, but I think he will. Since he plays golf, he may well buy a shotgun and take up Trap or Skeet.

One note on my 6906. I have Hogue grips on it, which is how I bought it. I've never had any grips fit my hand so well and it shows in how well I shoot this 3rd generation compact. I think it's my favorite 3rd gen, even if I don't carry it all that often.
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Last edited by GaryS; 10-25-2013 at 03:45 PM.
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Old 10-25-2013, 03:37 PM
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So I can assume that's a typo, and it is a 1944-built VIS, not a 1994-built one?
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Old 10-25-2013, 03:44 PM
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Good job getting the guy started GaryS!
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Old 10-25-2013, 03:46 PM
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What do you mean, it clearly says 1944? Yes, it's a typo, I've fixed it in the OP.

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So I can assume that's a typo, and it is a 1944-built VIS, not a 1994-built one?
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Old 10-25-2013, 03:51 PM
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Thanks. He's actually the first person I've "taught" after I took the NRA Basic Pistol Instructor class. When I took him the first time he thanked me and complimented me on my teaching ability. I might be the guy who proves the rule about those who can't shoot, teach. I think I'm a better instructor than shooter.

In any case, I enjoy immensely bringing new shooters to the range and watching their faces light up. Last year, I did that with my daughter in law. At some point, I think she'll get her CCW and own a hand gun. She lives in Alabama and a number of her friends routinely carry. She takes protecting her kids (and I'll assume my son) seriously.

I've found that the new shooters I've taken to the range over the past several years soak up what I told them like sponges. One of my reasons for taking the instructors course is to be able to teach them the right way, not my way.

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Good job getting the guy started GaryS!
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