One less gun critic... thanks to the 15-22

[RedNeck Jim]

This past week I had a business associate come visit the farm prior to our attending a tradeshow in Chicago. He had heard a lot about our life in the country and wanted to experience it for himself. Part of that experience was shooting the 15-22. He was raised in New York & lives in West Palm Beach, FL. Now he had shot skeet once before many years ago but didn't enjoy the outing or the sore shoulder. He was not for banning firearms but, as with so many, couldn't understand the "need" for military type assault weapons. He was not thrilled to go shooting but was game for the experience... if I insisted.

We were shooting my Action Target reactive targets, including the dueling tree, at 30 yards. For those that don't know, the dueling tree uses 3" round steel plates that swing to the other side when hit. With his very first magazine, shooting from a partial rest, he hit with every round except one. Then he proceeded to do almost as well by shooting freehand. Then we moved on to shooting other targets with double taps & danged if he was not just outstanding. I have never seen such a natural shooter in my whole life.

About 500 rounds later, I finally convinced him to put the gun down as we had a lunch engagement. We talked long and hard about gun safety and how the features of the AR styled weapons were a big part of his shooting performance... as was the nonexistent kick with the .22lr. He is friends with the sheriff down there & has breakfast with him several times each week. This officer had offered many times to teach him to shoot but he never took him up on it. But now, after enjoying the 15-22, my friend plans on purchasing his own 15-22, will take the sheriff up on the training & is planning on joining a gun club.

 

[Majorlk]

Well done, Jim.

As they say in the Navy, Bravo Zulu!

 

[USMCHEROS]

Great job! A++++

 

[Hearsedriver]

Great story!

 

[Que B&BR]

another win

 

[IceStone]

You can let him know the Bass Pro Shops in Ft. Lauderdale has 4 15-22's in stock. depending on his location in West Palm its probably less than an hours drive for him considering it's directly off Interstate 95. I was there yesterday and saw a pink one, two of the standard set ups with threaded barrels and one non-threaded barrel. No MOE versions though.
Not sure where he is planning to shoot, but South Florida is kinda limited in that you are squashed between the ocean and the Everglades so there isn't a whole lot of open land unless you like walking around in a snake and alligator infested swamp. There are several Public ranges that are open, but I know the ones in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale do not allow reactive targets so your just shooting at paper. There is a Sheriffs range in West Palm that goes at to 300 yards and is open to the public on some days, but I'm not sure what they allow. Anyway, there are plenty of places to shoot, but to my knowledge very little that allow you to set up anything other than paper targets with no rapid fire.

 

[Brett248Vista]

Way to go Jim!

 

[kapt_krunch]

Awesome story!

 

[RedNeck Jim]

As they say in the Navy, Bravo Zulu!

I had to look that up.

I did nothing special. What is special is the gun we love so much. It is the perfect trainer, IMO. A few weeks ago I experienced a young boy having a blast shooting my 15-22 with his dad & grandfather. During that event, the grandfather brought out his big guns but couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. He flinched because of the loud bang & heavy kick. But while shooting the 15-22, he was dead on accurate.

We can argue with those that disagree with us but that solves nothing. I have tried explaining why the AR platform is not evil but they don't get it. And if you really think about it, from their perspective, it is a hard sell. Why do we "need" such a gun with all these "evil" components. We aren't going to war are we? Why can't we just use a "normal" gun? Why do we need a pistol grip, a retractable stock, threaded barrels, high capacity magazines, etc, etc.

I have decided to try a different tact. As opposed to trying to explain the gun or all these components, I will show them. Show them that an adjustable stock doesn't mean the rifle will now fit in my front pocket... it only moves a few inches. Show them that the threaded barrel will allow me to attach my suppressor, when the stamp comes in, and allow me to shoot on my property without bothering the neighbors or my horses. Show them that a pistol grip only makes your shooting more comfortable... and more accurate. Show them that while shooting reactive targets, a large capacity magazine really enhances the experience and actually makes sense. Show them that an idiot like me can install a new, match grade trigger in just a few moments and how that trigger greatly increases accuracy.

So next time you go shooting, invite an acquaintance. Teach them gun safety and try to change their minds by experiencing the gun.

 

[Lorelei]

A few weeks ago I took a friend shooting who had never shot a gun in her life. I took a 15-22 and a 10/22. She really liked the 15-22 and is already very good with is. In fact I'm glad I have 2 15-22's because I'm not sure I'll get one of them back.

 

[micocyco]

I had to look that up.

I did nothing special. What is special is the gun we love so much. It is the perfect trainer, IMO. A few weeks ago I experienced a young boy having a blast shooting my 15-22 with his dad & grandfather. During that event, the grandfather brought out his big guns but couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. He flinched because of the loud bang & heavy kick. But while shooting the 15-22, he was dead on accurate.

We can argue with those that disagree with us but that solves nothing. I have tried explaining why the AR platform is not evil but they don't get it. And if you really think about it, from their perspective, it is a hard sell. Why do we "need" such a gun with all these "evil" components. We aren't going to war are we? Why can't we just use a "normal" gun? Why do we need a pistol grip, a retractable stock, threaded barrels, high capacity magazines, etc, etc.

I have decided to try a different tact. As opposed to trying to explain the gun or all these components, I will show them. Show them that an adjustable stock doesn't mean the rifle will now fit in my front pocket... it only moves a few inches. Show them that the threaded barrel will allow me to attach my suppressor, when the stamp comes in, and allow me to shoot on my property without bothering the neighbors or my horses. Show them that a pistol grip only makes your shooting more comfortable... and more accurate. Show them that while shooting reactive targets, a large capacity magazine really enhances the experience and actually makes sense. Show them that an idiot like me can install a new, match grade trigger in just a few moments and how that trigger greatly increases accuracy.

So next time you go shooting, invite an acquaintance. Teach them gun safety and try to change their minds by experiencing the gun.

Will do Jim & thanks for the stories.

 

[jinx]

Good job and well done

 

[OldEagleEars]

Unlike the situation fifty or a hundred years ago, today most adult Americans have never actually seen a real firearm other than those anonymous collections of black plastic boxes police wear on their flanks. With this in mind should we be surprised that they have no idea of what firearms are about except those precepts presented in the movies/TV and in the newsmedia; (1.) that all firearms are good for is so bad people can kill other people, therefore (2.) the police and military have to have them to keep bad people from killing people (especially us!), and (3.) if there were no guns nobody could kill anybody else. They accept this as revealed truth and the fact that it is demonstratively a great steaming pile of falsehood is okay with them. They don't want their belief-system undone by fact and will tell you so if you ask them. This is a demonstration of the adage that "ignorance is bliss" because these folks are just as happy as clams about being totally divorced from reality. Until we figure out how to bring these people to face their own ignorance and the danger it presents to society and this nation, nothing we try to do will be of any consequence. Redneck Jim has at least taken one ignoramus off the street, I wish we could all do as well every day.

 

[Kayback]

I'm convinced that 90% of gun haters are just ignorant and have never shot.

None of the ones I've ever managed to get to the range remain anti for long after pulling the trigger the first time.

KBK

 

[shadow53]

About 500 rounds later, I finally convinced him to put the gun down as we had a lunch engagement. We talked long and hard about gun safety and how the features of the AR styled weapons were a big part of his shooting performance... as was the nonexistent kick with the .22lr. He is friends with the sheriff down there & has breakfast with him several times each week. This officer had offered many times to teach him to shoot but he never took him up on it. But now, after enjoying the 15-22, my friend plans on purchasing his own 15-22, will take the sheriff up on the training & is planning on joining a gun club.

Tell your friend from WPB that "Shoot Straight" on Southern Blvd has a pile of 15-22's, I think they were asking $449 last week. Also tell him to check out Okeechobee Shooting Sports http://okshooting.com/ a large shooting complex less than an hour from downtown WPB.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Tell your friend from WPB that "Shoot Straight" on Southern Blvd has a pile of 15-22's, I think they were asking $449 last week. Also tell him to check out Okeechobee Shooting Sports Gun Range | Okeechobee Shooting Sports a large shooting complex less than an hour from downtown WPB.

Thanks. I'll pass on this info, and other provided here, to him.

 

[compshootfl]

If you really want to convince someone like that, put in a 10 rounder for the first 3 or 4 times they shoot and have them reload them...then drop the 25 rounder on them, it will change their perspective rather quickly on high capacity magazines.
It really improves the fun factor too.

 

[Dirt Dart]

If you really want to convince someone like that, put in a 10 rounder for the first 3 or 4 times they shoot and have them reload them...then drop the 25 rounder on them, it will change their perspective rather quickly on high capacity magazines.
It really improves the fun factor too.

Or put a can on it. They make even those who are terrified of firearms instant converts.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Or put a can on it. They make even those who are terrified of firearms instant converts.

I'm at the 6 month point right now on my wait for my stamp. Currently I drive about 10 miles away to shoot on a friend's property, way out in the country with no one around. When the stamp comes in, I will start shooting on my own range. All 3 of my 22s have threaded barrels... the 15-22, the Buck Mark pistol & the bolt action CZ 455.

 

[telero]

If you really want to convince someone like that, put in a 10 rounder for the first 3 or 4 times they shoot and have them reload them...then drop the 25 rounder on them, it will change their perspective rather quickly on high capacity magazines.
It really improves the fun factor too.

Give them a 10 round short mag, then after a few of those make them only load 7 at at time for a few. Then give them a 10 round long and see if they ask why they can only load 10. Then give the 25, then give them a 50 round drum. Take them through all the emotions. Probably should put a slidefire on it as well. I'm only partially kidding...