A local club I belong to opens up the indoor range to the general public on Thursday nights from 1900 to 2100. I volunteer, along with a couple of others, as RSO’s one night a month so there are three of us on duty. I pack a few guns and ammo in my range bag and often will let someone try them if it’s appropriate. Often it will be a newbie shooting a center fire I’ll pull out a .22 and suggest they try this. One time it was a gentleman shooting some type of striker fired gun bull’s-eye style and doing quite well. Turned out he had shot competitively in the Air Force. I had my model 52 with me, showed it to him and asked him if he knew what it was. He smiled and said yes. I handed him the gun, some mags, and ammo and told him to have some fun.
Anyway, this past Thursday night was slow, only one shooter who was an experienced club member. Three gentlemen showed up, all non-members. Turned out one man was the plant manager at a local production facility, and the other two were engineers from out of the area, one being from Kentucky and the other being from Switzerland.
The plant manager was supplying the guns and ammo, a .40 Glock, a tiny 9 mm Kimber, and a beautiful High Standard Supermatic Citation 106. We interviewed the guys and determined all were familiar with firearms, but the Swiss gentleman had never fired a handgun, but was familiar with rifles from his experience with the Swiss Army. The .22 and I were assigned to him.
Extensive communication was a bit difficult because of the ear protection, ventilation noise and gunfire, but we got up and running. From the get-go he was right on target with 2 inch groups from 10 yards.
The guy knew how to shoot, just needed a few tips about stance and holding the gun. He was having fun and so was I. Rotated the guns, he ended up with the little Kimber, which didn’t produce the same results. Personally, I didn’t think much of a gun. I went and got my range bag and pulled out a. .45 1911 that shoots really nice. He smiled. and said ah Colt 45. Showed him the controls, had him dry fire a few times to experience the trigger and turned him loose. Went through numerous mags, really had a good time with it.
Got to the point where he thought he was all done and I told him one more. Had to let him experience the other American icon, took out a Smith 19–3 snubby. Went through the controls explained double action and single action letting him dry fire both ways. Suggested he fire single action as I felt results with double action would be a bit disappointing. Several cylinders and he did very well, was surprised at the accuracy possible with the short barrel.
We both had a really nice time.
Kevin G


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Two thumbs up!

That is the way it is done. Take someone who has never handled a handgun before and show them the way. The next thing you know they are buying a handgun...and so it starts!

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The Last Standing Knight