Afternoon at the range!

[MO_mule]

Afternoon at the range:

Disclaimer: please pardon the long post.

Took the missus to the indoor range (first time for her) and brought along the 686 SSR (4" barrel) and rented a 642. There was a lot of traffic at the range but, surprisingly, we only had a 10 or 15 minute wait. This afforded my better half to watch the action and get acquainted with the pop-pop-pop melodies heard through the glass.

I forgot the foam earplugs (DOH!) and even with ProEars Ultras on there was enough sound getting through to detract from the missus' range experience. She has (had?) excellent hearing (can hear a mouse in a field at 100 paces) and she did not like the level of noise (there was a .45 owner in the next lane). Anyway, she got some well-placed shots on the targets but only 3 or 4 at a time (.38 sp only) and then took her leave to the other side of the glass. She likes the 686 but remarked that it is a bit heavy for her scawny arms. I made the executive decision to avoid the extra muzzle flash from the 642 as a fun factor for her (and this was confirmed by Spouse to be the right decision today). On the ride home, there was a lot of talk about "the next time we go to the range…" so I think we had a good day despite my earplug malfunction. Next time, we will try the 642 and may a semi-auto (although Spouse is adamant about sticking to revolvers -- I'm so proud).

As for my performance, I am inching along, happy to report. I used "qualifying targets" (silhouette of a man) and set the targets were set at 7 yards (mainly for the 642) and 15 yards (mainly for the 686). Out of about 150 rounds, only two were at the 6 o'clock spot (oops) for the 686 and the rest were pretty well in the red oval (center) and next grey ring. Please don't think I am bragging because I'm not. I had plenty of time to relax, breathe, and focus. And, the 686 hardly allows the shooter to make a bad shot. I was just shooting .38 sp (no +p today) get my old eyeballs working with my trigger finger and arms to build memory. The 642 had a Crimson Trace grip and it is pretty helpful with getting the little gun on target. After a few cylinders, I managed to get the laser off with a light finger grip on the button and squeezing the right hand with the left hand. I think I could live without the laser grip (for regular target practice) but it is a very nice option. Having said all that, I am pleased with my 15 yard targets with the 642.

I am not sure about my new progressive lenses for the range. I had to use an unnatural noggin angle compared to using my readers (open over the top). For those of you who have to wear glasses, what do you all use at the range?

Thanks for letting me share some thoughts about our exciting and entertaining time at the range. More range time for us is coming. And I'll bring the foam earplugs next time.

Chris

 

[Erich]

That sounds as if it was a good day, indeed. My wife is difficult to get to the range - if I can get her there once a year, I'm happy.

Gina's hearing is terrible, though, the opposite of your wife's.

 

[Nightowl]

You weren't by chance at Targetmasters in Columbia, were you?

To use my progressive lenses, I have to bend my head back so far that it would be really funny except for the neck ache. I get prescription on my right eye that just makes the front sight sharp, along with safety lenses, and frames. Safety frames are real cheap compared to regular lenses. When I went to do this, I took my gun with me and worked with the Dr. to get the focal length right. My doc works with a lot of shooters for different shooting sports) It takes a little getting used to at first to use them, but now I can wear them for about 6 hours at a SASS match with out much problem.

 

[mroyal98]

It's interesting that you mention glasses, especially lens prescribed to the front sight. I am near sighted - read print and computer without glasses and probably around 20-40 on distance. Anyway, I have been practicing without my (prescripion)glasses since a time when the right lens fell out of my frame. I noticed that my focal point of my right eye was pretty darn close to the sight. I am thinking about getting a set with distance on left and clear safety on the right. It's a little weird but my eyes can handle the split after a minute or so.
In the meantime, I think I'll practice some more with clear safety glasses.

 

[Spotteddog]

Sounds like my story too Erich. Once a year range trips for her, need 'em or not. The only hearing loss Corrine suffers from, is any sound produced in my vocal range?

 

[mstuhr]

Hi Mo mule,
Mine likes the revolvers too. She goes with me fairly regular because we have to cross through shopping territory to get to the range. She will bang away with the 25-2 or 6" model 10 while I get what ever I need done. We finish up with lunch or a little shopping and she is happy as can be.
I shoot with regular bi-focals. If there is one thing I miss from years gone by it is my eye sight. I can still get by but I have to really look hard (= slow) with open sights any more.
Mary prefers the outdoor ranges over the indoor and I have membership in outdor clubs to the north and the west of here.
Where in Mo are you?
I'm south of St.Louis about 50 miles close to the river.
Good luck to you.
Mike

 

[MO_mule]

Thanks, all, for the replies and advice. I've been swamped at work lately and we've been spending some quality time in the back-back yard clearing out weeds, small trees, brush, etc. Happily, things are looking better back there.

Nightowl:

Originally posted by Nightowl:
You weren't by chance at Targetmasters in Columbia, were you?

Not in Columbia but "Top Gun" in Imperial. Nicely run spot and they're moving to a bigger facility in a few months. Nice to see a firearms shop growing (or any other small business for that matter).

Lol, I just got these progressive lenses and I foolishly thought that I could use them at the range (under my clear safety wraparounds). I am sure that I appeared to be looking at the ceiling when sighting the target. My vertebrae were not happy about the goofy angle. I guess that the eye doc will be glad to see me again for new safety glasses. (Diverting ammo money

).

mroayal98:

I am ditching the progressives and trying my readers again next time. And, like you, I am going to try to go "glasses-less", too, (other than plain safety glasses). Haven't tried that because I really like to see a crisp front sight.

mstuhr:

We live in Chesterfield so we are close to a couple of outdoor ranges (15 or 20 miles). With better weather now, we will head to those, too. Should be easier on the ears. You're more thoughtful than me so I will follow your range/shopping/lunch plan with my beloved the next time.

Thanks very much for the advice. I have some good ideas to test out. More fun to come at the range.

Chris

 

[Thicker]

Check out my post called Fun Day in the Lounge. I really believe that it would be nice to have man&woman shooting leagues (like bowling).