Wow ! 75 rounds and I could have kept going

[Samuel P. Morris]

...but I ran out of ammo.

And I didn't want to buy another box there cause we are not allowed to bring in our own practice ammo only can bring in hollow point defensive ammo.

I didn't like that all they had was 158g American Eagle or Remington. I opted for the American Eagle and was surprised how well the 642 handled it, but the accuracy stuck and plenty dirty and smoky.

My usual practice ammo is Wwbox 130g, I was able to sneak in a cylinders worth and it loved it.
Shot 2 different carry ammo at 110g only one load crimp, the same co. that crimped in my LCR. So that one will forever be ruled out. The other defensive load was great shoot as well, to bad on the other one cause it has a good track record for expansion.

Problem is with my new carry load is that after the range session I went over to the place I buy my ammo and they only had one box left so I bought it, but won't shoot it unless I can get more. This ammo is by Winchester and they don't even list it on their web site, I found out it was a Dept. of Homeland Security contract over run. Man does it shoot nice, and the 642 seem as happy as a pig in slop with that round

Now for the Wow part. I simply cannot believe how pleasant it was to shoot this 15oz airweight after the brutal experience I had with the LCR .38 special that even has Hogue tamers on it.
I am so overwhelm and to say I'm happy and pleased is an understatement. I made the right decision and choice.

 

[zennashton]

Glad to hear it! I have one on layaway and can't wait to get it out.

 

[ginzo]

In your other thread, you were talking about 60 or so rounds being the limit if I'm not mistaken.

Unless your shooting +P, 100 rounds is very doable in those J's. I didn't want to bust your bubble. I can run 100 in my 638 and it has just the stock grips.

Told you the 642 was a good platform.

 

[Mark6005]

I have a 442 my wife a 642 ladysmith both with stock grips. It is surprising how well those small guns handle full loads and accurate for da only

 

[DonD]

Glad you had a good time.

You didn’t give any details but I’m assuming you were shooting at a commercial range? If that is true and if they dictate what you can and cannot shoot, I’d find another place to shoot. That and the money grubbing ranges that require you to buy their ammo don’t deserve my patronage. Fortunately, I’ve only shot outdoors for the past couple of decades. Don

 

[Samuel P. Morris]

In your other thread, you were talking about 60 or so rounds being the limit if I'm not mistaken.

Nope I mention I was hoping for at least 30 rounds, that's why this is a big Wow and I never even had to put my shooting glove on, with the LCR I had to after around 25 rounds and never made it pass around 35-40 rounds.
__________

@DonD,

I envy you people who live in area's with better choices. And I really don't like shooting indoors but we have no more public outdoor ranges. They have been all shut down by rich people moving into the areas and getting the towns to shut them down because they didn't like the noise. What we do have is numerous 'gun clubs' with more rules than the military and some are not cheap to join if you can get a sponsor. And then they expect you to donate monthly some labor. I still may end up in one but for now I'm good.

The only other range I go to is over 80 miles round trip from me and their 'made-up' rules are hilarious as well, only they b.s. you as to the why.
But I can bring my own ammo there as long as it's not reloads. Which I can understand especially at an indoor range.

This one I used yesterday is less than a 1/2 mile from me and run on a shoe-string and it looks it, but it works for now. It's run by some former Iraqi/Afghanistan vets with one of them who sits behind you pack'n in case he has to shoot you. The way you can really tell what kind of people go to an indoor range is to look up at the ceiling/baffles.

I suppose if I wanted to I could drive around my State and find a secluded spot to shoot but there are more risk than just someone at a range going nuts. You'd have to worry about somebody hearing the noise and reporting you to the authorities. Not to mention as well of being assaulted robbed and possibly murdered for your guns or what ever and it's happen. Anyone foolish enough to try and assault me in the parking lot of this range is in for a rude awakening when the PTSD boys hear the call to arms.

 

[Wishoot]

I can shoot standard pressure stuff in my J-Frame all day long.

I can only shoot about 50 rounds MAX of the +P variety however.

 

[yep380]

I reload a fairly light 38 special load and can shoot 100 - 150 rounds out of my 438 without any kind of fatigue or pain. +p, not so much - snappy.

 

[scooter123]

But I can bring my own ammo there as long as it's not reloads. Which I can understand especially at an indoor range.

Seriously. Unless you own an ammunition factory the only way to make your own ammunition is by loading it yourself. In my area at the indoor ranges shooting your own reloads is perfectly welcome, what they don't like is someone shooting steel core or steel jacketed ammunition. The other limitation is that nothing more powerful than 308 Winchester. Because either will cause damage to the back stops.

 

[Gunhacker]

The indoor range I go to is relatively new and they've been pretty tolerant as it's run by guys that are shooters that got tired of not having a good LGS/range in the area.

But, they are starting to lose some of their sense of humor, and rightfully so, due to some of the jack wagons that come in and screw up the metal target carrier/holder by shooting off the spring load clips.

Some say it's by accident... but, anyone that's shot at an indoor range knows how far above those clips are in relationship to the printed part target.

They charge $14 an hour and I thought wow, but when they told me how much it's costing per month to maintain the range by repairing the target carriers and backstop, it's justified.

I see some of the same mentality at the outdoor range, there are people that take perverse pleasure in shooting up the wood target holders just before they leave, screwing things up for the next person.

Is it a wonder that ranges are getting draconian?

I just don't understand the mentality of those kind of shooters, and it kind of scares the heck out of me at the thought that they own a firearm possessing that much lack of common sense or respect.

Sorry for the rant... the topic was fresh on my mind as I was just at the aforementioned indoor range a few days ago and had to switch lanes after discovering that one they assigned me was missing the target clips!!

 

[Samuel P. Morris]

Seriously.

Yup ! And both ranges claim it's because of their insurance premiums.
One of the ranges claims we cannot enter the range area with a gun holstered because of OSHA regulations.
______

@Gunhacker,

The ranges I use are 16 & 20 bucks an hour. They got over $40 dollars out of me yesterday because I had to buy their ammo. Next time I'll bring enough defensive ammo so it will only cost me half of that. I do like that they let you shoot a little faster. The other range has a 1 second rule between rounds.

It's a good thing I'm not a dedicated gun owner, I only shoot enough to keep the gun exercised.
I see how this has become a rich persons game. It cost me over $100 dollars along with multiple layers of bureaucracy just to get my CCW. They don't need to come for our guns, just make it so expensive you can't shoot. It seems to me certain people only want certain 'types' owning guns.

Needless to say all of this has been an eye opening for me as I mention on another thread I got into firearms later in life than most.

 

[ralph7]

So you can't shoot fmj, only hollowpoints?

Sounds like their backstop is subpar.

 

[Samuel P. Morris]

Yes you can, just not yours. You have to buy it from them. I know what they are scared of, people sneaking in reloads. But the prices are as reasonable as you'll find even on on some ammo internet sites. What I didn't like was the grain weight and the junk brand type.

 

[Beachblaster]

The indoor range I go to is in Oceanside California. You pay $14 to get in and you can shoot as long as you like using your own ammo. Gun rentals go for $6 and and you must use their ammo which are reloads. Their range ammo is decent. I can't believe some of the BS you all have to put up with.

 

[Samuel P. Morris]

Wow ! Who would ever think in Cali of all places. Of course Oceanside is a military town so that may help some.
Check this out, here's what really gets me about all of this, I'm in the New England region, the birth place of the Constitution. And unfortunately one of only a few States left in that region who don't frown upon gun ownership, but between all the fees and such it's become a racket for the State.

 

[DonD]

Sorry about that Samuel.

For a state as huge as TX, there are remarkably few outdoor ranges. The one I use isn’t exotic by any means and for a dedicated rifle shooter, not optimum, max range is 100 yds. I REALLY hope the owner doesn’t get tired of running the operation.

Speaking of that, as a side note, some woman claimed a stray 9mm slug hit her house, got a lawyer. Turned out the only person on the range at the specified timeframe was using an AK-47. Lawyer shut up and went away.

Shooting would be pretty expensive if you wanted to keep proficient and had to buy factory or even probably overpriced reloads offered by a range.

I reload for 5 cartridges, personal satisfaction, loads tailored to exactly what I want at any time and vastly less expensive. Good luck. Don

 

[Samuel P. Morris]

For a state as huge as TX, there are remarkably few outdoor ranges.

Don,

That one is a surprise. And I had been thinking about Texas the other day cause I lived down there for 9 years some years ago, and thought it would be cool to be a gun owner down there. Which I wasn't at the time I lived down there so had no real idea about it all.

Even though I'm not a dedicated gun owner I had a blast Saturday shooting my 642. And if we had better options and it didn't cost so much I could see myself doing it every month. In some ways it's both rewarding and relaxing at the same time. I mainly got into firearms for self protection though. But like I mention it was fun shooting those 75 rounds.

And visiting this forum and reading the various threads and seeing the pictures of peoples revolvers is really neat.

 

[ginzo]

I'm lucky, I go to a dingy little indoor range about 10 minutes away. They have all the standard rules, down range, no quick fire, no holster draw etc. But over time, I've gotten friendly with them and I think as time has gone on, they see on the video I'm not an idiot, and let me practice draw, rapid fire etc.

BUT............. I go usually on a Sunday morning when I can be by myself. If anyone happens to walk in, then I go back to my normal target shooting so to speak. When they leave, I go back to my "training".

Most people burn through ammo in a few minutes, no type of discipline, just shoot and go.

They charge 15 per hour but don't chase you out, (again), BUT....... if people are waiting then I move along. I understand its all static but it helps my muscle memory, and if the day ever comes where I have to make that choice, I hope I will be prepared.

BTW, I'm not a "bulls eye" shooter, I just want to be "on target" so to speak. I'm strictly a SD person.

Since you like pictures, try this one on for size. I started with an auto, then turned into a revo lover. ESPECIALLY the little ones......

Oh, your gonna get bit by the BUG, it's just a matter of time.

 

[TeaDub]

I'm glad that you had a good time with your J-frame!

That would be no fun having such a limited choice on ranges. My local range (indoor) only requires their ammo on rentals ($5). A flat rate charge of $8 as long as you want to stay. Steel core? No worries. The rifle side allows anything except 50 BMG and 338 Lapua. They tried those but it shattered the lights.

I'd love to find a place to shoot informally outdoors. Plinking tin cans, setting up targets where and how I want..... Until that happens, I'll count my blessings. It could be worse.

 

[jtcarm]

Nope I mention I was hoping for at least 30 rounds, that's why this is a big Wow and I never even had to put my shooting glove on, with the LCR I had to after around 25 rounds and never made it pass around 35-40 rounds.

__________



@DonD,



I envy you people who live in area's with better choices. And I really don't like shooting indoors but we have no more public outdoor ranges. They have been all shut down by rich people moving into the areas and getting the towns to shut them down because they didn't like the noise. What we do have is numerous 'gun clubs' with more rules than the military and some are not cheap to join if you can get a sponsor. And then they expect you to donate monthly some labor. I still may end up in one but for now I'm good.



The only other range I go to is over 80 miles round trip from me and their 'made-up' rules are hilarious as well, only they b.s. you as to the why.

But I can bring my own ammo there as long as it's not reloads. Which I can understand especially at an indoor range.



This one I used yesterday is less than a 1/2 mile from me and run on a shoe-string and it looks it, but it works for now. It's run by some former Iraqi/Afghanistan vets with one of them who sits behind you pack'n in case he has to shoot you. The way you can really tell what kind of people go to an indoor range is to look up at the ceiling/baffles.



I suppose if I wanted to I could drive around my State and find a secluded spot to shoot but there are more risk than just someone at a range going nuts. You'd have to worry about somebody hearing the noise and reporting you to the authorities. Not to mention as well of being assaulted robbed and possibly murdered for your guns or what ever and it's happen. Anyone foolish enough to try and assault me in the parking lot of this range is in for a rude awakening when the PTSD boys hear the call to arms.

I've belonged to private clubs over 30 years and they beat the pants off of any public range. It's safer, better facilities.

The current one is a bit of a haul but worth it. I went last Monday after work. Arrived about 5:30 and about had the whole place to myself till dark. I didn't have to share the pistol range I was on at all.

Oh, yeah, and it's a whopping $90 per year.