Sunday at the range

So, after a lot of fun on Saturday at the Mecklenburg Wildlife Defensive Shooters IDPA match, I decided to go to the range and shoot my rifle. For those that haven't read past posts, I purchased a CMMG M4LE 5.56 carbine. Love shooting it, but the closest range where I can shoot 5.56 is about 40 miles away. So, I went in search of the CMMG .22lr conversion kit and found it on sale at CDNNinvestments.com. Not only was the price better than what I could find locally, but it also came with a free 25 round magazine. Sweet! It was also only $6 shipping. If I could have found it at or close to that price, I would have bought it locally, but alas, it was not to be.

So, I loaded up the gun, conversion kit, and my oldest son who likes shooting rifles more than pistols which my youngest son likes. We went to Elite Training Academy which is just a few miles from the house with a brand new  Winchester Whitebox .22lr value box. $22 for 550 rounds isn't too bad a deal. We loaded up the magazines (I have two with the free one) and proceeded to have some fun. One thing we noted was one magazine was much more difficult to eject than the other. Well, eject isn't really the right word. I had to hold the rifle and the mag release button while my son pulled it out with both hands. After doing that twice, we just decided to use the one mag until I could figure out what was wrong.

As we were shooting, another father came in with his teenage daughter and son who was around 9 years old. The son noticed that we were shooting an "ar-15" and was very intersted. I'd see him out of the corner of my eye when he wasn't shooting with his father. Eventually he came up and asked if we were shooting an ar-15 and I said yes we were and if it was ok with his father, he was more than welcome to shoot it. Zoom! Off he goes, "Dad, I need your help!, Dad, I need your help!". I could only smile seeing the enthusiasm. He spoke to his father who came down and introduced himself. I let him know that his son and daughter were welcome to shoot the rifle as well as the father. The son came down first and we let him shoot off 20 rounds. The smile on his face couldn't have gotten much bigger. He was afraid there'd be some recoil, but I put him at ease. Soon after, the daughter came down who was also concerned about recoil, but I let her know that with the rounds we were shooting, it would be negligible. After shooting, she was very happy with a big smile and a thank-you.

What turned out to start was just some quality father-son time turned into a great day for us and some young shooters which made me feel even better. Seeing the huge smile on his face was a great reward for me.

Well, that's it for me. Remember, shoot safe, shoot straight!

**Oh, and the magazine that was sticking? Fixed that by removing two tabs on it. Smoothly ejects our normally now. I didn't figure the CMMG magazine would have issues ejecting out of a CMMG rifle, but the tabs were installed for other manufacturers. Go figure.

Saturday match at MWDS

This past Saturday, we had a great match at Mecklenburg Wildlife Defensive Shooters. At last count, they had 103 shooters which may have been a record. The weather was beautiful with lots of sun, bright blue skies, and the smell of gunpowder. For as many shooters as we had, we still finished in around 4.5 hours.

MWDS always puts on decent matches and this one was no exception. Scores aren't available yet, but we had a lot of fun. Not much movement on this match, but lots of head shots and some strong and weak hand only shooting. I didn't pay much attention to my scores as this is the first "match" that I've shot since early December and I've only shot a couple hundred rounds since then. This match was mostly about accuracy and not breaking the rules. I did fine all the way up until the 6th stage. Wound up with my only procedural of the day. Everything else was good. No safety rules broken, no hits on a non-threat, and no misses.

I wanted to start on stage one and work my way through, unfortunately, stage 1 was booked, so I moved over and started on stage four. So, stage four had you facing four targets at about 4-5 yards, draw and shoot each target once, then each target twice, and finally one head shot for each target. Below is the video for stage 4. Sorry I missed the beginning.

Stage 5 had you shooting at targets at approximately 15 yards. Starting behind a barricade (like the qualifier), you drew your weapon and shot twice at each of 3 targets, perform a tactical reload with retention, and fire at the 3 targets again from the other side.Again, no real problems here. See video below:

Stage 6 was a sitting stage. From a seated position, you drew your weapon, and fired two shots at the threat target first (behind and between the two no-threat targets), then engaged the other 5 targets with two shots each. Below you can see one of our fastest shooters take care of the "problem". 

Back up the hill and down the hill to stage 1. This was a one-handed stage. From approximately 7-8 yards, you draw and shoot one handed, 3 shots at each target, tactical reload with retention, and then shoot 3 shots at each target with your other hand. This wasn't a great stage for me as I don't shoot a lot of one handed rounds. It was good in the fact that I didn't miss any shots with all 12 on target. I think I was down 5 of one target and 7 on the other target. I again took video of one of our best shooters which can be seen below:

Stage two was the first movement stage for us. From behind the barricade, you draw and shoot two shots to the body and one shot to the head of each target while "slicing the pie", move forward, and shoot two shots to the body and one shot to the head of the next two targets. Had to be cognizant of moving forward in that you don't go out too wide and become open to the far targets. See video below, again, sorry I got it started a bit late. Shooting video on my android does leave a bit of lag between pushing record and it starting.

And finally on to stage 3. This is the stage I flubbed. The scenario is this. You are at an ATM machine taking a withdrawal when you are confronted by 3 thugs with an innocent by stander close by. Your turn, draw your weapon, shoot the thugs in any order, but 1 shot each before following up with a 2nd shot. Then move forward to the end of the wall and shoot two shots at each of four targets. Oh, and they switch the non-threat out for each shooter. Basically they had a pair of hands painted on cardboard and hung it around the necks of a different target for each shooter. Unfortunately, by this time I was a bit tired and had a migraine coming up. Didn't help that my gun locked up tight after firing the first 3 rounds at each target. The spent casing must've swelled up to much to be extracted and the next round nose-dived under it. Slide was locked back fully and the mag wouldn't eject. I attempted the standard tap and rack maneuver, but the slide was going no where and I couldn't get the magazine out of it. After the safety office called stop and we were discussing what happened, I managed to get the magazine out, but was totally frazzled at that point. 

Anyway, because it was a club match and not sanctioned, they did allow me to re-shoot it. Unfortunately, I forgot about engaging each target once before the follow up shots. Turned, drew my weapon, and fired 6 beautiful down zero shots, but not in the prescribed manner for my procedural error. Moved to the end of the barricade and finished with 8 good shots at the other four targets. I believe I was down a total of 2 points this stage, but add in the procedural and it was easily the worst stage for me. Please excuse the video. It was rough trying to find an angle to get the targets inside the ATM bay and still get the 4 outside the bay, but I did the best I could. See below:

Well, that's it for me. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Remember, shoot safe, shoot straight!

**Forgot to add that MWDS is going to have a classifier next month for those who need to qualify or re-qualify. It will most likely be held on Sunday instead of Saturday.**

Support Starbucks on Valentines Day

So, apparently Starbucks has a policy of not banning concealed or open carry on the premises. Unfortunately, the National Gun Victims Action Council has decided that Starbucks needs to be boycotted on Valentines Day to push Starbucks to change their policy. So, I thought it would be a great idea if we as a gun community were to support Starbucks on that day. I know I'm going to make sure to visit that day and get a coffee while carrying. Hope many of you will join me.

See the mis-guided NGVAC article here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/23/4208271/starbucks-pro-gun-policy-prompts.html

That's it for me. Remember, shoot safe, shoot straight!

Customer shoots robbery suspect.

Score one for the good guys. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46084559/ns/local_news-charlotte_nc/#.TxweuqW0xqA

Customer shoots robbery suspect at SC Waffle Shop

SPARTANBURG, SC (AP) -- Authorities say a customer at a South Carolina Waffle shop pulled a gun and shot one of two men trying to rob the restaurant.

The Greenville News reports (http://grnol.co/AkoQDk ) that the shooting took place early Saturday morning inside a Waffle Shop off Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County.

Coroner Rusty Clevenger identified the dead man as 19-year-old Dante Lamont Williams of Roebuck, who was shot in the head and body.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright declined to identity the customer, citing concerns for his safety. Authorities said the customer had a concealed weapon permit and tried to hold the two men at gunpoint until officers arrived, but that one suspect began to point his gun at the customer, who then fired shots. The second robber fled and is being sought by authorities.

Good article about a woman and her introduction to firearms.

I thought this was a good article about a woman taking her first training class and her experiences. Make sure to leave positive comments for her at the end. She still has some "fear" issues and could use our support.

Should I buy a gun?

That's it for me. Remember to shoot safe, shoot straight!

Tagging Gun Owners

Had heard about this happening to a match here in NC a couple of months ago. Thought maybe it was a one time occurrence. Guess not.

Warning: Tagging Gun Owners
Posted on January 4, 2012 by Georgetown PD

Gun lovers public service announcement: While I was in a Texas gun store today, my car was tagged on the wheel in the parking lot. The gangs do this on wheels or bumpers at gun stores, shooting ranges, gun shows etc. Later when you are parked at a restaurant, hotel, or other location that’s less well guarded or under video surveillance, other gang members spot the marker and break into the car for a quick gun grab. This is so RAMPANT in San Antonio where we were for a National shoot this summer, the Sheriff of Bexar County came out to brief the 400 participants of our competition. Too bad three teams had already been victimized the first day. This is the first I’ve heard of this in Texas. Please pass this info along to your 2nd amendment list. Daily check you car, truck or motor home for unusual painted dots, marks, check marks or other strange looking symbols that are not normal to your type vehicle. It could prevent you from being a victim of robbery, or even save your life if you catch the thief in the act.
This next comment from a Gun Site instructor:
I don’t know how widespread this is becoming, but the info regarding the NSCA Nationals in San Antonio is correct, as all of us who compete in sporting clays know. Competitors there were having their vehicles marked with a small adhesive dot on the rear license plate or rear bumper, then followed for miles and having their vehicles quickly and efficiently broken in to when parked for lunch etc.
Some crews were working the parking lot at the Nationals itself. 27 high end shotguns were taken there recently. They know when 1400 shooters with high $$ competition guns are in town.
BTW I shot with a young man who was trying out a new gun at the Nationals. He and his father lost all their guns and equipment while making a quick stop for lunch at a BBQ place in Corpus Christi the month before.

Remember, shoot safe, shoot straight!

Out with the old, in with the new....... not really

So, I was supposed to shoot the club match at Central Carolinas Shooting Club this past Saturday. Supposed was the optimum word. Let's face it, I'm a wuss when it comes to cold weather and it wasn't getting above 40 until early afternoon according to weather.com, so I stayed all snug in my bed with about 4 blankets covering me up and slept in.

So, instead of shooting on Saturday, and lord knows I couldn't shoot on Sunday with two NFL playoff games going on, I decided to shoot on Monday which was a holiday for me.This is where the "out with the old, in with the new" kinda comes into play. No, I didn't get rid of anything, just didn't shoot it as much, but I did get to shoot something new.

I had been saving up for a M4/AR15 rifle as I want to get into rifle matches and 3gun matches in the future. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, because lets face it, I'm not going to be shooting professionally for any major manufacturer and traveling around the United States on someone else's dime. At most, I might travel to Virginia and Maryland where I have family or South Carolina because it's not far away. Anyway, for the price I was looking to spend, there were several vendors available. I finally decided on a CMMG M4LE in 5.56 nato. With shipping included, I believe the price was $714.

So, I received the gun just about two weeks ago and boy was I hopped up to shoot it, but something strange happened. I went to several gun shops, Walmart, and Dicks Sporting Goods and you know what? Everyone was out of 5.56 and .223 Remington ammo. Guess with all the guns purchased for Christmas, that everyone bought up all the ammo as well. I can tell you from experience, it's not real fun when you have a new toy and can't play with it. Anyway, I ordered 500 rounds of .223 Remington from USAAMMO.com and received it a couple of days ago.

So, I went to Shooters Express in Belmont which is the only place I know where I can shoot a rifle that won't cost me an arm and both legs to shoot at to become a member (Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club), or have a fairly long waiting list (Mecklenburg Wildlife Club). Now Shooters Express does have a couple of rifle lanes, but they're only out to 25 yards. Good enough for me as I haven't shot a rifle since 1991 and have never shot an M4/AR15. So, I send my Osama Bin Zombie target out to 25 yards, load up my rifle, sight in and fire. Hmmm, not much of a kick. Didn't really expect it with a .223 remington round, but definitely different than shooting an M14. So, after 10 rounds, I bring the target back and find all my shots low. Still on the target and definitely taking out major organs, but not where I was aiming. Helps when you use the center sight and not the protective flanges around the sight. DOH!

Next 10 rounds are much better, basically right around the lower sternum area, but not where I'm aiming, so I adjust and fire the next 20 rounds right through the center mass heart area, as if a zombie has a working heart. I know, I know, why am I shooting a zombie in the heart. Well, I'm saving the head for my pistol work. Anyway, these first 40 rounds are shot free style, standing up and holding the rifle. Finished up with the 10 low rounds and the next 30 in the area of roughly a baseball. I shot the last 10 rounds seated and using a table for support. Still not off a sandbag, but supported anyway. These last 10 rounds made a nice group roughly the size of a golf-ball with several holes touching. Sweet. Again, it's only 25 yards, but hey, let's let some success stand.

Now I pull my Osama Bin Zombie target up to 10 yards and load up my Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. I had forgotten that with my new trigger pull, I'm shooting a little high. Remembered that when I saw my first couple of rounds slightly high, but definitely taking the turban off. Accounted for the new trigger pull and finished off my box of 50 Speer Lawman 115gr FMJ. Nice group. Threw a couple outside, but all 49 out of 50 were in the space of a softball with most of them in the size of a baseball. Nicely centered too.

Finished up, packed everything up and went to browse in the store. Found lots of nice eye candy, but they were crowded, so didn't ask to see anything. Been looking for a new range bag. My current bag is a canvas gym bag. Poor thing is not designed to hold up to carrying a couple hundred rounds of ammo, couple of pistols, ear protection, safety glasses and such and is starting to break down. Also looked at the rifle cases as well to see what they have. Right now I'm still transporting my rifle in the cardboard box, and frankly, that's just not cool. So, if anyone has a recommendation for a good value range bag and rifle case, sound off! It would be much appreciated.

That's it for me. Remember, shoot safe, shoot straight!