My Crappy 15 Minutes at the Range

I just got back from Trail Glades Range, and man am I bummed out.

First, they made me take the gun safety course, because you have to take it every three years. So that killed almost an hour. Then I found out they won't let you use multiple bullseyes any more. Finally, they told me I had to shoot my .50AE Desert Eagle at 25 yards, where I could barely see the target.

I got there at 12:45, and I wasn't shooting until after 2 p.m. I have no problem with the course. It's a fine idea. But they might consider mentioning the new requirement prominently on their website. Virtually everyone in the class was a longtime range member, and I'll bet they were even madder than I was.

I shot disgracefully. I generally landed the .50AE rounds in an area the size of a canteloupe, but it was about six inches above the bullseye. After the first couple of shots, I gave up trying to hit the black and decided to try for consistency. I did considerably better with the .357, but again, it was like shooting at an ant. And I had to come home after only one 15-minute session, so I didn't get to shoot at shorter distances where I could actually see the damn target. I didn't bother taking the 9mm out of the bag. I had no time. I think I shot less than 50 rounds.

I guess I'm going to have to get a damn scope or quit shooting the Desert Eagle. It makes big holes, but at 25 yards, you can't always see them, so it's hard to tell whether you're doing any good. And that makes it hard to adjust and improve.

I shouldn't bitch. Most people would be lucky to hit the paper at 7 yards with that thing. But I'm being punished for the stupidity of the morons who can't shoot. The idea is, a .50 may hit the frame, bounce back, and kill someone. What kind of idiot would hit the frame at 7 yards?

The kick on that gun is obscene, and the factory grip is crap. I'm proud to say I now hold it well enough to keep the shells from hitting me in the forehead. But I still found myself bleeding here and there when I left. I think maybe I clawed myself with my left thumbnail when the gun rotated back.

I would like to find a gunsmith and see if the trigger could be improved and made a little more predictable. Also, the safety is impossible to budge with your right thumb. It's like it has gravel in it. That's retarded. The .357 is perfect, however. I don't know why people criticize Smith & Wesson. I love that thing. I know I'd shoot better single-action, but that's for guys who molest poodles. If you have to shoot a revolver single-action to hit anything, you have ovaries. In fact, there are actual women with factory-installed ovaries who don't shoot that way. I can't quite understand the guys who buy cowboy-style single-action revolvers. Why you would want to torture yourself, cocking a gun over and over, is beyond me.

I'm going to start shooting more often, and I guess I'll have to leave the Desert Eagle at home. Goddamn it.

Is it possible to reduce the trigger pull on a revolver? The Smith is smooth as butter, but you really have to pull. I know I said it was perfect. Maybe it is.

Time for a pizza. I hope to have better results next time.