Dangerous times even in small town

[Sigarms]

It IS more intimidating to the intruder to see double 12ga barrels vs a 9mm pistol i'd think.

Don't think so. First reaction is its a gun being pointed at YOU and you'll react accordingly on how you were trained or not.

It's not like the pucker factor is increased only because a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun is being pointed at you instead of a 9mm handgun. Both are guns that can kill you and your brain better well be telling you that.

 

[Sigarms]

Shot placement trumps all - BUT you gotta place that shot.

And trust me - under IDEAL conditions most people can't do it. Add in surprise and stress and forget about it.

When you're shooting a 4 legged critter that can't shoot back, it's not like it's a high stress environment.

I've got at least 2 / 22LR rifles that will easily shoot "quarter" groups (dimes if I'm breathing right lol) out to 50 yards on a rest using semi decent 22LR ammo, and I really don't consider myself a better shot than the one cheap savage rifle I'm using with a inexpensive nikon scope (unlike the other higher dollar rifle, but that thing weighs a ton as well).

 

[prof fate]

I shoot 5-7k rounds a year - rifle to 300 yards, pistol to 50 yards in a weekly league, the IDPA and cowboy action against the clock. the last 2 years I won the rimfire sporter (50 yard 22lr rifle) match at our club and in the highpower rifle (223 200/300 yard) matches I'm in the top 10%, in the pistol league I'm also in the top 10%. I dont' shoot IDPA enough to be classified (maybe in '19) but typically finish first thru third in among the unclassified shooters.

Yet I can't hit every ground hog in the head (or every groundhog). rabbits are easier, but still not 100% on them.

And when I had to get a opossum in a horse stall with a 12g pump...the first 4 shots missed. Next time I'll do better!

Matches one is prepped for, practiced for, ready for. The critters in the yard I see out a window and run get the gun and try to get them before they run off into the woods. So a bit hurried.

The opossum was from my girlfriend screaming at the barn...complete surprise to me. Not used to a scream as the signal to start a match LOL

When you're shooting a 4 legged critter that can't shoot back, it's not like it's a high stress environment.

I've got at least 2 / 22LR rifles that will easily shoot "quarter" groups (dimes if I'm breathing right lol) out to 50 yards on a rest using semi decent 22LR ammo, and I really don't consider myself a better shot than the one cheap savage rifle I'm using with a inexpensive nikon scope (unlike the other higher dollar rifle, but that thing weighs a ton as well).

 

[widefat]

I shoot 5-7k rounds a year - rifle to 300 yards, pistol to 50 yards in a weekly league, the IDPA and cowboy action against the clock. the last 2 years I won the rimfire sporter (50 yard 22lr rifle) match at our club and in the highpower rifle (223 200/300 yard) matches I'm in the top 10%, in the pistol league I'm also in the top 10%. I dont' shoot IDPA enough to be classified (maybe in '19) but typically finish first thru third in among the unclassified shooters.

Yet I can't hit every ground hog in the head (or every groundhog). rabbits are easier, but still not 100% on them.

And when I had to get a opossum in a horse stall with a 12g pump...the first 4 shots missed. Next time I'll do better!

Matches one is prepped for, practiced for, ready for. The critters in the yard I see out a window and run get the gun and try to get them before they run off into the woods. So a bit hurried.

The opossum was from my girlfriend screaming at the barn...complete surprise to me. Not used to a scream as the signal to start a match LOL

Shooting IDPA, USPSA, and 3-gun was an eye opener for me. Even though you know it's a 'game', you can feel the adrenaline start when you are in the hole, and when you step up to the line and that buzzer goes off -
your training (or lack of) shows.
I highly encourage anyone that thinks they want to carry, and has never been in the military (combat) or LEO, to try a shooting sport where you are under the pressure of a timer and a bunch of people watching.
It aint as easy as plinking in your backyard. Ff you have any sense at all, you will quickly realize that if a saturday morning game wraps you around the axle, you probably are not equipped to handle a real situation.

 

[prof fate]

I joined a weekly league for well, friends ( i work alone at home) - common interest, etc. Been great.
But as a weekly league you shoot no matter the weather..could be 40F in the spring, 95 in the summer, rain, fog, etc. And you shoot positions (prone with a hand gun? sure!) - nobody I know that goes to plink does that. Nice weather only, standing and maybe sitting. It's different with rain on your glasses, wind blowing, sweat running down your back, tired from a long week at work, not feeling well, etc.

And IDPA - you never know what you might face. Got to shoot from inside a van. Weak hand I do - but only 2 handed..still remember the IDPA stage I had to double tap with left hand one handed...

Cowboy teaches speed, draw, gun changes - 24 rounds from 4 guns in under 15 seconds I've seen..24 is the best I've done. Teaches muscle memory for sure.

And being around all the shooters I've made many friends (some LEO) and got to shoot all kinds of guns I'd never had experienced otherwise (full auto mac10 being one, desert eagle 50AE, state champion winning benchrest rifle, AR pistol, etc).

Of course, hanging around shooters and shooting multiple sports means you keep buying guns....it's nearly as bad as tractors.

Shooting IDPA, USPSA, and 3-gun was an eye opener for me. Even though you know it's a 'game', you can feel the adrenaline start when you are in the hole, and when you step up to the line and that buzzer goes off -
your training (or lack of) shows.
I highly encourage anyone that thinks they want to carry, and has never been in the military (combat) or LEO, to try a shooting sport where you are under the pressure of a timer and a bunch of people watching.
It aint as easy as plinking in your backyard. Ff you have any sense at all, you will quickly realize that if a saturday morning game wraps you around the axle, you probably are not equipped to handle a real situation.

 

[Sigarms]

I shoot 5-7k rounds a year - rifle to 300 yards, pistol to 50 yards in a weekly league, the IDPA and cowboy action against the clock. the last 2 years I won the rimfire sporter (50 yard 22lr rifle) match at our club and in the highpower rifle (223 200/300 yard) matches I'm in the top 10%, in the pistol league I'm also in the top 10%. I dont' shoot IDPA enough to be classified (maybe in '19) but typically finish first thru third in among the unclassified shooters.

Yet I can't hit every ground hog in the head (or every groundhog). rabbits are easier, but still not 100% on them.

And when I had to get a opossum in a horse stall with a 12g pump...the first 4 shots missed. Next time I'll do better!

Matches one is prepped for, practiced for, ready for. The critters in the yard I see out a window and run get the gun and try to get them before they run off into the woods. So a bit hurried.

The opossum was from my girlfriend screaming at the barn...complete surprise to me. Not used to a scream as the signal to start a match LOL

1 - with all the shooting you do and qualifications you have, you MUST be a better shot than me I can assure you, but how in the heck you can't hit a groundhog in the head between 0-50 yards is way beyond me when you know you're after him.

For myself, I knew the two ground hogs I was going after, and I was waiting for them and gun was on a rest (that's why I was waiting on them LMFAO).


2 - I would never shoot a shotgun INDOORS after a non leathal / non rabid animal. They have these things that are called "live traps" that work wonders (at worst, if the animial is rabid, you put the gun next to the animal's head and put a bullet in their head to end their life). See below for live trap, they really do work wonders and are worth the money.

 

[hawkeye08]

I've enjoyed reading pages of posts as I got caught up on this thread. Lots of good discussions.

 

[turnkey4099]

When you have the upgrade done they also include the old parts for the very reasons given above. It's been a lot longer than 30 years since the recall anyways... only applying to guns made prior to 1973.

Still, yours is a worthwhile reminder.

I think the recall is a lot older than that. I bought my new model single six in 1975.

 

[k0ua]

My single six got swapped in for a Ruger Mark II stainless with 5 inch bull barrel. Best move I ever made. 10's of thousands of rounds thru the MKII so far. One very sweet shooting reliable accurate pistol. Hundreds of women got introduced to handgunning thru that little pistol. I figure about 600

 

[Dftodd]

1 - with all the shooting you do and qualifications you have, you MUST be a better shot than me I can assure you, but how in the heck you can't hit a groundhog in the head between 0-50 yards is way beyond me when you know you're after him.

For myself, I knew the two ground hogs I was going after, and I was waiting for them and gun was on a rest (that's why I was waiting on them LMFAO).


2 - I would never shoot a shotgun INDOORS after a non leathal / non rabid animal. They have these things that are called "live traps" that work wonders (at worst, if the animial is rabid, you put the gun next to the animal's head and put a bullet in their head to end their life). See below for live trap, they really do work wonders and are worth the money.
View attachment 583350

A few mornings in a row, I would wake up to a gun shot then a phone call. Grandparents lived across the road and up the hill from us. The call would consist of Woodchuck 1, grandpa nothing. Next day was Woodchuck 2, grandpa nothing. Third morning was Woodchuck 3, grandpa nothing.

At this point I was pretty irritated about getting woken up an hour earlier then normal.

The fourth morning, I popped the Woodchuck at 100 yards with my 30-30 before grandpa got out there.