Day 2, part 1 - hand me the gun and load my ammo

Saturday morning of our trip was nice because we were relaxed and not in a hurry to get anywhere - what a change of pace for us!

We had breakfast at our favorite spot in Houston - Mornings Kolaches - after we stopped at Academy to buy some more ammo and some souvenirs for our children before heading to the shooting range. Army of Dad borrowed a friend's 22 for me to try shooting with since I had never fired a gun before. I wanted to pick up some pennants of the Astros for the kids as souvenirs. We also got some Texans pennants, too. Cheap and good ways to mark the places we've been.

So, we trek across the greater Metropolitan Houston area to head to American Shooting Centers for some practice. The first thing than went through my mind was just how freaking loud it was there. Every time someone would shoot, I would jump. I did a lot of jumping at first. I was also surprised at how many women were there. Young women, old women ... several little boys and girls were there shooting, too. That just surprised me. AoD had already given me the hearing protection, but I was still jumping all around in spite of it. Then, there was a break in the action. I often wondered how people put the targets up without getting shot and then I realized they made everyone stop shooting and they were vigilant about gun safety. That made me feel good, too.

Then it was my turn. AoD loaded up the bullets for me. I'm such a wimp, it was too hard for me to do. And, I then I popped off 10 shots and had to wait for him to reload for me. I was doing pretty well hitting the target. I concentrated, too. Check out my tongue hanging out of my mouth.

Then AoD asked me if I wanted to use HIS gun - the Smith and Wesson 40 caliber. That had some kick to it, but I liked shooting it better than the little one. The grip was a little big for my hands, but the power was intoxicating. I actually shot better with it, too. About half-way through the first magazine I popped one right in the center X of the target. I just started laughing and couldn't contain my joy. I turned to see if AoD saw it and he snapped THIS picture.

Here is my target when I was done.


It was so cool. I was blowing pieces of plywood off the back of the target. I loved it. I dare some bad guy to come in my house while I'm home now. Prepare to die, bitch! That was what I was thinking when I was shooting and concentrating - Don't you threaten my family - DIE! Helped me to shoot. I was thinking of taking the target and putting it in my bedroom window as a deterrent to bad guys, but decided that was probably pretty white trashy, so I didn't.

There was a little old lady shooting from a couple of different guns behind me, another lady down the way learning how to shoot a shotgun, too.

AoD finally got a turn after I cranked off about 200 rounds! I couldn't believe it when he told me I had fired that much. I finally understand now why he is always buying more ammunition. Now, if I can only get him to understand why I buy so much fabric.


After we wrapped up, he had me try to use the shotgun. I hated that. I have got to have a giant bruise on my shoulder/chest area from that one. I would rather have my own handgun for protection, although I'm guessing if a bad guy hears me slide the barrel, he'll think twice about coming any closer and turning and running away!

All in all, I was surprised that I enjoyed shooting so much and I might even consider getting a CHL. I have another blog entry to write about why a gun would make me feel safer, but that will have to wait. AoD said he was surprised that I shot as well as I did, but not surprised that I enjoyed shooting. I just feel better about knowing how to handle the firearm now. I hated to even touch his guns before.