On Target

Okay, so what do the rest of us do while Kim DuToit is up in Idaho, shooting at distant targets and missing them?

We go to a local range, and blow the center outta the "X" ring, that's what we do!

But first, let's visit Collector's Firearms before setting out to burn powder. The ever dependable Norman at the back counter had this waiting for my grubby, gun-lusting mitts:

Yes, boys n' girls, it's a lovely CZ 452 ZKM Lux, in .22 LR. A gorgeous Turkish Walnut stock, and some of the finest metalwork I've seen this side of a Pre '64 Winchester. It shoots just as nice as it looks, but more on that in a bit.

Norman had pre-selected the nicest of two which they had available, and I quite agreed with his choice. A nearly perfect trigger which breaks like fragile ice at about 2-1/2 to 3 lbs., and, well.... add one rifle to the Sloop New Dawn's gunlocker!

But again, I'm way ahead of myself here.

An hour before arriving at Collector's, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Yellowlegs and his lovely bride at the Houston Galleria. Mrs. Yellowlegs, being a most talented jewelry designer, had just set up for a day-long "one woman show" at a prestigious Galleria department store. Let me say now....you'll be seeing a link to her forthcoming catalog here, just as soon as its published. Incredible work, awesome designs.

Absconding with Yellowlegs from the Galleria, we made the five minute drive over to Collector's. At the risk of embarassing the gent, I wish you all could have been there to witneess the look on his face at 'bout his third step into the door. I quote; "Whooaaaaa........." in a hushed, awed tone. After a few false starts, Yellowlegs made the strategic decision to start looking over the classic military rifles, which are plentiful there.

It was about then that Doc Russia and Serenity made their apperance at Collector's the den of unbearable temptations. After greetings n' meetings all around, the shopping continued. I'm reminded of the nature shows where the flock of vultures decends on a tasty carcass....except for the fact that none of us had won the lotto, so it was mostly all lookie, no spendie.

While salesmen busily wiped drool off of the showcases, we proceeded to visually devour the inventory. Coming up to a case of mixed new and used handguns, we came across a ballistic hermorphadite the likes of which haven't been seen since the century-old Webley-Fosbery.

You really must see this, and no, I'm not going to describe it here. Doc Russia's superb write up on this says it all, with quite a few most excellent photos.

After some truly incredulous "oooohs" and "aaahhhs" at the aforementioned beast, I dragged the lot of us to the back counter, where Norman awaited with that soon-to-be-mine CZ. Subsequent to much fawning and group gunlusting amongst us all, it was agreed that it was indeed a lovely specimen. Well, let's just say that 'bout $400 of funds saved for the boat's bottom job are going to have to be re-earned and replenished!

So, after gathering the new rifle, case, spare magazine and surplus rifle case, we made our farewells to Collector's and rallied in the parking lot. "Follow me!" instructions agreed to, we made a two-car convoy en-route to the American shooting range about fifteen minutes distant.

Thanks to Mother's Day Weekend, the range was suprisingly not crowded at all. After paying our dues, we took up about five lanes at the seven-yard pistol line. Once the targets were stapled in place, the games began!

With Yellowlegs chewing up the 10 ring with his Wilson .45, and Doc Russia doing the same with his Makarov, I warmed up with a box of fifty from my S&W Model 28. It's always nice to know the revolver still knows where the X ring is.

Not to be outgunned though, I then christened my recently acquired Colt .45 ACP Commander, Model 1991-A1. No, it wasn't new in the box, but you'd never know it to see it. NRA Mint would be a fair description.

I'd link to T's Guns and Ammo in Texas City, but they don't have a website. A great, small gunshop, and a major ammo reloader. They load and ship over 120,000 rounds per week! The fact that they sold me the .45 for well under $500, and let me put it on layaway to boot? My kind of gunstore!

And it is a tack driver, right from the first shot. Having eliminated the 10 ring as a useable target with my revolver, I used the silhouette's head for the .45's aimpoint.

One hundred rounds later, all that remained of the head was the outline of the sihloutte. A nice, softball sized group-hole was nicely centered where I should have stapled a photo of ____________________ (fill in blank), D. NY.

Of course, everyone there shot everyone else's gun, too. That's always part of the fun!

Once we'd pretty well expended the available ammunition, we waited out the briefest of rain squalls, and then set up with the CZ at the twenty-five yard line.

From sandbagged rests, we all achieved groups right at 1", with the factory iron sights. I need to adjust the impact about 1/4" to the right, but for straight from the rack, I'm very, very pleased with this rifle!

Taking turns with the CZ in a slow-fire mode gave us all time to take in the range as a whole. What was amazing is that after a walk up and down the line, of maybe thirty shooters, none of 'em had any decent groups on paper!

Worse, was the "instruction" being given to a pair of very nice young ladies by their father, about four lanes to our left. Suffice to say, volunteering for "target holder" might be the safest place around that family. Again, Doc's narrative on this is superb, so I won't flog the expired equine here.

The shooting done, the guns safed and cased, we effected a strategic advance to the rear. We were inspired to phrase it as such, in honor of Doc Russia's Nissan Fron-Tee-Yay.... what with the French now owning a controlling share of Nissan, it was the least we could do to honor his LeTruck!

Arriving back at the Galleria, we dropped Yellowlegs off to rejoin his lovely bride, with plans for us all to meet up in a couple hours for dinner. Sadly, Doc and Masha couldn't quite mesh schedules, so we missed their company at the Kingfish Seafood Market on Richmond.

Still though, the food, friendship, laughter and conversation were all wonderful. And meeting the lovely Mrs. Yellowlegs and Ms. Serenity? Icing on the cake, even!

I may have had finer days, but I'd not want to dishonor this one by trying to recall 'em.

Hell, I'm already looking forward to the next outing!

Comments

[Mollbot]

What you just had, sir, was a Blogger Blastorama! Congratulations, it sounds like it went quite well indeed. The Northwest contingent is meeting next Saturday for a very similar get-together... I'm sure well have some good reports for you.

Now we need to get these Blastoramas started in other places! Texas and Washington are great starts though.

[Raging Dave]

For those of your readers who are from the Pacific Northwest, Big 5 Stores have Russian Mosin Nagant rifles for sale, $75.00. Your recounting of the military rifles made me think about the ad I had seen today. 7.62 X 54R, 5-round fixed magazine, arsenal refinished.

Me want!

And congradulations on having your Blogger Blastorama!

[Oran Woody]

If you would, please send me a note direct so that I can attach a Bayou Rifles handout to the reply.
I will be at the HGC meeting tomorrow evening as a guest of Mat Comardo.
Woody