One night last week, we got together with a group from the office and a few other friends and went shooting. Yeah, shooting, like with guns.

This is not something I know much about. As a kid at camp I shot .22 rifles a few times and in college I took skeet shooting as a gym class one quarter but, other than those two experiences I really have no background in this at all. I had never, for instance, shot a handgun.

But not everyone in our office is so inexperienced.

Chief among the NRA-ready is Steve, my partner, whom, I suspect, could arm a small militia if need be. Far behind him in quantity of firearms but not enthusiasm is Jim, whom Steve tempted into the world of armaments a few years back.

Gone from our staff but still near as a friend is Richard who has gone so far as to get a part-time evening job at a shooting range so he can buy guns at a discount.

I will admit that on more than one occasion I've given all of these guys grief over their love of weapons. So, isn't it ironic that we all had a fun outing at the shooting range last week (they all graciously brought bags of weapons and shared them with Laurie and me, the newbies) and that I had a great time?

He who laughs last, I guess.

Hard to admit, but it was a lot of fun. Also, the shooting range was nothing like I'd expected. My experience with gun stores in the past has been some scary-looking place in the back of a sporting goods store or--even worse--one dedicated only to guns which seemed like a place you'd be as likely to get shot as to buy a gun.

The place we went, the Black Wing Shooting Center is, well, amazing. First of all, it's big: 20,000 square feet. Next, it's clean and nice. It is like a combination of Target and a hunting lodge and everyone there is just happy to be there. It was a huge surprise.

Our group rented out a whole shooting range (6 lanes) and had at it. Over the course of the evening I had the chance to try out more guns than I can name including .22 target pistol, 9mm, .40, and .45 caliber Glocks, a .357 Smith & Wesson (sounded like a cannon going off), and more.

Frankly, I don't know one from the other much (the composite Glocks were easy to distinguish, though) but whatever they were, they were fun to shoot in a nice clean, comfortable and safe environment. Talking to Laurie afterward (she'd never even touched a gun before that night), she was enthusiastic about it, too.

Who knew?

Now I'm scratching my head thinking, hm, maybe I need to think about getting one for sport...?

1. Erskine04/27/2005 07:29:13 AM

Scott,

Glad you enjoyed the experience. My first time to a range was over 12 years ago and I had just as much fun. After thinking about what you wrote, I remember it had a lot to do with the people at the range and how helpful and understanding they were to the new kid.

Remember, keep em in the ten ring.

E

2. Scott Good04/27/2005 08:52:05 AM
Homepage: http://www.scottgood.com

I agree. As a whole, the people there were enthusiastic, friendly, and wanted very much to please. There's something to be said for a place where you know everybody is packing heat! (NO, this is not a concealed-carry plug)