Something To Remember

[Zonie]

Today at the shooting range, one of our members brought two young (25 or so years old) guests with him to allow them to shoot some of his guns.
His guns of course were things like the 1911 .45, a Garand 30-06 and several other modern guns.

Todays guests were Oriental and spoke very little English but they seemed to be amazed with my Muzzleloaders.
While I was reloading, he brought them over to watch and explained each step of what I was doing to them.
After loading my Flintlock, I showed them how to prime the pan and they were truly amazed that the gun fired right on que! :grin: They then went back to his bench and continued to fire his modern guns.

I asked the young boy and girl if they would like to fire my TC Hawken and they said they excitedly that they would.
After showing them how sensitive the triggers were, I gave each of them a shot.
The girl, who couldn't have weighed over 90 pounds soaking wet was almost knocked off the bench she was sitting on but she had nothing but happy thanks to give me (as she rubbed her shoulder). (This was a mild 50 grain FFg roundball load.)
You would have thought I gave them the Keys to the City!

I don't know if they will ever have a chanch to shoot another muzzleloader in their lives, but I do know they will remember todays shooting with happyness for the rest of their lives.

 

[roundball]

Today at the shooting range, one of our members brought two young (25 or so years old) guests with him to allow them to shoot some of his guns.
His guns of course were things like the 1911 .45, a Garand 30-06 and several other modern guns.

Todays guests were Oriental and spoke very little English but they seemed to be amazed with my Muzzleloaders.
While I was reloading, he brought them over to watch and explained each step of what I was doing to them.
After loading my Flintlock, I showed them how to prime the pan and they were truly amazed that the gun fired right on que! :grin: They then went back to his bench and continued to fire his modern guns.

I asked the young boy and girl if they would like to fire my TC Hawken and they said they excitedly that they would.
After showing them how sensitive the triggers were, I gave each of them a shot.
The girl, who couldn't have weighed over 90 pounds soaking wet was almost knocked off the bench she was sitting on but she had nothing but happy thanks to give me (as she rubbed her shoulder). (This was a mild 50 grain FFg roundball load.)
You would have thought I gave them the Keys to the City!

I don't know if they will ever have a chanch to shoot another muzzleloader in their lives, but I do know they will remember todays shooting with happyness for the rest of their lives.

:hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[bwhoffman]

Zonie,
Its a feeling shared 'round the world.
Your kindness in sharing your interests with others not from our terra firma, will allow for story telling around their fires more than once.
You did something that put a permanant picture and experience in their memories.
I can hear it now...
"you sumo guys think your so big and stout, lets see you man up and touch one of these big boys off" or .... "I was overseas once and fired this gun that was so big, I could stick my thumb in the end of the barrel. kinda moved me alittle, but it was nothing"
You are a great promoter Zonie :hatsoff: :thumbsup:

Brett

 

[jderrick]

As a 24-year old just getting into this stuff, I'm very grateful for such kindness, generosity and helpfulness that makes this possible for me. Thanks to everyone!

 

[bob1961]

almost every time i'm at the range the moderns want to shoot my gun....and the feeling is good :hatsoff: ................bob

 

[barebackjack]

Ditto!

Thanks guys

 

[Landngroove]

Zonie: Good going! It is important to show young people the positive side of the shooting sports! :thumbsup:

 

[BLAHMAN]

Sounds great! :hatsoff:

 

[SAJones]

Good story, Zonie. I have a friend in Japan, & his two sons toured the US several years ago when I was in San Anonio. So after the obligatory tour of the Alamo, I asked if they would like to shoot guns like the Alamo defenders. The response was immediate, so the next day I took them out to the range. After some marksmanship & safety training, & a few shots out of a .22, we went into muzzleloaders. One of the lads had a great potential; he caught on real quick & was popping plastic soda bottles offhand at 25 yards in no time. Like you said, they may never get a chance to shoot again, but they thourghly enjoyed that day at the range. Would like to have been at Haneda Airport when they went home: "What's this bottle with all the holes in it, & why do you have a cow horn with a plug in it?"