Posted on 02/15/2013 7:08:31 PM PST by San Rafael Blue
Most of you here felt 'that moment' a long time ago, when you were too young to vote, too young even to get behind the wheel. You may not even remember when it happened. My Rite of Passage was today. I went to Big 5 and purchased a 12 gauge shotgun. I actually won't be able to drive my 'new friend' home until later this month, after a background check. Hopefully, there is no evildoer using my full name while commiting their evil deeds. I'm legally clean though, never even been arrested (yet).
I purchased a box of bullets, and a zip-up gun case. When I return for the gun, I'll need to buy a gun lock. Once I have access to the gun, it is likely to lay idle and locked away, until I can take a class at a local firing range for beginner gun handling. Today I was shown how to open and load the shotgun, very simple procedure, thank the Lord. The young man at the counter was patient and respectful. I was glad for that. I already felt foolish for my scant knowledge of firearms. My Dad had two guns back at home. one named Brown Betsy, the other named Black Beauty. Sharing the family home with guns was easy, my sisters and I followed the house rules and just never tampered with them at all. I learned a little while in the Navy, but not much, nothing that was repeated. I made an effort not to let on just how excited I was, that, in itself might raise an eyebrow. Just why is that guy so 'happy' about buying a gun, when he knows so little about them. I played it sort of cool.
As I get older, arthritis has taken me out of my Karate class, till I can pay for private lessons. Otherwise, I would slow the whole class down. (Un-Good!, to make up an expression) I used to love Boxing or Sparring night in Karate. Practicing chokeholds too. Maybe sometime down the line, but not now. What I can do now is to use my sharp vision. I'll look into skeet shooting. So much to learn!
I told the manager he would make even more money if he had a photographer ready to snap a picture of the owner with his or her new gun. I absolutely would have pulled out a few bills and paid for such a momento. It was that much fun.
Be sure you take it out on your next canoe trip.
My first gun was n H&R 22 nine shot revolver at age 12
1st COMMANDMENT
Always Keep the Muzzle Pointed in a Safe Direction.
This is the most important gun safety rule. A safe direction is one in which an accidental discharge will not cause injury to yourself or others. Never allow your gun to point at anything you don’t intend to shoot. Be especially careful when you’re loading or unloading. Treat every gun as if it were loaded. And make it a habit to know where the muzzle is pointed at all times, even when your firearm is unloaded. No one will be injured by an accidental discharge if you keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction. It’s as simple as that.
2nd COMMANDMENT
Firearms Should be Unloaded When Not in Use and Secured from Unauthorized Use.
Load your firearm only when you are in the field or on the range and ready to shoot. Unload your firearm as soon as you are finished shooting. Never bring a loaded firearm into your camp, home or vehicle. Unloading means unloading both the chamber and the magazine. Before handling a firearm or passing it on to someone else, visually check the chamber, receiver, and magazine to make sure there is no ammunition anywhere in the firearm. Never assume a firearm is unloaded, and never take someone’s word for it – look for yourself. When you are finished shooting and have completely unloaded the firearm, leave its action open. Whenever you are carrying a loaded firearm in the field, you must unload it before crossing a fence, climbing into a tree stand or blind or in any other situation where you may not be able to fully control the firearm. Never pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or another person. Store your firearms unloaded in a secure place where unauthorized persons cannot gain access to them. Store firearms and ammunition separately. If you use an external security device such as a cable lock or trigger lock, you must still keep the firearm unloaded when locked. Whether you utilize a locked gun safe or external locking device, it is your responsibility to make sure that children and other unauthorized persons cannot gain access to your firearm and ammunition.
3rd COMMANDMENT
Never Rely on Your Firearm’s Safety Mechanism to Justify Careless Handling.
If your firearm is equipped with a manual safety mechanism, do not rely on the safety as an excuse for improper or careless handling of the firearm. The safety mechanism is merely a supplement to your proper handling of the firearm. The safety mechanism may be broken or altered. Even if you think you have previously engaged the safety in the “safe” position, it may have been inadvertently disengaged without your knowledge while being carried. Never assume that the safety mechanism is engaged in the “safe” position. Your assumption may be wrong or mistaken. Treat your firearms safety mechanism like you would treat any other mechanical device – as something that could break or fail. Not all safety mechanisms operate in the same manner. Before using any firearm, know and understand precisely how the safety mechanism on that particular firearm operates. Never pull the trigger when the safety mechanism is in the “safe” position, and keep your fingers away from the trigger while loading, unloading, and engaging or disengaging the safety mechanism.
4th COMMANDMENT
Know Your Target and What’s Beyond It.
Never fire a shot unless you know exactly where the shot is going and what it will strike. Bullets and shot can travel great distances with deadly velocity. When hunting game, never fire at a sound, a movement or a patch of color – an impulsive shot can have tragic consequences. A fellow hunter in camouflage may be mistaken for game by an impulsive shooter. In addition to being sure of your target, you must know what lies beyond the target. In other words, make sure of your backstop. Also, beware of ricochets – never shoot at water or a hard surface.
5th COMMANDMENT
Use Proper Ammunition.
Every firearm is designed to use only a specified caliber, gauge or length of ammunition. Use of the wrong ammunition can cause serious personal injury or death. It is your responsibility to make sure the ammunition exactly matches the specifications for your firearm. Use of improperly reloaded ammunition can also be dangerous. Firearms are designed, manufactured, and proof-tested to specified industry standards. Handloaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates, either intentionally or accidentally, from specified loadings can be extremely hazardous. It is strongly recommended, therefore, that you use only factory ammunition from a reputable ammunition manufacturer. If you do reload, you have assumed the risks and responsibilities of an ammunition manufacturer.
6th COMMANDMENT
If Your Firearm Fails to Fire When You Pull the Trigger, Handle With Care.
If a chambered round of ammunition does not fire when you pull the trigger, stop and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Treat your firearm as if it could still discharge. Keep your face away from the breech. Slowly and carefully open the action, return the safety mechanism to the “safe” position, and unload the cartridge from the chamber. Dispose of the cartridge safely. If your firearm repeatedly fails to fire when you pull the trigger, take your firearm and ammunition to a competent gunsmith or return the firearm to the manufacturer for inspection.
7th COMMANDMENT
Always Wear Eye and Ear Protection.
Wear protective shooting glasses and hearing protection when shooting. Be sure to wear eye protection when disassembling or cleaning a firearm to protect your eyes from springs and other tensioned parts. Continued exposure to shooting noise can permanently damage your hearing.
8th COMMANDMENT
Be Sure the Barrel is Clear of Obstructions Before Shooting.
With your firearm completely unloaded, open the action and make sure there are no obstructions or debris in the barrel. Even a small obstruction such as snow or mud in the barrel can cause the barrel or receiver to burst when the next round is fired. Use a cleaning rod to remove obstructions and residues from the barrel. If the firing noise or recoil seems weak, stop and completely unload your firearm to check for obstructions before firing another shot. NEVER try to shoot out an obstruction by loading and firing another round of ammunition.
9th COMMANDMENT
Never Alter or Modify Your Firearm and Have it Cleaned and Serviced Regularly.
Your firearm has been carefully designed and manufactured to operate according to certain factory specifications. NEVER alter or modify your firearm, especially its trigger or safety mechanism, in any way. Such alterations or modifications can adversely affect the safe operation of your firearm, endangering you and those around you. As with any mechanical device, the parts of a firearm are subject to wear or breakage. To assure optimum safety and performance, your firearm must be maintained and serviced on a regular basis. Only a competent gunsmith should service or repair your firearm. Proper cleaning and lubrication are also important to maintain the safe and proper functioning of your firearm. Follow the cleaning and lubrication instructions set forth in the owner’s manual for your firearm. NEVER attempt to clean or lubricate a loaded firearm.
10th COMMANDMENT
Learn How Your Firearm Operates.
Not all firearms are alike. Before you use any firearm for the first time, you must become totally familiar with how that firearm operates. When you receive a new firearm, read and understand the owner’s manual before assembling the firearm for the first time. If you acquire a used firearm, request an owner’s manual and have the rifle inspected by a competent gunsmith to determine whether it is in good working order. If you do not have an owner’s manual, contact the manufacturer to obtain one. If you are selling or trading your firearm to someone else, be sure to transfer the owner’s manual to the new owner.
SHOOT SOBER!
If it’s your first time, I recommend you get yourself a 12-gauge pump gun - preferably, Remington 870. For home defense it’s awesome. The very sound it makes when racking a shell into the chamber will scare off most bad guys.
Thanks! My plan is to get a shotgun and a handgun. I definitely will check out the Remington.
I have fired all kinds of guns, target shooting and such, but not in many years.
.22 Cal single shot, J.C. Higgins rifle, age 12, but I learned to shoot at age 10. Would take, as will all bolt action .22s, S, L, or LR. My grown up Daughter has it now. I graduated to a .22 LR cal model 64 Winchester semi-auto when I was a little older and I still have that one.
Mine was similar: M1 Garand 30.06 at Fort Jackson in 1959.
That Culver City store was probably Martin Retting. They’re still there. Still one of the best around for Hollywood film guns and other curios if you’re a known and welcomed customer. They don’t appeal to younger shooters with no sense of history who are just looking for the best retail prices on something mundane. Back in the, 80s and 90s, their consignment cabinets had some real jewels in there, mostly arms being sold by the families/inheritors of long time Hollywood studio employees and actors. Some people have been reported being treated like snot at Retting, but I just regard Retting as having some class. If they know you, it’s a different experience. I love places like that.
The B&B Wholesale I shopped at was in Orange County in Westminster.
Man, those were the days.
Let’s hear it for .410! My bantamweight Mossberg shoots .410. Always felt safe just having it around. It’s no substitute for a husband (though it’s outlived two of mine) but it’s the one I’d hope is closest at hand if I ever need a defender.
For some reason I’ve never figured out, it is more comfortable to hold and fire than any handgun, and has been since day one. I used to try to practice more on other guns but never found a good fit or acquired any confidence.
Winchester model 42... .410
If I ever win the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes I'll look right into that! These days just buying ammo is a challenge. :(
I see your photo with the 2 by 4 piece of wood taped to a long metal barrel on top of the wood. Did that really work? Looks like a ‘gun’ or firing tool reduced to it’s bare essentials. Creative and resourceful!
Your Ten Commandments of Gun Ownership make a lot of sense. I’m keeping that list. #11 too, no drunks , dopers or drama queens are invited to the shooting party.
I think that I “borrowed” the $38.00 against any wages that might be due from working around the farm, took me 20 years to pay for it! :)
Can’t remember if it was my Ruger 10/22 or my Rem. 870. way back in the good ol’ days when all it took was a drivers license and cash and you could walk right out with it. Around 1975 or so just up the road from you in Petaluma. First handgun was a S & W 686+ .357 during the Clintoon years (That had a 10 day wait), the second greatest gun salesman after Otrama.
Martin Retting sure rings a bell. Been 40+ years since I haunted those stores.
The only weak point: two screws that held the top cover on. These were long screws that passed completely through the rifle. The screws became fatigued after time and firing and the slotted heads (one or both) broke off. The broken screw stub was flush with the cover and it took a lot of creativity to get them out. Because both screw holes were cast into the plastic stock, it wasn't possible to replace the weak screws with the beefed up screws Remington introduced to fix the problem. (The screw holes on later plastic stocks were enlarged for the new, thicker screws.)
I put a 4X Bushnell scope on the rifle when I discovered the iron sights were junk. I eventually traded away the Nylon 66 rifle as part of trade for a Springfield M1922M2 .22 LR target rifle.
San Rafael Blue got the Zot.
So, looks like he was a troll after all. Some here sniffed him out well with his patent lack of detail on what he "bought".
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