Spent a large chunk of the day sleeping in and lazing around the house; Life can be good even if it isn’t all spent at the range.
Later that day, I met up with a friend and reader Cormac (didn’t ask if I could use his name, so for now he is Nameless) and headed out to the Super Secret Shooting Range aka The Club.
Nameless Cormac isn’t a member of the club so I did the usual nickel tour then headed to the pistol and rifle range. Oh boy, was my timing off. I thought that going later in the day made sense; hoping that most people showed up earlier then went to lunch.
Apparently many folks thought like I did — late lunch then show up to the range.
There was a large group of people taking up all the stations at the 200 yard range, a group of folks plinking away (with very high dollar firearms) on the 25 yard Rimfire only range, and a hand full of folks on the 50- and 100-yard ranges. The 25-yard range was plum full of folks. It was probably as busy it had ever been. Of course, Nameless Cormac was a little shocked by that opinion. He pointed out there was no waiting line and it did have a couple of open spaces. I just smiled and pointed out the advantages of being a member of a private range.
We decided to start out on the plate rack on another 25-yard range. Unfortunately it was almost as if we were doing a nature television show “No plates were actually harmed in the process of filming or shooting at them”.
It wasn’t quite that bad but the steel industry won’t be running on high due to our shooting. We did manage to start knocking a few down consistently later though.
We took the time to punch some holes in paper targets at 25 yards also. Did better there and it was fun to shoot at that range; normally I practice at 7 or 15 yards. It was also humbling for me, I can see how much work I have to do.
Updated to include name and mention Cormac’s shooting with his Mosin — 3 shots in the bullseye that could have been covered with a quarter at 25 yards. He can stick around if there is a Zombie Apocolypse
Guests, Guests and more guests.
It was also very interesting to see how many people brought out guests to the club. I would say easily 1/3 of the people shooting Saturday afternoon were visitors to the club. I was glad to see them. I made sure to introduce myself and thank them for coming out.
Some people, who shall remain nameless, are already inquiring about the next Dallas Area Blog shoot; can you believe the nerve of him some people.
(ETA- Sorry folks, that was meant as humor but I realized it didn’t come across as such. I need to work on snark and irony a little more. All I meant by the title was I was going to stop being the community organizer –Bob )
So, here are my thoughts. I’m a member of a private club just south of the town I live in. It has been feature extensively in photos (here and here for example) on this site. While the facilities and amenities are tremendous, it has the drawback of a more restrictive environment.
This building also features restrooms, air conditioning/heating and a full kitchen set up with microwave, gas range, sink, coffee maker, and refrigerator.
Limitations on caliber (no .416 or .50BMG), restrictions on full auto (NO); there is also a guest fee of $5 per person and costs for clays if people are so inclined.We would also have to work around any scheduled matches – just about every weekend has some activities planned.
I was thinking that the family participation was better at D.A.B. II then D.A.B. I and I would like to continue that increase. I feel to do that we need to offer people a place away from the firing lines where they can go or the kids can hang out if they don’t want to shoot. The club has that ability.
I also really enjoyed sharing a meal with everyone so here are a couple of ideas; please let me know what you think.
A One Day shoot with no dinner before hand; just lots and lots of shooty fun.
A Dinner the night before and a Day of shooty fun
A full day of shooting fun interrupted by a planned lunch of hamburgers & hotdogs, etc
A dinner before, full day of shooting including lunch at the range.
So what do you vote for?
And how do you folks feel about this being over a 3 day holiday weekend? That would give us an increased flexibility on which days — heck we could do the dinner on Sunday and shoot on Monday — no scheduled matches but it would cut down on travel time.
I was thinking Memorial Day weekend 2013 ’cause spending a day shooting with friends and family would be a great birthday present.
So, please let me know what you think. This would be open to family, readers, commenters, bloggers –near and far. Yes Jay, I’m specifically pointing this out to you but really enjoy meeting folks from all over.
I am almost overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Guess at the beginning; I was “nominated” at D.A.B. I (read that as Borepatch picked me as the victim) after I mentioned possibly doing something sometime out at my club.
After a bit of discussion with The Redneck Engineer (TRE); it was decided variety of fun was the order of the day. And his super secret shooting place was chosen for the location — once again a huge thank you to TRE for talking the range owner into letting us invade. TRE, please let me know if we can share the name and location of the range.
Part of the discussion was how to top the first shoot.
The idea to have dinner on Saturday the night before before turned out to be, in my opinion, a good one. Food was plentiful, service good even though I got a call Sunday NIGHT asking if my party of 15 was going to show up. Oopps, even with that Campo Verde managed to accommodate the crowd easily.
Quite a few folks showed up, I counted 18. Compare that to the recent Coalition to Stop Gun Violence protest at the White House.
Nearly every one bailed out fairly early; after only about 2 and half hours of good food and conversation.
Sunday started off rainy and overcast. Never really improved despite weather forecasts calling for clearing skies at noon. Our crowd may have been disconcerting to the casual observer when we gathered at the Exxon/Sonic at Belt Line & I-45. At least that is the only reason we could think of for a police cruiser to roll through several times. Never stopped, never asked anyone any questions; just eyeballed us for prospective trouble.
Question for the attendees; was the 1 hour wait before we left for the range too long?
I realized we stood around a bit but I also enjoyed talking to folks so that made waiting enjoyable.
After a shortaccording to TRE (only in country mile terms) drive to the range; we had a safety briefing, a group photo op (Great call on that Mrs. TRE) the head count stood at 22 I believe. And just how many people were at the CSGV protest, 14?
Then everyone sort of scattered to the various pistol or rifle bays and the fun began in earnest. We probably started shooting around 10:30 or so. I lost track of time.
Hmm, how to break down the day.
Well, we could start with the guns.
Yeah, that is pretty much what it felt like out there.
We had little guns; .22 LR Glenfields and Marlin 60s, .22LR mini revolver (someone help me out here). We had large guns; not one but two .50 caliber BMGs. Incredible. We had everything in between.
Usul, we have wormsigngunsthe likes of which even God has never seen.
We had new guns; DanielS, thanks for letting shoot the Kel-Tec PMR-30. We had old guns; Paul thanks for letting shoot both the Henry .45 Long Colt and the ’73 Winchester. By the way that was a serious mistake on my part because now I have a serious case of want !!!
We had everything in between. We had guns that people brought out and didn’t get a chance to shoot. Mainly because everyone else was offering a gun to try out.
Yes, once again I am stunned at the generosity and trust of gunnies. The only reason firearms were moved off tables was to make room for more firearms
I, like many others, felt no hesitation in leaving firearms openly laying on tables as I walked away. Everyone made their weapons safe before they left, checked them when they came back but otherwise made them available for anyone to shoot.
The Venue — The Redneck Engineer’s Super Secret Shooting Spot.
The range was set up in various bays with open pit/berm arrangements with baled tires as dividers. Yep, they had a tire baler out there. Something new to me for sure but it worked. With only a couple of flyers over the berms to start; everyone kept things impacting the berms mostly.
There were pistol bays set up for paper targets, there were pistol bays with steel targets. There was a rifle bay or two; the one we primarily used set up for 100, 200 and 300 yards. TRE generously provided the steel plates that we shot the tar out of.
It was a little muddy but I don’t think that stopped anyone from walking back and forth many times. I really appreciate the owner of the range and TRE as host letting our motley army invade for the day. I don’t know how late everyone else stayed; I was done and then some by 3:30. It took a little convincing to get my daughter in law to leave though.
The people
Incredible turn out, I am humbled that I played a part in this activity. It was fantastic to see so many people show up; both at the dinner and the shoot. TRE tells me the final count at the range was 30. Thirty people for a day of continual drizzle to light showers; shooting outdoors!
You folks rock !
We had bloggers, readers, commenters, and family members. This is the part that I really liked; we had lots of family members. Aretae and his kids, My daughter in law,Pat St. Jean and his Wife, TRE and his Wife, Southern Belle/Kx59 and their daughter. And I am not even sure how many others.
We had new shooters; some taking their first shots out there. We had some shooting for only the 2nd time. We had people with years of experience and the collections to match.
We had friends; Paul and Michael, a person who has only shot once or twice before. TRE and his incredible group of friends ( where do they get those great toys).
We had people come from near and far. The Big Guy from Listen to Uncle Jay wins the award for longest distance; riding his motorcycle in from Florida. We also had people from Oklahoma City; Nick the Blogless really needs to join the rest of us chattering away on the web. We had people from Dallas, Arlington, Greenville and we had people driving up from San Antonio and Houston.
It was very cool to renew friendships and make new ones.
Recap round up
Here are the posts I have seen so far
Bells A Ringing parts 1, 2, and 3 — can’t decide which video I like better. I think the party streamers has the slight edge. Go take a look, I couldn’t do it justice.
The Redneck Engineer – part 1. TRE is collecting videos, photos from the event. His better half took many great pictures and promises to share — Thanks J.
DanielS from Among the Leaves put up some You Tube Videos. Links are in the comments on each person’s blog I believe.
The Big Guy(Listen to Uncle Jay) probably is just making it back to Florida today. I hope he posts a picture of the saddle bags on his bike; they contained what seemed to be a huge number of great guns.
Pat St. Jean – has a short post up and thanks for raffling off some home brew.
I know I’m forgetting something but I really don’t think that a single post can cover it.
I do think I can sum it up though : It was fun and we need to do it again.
Aretae and his family, Southern Belle, Kx59 and their Daughter, Nick the Blogless, Scribbler, Cormac, newlyweds Pat and Heather — congrats you two, The Redneck Engineer and his bride, Uncle Jay (riding in from JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA folks), myself and She Who Lets Me Make Her Coffee Every Morning gathered for a good dinner, great conversation and better friends.
And this is just part of the buildup to the fun tomorrow. Tomorrow the crowd goes from 18 to around 25 or more.
There are times when I remember how blessed my life is; this is one. To count myself as part of this community and more so to call some of these people friend — mighty blessed indeed.
Okay folks we are just days away from the Meet and Greet Saturday night and the Shoot on Sunday.
I’m stoked to see everyone again and make new friends. Saturday night we plan to meet at the Campo Verde Restaurant in Arlington:
2918 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX 76013
Telephone # 817-275-7003
It is a small local Tex-Mex restaurant on the South West corner of Roosevelt and Pioneer (303) in Arlington. I’m finalizing plans today for 7 p.m. until when ever or they kick us out. Right now I have listed about 15 people planning on attending.
Bob S. — 2 for dinner
The Big Guy (Listen to Uncle Jay) — 1 for dinner,
Nick the Blogless — 1 for dinner
Pat St. Jean (Bikerscum.org) 2 for dinner
Kx59/Southern Belle (Bells A Ringing) 2 for dinner,
James (The Redneck Engineer) 2 for dinner
Scribbler aka ZootSuit Dave (Scribbler’s Scrawls) 1 for dinner
Reader Paul Questionable for dinner
DanielS ( Among the Leaves ) 2 for dinner,
Cormac 2 Maybes for Dinner
More people are welcome to show up, we just need to give them a heads up so they can set up an appropriate area. This is a great place to be able to talk and enjoy ourselves. It is NOT, repeat NOT posted 30.06 so those who carry concealed are free to do so. There is a bar area and the do sell adult beverages; all the usual dire warnings apply.
Then on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. we will meet at the Sonic/Exxon at I-45 South and Belt Line road. We will depart for Redneck Engineer’s range at 10:00 a.m. The physical address for the range is 1125 Wolf Springs Road Ferris, TX but please do not just show up at the range if you can’t caravan out there with us. The gate will be closed and locked so you’ll be waiting for a very long while (I for one don’t plan on leaving soon after arrival).
Drop The Redneck Engineer an email at -th3r3dn3c3ngin33rATgmail.com (replace the 3′s with e’s) – and he’ll set up contact information via cell phone.
And just to whet everyone’s interest, the packing list includes
Tanfoglio GT-380
Taurus TCP 380 (aka Noisy Cricket)
Taurus PT-145
Sig Sauer SP2022
Ruger GP100
2 Mosin Nagant 91/30
1 Mosin Nagant M44
Marlin 60
2 Maverick 88 12 gauges — 1 with Knoxx recoil reducing stock if I can get it oiled and functioning
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