Orlando, FL January 10-11 2015

ItsanSKS · January 12, 2015, 12:41:47 PM

In the early morning hours of the second Saturday of the year, a dozen Americans gathered at the Central Florida Rifle and Pistol Club to immerse themselves in the history and traditions of the earliest Americans.

We were blessed with an excellent weekend to practice marksmanship and learn the story of how America became independent and free of the tyranny of King George III. Weather varied, with temperatures in the morning dipping into the low-to-mid 50's, and then rising to a balmy 75; Sunday brought with it a small dose of liquid refreshment, in the form of a light, persistent rain that kept everything damp, yet cool. The rain in no way dampened the spirits of the instructors or students; they were as eager to learn as the instructors were to teach, no matter the weather.

Our students ranged in skill level from "I've shot a rifle before" to "Not my first Appleseed". What these folks lacked in skill, they made up for in determination, persistence, and a willingness to learn. I can safely speak for all instructors when I say that we were most pleased with the progress our students exhibited over the course of this past weekend. While we may not have been able to award any Rifleman patches this weekend, I have no doubt that every one of our students has been bitten by the bug, and will be working diligently to improve their skills before the next Project Appleseed event.

When energy levels started to wane on Sunday, our students were invited to become familiar with the "Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised", the venerable M1 Garand. With ammunition provided by the generosity of past students, each of our students was offered (and heartily accepted) an opportunity to fire eight rounds of .30-06 goodness.

*ping!* Smiles were, of course, ear-to-ear.

Seizing upon the moment, the students began offering their rifles and ammo to fellow students an instructors alike, ensuring that everyone had an opportunity to experience the differences in rifle design and implementation; with rifles varying from the ubiquitous Ruger 10/22, to AR-15 variants, a WW1-era Enfield pattern 1917, to the venerable AK-47, everyone learned a great deal, and had a ton of fun.

The instructors this weekend were:

Eric "ItsanSKS", Pete "Mr Pete", Tom "xsquidgator" & Paul "Brown Bess"

Please take a moment to share your experiences from this weekend, and any photographs you may have taken.

Don't forget to look us up on Facebook where you can get updates and reminders for the events in Florida, as well as a daily history lesson about the people, places and events surrounding the American War for Independence!

Nero · January 12, 2015, 12:53:01 PM

Huzzah!

Does this count as a 'snow bird' shoot for the SB?

A shout-out to Mr Pete, a colleague from our California days, both now having thought the better of it (CA that is).

vanguardist · January 12, 2015, 01:12:56 PM

Hello folks,

This is Manuel. I sent a message to Mr Pete explaining my sudden disappearance. I'll share it here, too. In the afternoon of the first day (Saturday), when we were almost done for the day, I was finally able to check my phone when we were storing the gear back in our cars. I realized I had an urgent message from my wife (already several hours old) saying that she had to take a kid to urgent care. And because I live almost an hour away I took off immediately without properly explaining why. Looking back, I should have done so but was worried. Turns out it wasn't a major deal but prevented us from being away from home the following day. Sadly this meant not being around for Sunday, either.

Thankfully I got a lot out of it and plan on trying again for the full two days as soon as I can, maybe even as soon as the summer--I am also thinking about returning for the practice cessions and getting more involved with the CMP and RWVA. I know for sure I did much better at the end than when I started, and want to continue improving.

I met great folks there and was disappointed I couldn't return. That said, I look forward to perhaps seeing familiar faces at the range one of these days.

xsquidgator · January 12, 2015, 02:42:33 PM

More pics to come, as soon as I can coax them out of the phone

vanguardist · January 12, 2015, 03:24:08 PM

Sweet! How advantageous is it to go through the CMP to get good quality Garands?

Doug B · January 12, 2015, 08:17:57 PM

Angie and I had a great time and appreciate the excellent instruction form Eric, Pete, Tom and Paul. We will definitely attend more Appleseed events and will tell our friends.

Guntuckian · January 12, 2015, 11:15:54 PM

Quote from: vanguardist on January 12, 2015, 03:24:08 PM
Sweet! How advantageous is it to go through the CMP to get good quality Garands?

To put this in perspective, I ordered my Garand from the CMP in May 2013. It arrived in July 2013. The cost was $549.95 delivered to my door. Comparable quality Garands at gun shows have asking prices of anywhere from $1200 to $1400. Dealers seem to price their Garands of similar quality slightly higher, yet, from about $1300 to $1600.

The muzzle and bore gauge readings on my Garand are a very shootable 2+ and 3+, indicating many thousands of rounds of life left.

The CMP is an outstanding way to get your Garand!

--gb

vanguardist · January 13, 2015, 10:23:42 PM

Incredible. I think I'll join. Do I need to join both the CPM and the RWVA? Not sure I can become a life member but I can try one year at a time.

vanguardist · January 13, 2015, 10:26:16 PM

Do I need a special qualification or score to be able to join the CMP and/or be able to order a Garand?

Quote from: Guntuckian on January 12, 2015, 11:15:54 PM
Quote from: vanguardist on January 12, 2015, 03:24:08 PM
Sweet! How advantageous is it to go through the CMP to get good quality Garands?

To put this in perspective, I ordered my Garand from the CMP in May 2013. It arrived in July 2013. The cost was $549.95 delivered to my door. Comparable quality Garands at gun shows have asking prices of anywhere from $1200 to $1400. Dealers seem to price their Garands of similar quality slightly higher, yet, from about $1300 to $1600.

The muzzle and bore gauge readings on my Garand are a very shootable 2+ and 3+, indicating many thousands of rounds of life left.

The CMP is an outstanding way to get your Garand!

--gb

Guntuckian · January 14, 2015, 08:21:52 AM

You have to belong to a CMP affiliated organization to order a CMP rifle.. The RWVA counts, and is $20 per year. You can also get a one time discount at your next Appleseed shoot if you are a RWVA member, too. So, effectively, your RWVA membership is "free" if you plan to keep working toward Rifleman or becoming an instructor, and attend another Appleseed!

No special shooting score is required! The CMP goal is for you to learn and practice marksmanship! The certificate from attending an Appleseed is adequate for this!

There is a bunch of paperwork to fill out to order a CMP rifle. But, it is easy. Once you are issued a CMP number, then you can order ammo, too, at very sweet prices! Yes, there is a bit of a backlog, and it will take a while to get your ammo, but the prices are extremely reasonable! They have both .22LR and .30-06 ammo, at prices much, much cheaper than Walmart!

--gb

vanguardist · January 14, 2015, 02:20:38 PM

Thanks. I joined!

PHenry · January 14, 2015, 05:54:25 PM

QuoteWhile we may not have been able to award any Rifleman patches this weekend

OK ItsanSKS - turn in that red hat.

Seriously, the average to make Rifleman is actually four events - some take less and some take more - just ask red hat Sly223! Persistence not only makes for Riflemen - it makes for excellent citizens in a free republic. Huzaaah!

vanguardist · January 14, 2015, 08:12:00 PM

Well, since I had to skip the second day I don't think I am elegible for an Appleseed certificate am I? I wonder if the CMP can use a concealed carry license as proof of being familiar with firearms? I have no idea where my NRA basics certificate ended up--it's been like a decade.

Quote from: Guntuckian on January 14, 2015, 08:21:52 AM
You have to belong to a CMP affiliated organization to order a CMP rifle.. The RWVA counts, and is $20 per year. You can also get a one time discount at your next Appleseed shoot if you are a RWVA member, too. So, effectively, your RWVA membership is "free" if you plan to keep working toward Rifleman or becoming an instructor, and attend another Appleseed!

No special shooting score is required! The CMP goal is for you to learn and practice marksmanship! The certificate from attending an Appleseed is adequate for this!

There is a bunch of paperwork to fill out to order a CMP rifle. But, it is easy. Once you are issued a CMP number, then you can order ammo, too, at very sweet prices! Yes, there is a bit of a backlog, and it will take a while to get your ammo, but the prices are extremely reasonable! They have both .22LR and .30-06 ammo, at prices much, much cheaper than Walmart!

--gb

9mm4545 · January 14, 2015, 10:01:07 PM

A valid FL concealed carry license will suffice as proof of firearms familiarity for ordering from the CMP. Attendance at single full day Appleseed event should make you eligible for an Appleseed certificate.

vanguardist · January 15, 2015, 11:02:38 AM

How can I obtain a certificate of attendance? I had to miss the last 10-15 minutes of the first day, however.

Mr Pete · January 15, 2015, 02:29:13 PM

Hey Sir,

I can sign off on the certificate for you. If anybody else didn't get a certificate and wants one please just contact me.

As far as the CMP process and types of rifles - please hit me up and we can go to the range and do a show and tell (as well as a live fire demonstration!). That goes for All-y'all. See...I'm fitting to Florida.

-Peter

vanguardist · January 15, 2015, 09:54:18 PM

No need to call me sir! I'm not THAT old...yet.

Yes I'd like one please.

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Orlando, FL January 10-11 2015