One more wonderful shoot goes in the books for Waco! We had so many great accomplishments I fear that I may forget some. If anyone recognizes that I missed something, please holler and I'll edit this post.
While the line was full up until a few days before the shoot, we ended up with 19 shooters for most of the weekend. We had ELEVEN cadre working. This included six IIT's, three of whom were at their first shoot as IIT's. This worked out so well (IMO) for them because we had plenty of opportunity for them to stretch their wings, while having plenty of veterans to help them out.
On the shooter side, this group also had its own personality. We had a large contingent of experienced shooters. Our first redcoat had 13 of 19 shooters hitting the 100yd target and 2 cleared the redcoat. By close of day Sunday we had 15 of 17 shooters clear the 100yd target and 4 shooters clear the redcoat.
We issued rifleman patches to 2 new riflemen. We had 2 more requalify.
More exciting, Scuzzy requalified his distinguished patch.
And even more exciting, AF5US earned his distinguished patch with a 242!
He had a great group of shooters and the best cadre in the program. This particular group of IIT's is going to make history someday.
I just want to brag on one of our IIT's, Kproctor. Turns out this guy and a few of his friends have made an intentional informal program of making contact with anti-gunners in an informal way and invite them to go shooting and to talk about firearms issues. Kproctor, if you are inclined, I'd love to have you tell the forum more about this.
anyway...
:pics:
Post 'em if you've got 'em.
Well . . . I personally didn't get very many pictures this month, but I can't lie - there is one (attached here) that I'm pretty happy with.
Great shoot, Bill. I'd like to second everything you said about the orange hats that were kind enough to come out and help run this with us. I'm very excited to be working with all of you. See you next month!
Congrats AF5US - that is one sweet looking target! :beer:
Good shoot.
It was good to see my Appleseed brothers and sisters. Thanks so much all. With so much help I kinda goofed off and did a lot of shooting.
Patrick, my youngest son's friend, came out with me. Got his patch and took the hat. He said he was surprised to get the patch because 'I dont shoot that well.' Pat and I both cleared the redcoats Sunday morning - good going Pat. I consider Patrick my son - kinda raised him - and he did so well. Heck - he was shooting ARs at 10 years old.
Tyler, who was one of our students, got distinguished. With a bolt gun running open sights. I thought he looked kinda familiar. Turns out he's been to the WTF run n' guns. And he I was worried before he showed up because he had a California phone number. lol.
Friday before the shoot a few of us did a mini Pistol Clinic. Our new IIT, GiGi, shoot a 225 on it! Wow - I think she has the highest score I've seen so far. Sniff sniff - all I shot Friday was a 205. So of course I think the 'expert score' should be 200 - not 210. Just kidding. Kinda.
It was a great shoot thank you so much for taking lead on it. I learned so much over the past few days from yourself and the rest of the instructors. It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the next one. In regards to the teaching anti gunners about shooting and changing mindsets I'll write a quick elevator pitch and if people want more info or know some one they want to try it with let me know and I can give some more solid info and tips
Essentially we are an extremely un organized an unofficial group of shooters, what we are trying to do is motivate and educate both anti gunners and people with little to no firearms experience to go out and shoot with someone more seasoned. We have found that the majority of the reason these people dont like guns or feel like we need to legislate them into extinction is because they do not understand what they are, how they work, or the fact that their are several laws already in existence that have already been placed there because of some half cocked measure in response to something.
What we do is try to connect with them in person usually over a cup of coffee or a beer, what ever works, and hear all the points of view they have about guns and what specifically they are against. When their done we try not to attack them or put them on the defensive but point out some things that are incorrect. Aftwarss invite them to go shooting with you and see first hand of what they believe is true. And take them for a beer or a ice cream afterwards and talk about it.
We don't win them over every time but every person brought over is a win in my book and at the very least that person you took shooting will see that firearm enthusiasts aren't all crazy people. Theres no negative to it in my book and the only thing your out is your own time and probably a few rounds of ammo.