Nine instructors got together out at the Laramie Rifle Range last Friday to take a look at the new Appleseed Pistol Program. What a great precursor to the Known Distance weekend which followed! Although the Laramie Rifle Range is famous with Appleseeders in the Front Range for its incredible "Canyon Range", they were also able to provide us with the perfect venue to work on some pistol skills in pursuit of the challenging Pistoleer™ score. Our longest traveler was Snow Snake who drove all the way from northern Idaho and most of the other participants also had to drives more than a couple of hours to attend. Let's just say there was no lack of determination on the line!
Even though we worked in relays on the line, the course of fire was challenging and the hot temperatures frequently had us back at the shoot house for a little shelter, drinks and the next block of instruction. Everyone persevered and we finally posted the always humbling Pistol Qualification Test. And as usual, that was about the time several of the rimfire pistols started getting cranky and giving shooters extra frustration by providing never ending malfunctions. The centerfire shooters worked at recoil management. At the end of the day, it was our shooter from Idaho who managed to beat the PQT and earn his Pistoleer™ patch -nice shootin' Snow Snake! Most of the other shooters were "in the hunt" with scores in the 170's and above. Probably a little dry firing and the extra day in a normal two-day pistol clinic would put most over the line.
Sorry I only managed to grab a couple of photos. I think a few other instructors may have pulled out a camera, so I hope you'll post those if you get a chance. Click on the photo to see the larger version and then click again to shrink down.
My single picture of one relay on the firing line.
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Our field of Revolutionary War flags behind the firing line.
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Snow Snake getting his Pistoleer™ patch
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There seems to be a good deal of excitement for the pistol program from both instructors and shooters. We certainly have a motivated cadre in the Front Range who are getting prepared for the first public events before the end of the Appleseed season. Huzzah and congratulations to our newest Pistoleer™, Snow Snake!
To anyone who says, "7 yards? A baby could do it at that distance!": SHOW YOUR STUFF!!!
I read the manual several times, watched the videos [VERY helpful], dryfired, livefired, & attempted to time myself. With that behind me, I figured to give it a whirl. The result? I only needed 41 more points on my best PQT.
This clinic is not easy, but it is very challenging and fun. I have to say Capn kept us on our toes - no-one gets bored when he is running the line. Excellent, even exemplary, instruction and determined men [and woman] on the line. Thank you, Rob, for your patience and encouragement. to SnowSnake for showing us all how it is done, and to all for their enthusiasm and perseverance. Also to rasputin and Tessa for bringing the latest future Appleseeder, i.e Henry, to visit at lunch.
Looking forward to October -- what a great way to counter covid!
Congratulations, Snow Snake! :beer:
Wonderful to see Snow Snake; haven't seen him since the Douglas RBK in 2017. He drove somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand miles (or as we say in this part of the world, "crossed the state line") to get here.
Indeed, we had cadre from all over the state here; good to see family I see far too little of.
Captain never disappoints regardless of the hat he wears; I came away with good notes and an even better understanding of my future role. Now if I can just shoot well enough to get that darn patch!
The Laramie Rifle Range was, as always, awesome in its can-do mentality.
Captain,
Thanks for hosting this shoot.
Great work Snow Snake!
tk