I can only speak for myself but I can state that I had a great time during the May 6-7th Appleseed Pistol Clinic held at Fenton Lakes Sportsman's Club! Based on the feedback I received from the students, and the smiles in the pictures in the attached link, I was not the only one that felt this way. The group of shooters that assembled were very safe, brought a high skill level, and percentage wise we had a high number of shooters qualify as Pistoleer™s!
The event started with the pledge, introductions, and a history presentation. Pookie shared the story of the events that led up to the April 19th 1775 and the Battle of Lexington. We then learned the safety rules and steps to making a safe pistol. (Can you recite the Four Safety Rules and the Six Steps to making a safe pistol? Give it a try!)
The students than formed up at the firing line for the first target of the day, the "Hits Count". A few had attended previous pistol clinics in other states and all but one had attended rifle events. The instructors could immediately tell that this group came prepared. Four hit Major Pitcairn's Button and one cleared this first target.
The marksmanship instruction began and the shooters practiced with dry and live fire. The exciting story of April 19th continued with Headhunter presenting the "Second Strike" (His first time presenting any strike!). Superheat finished with the telling of the "Third Strike" and the start of the Revolutionary War. Superheat concluded with the story of James Hayward and his sacrifice that ended after an encounter with a red coat at a well on Fiske Hill.
Late in the afternoon, this group was ready for the first PQT (Pistol Qualification Target)! Addney II, attending his first pistol event, led the way with a 220 and he received his Pistoleer™ patch. We closed the day with the "Hits Count" and two students cleared this final target of the day.
Sunday started with a gathering in the Fenton Lakes clubhouse due to rain and lightning. Mr. Zeke presented the story of Samuel Colt and Samuel Walker. The "inside" work continued with a presentation on holsters while we waited for the storm to pass. Before ten, we were heading back to the range for a review of the instructions and plenty of opportunities at a PQT.
Six students joined Addney II as Pistoleeers. Yes, that is correct, a total of seven out of twelve shooters scored Pistoleer™!
Scuba Al scored several between 200 and 206 and then he crossed the finish line with a 215.
Ski Patrol Jon scored a 218.
Brad scored back to back 220's.
Addney's (Father of Addney II) last three PQT's were a 223, 224, and 225! As we say, once is luck, twice is chance, but three is skill.
Rob qualified several times with a top score of 231.
Addney II had several PQT's in the 230's and then crossed a milestone with a 241.
Craig had the high score of the day with a 243! Craig not only shot the high PQT score, he also shot all the "distinguished" pictures that are in the link below. Without Craig, we would not have any proof that this event happen. Thanks Craig!
Mr. Zeke, an Appleseed instructor, was inspired by all the patches so he joined in on the fun and he scored a 234.
Joe was little under the weather Saturday but he hung in there all weekend. His scores gradually improved to a high score of 162. Come back at full strength and you can earn Pistoleer™ Patch!
Our four centerfire shooters, Josh, John G., Andy, and Rachel all had high scores between 180 and 200. All of you are getting close and are capable of getting your Pistoleer™ Patch at your next event. To show their skills, the three-man team of Rachel, Andy, and John G. won the "Battleship" fun shoot. Rachel also won the centerfire dueling tree fun shoot while Rob won the rimfire dueling tree. Congratulations to our fun shoot winners!
All good things must come to an end and we closed out the weekend with a final "Hits Count" target. Six shooters hit the button and three cleared the target!
Three Huzzahs to Pookie, Mr. Zeke, Superheat, Miki and Headhunter for volunteering to help at this event! This was only the third event in Michigan, and it has set the bar high for student attitude, participation, and skill. In addition, Fenton Lakes Sportsman's Club set the bar high as a great place to shoot. If you are not already a member, consider joining and working on your skills at the indoor pistol range!
It was great to see so many familiar faces and spend the weekend with all of you! Hopefully, the shooters enjoyed the weekend as much as I did and we will see you again at a future event.
Huzzah!
Rangerat67
A link to Craigs pictures!
https://imgur.com/a/yOCJtCX
https://imgur.com/a/yOCJtCX
what A bunch of wunderful dirty dozen shooters we had ! they all had it together thats for sure .im no mind reader, but a good time was had by all. congrats to the dueling tree champs. it was suspensefull.