Boy did I get some looks on the L train Saturday afternoon on my way to Union Square in a shooting jacket with the world "Rifleman" all over it and a second amendment patch. Hat says "Shoot Boss". Reflective aviator glasses. Would have been less conspicuous if I was in a gorilla suit riding a unicycle.
Congratulations to CharlieHotel - NY's newest RED HAT INSTRUCTOR!!!!
And congrats and thanks to SunnyAM for taking the Orange. Our newest IIT, she is fearless in crisis and almost saved us all.
Pics later.
Thanks to Darren at the Westside Rifle and Pistol Range for hosting us at absolutely no commercial gain for either himself or the range. They lost money as a matter of fact - sold us ammo at less than cost and charged nothing for anything else - but hosted a very important event. We here in the city and on Long Island have taken to calling this "The Second Amendment Event of the Year". Got a problem with that? >:(
It was an honor to hold an event at the range where Travis Bickle learned to shoot all those years ago. Some day a real rain IS going to come.
An Appleseed in Manhattan. Sounds like some sort of coup, don't it? It was the easiest thing in the world to set up. The shooters were excited to be there. We had two shooters that I remember from previous events upstate and one whom I've seen at Calverton, but everybody else was brand new to AS and most were brand new to shooting. I don't think any of them really knew what to expect.
And neither did we. VietVet, Josey Wales, Big Matt, CharlieHotel, lakesideoflife, and SunnyAM rounded out an excellent instructor group, but this was brand-new territory for all of us. Friday we did a classroom thing, from AS history, to Rev War History, to Re-enactors (thanks Norman and Mike!) all the way through NPOA, Six Steps, and getting everybody on the carpet, one at a time, to experience the prone position for the first time in most of their lives. They looked GOOD! Everybody left visibly excited and everybody returned the next day, last night, for the shooting portion.
We went in with very broad and general ideas (that's not to say "no idea") about how to run an indoor AS with limited space and time, and I don't think there were any real surprises to the Instructors. We knew it was gonna be tough, and it was. It was tough, not easy. Hard work. Again I can't say what shooters were expecting, but they got to shoot. They got to study trigger and breath control; they prepped mags and dropped bolts; they squeezed sitting positions into tiny little stalls, and they broke paper. They were instructed on group size, and sight adjustments which we did on some of those stock rugers. I've had my share of experience with those sights of course, but I'm looking forward to becoming expert at messing with those nasty little buggers in the coming months. As Josey Wales proudly shamed me when we first got ready to dive in, "I'm not afraid of those things!"
We even shot an AQT and Chun fired a 207! He was 1/16" away from a 210, but Big Matt is hardcore and wouldn't budge. Who said NYPD can't shoot? Certainly not I, gentlemen. :)
Speaking of the coming months... Darren has invited us to come back as often as we like. "This is the beginning of a life-long friendship," he separately informed both myself and Josey Wales. Expect a Manhattan AS once a month in perpetuity. We'll fine tune the program. We'll get those rifles dialed in faster. Maybe we'll even get some tech-sites and scopes on that line (donations?), but we're going to do everything we can to keep the Westside Rifle and Pistol Range and RWVA's Appleseed on very good personal friendship terms with the Second Amendment.
^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ..:.. ..:.. ..:.. ..:.. ..:.. ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
Congratulations Manhattan!!! What a great day for America O0 Job well done shooters and instructors alike.
O0
Great job guys! Indeed, I would say that's a coup. Washington DC, here we come...
Forgot to say we had 22 folks on Friday night, and a sold out firing line of 16 shooters on Saturday.
I also forgot to thank our shooters for choosing to spend a Friday and Saturday evening with us in the city that never sleeps.
Welcome to the Appleseed family, 20,000 strong and growing every day.
What a great turnout!!!! I bet your subway ride was a hoot!!
Huzzah! If this becomes a once a month thing, I'd love to get in on the action. I'll just save my pennies for a night in the city and take the train in from New Haven.
Congratulations on penetrating the final frontier! Twenty-two down, 7 million to go...
</log>
What an experience! The shooters were as wide eyed and enthusiastic as any I have ever been around. Imagine, citizen's, drilling with rifles, in Manhattan! Probably hasn't been done since around the Civil War. This was possibly the most exciting shoot I have attended yet. Congratulations, and a big thank you to SunnyAM, who really stepped up and performed RSO and instruction duties like a pro. Congratulations also to CharlieHotel on moving up to a Red Hat. That was just a matter of time. And thanks to all the shooters and instructors who made this event a tremendous success. I can't wait for the next one.
Good job to all the instructors and students. Congrats to CharlieHotel for getting the red hat and SunnyAM for taking the orange.
This I would say is a huge milestone for the program, I don't think many thought it was even possible to have an Appleseed in NYC.
Whenever we hear a report of "Shots Fired" in Manhattan, well, it tends to give us an uneasy feeling.
Last night at the West Side Rifle and Pistol Range 16 shooters stepped up to the line and gave these words a whole new meaning.
Appleseed had broken through a barrier and started a whole new chapter for both the RWVA and NY right smack dab in the middle of MANHATTAN!
The first (of many) Appleseed Events in NYC was started.
It was fantastic to say the least.
To be part of this HISTORIC event was an honor.
Honestly word escape me on how to put this Event into proper perspective.
Shooters...thank you for making this a complete success.
Instructors...job well done.
WSRP...Thank you falls very short, but it's the least we can say.
Charlie Hotel and SunnyAM....congrats to you both.
A new Range.
A new Red Hat.
A new IIT.
A NEW ERA!!!! O0
Great Job! Dan, VietVet et al.
You have basically succeeded at something many would judge as impossible. That success should give us all hope.
Mike
One more huge thing I forgot to mention! No, not just one more... the biggest thing, the main thing... the thing that made this what it was... I'm so used to it I don't even think about it anymore; I just assume that Rich has it taken care of. Vietvet (Rich) not only brought just pretty much all the Instructors in his car, but also most of the materials, flags, and everything else we needed to run this event (chamber flags, dummy rifle, visual aids, hand-outs, liability forms, t-shirts...). He promoted and fretted over this event like it was another child. He and Josey Wales decorated the classroom with flags. All I did was show up with 1 KD target, a tangle of slings and swivels, and a folder full of down-sized 50 foot AS production targets that r1sgx2 upstate made for us (thanks Stick Mark!) Vietvet even sent me these photos.
CharlieHotel looking REEEAAL happy that I'm putting Rich's smelly hat on his head. (o yeah, Rich even donated his hat!)
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/CharlieHotel.jpg)
SunnyAM hasn't realized she's gonna actually have to put CharlieHotel's stinky hat on her head!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/manhattan/SunnyAM.jpg)
Norman and Mike in their own hats.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/manhattan/Re-enactors.jpg)
kDan talks too much
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/manhattan/Classroom.jpg)
Flannel shirt, blue jeans, rifle, sight picture... Where are we?
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/manhattan/Prone.jpg)
THANKS TO VIETVET FOR THE PHOTOS!!! SEND ME MORE!!!
Brings a tear to my eye...
Hmm. sniff sniff What is that? Oh. My goodness. This must be what it is like when someone as arrogant and egotistical as myself is thoroughly impressed.
Congratulations. Very impressive effort. O0
SPQR,
We have more in common than just arrogance and egos! You taught SunnyAM's mom and siblings at Carrolton, KY! You gotta remember the gentle lady and her cubs. Well, the full grown cub is now an IIT in NYC! Look at the photo above. Apple from the tree.
Awesome!!
The Subway was my favorite place to read firearms magazines while I lived in NYC. Yes, I got looks, but I loved it.
If this is going to happen again, I will be on a train faster than The Log.
GUYS and GALS
My hat is off to you, on putting on one of the most important shoots to happen that I can think of,,,, ABSOLUTELY GREAT JOB,,, HUGH ATTA BOY TO ALL OF YOU >>>>>>IN NEW YORK CITY<<<<<<
SunnyAM, CharlieHotel, my most firm handshake to the both of you, Congratulations on a job (well started) not done,,,,
Everybody involved with this shoot should be very proud, you guys accomplished a monumental task here,
Yes I do think a Rocker is most justified for this shoot,,,
Again Great Job
I will be looking forward to working with you guys again before too long,,,
sgtrock
Congratulations on a successfull event in an unlikely location! ^:)^
Congrats to the shooters, to SunnyAM, and to CharlieHotel! O0
Gary
Excellent job O0
Sorry I missed this one, I will be sure to work a future shoot there, sounds like we have a new home.
Thanks for all your hard work in making this happen!
This is Great Stuff! Historic, important stuff - the stuff that books are written about.
Congratulations to all of the Appleseed instructors who helped put this event together and helped teach citizens of our nation's largest city rifle marksmanship skills, and some of the history that makes this country unique. Congratulations to the students for taking part in the first Appleseed to be held in an area most might consider out of reach for an organization such as ours. Congratulations to CharlieHotel on your promotion to RHI - see you in Lake George! Congratulations and thank you to SunnyAM for stepping out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary!
Thank you to each who attended, instructor and shooter alike.
The IAAR should be a learning experience for all, particularly how you worked the AQT strings. I think we gain significantly more knowledge and practical experience from our 50' indoor shoots than from a fist full of 'standard' Appleseeds. At least that has been my experience.
Thanks again folks!
MJA
I attended this event this past weekend with my wife and daughter. It was informative and fun. The instructors were all top notch; friendly, helpful and professional. We enjoyed the blend of history and instruction that was provided. I thoroughly enjoyed the history portion of the event and learning about the things that aren't taught in our schools. The two gentlemen dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms added to the event and just made it come alive for us. Josey Wales shouting out battle cries and giving out inspiring stories while on the firing line just added even more flavor. It was more like "being there" instead of learning about it.
The Westside Pistol Range was a gracious host and both my wife and I plan on joining as soon as we receive our pistol permits. I couldn't think of a better place to spend a couple of evenings a week. The range itself is filled with history and the staff bends over backwards to ensure you have a great time. O0
My only issue would be the realization that my marksmanship skills have seriously deteriorated in the past 25 years. It gives new meaning to the expression "use it or lose it". However, under the tutelage of the fantastic RWVA Instructors I was improving by the end of the evening. Anyone who can teach an old Marine anything deserves all the credit in the world. After all, God has never created a creature more stubborn, dense and obstinate than an old Marine. :bow:
Once again I want to thank everyone for putting on this event. KDan, Viet Vet, CharlieHotel (Semper Fi Devil Dog), Josey Wales, Big Matt, lakesideoflife, SunnyAM and the Westside Pistol Range. Job well done! ^:)^
My girls are already talking about attending another event and about the rifles and equipment they will need. :)
James, Avia and Abby.
It's hard to remember everything when you first sit down to write one of these AARs, and going back I can always find things I forgot. Just see above where I didn't even mention Vietvet in my first post... the guy who brought a truckful of everything we needed, including Instructors! One of the jobs of Shoot Boss is to get this up and started, to set the tone and then make room for everybody else to post their thoughts and suggestions.
Well it is definitely necessary to give more mention to lakesideoflife. This was her first event working as an IIT and she came prepared to work. She was studying up to the minute we started to run things; she expected and was prepared to call the line after Big Matt got things started. Well it seemed like we only just barely got started when it was time to call it a night. In the rush and hustle of working things out, we left Big Matt (and his big voice) to run the line for the 4 hours we were shooting. Lakesideoflife settled into a routine on the line where she was assigned and I was told by the shooter who benefitted the most from her instruction that the special attention was appreciated. A shooters first impression of Appleseed always comes from their Instruction. Did they get any? Were they ignored or overlooked? It would be easy to lose somebody if they feel like nobody stopped by and helped them with their position, trigger, malfunctions, whatever. I saw ladesideoflife instructing, and her contact and communication with me before and since the event is appreciated. I'm sure she'll be a real asset to an already outstanding group of people. She's serious and intelligent and it's nice to know she's going to be moving up the ladder. I'm expecting her promotions paperwork to come over the fax any second! Who knows, but maybe next year's Calverton LadySeed will have a Calverton Lady Shoot Boss. That would be something.
It's been a long road getting female Instructors down here on Long Island and now Manhattan (basically the same crew), and the NY state family are very happy and pleased to have the few we have. Lakesideoflife, thanks for stepping up, and thanks for doing what you were asked to do, what was needed, and doing it with the quiet professionalism of the colonials at the North Bridge.
Thanks kdan, and thank you to my fellow instructors who made me feel like part of the team from the get-go.
Proud to have been part of the historic NYC debut of Appleseed!
Well done, well done.
To the Instructor crew, a heart feld congratulations. To the Shooters, I am proud of you all. While the score is nice, the important thing is that you are there on the line...learning how to shoot better, and about the debt we owe our forefathers and the responsibility we owe our progeny.
A big thank you to Westside Rifle and Pistol Range. Thank you for the opportunity.
Sue
@lakesideoflife:
thank you for paying it forward O0
@the entire shoot crew:
Incredible, simply incredible! A turning point in our Nation's history! :bow:
Coop
Awesome stuff - Dan your ability to think outside the box is truly commendable.
Congrats to CharlieHotel O0
Quote from: kDan on July 17, 2011, 03:36:21 PM
Would have been less conspicuous if I was in a gorilla suit riding a unicycle.
I don't think this statement can stand until you support it empirically...
Quote from: Rattlehead on July 18, 2011, 05:22:10 PM
Quote from: kDan on July 17, 2011, 03:36:21 PM
Would have been less conspicuous if I was in a gorilla suit riding a unicycle.
I don't think this statement can stand until you support it empirically...
I do not think I can offer empirical evidence, but Dan's statement is right.
NYC is full of people doing things for attention. Because of this, New Yorkers get used to it and stop paying attention, sometimes completely. It is often when they see something completely different that doesn't seek attention that they look.
So the gorilla suit and unicycle, as obvious ploys for attention, might be ignored. The swarthy-looking, beared guy with all the gun stuff on him, that's someone to watch.
If Dan had gone clean-shaven, with a buzz cut, and tried to lead the subway car riders in calesthenics like a drill instructor, then he would have been ignored.
Quote from: Rattlehead on July 18, 2011, 05:22:10 PM
Would have been less conspicuous if I was in a gorilla suit riding a unicycle.
I don't think this statement can stand until you support it empirically...
I used to know this guy; his name was Don, and he drove a truck for an art company. Some days he would wear a gorilla suit. He'd be at Sotheby's picking up millions of dollars worth of art in a gorilla suit. No gorilla mask, no gorilla hand gloves and he'd be wearing regular sneakers, but he's wearing the furry gorilla body suit, maybe unzipped and you could see his t-shirt underneath. Nobody paid any attention to him. Just sign the paperwork and go, Magilla.
And then he would drive away in a Freight-Liner straight job reefer, in a gorilla suit like it was just Wednesday or something. He actually kept the mask on the seat next to him and would put it on sometimes in traffic if he felt like it. Imagine being cut off in traffic by a twelve ton 40 foot truck being driven by a guy in a gorilla suit waving his fist at you out the open window.
Not really Appleseed related I guess but kinda, cuz I guess Rifle Instructors in Manhattan are weirder than a guy in a gorilla suit.
As the folks on the Calguns forum would say: THIS. IS. EPIC. !!!
How could I forget? We had near freezing temperatures, blowing wind and sideways rain all weekend. I was sincerely surprised when they returned on Sunday. I was then honored to share the line as a shooter with mamma bear when she treated herself to a Mother's Day one day at Cloverdale. She probably got better instruction the second time around. :slap:
Quote from: kDan on July 18, 2011, 12:02:43 AM
SPQR,
We have more in common than just arrogance and egos! You taught SunnyAM's mom and siblings at Carrolton, KY! You gotta remember the gentle lady and her cubs. Well, the full grown cub is now an IIT in NYC! Look at the photo above. Apple from the tree.
kDan I know the feeling well.I take cabs in 18thc attire with musket.Way too mant iphone photos of me .
Quote from: Revman on July 19, 2011, 11:51:53 AM
kDan I know the feeling well.I take cabs in 18thc attire with musket.Way too mant iphone photos of me .
Is that you, Norman?
Quote from: Cooper on July 18, 2011, 04:40:38 PM
@lakesideoflife:
thank you for paying it forward O0
Coop
@Cooper
I learn from the best, my dear Coop! Hope to see you again soon. :)
Quote from: lakesideoflife on July 19, 2011, 08:07:43 PM
@Cooper
I learn from the best, my dear Coop! Hope to see you again soon. :)
Tip of the tricorn to ye, Ma'am! ;)
Vietvet just sent me some more pics, so here goes!
Some of our shooters didn't wish to have their photos posted and I'm not exactly sure which so I'm not posting any group shots. We spent Friday in the classroom and then Saturday in the range room and just outside at a table where we had discussions, prepped mags and ate dinner.
Last minute prep
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subway%20seed%20day%20one/IMG_2126.jpg)
Matt and Lakeside layin down the law
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2192.jpg)
Josey Wales giving the First Strike.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subway%20seed%20day%20one/IMG_2136.jpg)
This is what it looks like to be an instructor on the line.
WFMU DJ Bronwyn takes on the red coats. Believe it or not, this is our "table-top prone" position. She will put that trigger elbow down when she's done manipulating the rifle.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2206.jpg)
Big Matt watching a very shallow line.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2218.jpg)
Lakesideoflife, Josey Wales, and CharlieHotel
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2219.jpg)
I think this one's okay. Our prep table.
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2197.jpg)
Have you ever seen a more beautiful range?
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2220.jpg)
sitting was a little cramped
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2223.jpg)
especially for marines
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2224.jpg)
we'll discuss the difficulties of instructing in the IAAR
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2226.jpg)
another WFMU listener!
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2229.jpg)
Josey Wales helping a shooter
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subwayseed%20day%20two/IMG_2245.jpg)
Norman x 2
(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/crateslinger/subway%20seed%20day%20one/IMG_2157.jpg)
James, Abby and I had so much fun at this event, it was great. All of the instructors were wonderful! I not only enjoyed the marksmanship portion of the program, I loved learning more about the events of April 19, 1775.
I wore my Appleseed t-shirt when I brought my dog to Central Park yesterday, and a couple of people asked to read it. One woman said "that's a hoot" thinking it was some sort of a gag. I went on to explain about the Appleseed Project to the group, two of whom stared at me like I had three heads and couldn't believe that we were shooting in Manhattan, and two of whom thought it was great and were pleasantly surprised to hear that we were able to involve our daughter. The one woman was a little outraged instead. Oh well, you can't win them all!
Thank you for holding this event here in Manhattan! The whole family is looking forward to attending another Appleseed somewhere where we can actually shoot from the prone position!
Avia
Avia and James - how exciting to see you both posting here! It was wonderful to meet you and your daughter Abby and thank you for sharing the Appleseed message and mission with others. ..:..
We certainly look forward to seeing all of you back at another event...maybe Calverton at the end of July?
@)
Lakeside
:Pditto what Lakeside said...
James, Avia and Abby,
You guys are the ones we set this up for, and if you come out to Calverton great, but don't worry, another Appleseed is just a subway ride away for all of you. Trust me. The next one will be slicker, more comfortable, more informative , more fun and... well just plain better. Maybe Abby can convince some of her teen-age friends to come out; after all they are the future. Or maybe you can get some of those Central Park soccer moms to choose something "new and exciting" for the family. Moms make most of the planning decisions for the week-end, honey do lists and what not.
"Honey, can we be the first family in our building to shoot Rifleman!" Look out for a write up in Time Out New York. Family's like your's are just the thing!
-d-
Did anybody state the obvious - that this was a "Big Apple-seed"? :slap:
</log>
PROUD,
Nice work all....
Thank you to all for your service,
Shooters, your journey has just begun.....
Intresting to see how you made this work at a Bullseye Pistol Range kdan.......
I've always discounted these types of ranges (although I come from a Bullseye background!?) as "non-workable" for Appleseed due to the walls between shooting ports.
There are several Bullseye Pistol indoor ranges here in CT I could target for future or at least Wintertime Appleseeds!
Here we go again!
We have an event on the schedule for the nights of Friday August 12 and Saturday Augutst 13 at the same bat time, same bat channel, but with a different plan of batstruction.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=24179.0
We have figured out how to make this event better. Less talk, more rifle time. WSRP has several rifles with the firing pins removed, so we will be using them to dry-fire as much as we can on Friday night.
Dry-firing is key. Anybody ever heard of the guy who won an Olympic gold medal after all he was able to do was dry fire everyday for two years? Sounds like he lived in Manhattan right?
Come out. Get the word out! Tell your friends. Heck, bring your friends! Bring your kids. Bring your friend's kids!
See you in Manhattan in two weeks. Flat-iron district; be there or be someplace not as important...
-d-
The founders are smiling ;D
Great job New York O0
Semper fidelis !!!
I just was browsing the AAR's and ran across this. I've worked in Manhattan a bit and just clicked on it figuring it was another Manhattan (I live near manhattan IL and have to specify NYC when talking about manhattan).
I was shocked to see an Apple seed in NYC.
Great Job.
I also dropped a quick email to Westside Rifle and Pistol Range thanking them.
While all our ranges deserve a big thank you, this one just seemed extra special.
When I was working in NYC I could have gotten co workers into shooting if there had been some where close and easy to go.
I will try to spread the word to some of those still in the city about this.
Now we just need a range in Chicago to open and then host an Appleseed.
Thanks for all the hard work, these things don't just happen.
Matt Wehland