Macon, GA AAR Pistol Clinic 1 April 2023

[brianf31]

Marion Road Gun Club in Macon, Georgia hosted a one-day Appleseed pistol clinic on 1 April 2023.  Six shooters came out for marksmanship and American history on a day that was supposed to have thunderstorms. However, the weather turned out perfectly much to our delight.

After introduction and a safety brief, students shot the Hits Count target to gage their skill levels. Three shooters were able to get all four shots in the 100-yard target while George also hit Pitcairn's button and cleared the target!  It was clear that we had some capable shooters on the line.

We proceeded into instruction, teaching stance, grip, six steps of the shot and natural point of aim, and draw and fire from low ready and close retention,. Each block of instruction was put into immediate practice with live fire drills. Magazine changes and malfunction clearance drills soon followed. In addition to pistol, revolver use and reloads were taught and put to practice by Don with his five-shot carry gun.

Throughout the day, shooters heard the true story of April 19th, 1775 through the telling of the Three Strikes of The Match. Shooters heard the history of Paul Revere's ride, Lexington and Concord, learning that we are the inheritors and stewards of liberty and freedom that was paid for in blood.

Further instruction was given on talking targets, controlled pairs, double-tap and one-handed shooting. Targets revealed improvement as shooters learned and applied the fundamentals. It was evident that we had some fine shooters so a little friendly competition was in order. Aiming at the numbers on the 20-dot target, Zim landed 9/10 shots while George and Duane each made 6/10 hits on the numbers to earn some Appleseed swag.

Three Pistol Qualification Tests (PQT) were shot Saturday afternoon. Shooters did very well, with several exceeding 200/250 and knocking on that 210 score to make Expert. George, in his second pistol clinic, shot an outstanding 238/250 to earn the Pistoleer™ patch! Huzzah! Return Pistoleer™ Zim requalified with an impressive 239/250 on his first target! Impressive to say the least.
Shooters also learned about the Onion of Self-Defense and layered security in their homes and out in public.

Thanks to Marion Road Gun Club for continuing to be a faithful host to Appleseed. Thank you all, shooters, for your enthusiasm and teachable attitudes. It was an honor and a privilege to work with you. We hope to see you again on the trail.

[Captain]

This was my first time to Appleseed in Georgia and what an excellent event! Half the shooters were able to score Pistoleer™ and a 238 and a 239 are some of the best scores I've seen at one of these events. Everyone was out to improve and even the shooters who made score were ready to pull out another pistol to work on and try new things. Thanks to the GA crew for a great first timer in Macon. I also have to mention the great history strikes I heard; Captain Parker really tells a great First Strike

[DEH]

I signed up as a shooter to see what a Appleseed Pistol Clinic was.  I was not disappointed.  Everything taught is right in line with what I have been taught at other schools and this class is a nice bridge class from beginner shooter to other training.  The history was riveting, even though I have heard it once or twice before. 

[Roswell]

What a great event with even better people! Marion Road Gun Club is of course gracious as always. Excellent work by all. I was just as much in awe of Zim's 239 as I was Don sticking it out with his snub nosed .38 all day. A Pistoleer™ persists.

I hope to see you all on the line again soon!