Observations after NSO yesterday

[jrdudas]

I attended a New Shooter Orientation (NSO) program yesterday.  Included was about four hours of presentation that covered the rules, the dress, the catagories, and the safety practices.  I must say that I am quite impressed with the concentration on safety.  I was hoping that this would be the case and am pleased to find it so.  Several club members provided the training and managed the participation in the shooting of two stages.  I found everyone involved to be helpful and friendly, and even the rain didn't dampen spirits.

I noticed two situations that I am curious about.  Actually, the remedy applied to one situation may solve the other.  First, not having a gun cart was a serious pain in the neck if you brought along any of your own guns.  Second, if your choice in guns is similiar to many others, the problem of keeping track of your own equipment and not getting it mixed up with that of other competitors is a headache.  This situation certainly was amplified by the fact that the club and its members were providing a lot of guns as loaners to the NSO students.  Perhaps this is not a problem at a normal shoot where everyone is using their own equipment.  But at this event, at least two members spent a lot of time trying to track down their loaner guns.  I trust that everything got back to its owner at the end of the day. 

I imagine that at a normal shoot with everyone using their gun cart when not actually shooting there is not a "lost gun" problem.  For this event there were loaner guns both organized on a couple of tables, and in the hands of students either shooting or preparing to shoot.  Finally my question, do most shooters mark their guns in some manner so they can be easily recognized, and if so, how is it done.

All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and look forward to attending a regular gathering.  One problem however remains, the acquisition of two revolvers.  I have read many times that shooters are eager to lend guns to newbies, but I found yesterday that there is no plan in place to provide loaners to new shooters at regular events.  As a new shooter, you must go around and ask to borrow someone's guns.  I'm just not real comfortable with that, so I probably won't be participating until I can acquire the two remaining guns that I need.

Thanks to the Scioto Territory Desperados for a great day.

John       

[Doc Shapiro]

Sounds like ya had a really good time!  Welcome aboard.

Doc

[El Peludo]

Glad to see you're getting your feet wet, JR.  Do you have a friend in the club that you are shooting at?  If so, they are the easiest person to approach about using a gun you have not gotten, yet.  Otherwise, go to a match, and let it be known that you are a new shooter, and don't yet have all of the necessities, but will be happy to help on stages just to get used to how a match is run; you'll most likely get an offer or two of guns to use, right off.  Don't be shy, just be respectful of somebody elses stuff, and take them up on the offer with thanks.  It is no shame on you for not having all of your stuff; it is an expensive undertaking, and we all understand that.  But, get out there and get aquainted.  Some clubs even have folks who are sort of designated "ambassadors" who will take new folks in tow, and show 'em the ropes, help 'em out, and such.

My first match was just that way, and a total stranger took me under his wing, loaned me an extra pistola, rounded up a shotgun from another pard for me to share, and since his loan pistol was a diffrent caliber, he even fixed me up with the right ammo.  And after the match was done, he took me out to one of the bays, and worked with me on pointers, and got me familiar with a .44 Magnum, the gun I had shared with him all day but used .44 Specials in.  I have since tried to return the favor many times with new shooters, or folks who have some mishap, such as a broken gun, or a bum batch of ammo.  Like the old saying: What goes around, comes around.

As to identifying ones own guns, a lot of folks just tie a feather or something of the sort to the magazine tube of their long guns - I used some scrap suede leather, or make a design in tacks in the stock; some even have their "brand" branded into them.  There are many acceptable ways to personalize your own pieces.