Because it Bears Repeating

On July 29, 2011July 26, 2012 By Tom LindsayIn Safety

Musings on gun safety.

Here are the Rules of Gun Safety as posted at the Fill Yer Hands zombie-proof bunker in Kennesaw, Georgia:

0. Always wear eye protection, and hearing protection where warranted.

1. All guns are always loaded.

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything which you are not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger OFF the trigger until your sights are on the target.

4. Always be sure of your target and what’s behind it.

5. Never try to catch a dropped gun.

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All these rules apply to Nerf and Airsoft and BB guns, too, for a couple of good reasons. First, these guns can hurt you if you don’t follow the rules, and second, if you don’t follow the rules with these guns, you’re likely to ignore them with “real” guns, too.

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This sign is posted at the Nerf Gun / Airsoft storage area in the zombie-proof bunker:

Rule Zero: Eyes and Ears.

We also store the eyewear in the same place as the ammo for these guns. It makes it a lot easier to remember.

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When we are at the range, the first thing we do after setting up targets is go over these rules with everyone in our party. Everyone there knows they are free to call any of the others on a rule infraction. This isn’t meant to be mean, it’s meant to keep everyone safe.

Usually, Rules 2 and 3 are the ones to violated, but usually only once. All I have to do is yell “Muzzle!” or “Finger!” and the person gets what I’m saying.

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I find that with my son’s friends, one of the hardest things to teach is to point their guns at the ground when not shooting, not in the air. Thanks a lot, Hollywood.

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It makes me feel good when I pull into the driveway in the evening, and my son is leading an assault on his backyard action shooting range, and he and the four teens with him, all armed with Airsoft or Nerf guns, are all wearing eye protection. In fact, my son has on knee pads and shooting gloves.

I am more than willing to furnish eyewear for all the shooters. And I am more than willing to banish someone who refuses to wear them.

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I recently came across this video from the NSSF that explains the Four Basic Rules very well.

Product Review – IPSC Shot Timer for Android

On July 28, 2011July 26, 2012 By Tom LindsayIn Review3 Comments

I’ve always wanted a shot timer, so I can tell if what I’m practicing is really improving my times. Until now, this has meant spending $150 or more on a “real” shot timer. But I recently upgraded to an Android smart phone, and a quick search showed – you guessed it – there’s an app for that.

The IPSC Shot Timer v. 0.9.3 beta was created by Ivan Stoiliarov, and is available free at http://www.handster.com/ipsc_shot_timer.html, and through the Android Market.

This timer meets my needs, and I like it, for a number of reasons. First, the microphone is sensitive enough that I can use it while dry firing. I use it to time my draw to the first shot, and it’s very good for that use. It features an adjustable lag between pressing the start button and the sounding of the buzzer to start the timing, which takes away the chance of me learning to jump the timer.

Like most timers, you can review split times and total time. You can also save strings of fire for review or download later.

Reviews of this product have complained that it doesn’t work as well with live fire, because most phones’ microphones are too sensitive and are overloaded. I have to admit I haven’t used it in live fire yet. I will try it the next time I go to the range, and report on it then.

The Android Shot Timer is a great addition to my dry firing practice tools. And you certainly can’t beat the price.

RBGC USPSA Video

On July 28, 2011July 26, 2012 By Tom LindsayIn USPSA

Video from the USPSA Match that I shot on Saturday, July 23, at River Bend Gun Club, is now available on my Youtube channel.

Many thanks to Bruce Boudreau for shooting the video, and to his wife Staci for uploading it for me.

Bruce got video of me shooting 4 stages, stages 4, 5, 6 and 7. Here I am shooting stage 7.

I’m glad Bruce shot this, because I learned some watching the video. First, I am still shooting too upright – I’m not leaning into the shot, driving the gun. This means I’m a little off balance, at least less stable than I would be if I drive the gun better.

The Zombies Return

On July 27, 2011 By Tom LindsayIn Zombies1 Comment

AMC rolled out the trailer for the second season of The Walking Dead at ComicCon in San Diego last week. Enjoy.

I have to admit I enjoy watching the show, despite some gun handling gaffes and the needless (to me) romantic back story. Living here in the Atlanta area where the show is filmed, the scenery is familiar, and I suppose that helps. In fact, for about a year I drove right by the CDC headquarters very frequently. I only wish I could have gotten off work on the days they were filming, so I might have been an extra.

For those who like the genre, I would also recommend a couple of books by Max Brooks, the Zombie Survival Guide, and World War Z. The first one is just what it says, a how-to of survival in the post zombie world. The second is a fictional account of the first five years following the zombie apocalypse, and I found it to be innovative. It is the first book I’ve read to consider how we might apply modern conventional war tactics to fighting the walking undead. When you think about how much of our tactics is invested in breaking the will of the enemy to fight, then think about how that would work against an swarm of enemies who feel no fear. No to worry, though, Brooks suggests some new tactics.

Why my fascination with the undead hordes? I suppose on one level, I’m drawn to suspense and action as much as anyone. But consider, too, the motto of the Zombie Squad. No, not “we make dead things deader,” although I like that one. I mean If you’re ready for zombies, you’re ready for anything. Anything I do to fortify my house against zombies also makes it tougher for home invaders. And, learning to make 50 yard head shots with my Ruger 10/22 makes me a better shooter, which improves my competition score, as well as the number of squirrels I could take in season.

As I alluded to before, I might have to half-squint my eyes occasionally at the gun handling, like when a deputy tells another that he needs to remember to take off the safety on his Glock, but I have to do that half the time when I watch movies and TV any way. For me, the show is worth it.