Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Well, went in to renew my Texas CHL today. All in all, pretty uneventful but there were a few moments worth sharing.
I managed a perfect score on the shooting qualification. This sounds nice at first but you have to realize the max score zone is 12" across and 40 of the 50 shots are fired from 3yds and 7yds. The last 10 are at the 15yd line. Not only that; but unlike my original quals they didn't start us at low ready but started us with guns aimed at target. Minimum time was around 2 seconds per shot - not exactly blazing fast.
The guy next to me noticed I put them all in the 12" zone and was congratulating me loudly on the max score, which was the only one out of the ten of us. My classmates proceeded to ooh and ahh at my tremendous skill . On the one hand, it always feels good to to compete and win. On the other, as many rounds as I have fired through that pistol, the performance was mediocre at best. It is kind of like beating a 5yr old in wrestling.
Also got to meet a rare bird, a native Texan, hardcore gun owner, CHL holder for the last four years (and renewing) and a yellow-dog Democrat voting for John Kerry (sigh). I have to give the guy credit though, he stood his ground despite unmerciful harassment from both instructors and most of the class. Decent guy; but not the safest one in the world with a gun. Twice I ended up looking down the barrel of his rental pistol - luckily the slide was locked back and it was obviously empty; but rude all the same.
Anyway, had to share the Dem story as I couldn't believe there was anybody who considered guns a priority and would still vote for John Kerry. All I can think is severe cognitive problems.
I managed a perfect score on the shooting qualification. This sounds nice at first but you have to realize the max score zone is 12" across and 40 of the 50 shots are fired from 3yds and 7yds. The last 10 are at the 15yd line. Not only that; but unlike my original quals they didn't start us at low ready but started us with guns aimed at target. Minimum time was around 2 seconds per shot - not exactly blazing fast.
The guy next to me noticed I put them all in the 12" zone and was congratulating me loudly on the max score, which was the only one out of the ten of us. My classmates proceeded to ooh and ahh at my tremendous skill . On the one hand, it always feels good to to compete and win. On the other, as many rounds as I have fired through that pistol, the performance was mediocre at best. It is kind of like beating a 5yr old in wrestling.
Also got to meet a rare bird, a native Texan, hardcore gun owner, CHL holder for the last four years (and renewing) and a yellow-dog Democrat voting for John Kerry (sigh). I have to give the guy credit though, he stood his ground despite unmerciful harassment from both instructors and most of the class. Decent guy; but not the safest one in the world with a gun. Twice I ended up looking down the barrel of his rental pistol - luckily the slide was locked back and it was obviously empty; but rude all the same.
Anyway, had to share the Dem story as I couldn't believe there was anybody who considered guns a priority and would still vote for John Kerry. All I can think is severe cognitive problems.