Any sniper relies on their "hide" or sniper hole to keep them safely protected from the watchful eyes of the enemy. The hide is their resting spot, their tactical response location, and the one place they spend their time to engage a target before moving on to the next high profile kill. In the field, it's highly important to find a spot that allows the shooter to survey the field from a wide range of angles and take in the largest amount of space. It has to allow the shooter to be close enough to the enemy to make the shot while keeping them far enough away from patrols that they can make a hasty escape when the going gets rough.
As a couch sniper, choosing the "hide" is even MORE important. It must be firm, yet pliable. It must support without causing pressure points. It must be fluffy enough to absorb an entire days worth of stress and still strong enough to provide strength when emotions run deep. When a couch sniper falls ill, the hide may be inhabited for days. If a couch sniper finds him/herself unemployed, it may be the only piece of furniture to see action for a much longer period of time. Truly, selecting a quality couch may be the most important purchase you ever make.
An experienced couch sniper, I have experienced MANY couches. There were tacky, old, western themed numbers with wooden frames and horse pattern plush velvet cushions. The cushions were always separate pieces and comfort could only be obtained by getting the top to ride properly on the bottom cushion which always seemed to have a need to be pushed slightly forward in order to obtain the proper geometry to support my lanky frame in that perfect way that invites sleep, but volunteers itself for hours of intelligence gathering operations involving a television and bag of chips. There were antique-ish, hide-a-bed numbers that were always FAR too firm to ever find comfort. There have been countless leather models that always seem to be a good idea until a hot afternoon and pair of shorts quickly remind the user that skin on skin is only fun during sex. A startling jolt feels as if it has removed layers of hide as one leaps from the comforting leather only to find that the leather + heat + shorts = really bad idea.
There were the early years of couch sniper freedom when I had finally escaped the confines of my parent's house. I quickly commandeered a futon, no stranger to the necessity of a couch. It served me well, although completely uncomfortable for a guy of 6'2". The stiff fabric resisted sheets making it useless as a bed, and the rough form and odd dimensions made it useless as a couch. Truly, a futon should only be embraced as a stepping stone to a real couch sniper's hide.
Once I was married and embracing life in a partnership, it became apparent that we needed to select a proper sofa. We embarked on the most miserable of all recon missions, searching every available channel for the perfect spot to rest our weary asses. In Las Vegas, we quickly found that there are approximately 2.4 million wannabe furniture stores that all proclaim to offer the very best wares. We searched high and low until the enemies exhaustion and apathy began to take their toll. Finally, we found that the JC Penney home store offered some extraordinary sofas. We sat in everyone they had when finally we came upon the gem that has since become my only resting place. It's plush and pillowy microfiber suede welcomed my hands to touch it. The fluff it offered hugged every part of my body that it touched. Not too hard, not too soft, yet the under-frame was sturdy and easily supports my rifle. A few thousand bags of chips and four moves later, it's still my preferred couch sniping post.
The moral is, that whether you are in the field in deep cover trying to scope a high-profile target, or in your living room, remote in one hand, pistol in the other working on your couch-sniping form with dry-fire exercises, finding your hide is what will keep you safe for years to come. Take the time to make the right choices...
Oh yeah... and happy APRIL FOOLS DAY. The couch sniper is still relocating. We'll return to our regularly scheduled posts shortly.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Moving the Couch Sniper's Hide:
Field Craft for the Front Room
Over the course of the next week, we will be relocating. The move has come swiftly and as usual we will miss the incredibly cool and knowledgeable people we have met while we were in Idaho. However, opportunities wait for no man or woman, couch sniper or not. While posts haven't come as frequently as I would have liked the latter part of the month, there is good reason and I must thank you all for your understanding.
Moving with firearms presents some unique challenges. Every state has a different set of rules one must follow when traveling with firearms and it's important to recognize those laws before setting out on the road. Idaho, is rather lax with regard to projectile weapons. Other states can be quite confusing.
First and foremost, make sure your weapons are safe. This means ensuring they are unloaded and the ammunition packed separate from the gun. They should be packed in approved weapons cases and or holsters. It is important to keep your weapons protected for their benefit. Approved cases will keep them from being scratched or damaged in transport. Special care should be used for any weapons fixed with telescopic sites or advanced optics. Lenses can scratch easily and mounts can loosen from being jarred and bounced around. If locking cases are not an option, do what you can to cover cases (in accordance with state laws) so that they are not obvious if you must step away from your vehicle. It would be a tragedy to lose your firearms to theft, more so if they were later used in a crime.
When you arrive at your new location, secure your weapons first. A safe is by far the best choice, but isn't always an option. With a little common sense, and by doing the necessary homework regarding gun laws, moving your couch sniper hide can be an easy task that prevents few obstacles. While I move mine, know that I'll be busy conjuring up new ideas for posts upon my return! Happy shooting.
Moving with firearms presents some unique challenges. Every state has a different set of rules one must follow when traveling with firearms and it's important to recognize those laws before setting out on the road. Idaho, is rather lax with regard to projectile weapons. Other states can be quite confusing.
First and foremost, make sure your weapons are safe. This means ensuring they are unloaded and the ammunition packed separate from the gun. They should be packed in approved weapons cases and or holsters. It is important to keep your weapons protected for their benefit. Approved cases will keep them from being scratched or damaged in transport. Special care should be used for any weapons fixed with telescopic sites or advanced optics. Lenses can scratch easily and mounts can loosen from being jarred and bounced around. If locking cases are not an option, do what you can to cover cases (in accordance with state laws) so that they are not obvious if you must step away from your vehicle. It would be a tragedy to lose your firearms to theft, more so if they were later used in a crime.
When you arrive at your new location, secure your weapons first. A safe is by far the best choice, but isn't always an option. With a little common sense, and by doing the necessary homework regarding gun laws, moving your couch sniper hide can be an easy task that prevents few obstacles. While I move mine, know that I'll be busy conjuring up new ideas for posts upon my return! Happy shooting.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sighting in Your Rifle Scope
I had the pleasure of helping a friend sight in a new rifle and scope on Thursday. I remember buying mine and being so new at the whole idea of this that I stayed up for three or four days reading thread after thread from the long range shooting forums, snipercountry.com, snipershide.com, and anything else I could find in a Google search. What I found confused me more than anything. Opinions are a plenty on the internet and reading thread after thread, I wasn't sure whether I should be zeroing the rifle at 100, 200, or 300 yards. Some even suggested further.
What is this zeroing that I speak of? The process of zeroing involves aligning the reticle - or crosshairs - of your scope with the actual bore of your rifle or handgun. It is necessary to zero your firearm in order to ensure that what you're aiming at is actually what you will hit when you pull the trigger. It's incredibly important to to get your zero right if you intend on doing a lot of target shooting. It is specially critical if you want to hit the bull's eye as you step at out distances beyond 100 yards. The slightest variation at 100 yards will double at 200 yards. As you step out to 1000 yards, a .25" variation becomes over 2.5". It can mean the difference between hitting your target or missing entirely.
How do you zero? We'll assume that your scope is mounted. The bases have been secured to the rifle and the scope situated in the rings with enough distance from your eye that you can still see through it, but that it won't make contact with your face under normal shooting circumstances. With the scope secured, the eye-relief appropriate, walk a target out to 25 yards. Start with a five shot group. Measure the distance from the center of your group and the dead center of the bull's eye. Let's pretend your group is 2" high and .75" left. Most scopes adjust at either .25" or .25 MOA with each click. It will be stated on the turrets of your scope. Assuming you have a scope that adjusts .25" with each click you will need to adjust 8 clicks down and 3 clicks right to center the shot on the bull. Continue to shoot 5 shot groups, making adjustments to center, until your five shot group centers on - or around - the bull.
Now walk the target out to 100 yards and repeat the procedure. Shoot five shot groups and adjust until your shots are on bull. You will likely find that your shots are falling high at 100 yards with your 25 yard zero. They would be pretty close - with most calibers - to dead on at 200. For the majority of shooting purposes, a 100 yard zero is ideal. It will allow you to dial up properly to other distances with accuracy.
That's all there is to it. Plan to take at least 1 box of ammunition with you to the range, preferably 2. Good luck. Take your time, remember to breath, get a good clear scope picture, squeeze the trigger in a very controlled manner for each shot, and FOLLOW THROUGH. If it's a windy day, you may want to re-zero at 100 yards on a day without wind.
How do you zero? We'll assume that your scope is mounted. The bases have been secured to the rifle and the scope situated in the rings with enough distance from your eye that you can still see through it, but that it won't make contact with your face under normal shooting circumstances. With the scope secured, the eye-relief appropriate, walk a target out to 25 yards. Start with a five shot group. Measure the distance from the center of your group and the dead center of the bull's eye. Let's pretend your group is 2" high and .75" left. Most scopes adjust at either .25" or .25 MOA with each click. It will be stated on the turrets of your scope. Assuming you have a scope that adjusts .25" with each click you will need to adjust 8 clicks down and 3 clicks right to center the shot on the bull. Continue to shoot 5 shot groups, making adjustments to center, until your five shot group centers on - or around - the bull.
Now walk the target out to 100 yards and repeat the procedure. Shoot five shot groups and adjust until your shots are on bull. You will likely find that your shots are falling high at 100 yards with your 25 yard zero. They would be pretty close - with most calibers - to dead on at 200. For the majority of shooting purposes, a 100 yard zero is ideal. It will allow you to dial up properly to other distances with accuracy.
That's all there is to it. Plan to take at least 1 box of ammunition with you to the range, preferably 2. Good luck. Take your time, remember to breath, get a good clear scope picture, squeeze the trigger in a very controlled manner for each shot, and FOLLOW THROUGH. If it's a windy day, you may want to re-zero at 100 yards on a day without wind.
Friday, March 18, 2011
New Toys: The Couch Sniper Facebook Page
To make life easier on those of you already fully immersed with facebook, I have recently created a facebook fan site. You are welcome to be a part of that community. Post your likes, your dislikes, make suggestions much easier than posting comments here. I love to have your comments, but I am writing this for your benefit and I want to make it as convenient as possible. Also, thanks to RSS Graffiti, our posts will automatically feed into the new facebook page and link back here! THANK YOU for your continued support.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Focus, Precision, and Accuracy:
Developing the Ability to Call Your Shot
I participate on some other forums that surround some of my other hobbies. One of them is the Toyota Territory Off-roaders Association or TTORA for short. One of the members happens to be Jamie from the History Channel's "Top Shot." Not only is he a stand up guy on the show, he's a stand-up guy on the forum and from what I understand, in real life, too. On the forum, we've had a lot of conversations about the show. Today's was more about why they are throwing tomahawks and playing with blow guns on a show about shooting.
When I thought about it, it made sense to me that the show would step professional shooters outside of their comfort zone as way to see who had what it takes to shift their focus and still be able to visualize their shot in order to deliver that precision and accuracy. This, my motivated readers, is what becoming a better shooter is all about. First, we apply the fundamentals. We make sure our firearm is empty. We remove the live ammunition. We aim safely into a direction where we can be sure of what lies beyond it.
The rest is about developing the ability to call our shot. We focus on the target, then shift to the front site tip. We breath consciously, noting the rhythm and pacing ourselves for the hold. When the time is right and the site picture agrees with our breathing pattern and our stance, we slowly squeeze the trigger. The drop of the hammer, the strike of the firing pin, slightly startles us. We embrace the follow through focusing our eyes solidly on the front site tip. Where is it facing? Where the tip lands on follow through is generally where your shot ended up.
That's two paragraphs worth of focus that leads to better shooting. It is those same two paragraphs worth of focus that make us more precise and more accurate and tightens groups no matter what the weapon is. It leads to smaller spreads with rifles, handguns, or more shattered clay pigeons with shotguns. It's the same focus that allows precision marksmen to move from their area of expertise to throwing a tomahawk or blowing a dart out the end of a blowgun.
The truth is, being able to focus and visualize are two key elements of success in any field. Pilots are taught to visualize take-off's, landings, and complex maneuvers. Chemists are taught to focus and visualize their procedures so that their measurements are more precise and their experimental results more accurate. In any part of our lives where success is imperative, focus and visualization, the primary elements of being a couch sniper, or a REAL sniper, will be a huge benefit to you. You never know when you're going to be out of your element and asked to be good at it. Just step back, repeat the steps, focus on the task at hand and visualize the outcome. Then step up and call your shot!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Training Our Muscles
to Get the MOST Out of Shooting
I recently acquired a Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum revolver with a 6" "heavy" barrel. The use of the word heavy signifies that this weapon has a "full lug" under the barrel which adds a bit of weight. The added weight is beneficial. It helps dissipate heat from the barrel and stabilizes your shot. While not an imperative feature on any weapon, my rifle has a long heavy barrel and I love the accuracy so I wanted to stay consistent with that mind set as I started moving into the handgun realm. With a regular strong hand/two handed grip, the added weight isn't a problem.
My pistol weighs in at 46 oz. or nearly 3 lbs. This doesn't sound like much and with both hands, it's not unwieldy. With one hand, and the shooting arm completely extended with the elbow locked, 3 lbs. dangling on the end of three feet of arm, is a whole different story. Leverage makes a huge difference and it's almost as if you're holding the entire weight of your arm as well as whatever is in it, namely a loaded pistol. To put it bluntly, my pathetic couch-sniping ass has spent TOO MUCH TIME ON THE COUCH. Stabilizing a weak hand, one handed shooting position with that 3 lb. handgun in tow was nearly impossible. I was shaking like a leaf after only a few seconds of this exercise. That's NOT going to cut it when it comes to trying to qualify for the upper level certifications in the sharpshooter or expert rounds of qualification.
Time to start working out. In order to build some strength and to set ourselves up for success, my wife and I have embraced doing the much revered P90X program. This is not a joke. We shopped for healthy groceries today, cleaned out our cupboards and refrigerator of junk, and took the physical fitness test. Both of us did very well - for being completely out of shape. Tomorrow, we begin the program. With any luck, 90 days from now, wrestling the heaviest of firearms and keeping the position stable should be a piece of cake.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Top Shot Season Two:
Less Talkie Talkie, More Boom!
I like watching the shooters on the History Channel's Top Shot. I think the challenges are interesting and they would be a hell of a lot of fun to replicate and shoot with friends. This week's competition would be especially fun. Line up 100 plates, pre-load your favorite handgun's/magazines/speed loaders and tear into it for a couple minutes. The loser buys lunch.
The elimination challenge was not a mystery. The trainers told both shooters to get used to shooting in a circular pattern. Before the commercial break, I could have told them they would be shooting moving targets with that incredible race gun. The actual shooting of the elimination was choppy. Thank you editing department. We could only see who had the lead when the camera pulled away before yet another boring commercial.
The worst component of this show is the way it is edited to focus on the ridiculous drama. Even my wife was disappointed by it. From her perspective it seems stupid that the team challenge where everyone shoots takes up less than half of the airtime of the entire program while the elimination challenges, involving only two shooters, take the other thirty-minutes. Add to that, the "bachelor" style dramatic emotional BS and the whole episode just leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Hey History Channel, if you're reading this or taking comments, how about less drama and more shooting? The show is called "Top Shot," after all, not Top Trash-Talking Drama Queen. As a regular viewer and an enthusiast I'm quickly losing my desire to wade through en entire episode. My only other complaint is that Colby's teeth are FAR too white to be taken seriously. Real men don't have teeth that can light up the night sky. Real men drink coffee, some smoke, some dip, most all of us eat. I have never met any man with teeth that freakin' bright. It's an obnoxiously obvious thing to see on camera. Make the boy drink some coffee. Now less talkie-talkie and let's have a little more BOOM!
The elimination challenge was not a mystery. The trainers told both shooters to get used to shooting in a circular pattern. Before the commercial break, I could have told them they would be shooting moving targets with that incredible race gun. The actual shooting of the elimination was choppy. Thank you editing department. We could only see who had the lead when the camera pulled away before yet another boring commercial.
The worst component of this show is the way it is edited to focus on the ridiculous drama. Even my wife was disappointed by it. From her perspective it seems stupid that the team challenge where everyone shoots takes up less than half of the airtime of the entire program while the elimination challenges, involving only two shooters, take the other thirty-minutes. Add to that, the "bachelor" style dramatic emotional BS and the whole episode just leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Hey History Channel, if you're reading this or taking comments, how about less drama and more shooting? The show is called "Top Shot," after all, not Top Trash-Talking Drama Queen. As a regular viewer and an enthusiast I'm quickly losing my desire to wade through en entire episode. My only other complaint is that Colby's teeth are FAR too white to be taken seriously. Real men don't have teeth that can light up the night sky. Real men drink coffee, some smoke, some dip, most all of us eat. I have never met any man with teeth that freakin' bright. It's an obnoxiously obvious thing to see on camera. Make the boy drink some coffee. Now less talkie-talkie and let's have a little more BOOM!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
84 Year Old Sniper Shoots
Half Minute Group at 1,000 Yards
It would simply be wrong not to pass on this video for those of you who may have missed it. A half minute group means that at 100 yards, each shot would fall in a space smaller than 1/2".
This is an absolutely amazing video. How touching to see that so many still honor and respect our veterans. This should also be a warning to anyone convinced they could take on a retiree. "You can run, but you'll die tired." Thank you Mr. Dick Borghi and Trevin Henske for sharing this with me.
The video is property of Shooting USA's Impossible Shots.
This is an absolutely amazing video. How touching to see that so many still honor and respect our veterans. This should also be a warning to anyone convinced they could take on a retiree. "You can run, but you'll die tired." Thank you Mr. Dick Borghi and Trevin Henske for sharing this with me.
The video is property of Shooting USA's Impossible Shots.
Learn Long Range Shooting
from a Sniper Trainer
While the majority of the Idaho Sportsman's Show was centered around guided fishing tours and guided hunts, one particular booth caught my interest. As someone completely enthralled with the thought of long range shooting, I was drawn to the first booth that had a tactically equipped long range rifle. I started asking questions about the stock installed on one of the display weapons and soon found myself in a conversation with a fascinating pair of gentlemen.
They represented a local long range hunting school. When they could tell that I was seriously interested in what they had to offer, I found myself monopolizing their time. We visited about shooting and technique, and the conversation soon reaffirmed why I am writing this blog to begin with. "It's all about the fundamentals," one of them explained. "The difference between a rifleman and a sniper is their application of the fundamentals."
Mike Perkins and Ed Rochnowski offer a long range hunting course. This year, the class will take place from June 24th - 26th at a ranch near Boise. For $450, students will shoot on known distances to gather ballistic information. The class will move to steel targets at ranges out to 1000 yards. Students will learn the effects of environmental conditions and how to apply techniques for extreme angles. They will learn various shooting positions. As one of the gentlemen explained, "hunting situations don't always present the opportunity to shoot from prone." The final day of instruction involves actual hunting scenarios and offer students a chance to practice what they have learned. Every attendee will come away from this course with greater confidence and understanding of their firearms and have the ability to make ethical judgment calls regarding application of long range shooting.
I spoke extensively with the Mike, who happens to have decades of experience in long range shooting. He proved to be a patient man, even with my noob-related questions. Both gentlemen are truly passionate about what they do. If you have any notion of making shots beyond 300 yards, this class would be an excellent opportunity to learn from educated and talented shooting professionals. Idaho offers tremendous hunting opportunities, but most hunters never learn to apply themselves at greater distances. Take a class from experts and make the most of your hunting tag next season.
For more information on the Long Range Hunting School, contact:
Mike Perkins at 208.891.4854, email: map0421@msn.com or,
Ed Rochnowski at 208.866.8600, email: hdswine@gmail.com.
The cost, of $450, is a steal for an opportunity to learn from a professional sniper/trainer. It takes only a few minutes to determine whether or not you're talking to someone with skills or someone who is selling you a load of crap. These gentlemen are legit. They are also connected with Long Range Pursuit, Gunwerks, and Gseven, all companies associated with getting the most out of shooting at more extreme distances.
Definitely worth a moment of your time. Happy Shooting.
They represented a local long range hunting school. When they could tell that I was seriously interested in what they had to offer, I found myself monopolizing their time. We visited about shooting and technique, and the conversation soon reaffirmed why I am writing this blog to begin with. "It's all about the fundamentals," one of them explained. "The difference between a rifleman and a sniper is their application of the fundamentals."
Mike Perkins and Ed Rochnowski offer a long range hunting course. This year, the class will take place from June 24th - 26th at a ranch near Boise. For $450, students will shoot on known distances to gather ballistic information. The class will move to steel targets at ranges out to 1000 yards. Students will learn the effects of environmental conditions and how to apply techniques for extreme angles. They will learn various shooting positions. As one of the gentlemen explained, "hunting situations don't always present the opportunity to shoot from prone." The final day of instruction involves actual hunting scenarios and offer students a chance to practice what they have learned. Every attendee will come away from this course with greater confidence and understanding of their firearms and have the ability to make ethical judgment calls regarding application of long range shooting.
I spoke extensively with the Mike, who happens to have decades of experience in long range shooting. He proved to be a patient man, even with my noob-related questions. Both gentlemen are truly passionate about what they do. If you have any notion of making shots beyond 300 yards, this class would be an excellent opportunity to learn from educated and talented shooting professionals. Idaho offers tremendous hunting opportunities, but most hunters never learn to apply themselves at greater distances. Take a class from experts and make the most of your hunting tag next season.
For more information on the Long Range Hunting School, contact:
Mike Perkins at 208.891.4854, email: map0421@msn.com or,
Ed Rochnowski at 208.866.8600, email: hdswine@gmail.com.
The cost, of $450, is a steal for an opportunity to learn from a professional sniper/trainer. It takes only a few minutes to determine whether or not you're talking to someone with skills or someone who is selling you a load of crap. These gentlemen are legit. They are also connected with Long Range Pursuit, Gunwerks, and Gseven, all companies associated with getting the most out of shooting at more extreme distances.
Definitely worth a moment of your time. Happy Shooting.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
What's More Patriotic than American Made Gun Gear?
While checking out the Idaho Sportsman's Show this weekend, I got to meet and speak with Shane Roessler of Crossfire Shooting Gear. I have been shopping for a holster for my new Ruger GP100 for a couple weeks now and I've been having a hard time finding something fitted for a revolver with a 6" barrel. There are a lot of foreign offerings of cheaply made gear. There's slightly better stuff manufactured right here in the US. A lot of what is out there is a very simple wrapped Cordura sheath with no frills. It's hard to get excited about something that looks like you could make it yourself if you only had an industrial sewing machine.
I stumbled upon the Crossfire Gear booth right after we walked in to the show. I was impressed with their gear. Their holsters, in particular, offer some compelling design features. The "Safari" line comes with a spring loaded thumb break that rolls away from the weapon when it is unsnapped to make re-holstering your weapon much easier than with a traditional strap. It is also somewhat modular in design. It can be worn on the belt, standard draw, or cross draw. Velcro style strips on the sides will accept ammo pouches or pouches designed to carry speedloaders. Another design, the "Alaska" utilizes a stretch fit strap that is completely silent. Both are fitted with a shoulder strap which is perfect when your carrying a 3 lb. handgun. I like options. The modular design definitely had me excited. Finally, a company that "gets" me.
I initially walked away from their booth after talking to Shane for a few minutes. I figured I'd be back, but I didn't want to "shoot my wad" on the first thing I saw only to see something I liked better two rows over. Well, after walking the entire sportsman's show, I can say that there was NOTHING like their gear. I quickly made my way back to their booth to see if they had something for my revolver in stock. While I was a bit disheartened that they didn't, Shane assured me that I can stop by their shop in Nampa and they'll be happy to honor their discounted show price. One good turn deserves another, so I'm sharing this great company with the rest of my readers.
While there are MANY holster manufacturers that offer a dizzying array of products to choose from, few companies have taken the time to really analyze the needs of their customer base. Crossfire Gear has designed a full line of functional, well-featured gear that is made in Nampa, Idaho. For my Idaho readers, it just doesn't get any better than this. Shane Roessler, the company's sales manager, is one hell of a nice guy. It might even be possible to have custom gear created for your specific needs. While their accessories might be a little on the top end as far as price, it is also on the high end of quality. I can hardly wait to place my order on Monday.
Click this CROSSFIRE SHOOTING GEAR link to take a look at their website. If you do visit their store, or decide to buy something from them, tell them the couch sniper sent you. If you like great gear it will be well worth your time to see their stuff first hand.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Rant About Gun Forums and Survival Blogs
I love the internet. I truly am addicted to the wealth of information that can be found at the click of a button. The resources are tremendous. There are sites that can teach you to build a house completely off the grid. Others that will tell you what should be stocked in your cellar to survive "the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it." The knowledge available is limitless in scope and capacity.
This is very true for shooting enthusiasts. There are forums for Ruger owners, Remington owners, Smith & Wesson fanatics, AR nuts, etc. No matter what your gun or caliber of choice, there is a forum for it. No matter what kind of shooting you want to do, there is a forum for it. Wanna shoot pistols competitively? Pick a competitive platform. Wanna shoot only cowboy guns while dressing in clothing from the 1800's? Yeah, we can find you a forum for that, too. Whether you want to build your own firearms, customize your own bullets, or embellish custom guns, there is a forum devoted to your specific niche. Unfortunately, gun forums and survival blogs all seem to be populated by the same group of hateful bastards.
Now, of course, they aren't really the same group. Shooting as a hobby and survival as a mindset seems to draw a certain mold of the population like moths to a bug-zapper. While I scan through thread after thread of useful tidbits from legitimate hobbyists and professionals, I find myself being beaten down by political non-sense. On some forums, every other thread bashes the President, democrats, liberals, progressives, or some other derogatory connotation for people who don't attend their particular church, share their same political view, or their same lack of pigment. It is exhausting to sort through the bullshit to get to the meat and potatoes of the good information. I feel my stomach knotting up as I read through racist posts from bigot after bigot all preaching about how they are "God-fearing Christians" though they can't seem to see past skin color long enough to have any concern for the well-being of others. Quite honestly, it makes me sick.
Now, I promised that my blog wouldn't resort to politics. I fully intend to keep that promise. I don't believe that gun ownership is slated for one party over another. I don't think that patriots come from only one side of the aisle. I don't believe that the art of a gun smith or the science of a skilled marksman belongs to only one particular religion. My goal is what it has always been, to share my love of shooting with others who share that passion. Maybe by reading about the things I am learning in becoming a better marksman, I can help you through similar struggles or share in similar successes.
I've never met a bullet or a gun that cares what color your skin is, what church you attend, or where you place your check mark in the voting booth. I don't think zombies care, and I'm almost positive that invading forces won't care either. If the end of the world as we know it is coming, we will ALL need to know how to shoot and shoot well. My hope, is that everyone can gain from the information presented here. That what you gain helps you on the range or in the field. This blog is a non-discriminatory platform for everyone. I hope that my readers find nothing more than a good bit of information presented in a somewhat entertaining manner. Everyone is welcome here.
This is very true for shooting enthusiasts. There are forums for Ruger owners, Remington owners, Smith & Wesson fanatics, AR nuts, etc. No matter what your gun or caliber of choice, there is a forum for it. No matter what kind of shooting you want to do, there is a forum for it. Wanna shoot pistols competitively? Pick a competitive platform. Wanna shoot only cowboy guns while dressing in clothing from the 1800's? Yeah, we can find you a forum for that, too. Whether you want to build your own firearms, customize your own bullets, or embellish custom guns, there is a forum devoted to your specific niche. Unfortunately, gun forums and survival blogs all seem to be populated by the same group of hateful bastards.
Now, of course, they aren't really the same group. Shooting as a hobby and survival as a mindset seems to draw a certain mold of the population like moths to a bug-zapper. While I scan through thread after thread of useful tidbits from legitimate hobbyists and professionals, I find myself being beaten down by political non-sense. On some forums, every other thread bashes the President, democrats, liberals, progressives, or some other derogatory connotation for people who don't attend their particular church, share their same political view, or their same lack of pigment. It is exhausting to sort through the bullshit to get to the meat and potatoes of the good information. I feel my stomach knotting up as I read through racist posts from bigot after bigot all preaching about how they are "God-fearing Christians" though they can't seem to see past skin color long enough to have any concern for the well-being of others. Quite honestly, it makes me sick.
Now, I promised that my blog wouldn't resort to politics. I fully intend to keep that promise. I don't believe that gun ownership is slated for one party over another. I don't think that patriots come from only one side of the aisle. I don't believe that the art of a gun smith or the science of a skilled marksman belongs to only one particular religion. My goal is what it has always been, to share my love of shooting with others who share that passion. Maybe by reading about the things I am learning in becoming a better marksman, I can help you through similar struggles or share in similar successes.
I've never met a bullet or a gun that cares what color your skin is, what church you attend, or where you place your check mark in the voting booth. I don't think zombies care, and I'm almost positive that invading forces won't care either. If the end of the world as we know it is coming, we will ALL need to know how to shoot and shoot well. My hope, is that everyone can gain from the information presented here. That what you gain helps you on the range or in the field. This blog is a non-discriminatory platform for everyone. I hope that my readers find nothing more than a good bit of information presented in a somewhat entertaining manner. Everyone is welcome here.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Dear Readers...
I am elated at the success of the blog so far. For any writer, the joy is in having readers and I can tell you that I am very happy that so many of you have decided to have a look. My wife and I are currently in the process of selling our house. The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind of activity as we prepped the house to show. I haven't forgotten the blog and am working on a couple of different story ideas for things to post in the very near future, but please bare with me as we move through a period of transition.
Thank you all for stopping by. As always, if there is something you would like me to cover on the blog, don't hesitate to leave a comment and mention it. I'm writing this for you as much as I am doing it for myself and I would be happy to tailor it to your needs.
Happy Shooting!
Thank you all for stopping by. As always, if there is something you would like me to cover on the blog, don't hesitate to leave a comment and mention it. I'm writing this for you as much as I am doing it for myself and I would be happy to tailor it to your needs.
Happy Shooting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)