Just the other day, I was kind of surprised to see two new faces amongst the group of regulars. This happened to be a father and son duo who had come on a visit. They looked menacingly towards me as if they had some past-life enmity with me, while I stood in silence - waiting for the hot lead. I could see that these two had enthusiasm written all over them and their hands seemed to be itching to get hold of the guns lying on the canvas and freak out. From what I can recollect, besides others, there were a couple of Glocks - 17 and 26, a couple of MP5s and a couple of AK-47s. Ammo lay around in boxes with rangers filling up magazines for the upcoming shooting binge.
I didn't have to wait long before these two gents started off. It was the younger one who initiated the first wave with the Glock 17, followed by the much smaller Glock 26. Although about 20-25 yards away, I could see the young one handling the pistol quite well. With many hands around to help and an incessant flow of advice on techniques, he seemed confident enough, although some anxiety betrayed him as he racked the slide of the Glock for the first time. The pistol jumped in his hands as the 9mm round exited the barrel, aimed at my chest. I shuddered as the bullet pierced me, a little off from where he had intended to hit, making me believe that the 15 year old was shooting a Glock for the first time and it would take a few more rounds for him to stabilise himself. Wow, he exclaimed loudly, amidst the clapping, and look around admiring himself as if he had just done a courageous feat. Later ofcourse, he did fairly well with the MP5 too, except that he was sweating with apprehension and excitement.
Next, it was the turn of the Dad to try out his first shots. Now this guy kind-of knew much more about the guns, but had a volley of questions for the rangers around him. Maybe he had read a lot about them, but had not yet played with them still. He wanted to know all - the three modes: single shot, 3 round burst and the full auto; the scenario in which each particular gun was used, the caliber of each gun, the usage of the gun - as a primary weapon or as a backup etc. etc. He only stopped questioning when he shot off his first volley with the MP5. Poor me, I got them all in the head this time - the hot 9mm rounds. Very mean of this guy, as apparently he didn't want me to witness his firing of the Glocks and the AK ! In much pain with my head and chest shot out and on my last legs, I did overhear him appreciating the fineness of the MP5. No recoil and dead accurate - said he, in jubilation, as if he had won a war ! Next, although he seemed to be a veteran with the Glock 17, the 26 was drawing his apprehension as he discovered he could only wrap 2 fingers around the grip with one on the trigger. Strange, he exclaimed, as he tried out newer and newer stances of holding the pistol. The 15 or so rounds saw the pistol jumping around, much to his amusement and later he agreed with others in appreciating the small baby of a pistol and its immense usefulness as a concealed ankle-carry secondary weapon. Overall, he was the most impressed with the AK-47 and couldn't stop praising the ruggedness and reliability of the rifle, adding phrases of admiration for the Austrians, Germans and Russians !
By now, even the sun had had enough of these two and decided that the best way to retire them and bring peace to area, was by setting. And lo ! soon there was talk of packing up, counting empties and stiff shoulders with animated expressions of happiness and accomplishment. I did manage to overhear something about a Black Label, which I was sure wasn't just some kind of label; but on discussing with my fellow buddies tied to adjacent masts, I got to know that this stuff was what men took to calm their nerves after a day-out in this area.
As all departed I became sad but also happy to see that despite all odds, people still have appreciation for guns and shooting, and how the elders make it a point to introduce their younger ones to this passion. With those thoughts, battered and torn as I was, I closed my eyes and to await a new awakening next morning...
I write from a different perspective, focussing on just the interest for guns and shooting. Pictures stand appropriately modified to protect the innocent. The place is somewhere in the hills with lots of barren land and earthen backstops. All shooting was in a controlled environment and complied with all safety norms.
. Great post naturally I wring my hands in envy. 
, loved it
