Stacks?

As I read more about handguns, I have to stop every now and then and look up new terms or ask my husband what I'm sure he feels are silly questions.  I figured I'd start using these moments to write quick little terminology lessons for everyone else.

Lesson 1: Single stack vs. double stack.

I found this handy diagram on the Code 3 Tactical Supply site.

I figured out rather quickly this had to do with the magazines and how the bullets were loaded into them.  Single stack is exactly what it sounds like, the bullets are in a single file line, one neatly on top of the other.  Double stack means that the bullets zig-zag in the magazine.  This allows for a greater amount of bullets in the same vertical space, but also results in a  wider magazine.

If you are a girl with super small hands, you will likely find a single stack gun more comfortable.  Though you have to trade capacity for small grip size.  If you aren't comfortable with the larger grip, and it throws off you aim, the extra rounds in a double stack aren't going to be much use.

A Whole New World!

For me, the greatest apprehension of this whole adventure so far has nothing to do with the shooting.  It was taking that first step into the gun store.

Crazy right?  Not for me.  I like to know where I'm going and what to expect before I get there.  I'm the type that practices conversations.  Eh, it's odd, but it's me.

But the gun store, I had no idea what to expect.  How do I act?  Are the sales people pushy like in some clothing places or non-existant like in grocery and big-box stores?  Can I touch the guns?  Oh the worry over doing something wrong!

For those of you like me a bit leery of your first (or second or third) trip to a gun store, I present my experiences. 

Does a Stylish Range Bag Exist?

One of the first things I determined after deciding that I would have my own hang gun, is that I'd need a range bag.  There's a lot of stuff to take with you to the range to shoot and it was going to need a home.  This is where I ran into my first frustration.  I had a girl moment and knew exactly what I wanted.  First, I didn't want a boring black bag.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a non-black range bag?  The ones I did fine were either huge, had not internal pockets and storage compartments, or just weren't right.  I also really wanted blue.  Yes, I'm picky.

Quick Question

So, my plan is to post about what I'm learning and trying and doing.  But for those of you following along are there any topics you'd like to see covered in particular?  I'm happy to dive in and do the leg-work as it were to try to answer questions.

Where I've Been

So, before we get into the current status, I thought I'd give you a bit of background on my background with guns.  As I mentioned before, my husband got me started into handguns, but I wasn't a complete firearms newbie.

I shot BB and pellet guns growing up, with family and at summer camps.  Fun and all, but no love affair.  When I was in high-school my local 4-H started a shotgun team/group.  I got involved in that and had a blast!  On occasion I even outshot the guys!  I confused the heck out of the leader, as I am left eye dominant, so I did everything backwards, but I think it actually makes shooting clays easier...but that's me.

Unfortunately, I only got about 2 years of that before heading out of state to college.  No shooting during those years, of really at all again until I met my husband. He insisted on my having at least enough experience/knowledge of his Beretta 92FS (9mm) that I would be more likely to shoot a bad guy than myself.   So, on one of our trips down to Geargia, we headed out to the farm and shot at a stump.

Here I have to admit being a bit leery, perhaps even a touch afraid of a hand gun.  Not having any previous experience with them I didn't know what to expect.  I don't handle unexpected well.  And no amount of reading and videos prepare you for the reality of shooting a handgun.

I hated it.  It didn't fit my hand, it jumped, it was loud, etc.  I shot two? bullets and called it done.  Earlier this year we were on the farm again shooting clays and having lots of fun.  He had the Beretta out again and I shot it again, still didn't like it, but I could mostly hit what I was aiming at.  No love affair, but I'm competent and not going to hurt myself.

Fast forward to last week.  Husband got a Glock 21(.45) in trade for some cabinent making.  True to his "everyone must be able to shoot every gun in the house" theme, I had to try it out.  So, we looked up the local indoor range and off we went.  Lo and behold, I liked it!  It was fun!  Not scary!  I killed that paper man dead!  It's a big gun and big caliber, but it was comfortable and easy to shoot. 

So, now I'm on the hunt for something to consider as my own handgun and all the gear that goes with. 

Hello World

First things first, I'm not making any promises, this blog thing has never worked long-term for me.  But I'm willing to give it another shot.

So, about me and the plan for this space.  I'm a grad student in animal nutrition (specifically ruminant energetics) but more on science later.  I've recently gotten interested in shooting handguns thanks to my husband's belief that everyone in a house should be able to shoot all the guns in it.  It started with his Walther (which I don't care for), to the Glock we recently got in a trade (which I do like), and now I'm on the hunt for something to call 'my' gun.  This blog will follow that process and then any future adventures!  Welcome to the fun!