Let me explain...no there is too much...

Let me sum up.  It's been a while.  Here's why:

1) Finished last bit of intensive research and living at the beef farm
2) Lived in the lab and office finishing lab work and writing dissertation
3) Job interviews
4) Job accepted (involves moving rather far)
5) Pack almost all belongings
6) Dissertation defense
7) Get house ready to sell

But, in the midst of all that, lots of fun firearms related stuffs have happened.  I picked out and acquired my very own pistol (any guesses?).  That deserves it's own post, and I promise to get to that ASAP.

I finished my dissertation, passed the exam, and my husband presented me with the best present ever!  My very own Cody range bag.  There is nothing not to love about this bag.  It holds everything with room to spare and has the most delightful pattern in a gold and grey color scheme.  Love love love!!!

Finally, I've been enjoying having my sister in the same town and taking her to the range for shooting fun.  We just got back from some sister bonding time at the range.  Good times!  More soon!

And then I fell in love...

So, in actuality, this was the third gun I shot on ladies night, but the story goes better if I tell you about it last.  Here's what you've been waiting for!

Isn't it pretty?  Ok, I know pretty isn't really important, but in addition to pretty, this gun fits perfectly in my hands.   In fact, it's the first single stack pistol I've every had fit my hands well.  The magazine was easy to load.

Thinking about it just now, I don't know that I've ever read anyone else commenting on the differences in magazines.  Maybe it's just me, but some of them are not so simple to load.  Take the M&P for example, after I get the first round in it's no real problem, but that first round is a struggle for me! 

Right, so back to the EMP.  Yes, that's a Springfield EMP.  It's their scaled down 1911 for 9mm rounds.  Others far more knowledgeable that I have gone through how Springfield modified the 1911 basics to make this little guy, so I'll let you read those for more detail.  Here, here, and here.

All I can tell you is what I saw and felt in the 5 shots I got.  The sights were fabulous, easy to see and aim.  The trigger was smooth, soft, and easy to pull.  More so than perhaps anything I've shot I found that I didn't think about the trigger pull.  I'm not sure how my grouping was, since the targets were pretty well used...but my last round I aimed for an un-marred part of a target and lucky shot of not, that bullet went right where I wanted it to!

But, no matter how much I loved it, I can't justify the price right now.  Especially considering that I can get two other guns for that price.  Sigh...I'll put it on the dreaming list and rent it if I get the chance. 

CCDW After-action Report

I completed the requirements for my KY CCDW license this past weekend.  All that's left now is paperwork and waiting.  I thought I'd briefly go over what the course covered.

I got really lucky and we did a small class in my living room with a good friends who is an instructor and two other friends as class-mates.  Paul had taken the CCDW course years ago and opted not to re-do it with me (Can't blame him for that, it's a little tedious!).

First up we all set our guns down on the table, mags out and chambers open, ammo in the other room.  Our instructor, John, checked and flagged them all while we were watching the law video.  After introductions and basics all around, we sat down for the two-hour video produced by the Kentucky DOJ, Criminal Justice Training Department. (According to Paul this was a 4-hour video when he took the class!)  This was the worst part of the course.  Two hours of lawyers reading you the laws.  Minimal explanation.  John pointed out that they can't explain things as this could be taken as legal advice and they don't want to do that and have it come back on them later.  But, the two hour video as pat of the course is the best way to ensure that we have all actually 'read' and are familiar with the laws.  Sigh...

 After the video things got more interesting.  We did the required basic handgun safety, going through the 60 page CCDW handbook.  This included parts of the gun, stance, grip, aiming, etc.  We also talked about the variety of ways to carry concealed and differences in  holster styles.  After discussing how to clean weapons and showing that we knew hot to disassemble and put back together our pistols, it was test time.  The written test was 25 mutliple choice questions, and really, fairly simple.  We all mamanged to get 100%.   Woot!  Then, off to the range!  Range time went just as well as the written test.  All 3 of us passed with flying colors.  No misses in all 60 rounds. 

I'm glad to have taken the course in a relaxed setting with friends, there was lots of chatting, laughter, and jokes.  All in all, not a bad way to spend a Saturday, and in 3-5 months after everything is processed, I'll be able to carry concealed.  If I so choose.  Not that I think I will right now...but the option will be there.  

Weekend in Pictures

These are from last weekend in TN.  Enjoy!  I know we did... 

Not all of these are mine, but I LOVE the splatter targets.

My first time with reactive targets.  I like to make them dance!

Scope on the .22 pistol.  It's like cheating. 

My husband with the scoped .22 match rifle.  It was subsonic, thus the lack of ear protection.