Dogs sometimes fight. Fortunately, those folks are rarely serious and sensible humans can usually separate them without undo risk. Unless you happen to be an ATF agent walking his dog on a school playground. In that case, the interaction can turn deadl…

Dogs sometimes fight. Fortunately, those folks are rarely serious and sensible humans can usually separate them without undo risk. Unless you happen to be an ATF agent walking his dog on a school playground. In that case, the interaction can turn deadl…

Well, not quite, but to read the hype one would think killer robots were walking the streets shooting their human creators. Some guy hooked up an airsoft gun and a solenoid to a Google Home and shot an apple off a pedestal. I’m hardly impressed.This cr…

The monthly IDPA match at Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club was held this past Saturday. The new shooting bays at the club are finally (almost) finished and this was the first IDPA match to be held in them. I was looking forward to seeing the new setup.&n…

That’s right, I said Budweiser. Anheuser-Busch has released a limited edition Amber Ale for the summer. Freedom Reserve Red Lager is said to have been inspired by a beer recipe written by George Washington himself. Washington’s recipe for sma…

On this long Memorial Day weekend, Americans stop to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. It is their sacrifices that helped to preserve the freedoms we cherish and enjoy today.Sadly, there are too many peo…

I finally got around to to hitting the range with that Mossberg M590 Shockwave I won in the drawing at the Chesapeake Cup in February. In all honesty, I’ve been avoiding it to some degree. I wasn’t really sure how to shoot the thing, and have spent a lot of time viewing videos online and dry firing in front of a mirror. Now a bit more confident, I took it down to Winding Brook for some live fire.

Confirming the range allowed the gun to be shot, I was reminded that only “aimed fire” was permitted, no shooting from the hip. I had assumed that already, and in fact what I had planned. I had brought along a mix of 00 buckshot and slugs, the only shotgun ammo the range permits.

With the target at five yards, I loaded a round of the 00 Buckshot. I noticed that a second RO had appeared behind me, presumably to confirm my safety and obedience. I was pleased to see the shot pattern pretty well centered on the target, with the wad hole off to the right. A second shot found better placement. I then moved to the slugs. For each shot, I loaded a single round in the gun. I didn’t want to have to unload if I decided I had had enough. The next few shots started drifting high and left; I think I was starting to think too much about the gun’s relation to my face — even though I was having no issues — and pushing the grip out.

After a few more practice rounds, I bagged the shotgun and switched to the handgun, shooting the SIG P320. I shot another 150 rounds with the pistol, at 7 – 15 yards, and was pretty much at my limit of endurance. However, I still had a some loose shotgun slugs left in my bag, so I opted to destroy my pistol target with a few more shots from the Shockwave.

It was a short session. Literally. When I got back to my car I realized I had only spent about 30 minutes total in the range. No wonder I was tired! The Mossberg Shockwave was not overly difficult to shoot. I’d even call it fun to a point. I need a lot more practice before I would consider myself prepared to rely on it for home self defense. I am also reminded that it’s been a long time since I did any shotgun work, so maybe it’s time…

Not much in the way of blog-worthy events of late. So we’ll just enjoy some Monday blues…At least we’re counting down to a three day weekend!
[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

I’m a fan of specialized glassware, I admit it. However, this helix spinning whiskey glass seems like an accident waiting to happen.I envision myself sitting in my favorite chair, whiskey glass on the side table. Out of the corner of my eye I spy …

My son and I headed down to the range after work to get in a little more “father & son” shooting time before he heads back to school next week. I opted to take along my Compact SIG P320 this time. I had not shot the gun since the Chesapeake Cup mat…