Gun-a-Day 31: TO3-78 & the January, 2011, Family Photo
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The combination of reliability, economy, durability, and affordability makes this rifle a tremendous value for most anyone who wants to have fun shooting .22LR’s for fun or profit. It doesn’t need my recommendation or endorsement, but I sure do offer both to anyone interested in getting the most out of a gun-buying dollar and a gun-firing minute.
The steady, light, chilly rain was falling under a grayed-out canopy of clouds this morning as I went out with the safety on and only 10 rounds in a curved magazine. I found a pine tree at my 50-yard firing line and took a supported-standing position with my eyes on the little red plastic soda cup lid in front of the woodpile backstop. The scope covers were never opened. Today was all about the adjustable iron sights on this tough little Russian gun.
My semi-auto Browning Sporter may still be King of the Cabinet when the Zombie Squirrel Horde is on the loose, but this gun is the sentimental favorite– my Tovarisch! “TOZ-vidanya.”
Shot o’the Day: It’s the January Family Photo! What an odd-looking clan, huh? They’re quite a random conglomeration of styles and purposes and personalities …
In all, I was privileged to put 12 guns to work this month, and it was not unwelcome work in any way for me. Seven rifles (and one is also a .410 shotgun) and five pistols were put to the test, and they passed with distinction, even when I didn’t always excel in my own results. I love a good test of just about any kind at just about any time, and I loved seeing what I could do without worrying about needing to impress anyone (including myself). I wanted the chance to get out every day and do something with my guns, and I hoped to learn some things in the process. I certainly have learned a great deal, and I am very, very thankful that January worked out so well.
And, hey, how ’bout this target? Six shots from 50 yards are clearly on the target with the regular sights. It’s a bit wider than a squirrel’s center mass, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been to feeling like I could ethically and responsibly take a 50-yard shot at a varmint/pest, and that’s one of the very welcome results of this first month of the Gun-a-Day project.
Wait. Did I say six shots on target? Isn’t it amazing that I managed to get all of the other four through that straw-hole opening there at 7 o’clock?! Is that some remarkable shooting, or what?!
Yeah … right. 🙂
No, I can deal with– if not exactly accept– a 60% success rate today, knowing that I have a chance to do better next time I try to make my allergy-watery eyes work with the surprisingly accurate standard sights on this unassuming, understated, over-achieving rifle.
It’s not exactly the smartest idea to buy firearms on a whim, but this is one impulse transaction that I’m more and more grateful to have completed. It has been a great help in my training and learning process.
Lord willing, I’ll be even better prepared and consistently accurate as the days and weeks add up. If I am able to reach the 365-days of shooting goal, then I’ll know that I have made the most of the blessings I receive on a daily basis.
How am I thankful? Let me count the ways.
1. The blessing of abundance which makes this project possible. My small income and many work hours still affords me so much more luxury than so many others in the world. I do not take that for granted.
2. The blessing of health which makes this project manageable. I’m overweight and under-trained and the quality-control inspector was on a smoke break when my bones were “knit together,” but I’m able to stubbornly and happily do the things I enjoy and then complain about the aches and pains at will. I do not miss the significance of that opportunity.
3. The blessing of interest and enthusiasm for target shooting which was always in the back of my mind but was encouraged and supported by my good friend, Russ. I do not pretend that I’m a self-sufficient lone wolf.
4. The blessing of a property where I can walk out the kitchen door and be on my own private range and hunting ground. My wife and I have worked so hard for so long to have this modest little place, and we know that it did not come to us for any reason other than God’s provision and direction.
5. Of course, the blessing of our nation’s freedom is so crucial to this whole situation. I do not mistakenly disregard the value and the genius of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the foundational Amendments which have proven so resilient and dynamic for 200+ years and counting …
6. Last and most important, I’m humbled by the blessing of safety over all of these days and all of this activity with my firearms. I do not confuse the difference between God’s amazing grace and my own careful but inevitably-human-so-therefore-fallible safety efforts. I have to be vigilantly cautious and constantly responsible, but ultimately only God can be credited for any safety and success I experience.