Handsome. Elegant. Perfectly proportioned in relationship to my short self. A second date at Occupy Peacemaker, and I was sure. Once again Murphy’s Law stepped in, and he returned from his Christmas trip home with my new love:
Absolutely beautiful M-1 carbine made by Plainfield Machine Co. Wood in perfect condition. Barely used. Feels wonderful, like it was made just for me. Shoots like a dream.
Today was range day, a perfect day for it, and I took possession of my new love. Much pistol work first, with some training from ML on close encounters of the drawing your concealed weapon kind, as well as a lesson in retention. (Note to self - purchase real leather belt this weekend. This imitation crap can't take the stress.) I am not a good multi-tasker; pushing away with left hand and stepping back while sweeping shirt/jacket back and drawing and firing is going to require practice. And yes, yes I can draw the .38 and find it in my hand with my shirt still wrapped around it. In real life I hope I would have enough presence of mind (or enough sense of self preservation) to fire anyway but I wasn't going to put a hole in a perfectly good shirt for training. ML had also repaired the H&R .22 and it is amazing how different it feels after several months of using firearms - it feels fine now whereas at first I didn't like it. I still can't use it double action - I can pull that trigger way back but not quite far enough. But single action feels good.
Finally, the M-1. First time up - 25 yards:
50 yards:
100 yards (the shot in the 7 ring at about 11 o'clock is from ML's Springfield, which he was sighting):
I'm happy and excited - it was a terrific day at the range. Thanks, Murphy's Law, for bringing my baby home and showing me how to properly use it. Thanks, Aaron of the Shekel, for parting with such a fine gun.
Now I gotta go clean a bunch of guns...
