Desert freedoms

There is a sublime feeling one gets when driving through the high desert of Southern California. An area encompassing parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties holds a wondrous views. The ghostly Joshua tree yucca, scrubby chaparral creosote, and stark mountains fill your windshield with quite a soothing sight.

Finding a spot to exercise the 2nd Amendment safely with some friend was the reason for today's excursion. Nothing in the world is quite so therapeutic as a day spent at the shooting range. Our range is what may be considered impromptu or 'as you find it,' though I'm told by friends that this spot is used regularly by many desert folk. We drive far enough off of paved roads so as to be way the heck 'out of dodge' and use a mountain for our safe bullet trap. This is akin to finding a gravel pit in Alabama, box canyon in Arkansas, stern deck on open water or sandy berm in other parts of the West. 

I shot a full menu of the marksman's sports: pistol, rifle, shotgun, and bow. Having been raised on the gun, my archery skills leave a bit of room for improvement. Recently (7 years ago) being introduced to shotgun games, I also need some more practice with my scattergun: Remington 870 Express 20 gauge. The boomstick was just purchased about 3 years back to give me a reason to join Redlands Shooting Park. My specialty (if you can call it that) is that of rifleman and pistolero. 

Any boy raised in West Alabama on venison has to be a good shot with the rifle. Otherwise he quickly finds himself in the minority when classmates discuss deer, squirrel and other fine game worth skinning to eat. I haven't yet had the pleasure of roasted squirrel or brunswick stew, but would savor the opportunity to try a bite. But I digress. Rifles today ranged from .22s for plinking, to custom ARs for reaching out a bit and punching tight groups on paper. Mastering the rifle is what keeps citizens free and confident, a supreme deterrent to any two or four legged critter that would cause harm.

Whilst the rifle is borne, pistols are worn. Generally, the ignorant Hollywood writers portray a hero charging into unknown danger armed with merely a pistol. I say merely because a Rifle or shotgun would be the choice of any prudent man. Note that our soldiers and SWAT officers alike keep their pistols holstered until their Rifle has malfunctioned or run dry. Only then do they fall back to their last resort: the pistol. Getting accurate shots beyond 7 yards or 20 feet with a pistol requires extensive practice and training. On the other hand, I can teach nearly anyone with a Rifle to make hits out past 25  yards (50-100 yds w/ practice).

Much has been written extolling the virtues of Glock products. Everything you read is mostly true. Their 9mm G17 and G19 are the world standard amongst military and police. What is often neglected in this ocean of positive data, is that a full-size Colt Gov't Model feels much better to shoot. The .45ACP cartridge throws a 230 grain bullet at 850 feet per second. Our wonder-nine is slinging a 115 grain bullet approximately 1200 FPS.  The velocity difference combined with a much lighter frame makes our 9mm Glock generate way more 'felt recoil' than the venerable Colt .45 Auto.  I think John Browning got it right 102 years ago making Colt's entry for the Army pistol trials.

My host for the day was very generous with his guns and I look forward to taking my wife to this beautiful spot. The drive up is well worth it.