I like to PEW PEW PEW, or how i learn to stop worrying and love the SKS

It may be perhaps bad timing to write about firearms, with the attack in Ottawa which took Cpl. Nathan Cirillio's life.  It was a senseless act of violence by a low life moron and petty criminal. I was not removed from this event as I live and work right downtown Ottawa.  I was directly affected by it, being 4 blocks south of that event, on Elgin.  If you don't know Elgin, it's uphill from work and a you can see the Cenotaph... so it's close. This is the day after, with flags at half mast at around 2pm.  it was gloomy all day.

We can't give in to fear. We shouldn't have to change our way of life.  I won't.  So I went to the range today. 

 My previous range day (un-recorded) was putting a bunch of lead downrange with the AR-7 to see what ammo it liked, how well it shot, etc.
I shot low for most of it.  I think my sights are off, I'll have to bench rest it.  Gun didn't perform well, a lot of fail to eject (FTE), a few fail to fire (FTF) and quite a few fail to load.  I'll have to strip it down, make sure everything is good and give it another try.

Enough about the little .22LR pea shooter, and on to a big more PEW PEW.  The Russian SKS.

1951 Russian SKS

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It's a 1951 russian SKS I got at Westrifle.  I heard good things about them and everything you heard is true.  Great place to buy from. When i received the rifle it was in ready to shoot condition.  Clean as a whistle and oiled nicely.  
I also purchased some ammunition for SFRC.  Russian 7.62x39 FMJ in big green spam cans.  When I opened up a can (made in 1968?) it still had that vacuum fresh sound.  I could only hope the ammo was stored properly and worked well.

That's what 1400 rounds of 7.62x39 looks like

 When I was familiarizing myself with the firearm, I locked the bolt back and couldn't figure out how to close the action. I opened the drop magazine and noticed it would close, so I let the bolt slam home... and the trigger and magazine fell out of the gun. hah.   Popped everything back into place and cleaned the barrel with a few patches.  5 patches and clean.  

I had to trust my own skill on putting it together and making sure it's a safe firearm.  I'm the safety after all. I can't always rely on mechanical safeties or not know if the firearm is safe to shoot.  

Shiny copper washed Russian military surplus 7.62x39 FMJ (lead core)

I drove to the range, signed in and noticed how busy it was! Two ranges were in a discipline shoot (IDPA halloween shoot), 5 stand open, The rifle range had some folks and three of the 4 other ranges had folks.  I Found a range that was free! score.  

I set myself up, loaded up the stripper clips and put up my target at the back berm, about 40 yards away.  

120 feet away doesn't look far away, but its hard to see a 2"x2" square 120 feet away.  Now hit it with a projectile which is 3/4 of a centimeter wide. that's a bit bigger than a quarter inch.
I rammed 5 bullets into the magwell, let the bolt slam home and and took shot.  Glad I put the gun back together correctly, and it didn't blow up in my face. I actually hit the target.  Today was not an accuracy test, It was to get a feel for the rifle.

Target 1, 9/10
Target 2 10/10

Target 3, 8/10
Target 4, 7/10

 This wasn't a target shoot.  This was the first time I've ever shot a centre fire rifle before.  So not bad.
for the next 4, i put two targets on top of each other and wasn't about precisions but all about the familiarization of the firearm and myself.  So I blasted away.

I know, not that impressive.  Well, for the first time I shot a center rifle in the standing position at 120' away with a 1951 russian built rifle and 1968 ammunition with iron sights... I think I did ok.

Out of 200 rounds, there were no issues whatsoever.  It was a good day.

I have no idea what I'm doing

It's true.  I have no idea what I'm doing.  I sit and think about something for months and years until i do something about it.  Last time was motorcycling... It's a passion of mine and very much part of me and who I am. Hell, it has helped shape me into the person I am today.

For years, I've been wanting to do some shooting but always found an excuse to put it aside.

I took the CFSC (canadian firearms safety course) earlier this year and passed both restricted (handguns) and nonrestricted (long guns) to get my PAL (possession and acquisition license).

Canada has a very large gun culture and many Canadians and foreigners alike do not realize this.  Many are afraid of guns in many countries, Canada being one of them.

Gun Education 101:
Let's start by saying this: guns are NOT inherently dangerous.  An unloaded rifle sitting in a corner is no more dangerous than a chair, an ottoman or mug of cold coffee.  It's an inanimate object that will do no damage. People have a deep seated fear of guns, which I believe media has a lot to do with it.

If i were to compare my motorcycle to a rifle, there are many similarities one can find, depending on their <usually> uneducated view.

Remember, law abiding citizens don't normally go on a rampage, and if they do the rifle is just the weapon of choice and an extension of themselves. If someone doesn't have a gun, they will use the next available weapon.

"Guns don't kill people, people kill people!" this is utter bullshit. it should be "Guns don't kill people, people with guns and bullets who are mental kill people".

It's just a tool. nothing more.

The hobby

I'll be honest... I don't know what I'm looking for in this hobby.  Precision? Mental discipline? Relaxation?
I'm not sure, but I will find out.  As with anything, you need tools to do the job.  Working on my toolkit now and had to buy my first set of tools.

The rifle:
Savage Mark II BGTVXP (.22LR rimfire)

I figured that this setup would help get me out of the gate with a dependable rifle that has been tried and tested. Also cost.  .22LR ammo is very cheap compared to a centrefire rifle.

I received a spotting scope through work for my 15th anniversary.  I bought a cheap hardcase  for storage and travel. 25x-75x 70MM. Not the best  but it was free!  I can also put an attachment for a digital SLR so i can shoot the moon. hah.

last but not least, the toy:
Henry U.S. Survival AR7 .22 LR semi-auto.

Compact little unit, no bigger than 16.5" when broken down. This will be able to fit in my motorcycle luggage.

Many will say this - "You don't need a gun in canada."
Need? that depends for what.

I don't need a gun for what most people think.  Many out there think that hunting should be illegal and we should all buy our meat in grocery stores.
Guess what.  They don't make meat, they kill it. stop deluding yourselves as to where the food comes from.

For the sport of shooting, you kinda need a gun.  I want to place a .22LR bullet consistently at 200 yards. it's my personal goal.  I can't throw a little piece of lead 200 yards.

Well, that's my new hobby  Will I be good at it? Will I even like it?  Time will tell.

for the haters out there:

haters gonna hate.