[Tony1990]

Howdy.
It has been a rough few days for me nursing my hurt pride. That is what happens when you do something so dumb that no matter how hard you try, you find it very difficult to believe that you could be that dumb.
I fired my first weapon, a 30 cal carbine M1 semi auto at Lackland AFB, SA for my basic training and enjoyed it so much I have been shooting ever since. So I should better.
A few days ago, I went to try out a new outdoor gun range and I was excited about it. There were a bunch metal targets lined up so you could hear your hits while moving and knowing you did hit the target by the sound of the ding. Well I was doing great hitting them while moving until I put a fresh mag in and fired, the slide hit my thumb and it that hurt. I lost part of my thumb nail, but no real damage except to my pride. I knew better than to fire before my grip was set. Dumb. Goes to show me that I had better remember to be completely set before I fire and not just aim and fire. I will be practicing moving and firing so this will not happen to me again.
My pride feels better now that I told the world how careless I was and maybe it will keep someone else from getting hurt by not doing what you been training to do.
So be careful and do not get too excited of going to a new range that your mind gets set in the Dumb position.
Be safe and enjoy shooting.

 

[9UC]

Hey there Tony. Ya' talking about my favorite and only rifle, an Inland M1 30 cal that I picked up by chance a few years back. It wasn't my first with the AF, that goes to go the original style M16A1. In the so called combat course the Security Police had to go through prior to being deployed to Nam was my intro to the M1, but using blanks. When I got back form Nam in Jan '68, I got stuck at Loring AFB, ME and in addition to being issued the an old worn out S&W 38, we were issued the M2 version. Fell in love with it, and after many years I was finally able to get one. It had been sportsterized, but after some searching, I was able to return it to near original condition.

 

[Tony1990]

Hi 9UC, been to Loring AFB back then when I had a lot of hair on my head.
You got to use the M2 full auto version boy who the heck did you know with the pull to issue you one. Wow.
Nice that you were able to pick one up for yourself.
Have a great weekend.
tony

 

[9UC]

Actually, in Jan of '69 when I returned from Nam it was standard issue for all SPs. The AF, in one of it's less than stellar moves, had shipped all M16s to Nam and it was never really explained. Only had one training session with it on full auto, but it was a blast. Not willing to go through the hassles of getting the permits for full auto, but it was to my gain for gun knowledge and to he honest, I liked it far better than the M16.