"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." ~~Thomas Jefferson

"Who will protect us from those who protect us?"

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. ~ Thomas Jefferson

"None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free." ~~Goethe

25 November 2012

My helper...

 A little Hoppe's #9...
Through the bore...
 A clean patch...
 Ready to push the rod through...
 Another clean patch...
Wiping the bolt...


The oldest son and I went to the range yesterday.  It was 22* outside with a bit of a breeze out of the southwest, or a quartering tailwind...  The son had the 100 yard lane, I had the 250 yard lane right next to him.  I wasn't impressed with my shooting.  Yeah, I hit the target every time.  Just not where I wanted to hit it.  Oh well.  I took both Remington 700s and a bunch of ammo I had reloaded.   I guess we all have our bad days...  :(

When we came home I started to clean and tumble brass.  The grand-daughter wanted to help.  I think she liked the idea of having her hands in the corn cob media while the tumbler was running.  She did alright pulling the lever to full length size .223 brass but the .308 was a bit tougher for her.  She stuck with it!

She spent the night and wanted to help clean rifles this morning.  She is learning!  I guess I should purchase a fiberglass rod or a bore guide, though.  She doesn't finesse the rod into the chamber and bore...  More like the proverbial bull in the china shop.

Anyway, she is learning.  She seems to want to do whatever "Papa" is doing.

Life is good.

Stay safe.


17 comments:

Walter Zoomie said...

That is atrocious and horrific what you allow that innocent little girl to do!

The authorities have been informed and are en-route...

chinasyndrome said...

Good job Blue! I think children who are taught to handle and use guns properly are way better off than those whose parents lock up the guns and say they are dangerous don't touch. Tell a kid don't touch,well they will do their best to get at that forbidden fruit!

China
III

Blue said...

Thank you, Adrienne. She is a good girl.

Damn, Zoomie, so quick? So efficient? Something about that doesn't seem right.

China, she goes to the range with us. She is well versed in firearm safety. She is learning. :) Oh! And I agree with all you said. She is being taught the same way my G'pa taught me.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome!
I have a grand daughter that will be 6 in January and I want to get her started, how would you recommend going about that Blue?

Blue said...

Miss V... My G'pa gave me a Stevens .22-.410 when I was 5 or 6 and let me carry it hunting with him and his cronies. It was unloaded, of course, but heavier than hell (when I was 5 or 6:). When we were done hunting we would go off to the side of the field and shoot tin cans with the .22. When we got home I'd clean it and oil it and put it away. It always stood in the closet next to his 12 gauge. I have 5 younger brothers and sisters and none of us would have thought of touching those guns. We knew they weren't toys. On Saturday nights when I stayed with my Grandparents, cleaning that gun became a ritual for me, always in my Grandpa's presence.

We take Little Miss to the range with us. We teach her safety. We let her sit in either her dad's lap or my lap and shoot.

I just bought her a BB gun for Christmas. If that goes well, which I believe it will, I will buy her a single shot bolt action .22 for her birthday in October.

Perhaps someday she will have the gun my Grandpa gave me.

I think the key is to teach them that guns aren't toys. Teach them the 4 rules of gun safety. Teach them to respect guns, not to fear them. Take them plinking. Let them clean them. Most of all, talk to them. Show them what they are capable of.

It's time spent with the grand daughter. What could be better? :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks Blue. I appreciate you taking the time to give me the info.

Blue said...

:)

You're welcome.

I don't think it's rocket science or brain surgery. The firearm is a tool. It is as safe as the person handling it. And as safe as the person teaching and overseeing their use.

Brock Townsend said...

Awwwww. Sugar and spice and everything nice. My fifth girl is now 16 and I'm sad. I like them around 5 or 6 when they love their Daddy!:)

Blue said...

Little Miss is 6 and still loves her Papa :)

They all grow up though, don't they?

Brock Townsend said...

Unfortunately.:)

David said...

I guess I got my son started a little late. I didn't give him his first rifle (a .22 lever action) until his 9th birthday. I gave him my 1911, on his 16th birthday.

David said...

Buy a bore snake, if your concerned about muzzle damage.

Blue said...

David... And now he's a Marine. How 'bout that! :)

I have a bore snake in my range bag. I just thought that she needs to learn to use the rod and patches. Good for the soul, ya know. I did end up going out and buying a carbon rod with a brass tip. It's actually just a little bit flexible. :)

David aka True Blue Sam said...

You are blessed. Get her a 10/22 and trick it out!

Blue said...

Sam... A 10/22 would be a nice rifle for Papa :) Might be a bit large for the young 'un yet.

Anonymous said...

An eye dropper for the Hobbe's #9? I dunk the whole patch and tip in the bottle.

Brock Townsend said...

I remember getting hops from an assault helicopter group on Bien Hoa and the door gunners would dip their whole piece into a 50 gallon drum full of oil. The other thing I remember, strangely enough, was that their boots looked liked they hadn't been shined from day one.:)