[Scharfschütze]

We took our 2 German exchange students to the range today. After instruction in German and English on the history of St. John M. Browning and the inner workings of the M1911 pistol, progressing to the achievements of Mr. John C. Garand and the M1 rifle, and ending with the product of Mr. Eugene Stoner and the M16/AR 15 series of rifles and carbines, we went forth from the heated clubhouse onto the freezing 100 yd range. It was snowing(didn't stick) and 34 degrees; due to the humidity the Germans think it is colder here than in their home state of Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine Westphalia). First we fired the pistols (also brought along a High Standard Double 9 .22 revolver) at 10 yards. Amazing how easy it is to train teenage boys who literally never were permitted to even play with toy guns. All were impressed with the .45 ACP.
Backing up to 100 for the rifles, der Junge took over the instruction, in "Deuglisch", and fired a 100-6x with a Rock River Arms NM AR (showoff), then handed it off to the Krauts I mean Germans who proceeded to acquit themselves quite well, both keeping the rifle mostly in the black, albeit from sandbags. Finally, they fired the M1, actually stayed on target, and were impressed by the Ruckstoss. We then retreated back into the clubhouse for a discussion on firearms rights in the USA and Deutschland.
A good day. These young men will go back home with a positive impression of firearms and their use in the USA.
I'll post photos when they send them to me.

 

[ree_countrygirl]

sounds like an awesome day!!!!!!!

 

[PhillipM]

Well done, Phillip. I was in the neighborhood today, it was indeed a bit nippy.

 

[captain-03]

EXCELLENT - International diplomacy at its finest!! I, too, was down your way yesterday and today!!

 

[Scharfschütze]

Captain give me a call if you want to meet up at the SWGC clubhouse, especially while I have time for such during the school break! You too Phillip! The weather was kinda brutal but teenage boys can handle it, so I just pretended it didn't bother me...but I admit I was the first in the clubhouse between firing sessions!

 

[Beladran]

did anyone show them the ole rubber band around the trigger trick on the AR???

 

[PhillipM]

Captain give me a call if you want to meet up at the SWGC clubhouse, especially while I have time for such during the school break! You too Phillip! The weather was kinda brutal but teenage boys can handle it, so I just pretended it didn't bother me...but I admit I was the first in the clubhouse between firing sessions!

Maybe we can arrange a little shooting with Doug and his new H&R? Something informal with bags and benches maybe?

 

[Scharfschütze]

Nope- Didn't want to corrupt them too much ...already worried about the GSR on their jackets when they go through the TSA checkpoints next week to fly out - !

 

[Scharfschütze]

Captain give me a call if you want to meet up at the SWGC clubhouse, especially while I have time for such during the school break! You too Phillip! The weather was kinda brutal but teenage boys can handle it, so I just pretended it didn't bother me...but I admit I was the first in the clubhouse between firing sessions!

Maybe we can arrange a little shooting with Doug and his new H&R? Something informal with bags and benches maybe?

Sounds good, Doug got me some CMP goodies (no rifles, unfortunately) while he was there so let's get together when his H&R shows up! Still playing with my "new" M1; it's still settling into the stock. But I have patience and will continue to run rounds through it...oh the burden of being an M1 shooter...

 

[nonnieselman]

Nope- Didn't want to corrupt them too much ...already worried about the GSR on their jackets when they go through the TSA checkpoints next week to fly out - !

I use to fly all the time with my last job, never had a problem with GSR on my clothes, thank goodness.
Shooting all weekend and then flying back out on Monday, i never thought of that being a problem...


Its fun teaching a nonshooter or a gun hater how to safely handle a firearm. It doesnt take long to turn them into a gun nut.

 

[jbpmidas]

Sounds like a good day, weather not with standing!

 

[Xd357]

Very cool! Sounds like y'all had a good time.

 

[crossedcannons45]

Awesome!

Sounds like this time went much better than the last time M1s and 1911s were used for U.S./German "diplomacy"

 

[Scharfschütze]

Yep, got that right.
And they have plenty of photos to amuse / horrify (German society is not very gun-friendly) friends back home. Both of the Germans' grandfathers fought in the war, I am sure they will recognize both a 1911 pistol and an M1 Garand.