"Assault Rifles" - We're Trained

Since we already had our concealed carry pistol course under our belts, we decided to take a rifle safety course. We again chose our NRA-certified trainer, Scott Meyer.

We had about five hours of classroom instruction before going to the range. Here's Scott demonstrating the prone firing position. Always try to use your bones, i. e. elbows, knees, etc. for stable support whenever possible.

The firing range was specially bulldozed to prevent stray projectiles from escaping into the surrounding area. That screen on the red posts actually contains 32 tons of pea-gravel and will stop any bullet aimed too high for the earth berms surrounding the backstops.

We were trained on a total of six rifles of various calibers. Above is a 30-cal Henry "Cowboy Repeater" lever-action rifle. Under it is 22-cal semi-automatic rifle with a tubular magazine.

Here, Helen is aiming an M1A, the civilian version of the M14, a 30-cal rifle used by the U.S. military starting in 1957 and which still sees limited use today. Beside it on the table is a so-called "assault rifle," actually a civilian model of the "M-16" with its magazine removed. Although it looks like a machine gun, it's not. Despite what the media keeps on saying, it's still one shot per trigger pull. Eye and ear protection is strictly maintained in our range training.

Yes, you can have fun with an "assault rifle."

We tested our skill and we did pretty well. In fact, we have our test targets framed for all to see. The partitions separating the 'booths' on the firing line are also filled with gravel for safety.

Peter checked out the target with the spotting scope. He verified a near bulls-eye for Helen. Not as good a score as his double hit within one hole, but close.

Peter has fun with a Chinese rifle that even has a bayonet affixed. This was the standard weapon of the Viet Cong. Finger on the trigger is a "no-no" when not aimed and prepared to fire.

It wasn't very accurate and the trigger pull was rather vague. We were told this rifle was mainly used for laying down "suppressing fire."

We couldn't resist imitating Charlton Heston's "cold dead hands" pose with this really fine rifle, called an "assault rifle" by those who have probably never even picked one up, let alone fired one.

Journeying back east on I-66 we were led back to Washington, DC by this beautiful rainbow. All in all, a great day!