I just taught the Army to shoot... sort of.

[Tower75]

Ok, so I have literally got back from the rifle range and I thought I'd share.

Today my club was down range blatting off rounds at 300 yards. We were sharing the range-complex with the Territorial Army. My club was approached by one of their sergeants and one private who was probably about my age.

This was just after one detail had finished and the target-pullers had just swapped over. During the break we got chatting to the NCO and squaddie. They had come over to see what he had.

Turns out they were interested in mil-surp. I let them have a look at my No1 MkIII - the seageant took it and had a look at it. What amazed me was that he had no idea how the iron-sights were adjusted and I had to explain what a magazine cut-off was, and what the intended purpose was.

I asked the two if they wanted a go with my No1 and G98 Mauser - both of them clearly hadn't expected to shoot any of them and jumped at the chance.

The NCO was very interested in the No1, and kept asking question about it - he kept calling the iron-sights "pistol" sights, which I guess makes sense as the only iron-sights they play with are on pistols.

I felt like a bit of a prat because how do you turn to a sergeant and ask "do you know how to use iron-sights?" He enjoyed the No1, but preferred the G98, even though he didn't hit the target with it

It felt so odd teaching a sergeant of the Army how to shoot a rifle, I don't know what I was expecting, but something in me told me that I shouldn't have to, in fact, he can probably teach me. But I guess, if you've shot nothing but SA80s then a WWI bolt-action will be a very strange beast. The good news, though, was that they knew how to work a bolt action.

The private I had to coach as he had never fired with iron-sights at all. I think the recoil of the .303 and the 7.92mm took him by surprise.

But they both had huge grins on their faces and the sergeant said that he would speak to his CO when he gets back and will see if their unit can come down and bring their SA80A2s for us to try... and they can try our .303s :lol:

Anyway, thought I'd share.

[ovenpaa]

Sounds like you had a great time :goodjob:

This is exactly how I first got to know the Danish Army. I was at the 600m firing point and suddenly had a feeling I was being watched, peering over my shoulder I spotted some Danish infantry NCO's watching and after a fairly poor exchange in Danish we shifted to English and had a chat. 600m was along way to them and they had never fired bolt action rifles, so I radioed the Viking to tell her new shooters on the point and introduced them to my AI. We had great fun, they babbled away, I taught them as best I could and Christel measured groups to make it more interesting, sadly all too soon it was over but they were soon back with an Officer who also had a try, since then we have always been welcomed with open arms. Christel and I have shot many things since and I compete for cigarettes and English pride. Notables include an LMV on full auto, a variety of Diemaco's and Colt's at anything from 200m to 600m, they throw me loaded magazines and I shoot. Also the TRG42 .338LM with the sniper teams. These days I know some of the weapons instructors by first name am offered cakes and cigs whenever we show up and get to shoot in all sorts of interesting scenario's.

Being nice on the range costs nothing and can seriously pay dividends.

[Dellboy]

thats what shootings all about in my book

[ovenpaa]

The odd thing is I will happily give anyone a go on my rifles but I hate asking to try someone else’s.

[bobbob]

Tower.75

For some reason your post has left me with a big grin. Hope it leads to you spending more time swapping rifles and chat.

[Christel]

This is great stuff.

Hope you have many more encounters of this ilk.

Moved the thread

[Tower75]

That's a cool story, overpaa. I would agree too, I always offer my guns up, but find it hard saying "Err... can I 'ave a go please?" to other people.

The two squaddies shooting ate up about 40 minutes of my 1Hr 30 minute details, but it was worth it to see a 35yo sergeant grinning like a child.

Tower.75
For some reason your post has left me with a big grin. Hope it leads to you spending more time swapping rifles and chat.

Me too - would be fun to play with an SA80A2, even if it is a pop gun :shifty: :lol:

This is great stuff.

Hope you have many more encounters of this ilk.

Moved the thread

Thanks, christel. I didn't know where to put it

[tony1]

Hi excuse my ignorance but I did not no I could let some else use my rifle to have ago with.

[Robin128]

Hi excuse my ignorance but I did not no I could let some else use my rifle to have ago with.

Welcome to the forum Tony1.

Assumption...someone else not having a FAC.

Provided it's a Home Office approved range and not a s1 shotgun or a LBR.

[StanDeasy]

Hi excuse my ignorance but I did not no I could let some else use my rifle to have ago with.

Welcome to the forum Tony1.

Assumption...someone else not having a FAC.

Provided it's a Home Office approved range and not a s1 shotgun or a LBR.

Didn't know the Home Office "approved" ranges. - Do you mean Home Office approved club?