NJ OWLs On Target with Pistol Shooting

NJ Outdoor Women's League
On Target With Pistol Shooting
March 2004

by Jennifer Downing

NJ OWL members who attended the Pistol Shoot on Saturday March 20th, hosted by the Phillipsburg Pistol Club, had a hoot! The group of about fifteen participants converged at a dead end on Howard Street in Phillipsburg at about 10am, and were greeted by the warm and friendly Sue Bryant. Sue would be one of our instructors for the day and holds some impressive qualifications, among which is being a fellow OWL. The requisite forms were signed, snacks were laid out, and the program began with the Pledge of Allegiance - a bit of Patriotism too often neglected, on most of my days anyway.

An educational overview of pistol shooting was provided by Ken Ortbach, a bushy-bearded bear of a man who has various qualifications as long as both of his arms, and a great sense of humor! The fundamentals of pistol construction and function were covered, and a brief primer on ammunition and target sighting were included. Sue and Ken then reviewed the range rules, which clearly stressed SAFETY FIRST. Sure, we were all there to have fun, but shooting is still a serious sport, despite all the fun involved! Oh, and there was fun.

Sue Bryant explains correctly lined up sights.

I had only tried this great, but a little intimidating, sport twice before; once at the northern Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop and the other at a "Women's Day" at the Cherry Ridge Range in northern NJ. I was looking forward to this day, particularly because I had so enjoyed my brief exposure to target shooting, I was in the process of deciding if I should complete the process of obtaining a NJ Firearms Purchaser ID Card, and was considering the possibility of purchasing a pistol. (Now I think I've decided to!)

Members practice how to grip a pistol before they handle the real thing.

Ken, Sue, and volunteer instructors (including active members, current trustees, and former presidents of the club) Jerry Gilluly, Jim Morgan, Joe Barna, and Rich Abbate, were all on hand to instruct, encourage, or inform us. Let me tell you, this is a great group of folks and, if I lived closer than an hour and forty-five away, I would join the club in a heartbeat!

Ken shows Jennifer how to grip a pistol.

I found myself apologizing more than once for my overall ignorance and fumbling ineptitude, and was met with nothing but support and tolerance.

Ken offers pointers while Kristine benches off a sand bag.

The pistols that were generously provided for the indoor range by these club members (and even from fellow OWL members), included .22 caliber Rugers and Brownings, and .38 and .357 caliber revolvers. As for the treat which ended the day for some of us at the outside range..well, I'll get to that in a minute!

Sue shows Larissa how to load the pistol.

We had the opportunity to shoot paper first, then steel targets in circular and fun shapes like rams, chickens, pigs, and turkeys. There were also these neat diamonds, which dangled from the ceiling on chains and swung around when you hit them. What a gratifying experience!

Dolores lines 'em up.

Weird things can happen, though. For example, I can now attest to the fact that an ejected cartridge from a .22 caliber pistol is really HOT; especially when it finds its way unexpectedly into your bra! Yes, I had the presence of mind to set down the .357 that I was using at the time, but with my finger a little too close to the trigger for Sue's liking when I did so! Yep, it's hot alright!

Diane, with Sue, having a blast pistol shooting.

I was still shooting the .357 when I heard the loud report of the "treat" outside pound its sound waves through the steel walls of the indoor range. My shoot came to a fairly quick close when I just had to see the "thing" outside. In the words of a kid who had been playing in the woods outside the range area, but near enough to hear, "WOW!!!". There really was no other initial response to Ken's .44 Magnum. Now THAT is a lot of gun. (Notice I did not say pistol this time.) Well, I just had to try shooting it!

Lined up on the range.

First, Ken suggested a dry firing - one without ammunition. This is a heavy gun and, once you raise your arms and look through the scope and center the crosshairs on the target, it mysteriously begins to wobble around. So the "trick" is to raise the .44, cock the hammer, aim, and shoot as quickly as safely possible. I raised and cocked. I depressed the trigger (notice I did not say "pulled" which actually jerks the weapon and messes up the "follow through" which causes you, ahem, or rather, me, to miss the target.).

Sue with a nice group!

Well, I guess I watch too much Everybody Loves Raymond on TV because when the .44 went off (yes, it was a surprise, which Ken says it should be), I found myself yelling a Frank Barone style "Holy crap!!!!!!" It was an unladylike, inadvertent expletive (and could have been much worse under the circumstances). Yep. It's quite a feeling. Kind of scary, and VERY exhilarating, especially when I hit the target!!!

Evelyn re-setting the silhouette targets.

Emboldened by the experience and figuring Jerry's .44 might be a little tamer; after all, it looked smaller and more compact, I decided to try it out. Kicked like a wild mustang!! I gotta develop a better grip. Maybe if I had a glove or something.? Anyway, with no scope on that one, I didn't come near the target. This time. There's always something to strive for, eh?

Judy (right) and Dorothy on the range.

So, I guess the message to my fellow OWLs is, if you find yourself curious about trying out shooting as a sport, or wondering if you need the protection of a firearm, take advantage of wonderful opportunities such as this one to find out.

Judy shooting the legendary .44 Magnum!

Judy shows Ken the group she shot with the .44.

Cathy will seemingly miraculously find the opportunities and faithfully document them on film, and you may have the time of your life!

Also, feel free to visit the www.PhillipsburgPistolClub.com website for information on membership, upcoming events, classes, and NRA information. I don't think you'll be disappointed.