My pictures: Son of a Gun

Anni and Shamit (NY boys) and Abhinav (recently NYorker) had come over to see the countryside, so we had gone to a Winery. Later in the day decided to try our hands at shooting. Set the address for French Creek in the GPS. It took us to a shopping mall. Yeah, the shooting range was inside a shopping mall, go figure. It was actually at the back of a mountaineering store.

Signed the consent forms and picked up guns that were on display. Murali had been to a shooting range before, so the instructor teamed me up with him. The instructor gave us 50 9mm bullets. I made the mistake of going inside without wearing my earmuffs. The moment I step inside the sound of gunshot scared the living hell out of me. Saying that I flinched would be grossly understating it. Almost jumped.

Loaded the magazine with 15 9mms, locked it in the stock, pressed the glide stop. Took my position. An now the moment of truth.....(drum rolls........slowly fading drum rolls...)

click......click,click....(more clicks)

I know what you are thinking, guns don't go click click... they go BANG!!! BANG!!! (or dishkaun!!! dishkaun!!! as in hindi movies). But it did click.. :( Your guess is as good as mine, the safety lock was on. Called in the instructor to fix it for me didn't want to fool around with a loaded gun.

Held the gun, aimed at the target..Drum rolls.... (again please) and
BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bullet shot through the barrel and pierced the target, the gun recolied, shooting a pulse of adrenalin originating at finger tips and radiating throughout the body. Stood there stationary enjoying the moment. I had fired my first shot. 14 more shots followed, some hit the target most didnt, but who cares. With each shot all the bullet metaphors made more sense.

A few rounds later got a hang of it. Hit the bullseye Thrice, the bullseye and I am not talking about hitting the edge of the bullseye or near the bullseye.. hit it dead center. Let me paint the picture for you, if I have a gun (and licenced to kill) and you really piss me off. I could shoot you in the head 18 times and 3 of those would be right between your eyes*.

On the last round hit 5/8 shots in and around the red mark. Lo and Behold! the Son of Gun has arrived.