Yes. And it was glorious.
Had been trying to schedule a trip with my son (12), his friend who happens to be a girl (that’s all I’m allowed to call it), and her dad. We’ve been postponed twice in the last month, once for rain and once for her breaking a finger on her shooting hand. So, today was the day. After I’d inquired to see if they had any interest, it turns out he’s a competitive pistol shooter that several people here (
@FatboyFlash &
@Mike Overlay among probably others) know. I’m hoping he joins up here...said he was on CSF but didn’t know this place existed. Let me see if I can remember all the details.
I know my son and I started with Chick-Fil-A on the way. Yummmmm...chicken minis!! Got to PHA and the gate was open. Turns out there was a plate match, using the bay we’d hoped to be in. I usually go during the week, so I’d checked the website and there was nothing on the calendar for today, and nothing under upcoming events. But evidently they have the match on the first Sat of each month.
Anyway...we decided to start at the rimfire range instead. We let the kiddos start out with the suppressed bolt guns. RAR w/ Sparrow and CZ 455 Tacticool w/ Element 2. She had never shot a rifle before, or used a scope, but it didn’t take long for her to get it down. Neither of them had ever shot a silencer. We shot mainly CCI SV, but used some AE HV and he was amazed at the difference with the sonic crack.
Took a couple breaks to shoot my GSG 1911-22 w/ Spectre, my S&W M&P 22 compact w/ Warlock and their Mark IV 22/45 w/ one of my Warlocks. I think we also shot just a little of my Rossi 8-shot 22LR revolver. But the kids both kept returning to the scoped bolt guns (or sniper rifles as my son calls them).
We also each had a turn with the giggle-stick, also known as my suppressed M&P 15-22 SBR (4.5” barrel and Spectre). It’s made more grown men giggle than anything else I own. Only took about 3 shots before I saw the grin appear on the guy’s face.
. Also let some other random guy there try it out when he came down to see what we were shooting. My son put 3-4 mags through it. On the last one, he said he wanted to see how fast he could run through some ammo. While the speed definitely wasn’t bad, I was very impressed with his consistent pace.
I did put my new F1 can on the 15-22 (it was made for my AR57, but fits inside the 15-22 rail perfectly). From a shooter’s perspective it sounded great. Next time I’ll have somebody else shoot it so I can see what it sounds like. I’m considering making another one to dedicate to the 15-22 and free up the Spectre for some future host.
Packed up and moved over to one of the open bays...unfortunately not the top one I wanted, but we survived. First thing I wanted to do was try out my suppressed 9mm SBR after some issues last trip. I’d never had any issues out of it, but had multiple malfunctions last time out. Couldn’t get through more than 2-3 rounds before we had to clear a jam. (Has a different person with me that day who was trying out several of my firearms). I was hoping it was just an issue if it needing a good cleaning...and sure enough it ran flawlessly today. Got to do another demonstration of loading alternating subs and supers to show how ammo has a huge impact on sound, especially with a silencer.
Then it was time to try out the new F1 can. First we started with the PS90. Shot it unsuppressed first to make sure it was functioning properly. I was a little concerned because I noticed the barrel was loose when I was checking it last night. Needed to make sure the amount I tightened it was ok. Then I shot it with the Omega I always use with it, and then my F1 can. To me as the shooter, they sounded almost the same. My son had never shot it before, so I let him shoot it a little.
Then I moved to the AR57 SBR. First with the Spectre, then the F1. Again, to me, they sounded about the same. The other guy said the Spectre sounded quieter. Really need to do it again with somebody else shooting so I can see how it sounds.
After that I can’t remember the order of anything, but we shot:
His competition Pantera .40
My Glock 21 w/ Osprey 45
My Pitbull 45
My 10.5” 5.56 SBR with Saker 5.56
His duty-issued M4
My 12.5” 20ga youth 870
My 14” 12ga police magnum 870
My AOW/Shockwave
My 2” Rossi .357 (let him run one load of alternating 38/357)
Maybe my G22 or G23?
He was blown away by the suppressed 5.56. Already starting talks to see if his department could get cans. PHA’s only real restriction is full auto, so we didn’t get to let loose with mag dumps or extended strings. We did let my son attempt a single shot followed by a couple 2-round bursts, and I think he pulled it off quite well:
After that, we asked what they wanted to shoot again. No real surprise, but the bolt guns came back out. Snagged an awesome pic of the two of them:
Stayed roughly four hours, then we all had Chick-Fil-A on the way home. Bored the mess out of the kiddos having discussions about silencers the whole time.
Cost me two meals at CFA, some gas, and a little ammo. A little more expensive for him...as within a couple hours of being home he’d ordered her a RAR and is trying to figure out individual vs trust for a rimfire can.