Brother and I headed out to the range for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon. It is the end time of winter here in Oklahoma and the day was overcast, mild winds and the temp was in the 50Fs. We took a menagerie with us, some serious some whimsical, all fun. Have you noticed that fun rhymes with gun? There is a reason for that
One of the guns was an O/U derringer in .410/.45Colt with about a 4 1/2 inch long barrel. Very loud but surprisingly controllable, but let's just say it is a close range gun, with shotshells you get a nice bit of flame, about as long as the barrel is, more from a 3 inch shell than the 2 1/2 shells. The 45 Colt was as expected stiff but reasonable. Good gun for snakes two legged or legless. 38 snubbies were also there and got run through their courses with expected results, but I may have to send my Taurus in for a check up. I had a couple of hitches, cylinder locking up and not turning. Not good on a carry gun.
Next we went to the guns which I believe are "legal" down under. The first is a Marlin Model 39A lever action 22 rifle, great paper puncher and dirt clod buster. She holds so many rounds I almost get tired holding it up to the shoulder and cycling the lever. Mine has a Lyman brand receiver peep sight and even with 60 year old eyes I can hit the fist sized dirt clod at 25 yards.
The handguns that I think are Australia legal were two 1911s. The first was a Colt(Walther) 1911 .22. German made, but licensed by Colt it has a 5 inch barrel, 12 round magazine and all the controls in the right place. The other 1911 was Remington's 1911R1 Enhanced, 45ACP, also sports a 5 inch tube it comes with adjustable sights, the front blade has a red fiber optic insert, nice fit and finish and black laminated grips that offer good purchase but don't chew up the hand. The trigger is wonderful light at around 4 pounds with no creep or noticeable over travel. The gun is accurate and a joy to shoot yeah it bucks but hey, it's a 45 auto.
Still while it was fun shooting, best thing was being out with one of my brothers.
I've been asked: "How many guns do you need to have?" My answer remains the same: "One more."