joepjs
proficiency
Saturday, January 16, 2021, 10:26

I was thinking about what I had written to the guy buying the Mauser and then read this thread, leading me to what I am about to say. Early in my life I bought a black powder Pennsylvania rifle kit from Navy arms and went to work on it with the tools I had gained while working at DeLaval Turbine as a blueprint maker and machinist's go-for/apprentice in training. I had a set of swiss files and a Dremel tool that I worked the metal with and the knowledge the machinists taught me. I also had a set of calipers and a micrometer and lots of sandpaper for the stock in various grits. I made that rifle by hand with brass furniture and browned/blued the metal that required it and hand fitted the stock and brass patch box. I shot that rifle for many years, finally tried to pass it on to my son but he couldn't deal with the black powder and casting of Mine balls so I gave it to NRA Whittington. I learned a lot with that rifle over the years I used it, until I drew a BAR while in the USMC. It fit so naturally to my shooting habits gained with the long rifle!
My first pistol was a war souvenir Walther P-38 that had some of the chrome plating gone, but it shot so well I feel its loss to this day. Years later after my military career I got a SIG P220 and felt at home with the single/double action capability that I missed from the Walther and I used it during my time in Airborne Law Enforcement. Pretty much why I like the CZ75 and the Browning Hi Power. In any case its what you get proficient with and becomes part of your brain and muscle memory! We are creatures of habit, but become better and better as our head and buttt act together. Here's to your long lives and enjoyment of shooting and the tools we use!