Choking experience

I've been in the market for a skeet choke compatible with steel shot and have been looking for a while. I've not been able to quite "pull the trigger". (Ba-dump, tish. Heh-heh, sometimes I just kill myself.) Now I need one because the trap range in Naperville requires only steel shot be used. If you've been following this blog, Ken, a gentleman I met at Silver Springs State Park range, invited me to catch up with him at Naperville Sportman's Club at Sportsman's Park on a Thursday evening. Fees for a round of trap include clays and shells. There are additional details on the Naperville Park District website.

Anyway, knowledge at the local gun shops lacking (they seem to get more excited pistols, go figure) and the web sites aren't very clear either with helping to select the right choke for my Benelli Nova. I like to be sure I'm purchasing the right item so I'm doing it only once and not have to return it or risk damaging my gun not to mention the choke.

My Benelli Nova came with Trulock chokes, so of course I went to www.trulockchokes.com too. Of all the web sites I found theirs the most useful. It helped me navigate to what I thought was the right choke, but I wasn't entirely sure. That may be partially due to Benelli's web site too, which isn't clear about what's compatible with the Nova. Having some doubt I decided to email Trulock hopefully...maybe...possibly get a recommendation without being made to feel like an idiot. You know how that goes. Those communications frequently go into a black, black cyber hole and if...by chance you get a response, it's usually useless. That was last Friday.

Enter George Trulock, President of Truelock Chokes. I was [very] pleasantly surprised to find in my inbox an email from Trulock on a Sunday! Holy cow! Wait a minute...I hadn't opened it yet. Expecting the worst (You idiot, what's the matter with you? Can't you pick out a stupid choke and you blog about this stuff? Gosh you're worthless!), with trepidation I opened it and learned a few things:

• George and his company are committed to service
• George is authentic and sincere
• He took the time to make a recommendation over the weekend no less
• He didn't make me feel stupid and freely shared his knowledge
• It feels to me like a quality operation that cares
• I'm now a Trulock fan

There's a video on Trulock's website I think represents George and Trulock well that I've included here. Please take a moment to view it. It's worthwhile. George, I hope you're okay with my embedding this video.

If I haven't mentioned it before, delivering high-quality customer service, measuring it and managing the processes and technology that enable it has been a focus of mine for the past few years. The difference between customer service and high-quality customer service being the manner in which service is delivered. That's oversimplified, but it's nonetheless true. I've become deeply passionate about it and recognize it when I experience it and want to acknowledge when I find it. I think it's part of who George Trulock is and likely pervades the culture at Trulock Chokes. As the saying goes, the fish stinks most at the head. Well...this fish doesn't stink. Thanks again George, you're doing it right!

Now, just to be clear, based on George's recommendation, I purchased my choke from a local dealer...who didn't know a thing about chokes. "Here, I'll open the cabinet and let you look. I'm sure you know a lot more about chokes than I do." Oy! Okay, er...(squinting)...Guy. (Not the actual name on his tag.) It was packaged as Benelli, but it had Trulock etched on it. I won't mention the store, but some education is in order. I located the choke George recommended and am hoping to use it Thursday evening...if I can make it and meet up with Ken. Otherwise it will have to be Sunday.

Other than that I've been learning a lot about gun fit. It's interesting how your eyes are opened and you start to see things. I stopped by the range in Naperville last Sunday just to get a feel for it. I watched a guy go through a round of trap hitting two, maybe three clays in the round. The poor guy was folded over and scrunched up all over the gun with an awful stance. Three other guys were with him and none were telling him anything helpful. Dude...that looks painful! No wonder you're missing. Well...we'll see how I do with my Benelli Nova and new Trulock choke.

100% (~^~)

Hey! I went out to the range this afternoon with my oldest son, Tristan. Thanks to my scavenging  the range over the weekend, I picked up a couple dozen unbroken clays (not my brand) with one rabbit and two minis in the mix. I only had 50 rounds, so we split them up and went at it.

I started with two minis and experimented with changing my site picture for trap using my Benelli Nova. It worked! Two minis dusted. I kept the same plan with the remaining twenty three and made short work of it. That's my first 25/25 and I kept one shell as a memento. Tristan on the other hand sent 20/25 targets to the great beyond. No? ((+_+)) Abyss. No? (@_@) Well...wherever clay targets go then. So there weren't any to scavenge after our shooting session.

I'll keep on keepin' on and keep improving so I can compete. Next stop 50/50.

Good fit! It does a body good!

Hey! I've been doing more research (something I'm really good at and driven to do) and learned some more about gun smithing. Since I was a goldsmith at one time I'm inclined to take more than a passing interest in nearly any kind of smithing.

It turns out that the pain (>_<") inflicted by my NEF Pardner is the result of...poor fit. (o_0) (It was still fun and I'm itching to get out again.) I'm rapidly learning because I want to make my own stock and forend for the Pardner that's very, very different. It's a proof-of-concept, a result of my combined mixed martial arts training and small arms technology that I've been thinking through since May of this year. Hopefully it will...well, that would be telling.

I have the stock blanks are on order which should arrive next week. I've purchased laminated blanks from Boyds' Gun Stocks in Applejack (red and black) and it should look really cool when it's done. Although very different, I think the theory is sound and I need to make sure the rest of the fit is good too. I have a few books from experts on the way to add to my knowledge of gunsmithing. I've found from other wood projects that many of my goldsmithing skills translate directly to wood and I'm anxious to get started.

Stay tuned...hopefully I'll be able to post results in the near future. I want to get my brother's (WARNING! SHAMELESS PLUG!), Top Cops 2010 award recipient (see earlier blog entry for details), opinion on it too and decide whether it's patentable before I publish results and opinions. He's a skeptic and a traditionalist, but that's okay, I like a challenge.

I'm trying out something new in the blog using Japanese emoticons to put more expression and entertainment into my writing. I think it's working, but it may be entertaining me more than anyone else. But then again...it is my blog.

Eye dominance

Rather than making my own video about eye dominance, because I don't own a video camera yet (I'm still looking for work), I went and found a good one one. If you've been following this blog, it turned out to be an important factor with my daughter's success in shooting. Also, this may be more common than I first thought.

In the interest of promoting shooting sports, especially with people new to the sport and wishing them success (an important part in having fun with it), without further delay, after a long-winded introduction, here's how to determine your dominant eye! Thank you Alabama COOP Extension System.

Ow! Er...I mean, ow. o_0

Alright, it kicks. Not like a mule, but it kicks. Shooting my H&R/NEF Pardner a couple of days in a row adds up. I've got a bruise in the pocket and it hurts clear through to my shoulder blade and neck. I've taken some ibuprofen to dull the pain, which seems to be working.

Recoil pad...highly recommended. It's still fun to shoot!

Comments on Top Shot

Like many, I've been watching Top Shot on the History Channel. I encouraged my brother, the:

• Firearms instructor
• Civil War and WWII reenactor
• SWAT Sniper
• Decorated police officer
• 2010 TOP COPS award recipient
• Yada, yada, yada (you get the picture)

to audition for the show. He did submit and audition, but wasn't selected. He's not an actor obviously, but he's got what it takes for a show like that as I'm sure others do too. I was amazed at the number of people that failed to follow instructions for the audition. I swear some hired professional camera crews and made real productions out of what was supposed to be a simple 5 minute video. They didn't seem very authentic to me. Anyway...I digress.

First and foremost I want to be clear, this isn't sour grapes. I'm sure there were many other qualified candidates as well. When I started watching Top Shot, I was admittedly disappointed. I thought this would be a serious contest of skill. Instead I'd have to agree with other's assessment of the show. It's Survivor with guns. The people on there are "OK", but having read the materials about the Top Shot for the audition, the people they chose didn't match what the producers claimed they were looking for. They were looking for experts in all areas of weaponry. That's not what they casted. That's inauthentic and it rubs me the wrong way. The show appears to be forced drama where the producers have stacked the deck.

In a time where people are clamoring for what's really real and authentic I don't believe the producers handled this well and they're turning off their target audience. I don't think it's doing the History Channel credit either. I can't say I recall a single sponsor of the show. Maybe I should...

Shootin' da Pardner wit' Tris

Made it out to Silver Springs range again today and only took the H&R/NEF Pardner with me...oh, and my oldest son, Tristan came with me too. The clouds were building and it was hot, humid and buggy. Again, we were the only people at the range. (I just don't get it.)

Between the two of us we ran 50 rounds of 12 gauge Winchester Super-X Game and Field Load with No. 8 shot (on sale at Blaine's Farm and Fleet) through it. I mentioned in my last blog entry that, as in some of the YouTube reviews, sometimes shells failed to eject. After my first outing with the Pardner I disassembled the gun, cleaned and lubricated it (including the ejector mechanism) using Zero Friction High Tech All Weather Oil from Pro-Shot Products. That seemed to do the trick. It must have been a little dry and I'd recommend the folks on YouTube.com doing the same.

That Pardner kicks and I'm feeling it today. I'm sure Tristan will be feeling it tomorrow. The wind started picking up and the clouds were threatening rain, so we bugged out and headed home. I think my shoulder needs a rest.

My daughter is happy too! (part 2)

"It kicks like a mule!" That's what they're saying about the H&R Pardner on YouTube.com, but they're using 00 buckshot and slugs. I brought target loads for me and light target loads for Brit to use. At this point the only mod I made to the gun is the addition of a Truglo Glo-Dot II Universal for plain barrel shotguns. I did this for a few reasons:

• I like the fiber optic site on my Benelli Nova and wanted one of the Pardner
• I thought it would be easier for Brit to use since she's new
• The last reason will be obvious later (stay tuned)

This is available in red (what I have) or green from Cabela's and other retailers. I think Cabela's has the best pricing at $14.99.

I fired the first ten using target loads and the modified site with Brit throwing the clays. Ten hits in a row and the shotgun let me know it was there. The recoil was sharp, made my cheek a little sore and rattled my teeth slightly, but really wasn't a problem. The lighter weight, between 5 and 6 pounds, and lack of a recoil pad contributed to the felt recoil.

Then we set up some stationary targets on a berm for Brit. Switching over to low-recoil loads, Brit said she liked the fit of the gun. It has a shorter pull than my Nova and handled better for Brit. She was able to get into a proper stance for shooting. After firing several rounds at the clays and missing them all, I noticed something funny about how she was pointing the gun. I asked her to run through a sight picture exercise with me. Having her line up her fingers like gun sights I then asked her which eye she was using. It turns out she's left eye dominant! We made some adjustments and she started shooting left handed. Hit! Hit! Hit! She's not ready for thrown targets, but she said, "It's a lot more fun when you're hitting something." Yep, immediate feedback.

Brit went through a box and a half and I fired nearly fifty rounds too. It handled well, was accurate and precise, a thoroughly enjoyable experience with the Made in the USA Pardner. My only criticisms are:

• It could use a recoil pad -- Brit was complaining about her shoulder this morning and I'd have to say I'm a little sore too. It's not a requirement, but I'm sure it would help.
• Forend retaining screw gets hot -- I know...it's attached to the barrel dummy! Don't touch the screw!
• The shell failed to eject twice -- I write that off to it being new and a little stiff. I've since taken it apart and lubricated the ejection mechanism. We'll see if that resolves a very minor issue.

Overall my daughter and I are very pleased with this little $110.00 shotgun. I'm looking forward to future sessions with it. I'm also impressed enough that I'm going to look at the H&R Topper Trap Gun...which happens to have recoil pad.

That's all for now. Thanks again to Ken for an enjoyable outing. See you at the range!

My daughter is happy too! (part 1)

I missed shooting at Silver Springs State Park on Friday, but was able to make it out the the range today, Saturday July 3rd, to try out my new 12 gauge NEF Pardner. My daughter, Brittany, a.k.a "Bulldog", also came with to try out the new gun. Again, very light attendance on the range and I was able to get the spot in front of the berm so Brit could shoot some still targets. 


I met a great guy at the range today too. Ken from Aurora stopped by Silver Springs for the first time in many years. He had just purchased a 20 gauge Turkish made side-by-side with screw-in chokes and was itching to try it out. It was a definitely a much prettier gun than my H&R, and Ken mentioned that he'd seen similar Turkish guns at Cabela's for more than $800.00. At under $500.00 include shipping and FFL transfer fees it was priced right. (That makes it Shootin' Ugli good.) I just wish I could recall the website he where he bought it.


I offered to throw some clays for Ken so he could scratch that itch. I threw some, Brit threw some and Ken tried the Trius One-Step himself too since he was in the market for one. I had a chance to shoot it too. I'm a fan of side-by-sides and this one didn't change my opinion. Ken got right to testing the gun and quickly adapted to it. 


We had a discussion about sight picture and how to use the rail and bead. I explained to Ken that I position the barrel so the rail is completely flat and I only see the bead and either put the bead on the target or lead depending on the shot and conditions. That approach seemed to work for him too. Ken then graciously gave me a chance to shoot his new shotgun. It was accurate and handled nicely, just as it did in Ken's hands. It felt solid and well-made. I would consider buying one myself.


Ken, if you read this hopefully I'll see you out at the range again and maybe at the club in Naperville. I'd like to shoot with you again. It was a pleasure.


I'll finish writing about this shooting session in my next post. It was definitely an interesting outing as Brit and I learned a few things about her while testing our H&R/NEF Pardner. 


On this Fourth of July weekend I'd like to part with the following toast:


Here’s to the Army and Navy and the battles they've won; here’s to America’s colors, the colors that never run. May the wings of Liberty never loose a feather.