 Suzanne Shooting Suppressed AR-15
|
On Saturday October 8 at Quail Creek Gun Range in Argyle, TX, the DIVA WOW organization held their second annual AR-15 clinic. For women only, the day focused on shooting the AR-15, but we also had the opportunity to shoot pistol, shotgun, and .22 LR rifles.
The DIVA WOW organization is a women’s group devoted to introducing women into outdoor sports, including archery, shooting, hunting, and fishing. Their motto is:
- Women helping women.
- Women teaching women.
- Women supporting women.
They divided the clinic into three different categories of shooting: fun shoot, 3-Gun, and target. The day ended with a wine-down (in my case, a beer), and a raffle for a DPMS AR rifle with leopard print furniture.
|
|
|
My group started out with a “fun shoot” using .22 LR rimfire rifles, the DPMS, GSG-522, SIG 522, and the M&P 15-22. There were three stages set up, all with reactive steel targets in different configurations. We even had a chance to shoot moving steel targets using the Caldwell Shooting Gallery. (I always wanted to know how that thing worked.) Using the DPMS with an EoTech, I classify this stage as more fun than frustrating.
When I first saw the GSG-522 laying on the table, my heart skipped a beat. We’re going to get to shoot the MP5?! Cool! However, no, it was the clone in .22LR made by GSG. This little guy really surprised me. I liked how it shot.
Next up was the bouncing ball targets. The goal was to see which girl could shot it furthest down range. Daryl Parker, Top Shot contestant, founder of the Marksmen Challenge and author, was on hand to help us out. He showed us how to hold the rifle using our thumb and index finger to form a V to rest the rifle’s forearm on. When it was my time to shoot, Daryl had to keep reminding me about “trigger reset.” Once I finally remembered, we discussed how much of a difference it makes for accurate follow-up shots.
| My favorite stage on the fun-shoot was a “race” against the other girls in my group to shoot steel targets, using the SIG 522 or the M&P 15-22. The atmosphere was strong in “fun” and less in “score.” I was not a fan of the SIG 522. It was big, bulky, and not any more accurate than any other gun we shot that day. I absolutely fell in love with the M&P 15-22. In fact, I put it in layaway on Monday. It is lightweight, easy to use, and all the controls are close enough for me to use without having to manipulate the gun all around, or take my hands off the grip to reach the safety. I was getting excellent groupings on my headshots during this stage. One of my new friends who had been debating between a .22 conversion or a new upper for her AR-15 also fell in love with the M&P 15-22 and said that getting to shot it had made her decision- she was just going to go with the M&P and scrap the conversion and upper all together!
After lunch, we met up with Iain Harrison, winner of Top Shot Season 1, Deb Cheek, 3-Gunner, and the guys from Lone Star Armory for our “3-Gun” practice. Lone Star Armory custom builds AR-15s and precision bolt-action rifles. During this stage, we shot suppressed AR-15 rifles in .223, a Benelli semi-auto shotgun that holds a whopping 20 rounds (I know. Wow!), and a SIG pistol in 9mm.
|
Suzanne and Deb
|
|
Deb Cheek gave us a pep talk about situational awareness and then showed us a demonstration of a speed match with her pistol. During her stage, we shot a .22 LR rifle at steel reactive targets. I was spot on with her rifle and when I finished she yelled out, “That’s exactly why I love Texas women!”
Next up was Iain’s stage; six steel targets. Sounds easy, right? I disappointed myself this stage. We shot a 9mm Sig with standard sights. I had never shot a SIG before. It was not much different from other polymer-framed pistols of which I am familiar. My first two targets went down without a hitch, but for the life of me, I could not get that third target down. I ran out of ammo and was unable to complete the stage. While trying to hit that third target I blurted out, “why can’t I hit that damned thing?” Iain told me it was because I was anticipating the recoil, which there wasn’t much, so I don’t think that was it. I mean, I can shoot a Glock 19 quite well if I do so say so myself. But, Iain is cute and in a kilt and I was nervous. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Hey, Iain, call me. Give me a chance to redeem myself with your pistol.
The guys from Lone Star Armory were full of knowledge and very professional. We compared shooting a regular .223 rifle with a suppressed .223. One pointer I appreciated was “Do not look up from your rifle. You will not see your shot. If you look up from your rifle, you will lose your sight.” Andrew Brady, who owns the company, gave me extensive pointers on my stance so my performance wasn’t horrible.
|
Iain Harrison & Suzanne
|
Our final stage was a .223 target shoot using DPMS rifles at 100 yards. Thank God, this stage was sitting at a bench rest, my arms and feet were getting pretty tired. The DPMS rifles had Nikon scopes attached and we were able to shoot three different rifles with 30 rounds each. My second try on the rifle range was a full-dipped camo DPMS and after a few pointers from my range officer (R.O.), such as slowing down my trigger and remembering to breathe, my last 10 shots were consistent hits with great groupings.
This was my first time shooting with the DIVAs and I had an eight-hour day full of shooting, bonding, and fun. All the R.O.s on hand were fun and helpful, yet professional. Anticipating more class time than shooting, I was surprised that the day focused on shooting. I shot about 300 rounds! Getting to try so many different guns was the highlight of my day—that and all the fabulous
|
