[corgicolt]

Sitting on the front porch lat ate night drinking a glass of wine [maybe two or three] and wondering what us old guys should be doing with our interest in firearms. I've had a CC license for about 30 years, and while self-defense is still important to me it's not the focus of gun ownership. Collecting is interesting, but spending $10,000 for two collectible Colts or S&Ws is certainly outside my SS retirement income range, so I thought I would try some competition at a local range. One week is .22 cal and the next is center-fire [both semi-auto at present], but then I realized my 73 year-old eye-sight is not up to the challenge. The competition was to use the 5 best shots to build a poker hand. I was okay at 15' but after that I couldn't even read the cards. Then when they changed the sequence I couldn't use my memorized locations and was really lost.

My current collection is 10 guns, with a .45, a .380, a 9mm, two .22s. and five .38/.357s, small but varied. What do we older guys with limited funds do to have fun with our guns? Suggestions appreciated.

You may see this post on several forums, as I am really seeking some answers.

 

[weagle99]

I think introducing new people to the world of firearms is a rewarding and worthwhile endeavor.

Take a new shooter plinking with one of those .22s.

 

[jcs]

We old guys all need to concentrate on promoting the shooting sports to the young. If not, our sport and love of firearms will disappear. Kids can no longer point their finger mimicking a gun. I often ask myself the question, "How did we get here?". I've come to the conclusion that it is complacence; accepting that we can't change what is happening. We accept the liberal attacks and do nothing about it. Political correctness has run amuck and polluted the minds of our population. Get involved! Speak out! We are old and we don't have to give a damn! The squeaky wheel gets the oil. It's time for us to be the squeaky wheels instead of the liberal progressives that want to change our Constitution, our country and our lives forever. Now that many of us are retired, we have the time to fight back. Do it! Thanks for letting me rant.

 

[serb]

Thats an excellent question, CC.

good suggestions also about taking kids and teaching them is very important.

Maybe if you really want to compete you petition to get an older guy category established for the lesser eye-site guys.

That way, the playing field is level and it allows you to still enjoy your love of firearms.

 

[11866]

I really like the ideas about taking someone out and teaching them to shoot. I suspect there will be few things that will reward more. I still remember the times that I shot my Grandpa's Winchester 1906 .22LR with him, it was the first gun I ever shot.

If there's no family near you, and are looking for something you can do by yourself or a few other gun guys, have you considered "mixing it up a bit" in your range time? Lots of metal spinners on the market, a "dueling tree" is great fun (although you would need at least one partner), etc. A guy near me started a bowling pin shoot where you chip in a few bucks and see who can knock the bowling pins off first.

I know some guys "never sell a gun" which is cool. But if you are limited on finances, and dont mind trading some of your other guns for different guns, its always fun to try something new. Some of the guns I bought which I thought I would be super in to (ie blackpowder revolvers), turned out to kind of duds for me. Other guns, that I bought thinking I wouldn't shoot much, I really have fun with.

Just my two cents.

 

[Cruiser RN]

I think that bringing younger new shooters to the sport is very important as well as changing up your range routine.In the not too distant future as I am 50,I will be a card carrying member off "The Old Guys Group". I am already called the Dinorsaur because 99% of the time a revolver is in my holster.....Mike

 

[Colt-SL]

All above answers are spot on. You can also consider volunteering at the local firing range as a safety officer or help out around a local gun shop. But keep your hand into shooting as long as you can, just keep your range distance comfortable to you.

 

[corgicolt]

Thanks, guys. All excellent suggestions. I needed the outside-the-box thoughts.

 

[Monticellomarshal]

Investigate Cowboy Action Shooting (SASS-Home of Cowboy Action Shooting) it has age based shooting categories. Usually large close steel targets. Shooter uses rifle,shotgun and two revolvers. However, it can be demoralizing if you are an Elder Statesman class shooter(over 72) and shoot with a group(posse) of young ,fast,keen eyed gunslingers. regards MM

 

[David13]

There is out there in internet land somewhere a concept of 5 stages of hunter, or gun owner. That last stage is teaching the young people. Spreading the knowledge to new shooters, and young people.
Monthly events. Get range days going for certain areas. We have them monthly and it brings in new shooters, families, and plenty of old timers.
Join an organization.
A good one here is Cal Guns Shooting Sports Assn. They set up at ranges and provide shoots for youth shooters.
dc

 

[corgicolt]

There are a bunch of good and helpful suggestions in these responses, and I appreciate them all; thanks very much. A common thought in many posts is to get into reloading, but that one is out because when I retired a few years ago I decided to get back into woodworking with hand tools. So my garage space is already taken, as is much of my time.

 

[Derry 1946]

Woodworking? Make gun display cases?

 

[Frank V]

corgicolt

Two things I enjoy are shooting at clay birds with my handguns hits break clay targets. You have to be sure it's ok on your range though. Another is going to the range in the summer & shooting Grasshoppers! Don't laugh they are a small target & usually move often enough to make it interesting. I shoot at them on the ground & a .44 or .45 usually just leaves a hole in the ground & wings.