I’ve finally gotten around to making some cold press coffee. Using the beans I was mistakenly sent I ground them in a pestle and mortar.
I followed the advice Here and I’m looking forward to trying it tomorrow.
I’ve managed to keep it up.
I was going to write a poem but my creative juices aren’t flowing. I’ll console myself with the thought that I have managed to keep to my shooting practice schedule.
I had the multishot Walther CP99 out and was trying the speed shooting challenge. Unfortunately I couldn’t complete it successfully. I think I need a new pistol!
Weihrauch HW75 Single Stroke Pneumatic Pistol.
The SSP engine that drives the pistol makes it very smooth to fire. When you perform the single stroke you compress air into a chamber. You then cock the pistol by pulling back the hammer. When you squeeze the trigger the hammer is released, hits a valve and allows the compressed air into the barrel. This forces the pellet down and out of the barrel.
The HW75 in a “beginners” target pistol. Whilst quite expensive for a single shot air pistol, around £350, it is cheap for a true target pistol. Olympic standard pistols are in the thousands of pounds price range and don’t appear in airgun magazines.
I’m getting in as much practice as I can with this pistol. It is the most consistently accurate pistol in my modest collection. I hope to win a competition within the next year, lockdown and Covid19 not withstanding. I was pleased with my practice today although I did rush 2 shots that would have cost me a win in competition.
The name of the game is aim.
I’m trying to improve my pistol shooting skills. I was practicing in my garage and the slightest lapse in concentration can put the pellet a couple of centimetres off target. This is the difference between a bullseye and maximum points to perhaps not even being in the scoring zone.
I’m using a Weihrauch hw75 single stroke pneumatic pistol. This is classed as an introductory target pistol and is very accurate. The trigger is light and I occasionally fire earlier than I anticipate. Today I dedicated around 60 shots using a 2 handed grip. This is slightly hampered by the fact I have a splint on my right middle finger but I worked around it.
It took me about 50 of the 60 shots to get into the centre zone. It takes concentration, discipline and good technique to get consistent shots off. I stopped because my arm was becoming fatigued and I was getting a bit cold, it’s January after all!
I’m going to dedicate some time to mastering the pistol and shooting technique. I’m going to try firing 50+ shots per day in a controlled and analytical way. That should do the trick.
Milk and a biscuit. A poem.
Inspired by the night time ritual with my children.
“A glass of milk, alone, is a splendid treat. A biscuit, solo, tastes oh so sweet. There must have been a time when milk and biscuit were sister and brother because when taken together they complement one another. Just before bed they can help you sleep.”
It’s a bit weak. I’ll revisit it next week.
Gamo P-800 Break Barrel Spring Air Pistol.
I’ve had this pistol for over 15 years and it has always been a reliable workhorse. What I like about single shot break barrel air guns is that they force you to take your time and make your shots count.
This little plinker has been a joy during the pandemic lockdown. Such fun to knock over some empty cans in the back garden or try some paper target shooting for online competitions.
I enjoy this pistol. It is accurate and simple and good fun. I plan to get another break barrel pistol this year, they are great!
Remain calm, all is well.
That is the line Kevin Bacon screams hysterically in National Lampoon’s Animal House. I had to apply this to myself over the last couple of days as I partook in an online pistol shooting competition. Well, 5 competitions actually.
Like many things in life successful competitive shooting is mostly in the mind. If your first shot is poor then it is quite easy to get a negative mindset. After all, you are unlikely to win the competition now so why bother. Perhaps you can cheat and ignore that shot, after all, no one would know (except yourself).
It’s important to remember the reason or reasons you are undertaking an activity. Personally I want to become a better shot with my air pistol so I need to analyse why I have taken a poor shot. I am, in essence, competing against myself. Next time I want to be better than this time and this time better than last.
Failure helps a person to learn. Concentrate on the task at hand. Take your time and remember to remain calm because all is well!
Return to Sorrento. A poem.
This is a poem by the Irish comedian Spike Milligan. I first saw it in his book “The Little Pot Boiler”. This poem has always stuck in my mind after first reading it around 1977.
Return to Sorrento
“I must go down to the sea again; to the lonely sea and the sky; I left my vest and socks there; I wonder if they’re dry?”
There are more poems in LPB and it is worth a read if you can get your hands on a copy.
The Jolly Swagman. A poem.
There was a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, under the shade of a coolibah tree. And he sang as he sat as he waited ’til his billy boiled “Who’ll come a waltzing Matilda with me?”
The swagman was arrested and they charged him with vagrancy, the loggers chopped down the coolibah tree. And once the trees where cleared and planning permission granted, in moved a large construction company.
There are no more songs nor swagmen waltzing anywhere, Matilda hasn’t danced for a half century. And as for the billabong, that is now a tyre yard that has an offer of buy one get one free!
CO2 powered replica Colt 1911 blowback BB gun.
I bought this replica for two reasons. Firstly I wanted a blowback pistol. I had fired a friend’s replica Walther PPK blowback at the shooting range and enjoyed the feel of the blowback action. There are several reviews on YouTube if you want to know more (be careful, it’s a rabbit hole!)
Secondly I wanted a counterpart to my Luger. This replica is a limited edition (24 of 250 made) and has a quote from DD Eisenhower etched into it to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. It seemed fitting as the 1911 was the standard American side arm.
The pistol is more accurate than the Luger but still not great. However the fun when firing this replica is big. Big fun!
Fun, family and more 