Last time I went to Dopefests we just showed up and introduced ourselves, then hung out talking. No photo’s then, but I could bring my digicam 
Mind if I come along shooting? I’m not one to turn down the chance to make a fool of myself.
So long as you don’t make a *hole in *yourself, we’d be happy to have you along. You may even be suprised at how good you are…
Will you join us for food afterwards?
Sure, I’d love to.
Awesome!
I can’t wait!
Hi Everyone,
I confirmed the reservations for our group at the range today. They have a group in right before us, so they asked if we could come 30 minutes later.
**As a result, meeting time at the range is now 7:30 pm. **
When you show up, you can report at the counter and tell them you’re with the Straight Dope group scheduled at 7:30. If the attendant isn’t aware, tell them “JR took the reservation, ask him” (JR is the pres., but a hands-on kind of guy). They will ask you to fill out & sign a waiver form and to present picture ID.
If you show up early, no biggie, you will just have to wait a bit, while ogling the largest variety of firearms on display you are likely to see in any one place. I will try to be there by about 15 minutes early or so, and we can chat.
Those of you looking for trupa will find me if you speak to the fellow with the brown leather vest & mustache, who is hanging out with the smaller lady of indeterminate ethnic appearance with glasses (Mrs trupa).
I have also made reservations for dinner, also in the name of the Straight Dope. I have asked for a non-linnear table, so everybody can have a chance to talk to everybody else. I have been promised a big square table with 3-4 seats / side.
Here is the updated attendance list:
Range first:
Gut
the Tooth
Sponnette
Spoons
Rebekkah
Rebekkah’s friend
trupa
Mrs. trupa
trupa’s buddy Dan (non Doper. we must convert him to the ways of Uncle Cecil)
Joining for dinner:
FeatherLou
Flutterby
The Lady
Feel free to bring cameras etc. If you have a change of plan, please let me know. I’m not planning futher updates unless something major happens, so you can probably consider this the latest word.
Please resurrect this thread the day following, so we can hear about the results/aftermath.
For the ladies planning on coming to the range tonight, Mrst trupa asked me to pass along this bit of sartorial wisdom:
Wear a high-collared / high neckline top if possible.
Sometimes empty shell casings can bounce into your shirt. Problem is that, although they cool quickly, they are somewhat hot right at first. It’s a firearm, afterall.
If you do get some hot brass down the front of your shirt.
1**.Keep pointing the gun downrange** (towards where you normally shoot) or put it down on the table.
-
lean forward so it doesn’t touch your skin & let it fall out the bottom; or pick it out. It will be uncomfortable if it touches your skin, but it won’t burn you.
-
Keep pointing the gun downrange.
See you tonight!
-trupa
(happened to me twice, both times it went down my back. No biggie. Buddy did laugh at my little dance though…)
I hope y’all have a great time, but I just had to pop in here and say that every time I see this thread title it makes me think that you’re organizing a giant heroin binge. I’m relieved to see that’s not the case.
Darn! I wish I could have made it. I would have loved to join you.
Spud72 AKA the poster formally known as Bernse
Thanks for organizing this fun event trupa. I was very impressed with the safety aspects of the The Shooting Edge. Having a range safety officer in the shooting bay with us was great. I was completely at ease knowing I could ask a question at any time. Now for some stats for those following the thread.
I shot a Springfield 9mm that had a trigger malfunction after about 25 rounds. Having the safety officer there meant I just put the gun down on the table and asked him to come over and inspect the weapon.
I then selected a Sig 9mm and finished off the rest of my initial 50 round box of ammo. I enjoyed it so much I got another 50 rounds! The trigger was easier to pull and the magazine was easier to load but I didn’t like the sight as much on this gun.
I think the most interesting story of the event was Rebekkah’s but I’ll let her post for herself.
Great meeting you all after for dinner too. I’m looking forward to the next Calgary Dope Fest.
I had a great time firing a Kimber .45. Between performance anxiety - I didn’t want to do something foolish to break the range’s brand new thousand dollar toy - and recoil my marksmanship wasn’t what it could’ve been, but who cares? Olympic Gold wasn’t at stake. Next time, if there is a next time, I think I’ll try the 9mm and see how that goes.
This was a great idea, trupa. Lots of fun was had. Thanks!
Even though I was just at dinner I had a good time It was nice meeting folks and just chatting about stuff.
Sounds like a really great time. Good job on the educational aspects, truly a wonderful way to fight ignorance.
If I ever make it back to Calgary would you do it again?
It does indeed seem like a good time was had by all.
I feel compelled to point out that **the Tooth ** is being his apparently usual modest self. Even though this was his fist time ever firing a pistol, and he was starting out with a .45 at that, he kept just about all his rounds inside the 8-ring and I would guestimate about 80% of his shots within the 9-ring. Also kudos to **Gut ** (Who has none, and looks to be quite in shape, thankyouverymuch) who also demonstrated a good level of proficiency on his fist outing, and also kept every shot within the 9 & 8 ring, as did Scoob, who surfaced from the depths of lurkerdom just for this occasion.
I must say, however, that the real “shooting star” of the evening, imho, was Rebekkah, who started out with a 22 and, although a bit nervous, and with a bit of gentle coaching from the RSOs, put what seemed like the better part of two whole boxes (100 rounds) in a circle about the size of a CD, right below the 10 ring. That was some tight shooting, that many folks can’t match even after many hours practice. I’m looking forward to reading her impressions.
As for yours truly, my favorite .45 having been scooped up by the tooth, I tried a newly arrived 9mm Glock, which, although quite serviceable, confirmed my love afair with the 90 year old design of the 1911. (To use a technical term, that trigger was way to sproingy for my tastes) Mrs trupa also found the muzzle flip on the light plastic gun a bit disconcerting, even if the actual recoil was less.
It was also a great pleasure to meet **Featherlou ** & hubby DreadPirateJimbo, the Lady, and **flutterby ** for dinner. It does seem to be a fact that Dopers are a buch of interesting & funny people. Here was my only regret, that the constraints of baby-sitting didn’t let me stay any longer and get to know everyone a bit better. Perhaps the next dope fest should be without doubled-up ear plugs & ear muffs, for easier conversation…
brownie55, if chance brings you to cowtown, do let us know. I’d be happy to take you to the range if that’s your fancy (you too spud72), and even if not, I’m sure we’re all looking for an excuse to get together again anyway.
It was a great deal of fun - though I did wuss out on the shooting part of the evening…
It was wonderful to meet everyone.
Bernse (I mean, Spud72)! Were have you been, you old hound dawg?
That was indeed fun. I wish we could have made the shooting part too, but the dinner part was plenty fun. It was a little surreal talking in person to people I know things about but have never met, if you know what I mean. Next time, though, I say we do nametags. 
You know, we’re coming up on barbecue season - how does grabbing a cookout thing at a local park and roasting weenies sound? (And my offer for Wing Nights at Tipperary’s stands - like I said, we’re often there on a Wednesday.)
That actually sounds pretty good. If we manage it on a weekend or something I could bring the 'raptor too (and he can terrorize everyone lol)
Cookouts are always fun.