You’ll Shoot Yer Eye Out!

Okay, so nothing that dramatic happened at my first ever gunfight…those zombie targets didn’t know what hit ‘em! A couple of weeks ago, hubs and I went to a local shooting range that allowed public access. It was a very enlightening experience and I thought I’d pass along some little pieces of gold that every writer should know (especially if you’re writing shooting scenes).

1)   It’s louder than you think: Seriously, I jumped a few times when the guns around me started going off. Even with earphones on, it was pretty loud. I've written gun fights where no one even flinched at the sound of a gun going off...there would be flinching at the very least!

2)   Loading a 9mm clip isn’t as easy as it looks (it’s actually quite tedious and not really glamorous at all). I was supposed to be loading ten bullets into the clip and got to nine before I couldn’t force another one in. Apparently there are devices that can make loading easier and faster, but I wanted to see what it felt like to do it by hand. Definitely not something you could do if your hands were shaking and your eyes scanning for approaching targets.

3)   If you really think you’d be able to hit a moving target your first time ever shooting a gun (with zombies or crazed axe murders coming at you fast) then you’re delusional and so is your main character. With the noise, adrenaline, fear all pumping through you, there is just no way you’d be able to pick up a gun for the first time, aim and hit your target…a moving one especially. And that’s not even talking about distance!

I took my time shooting. Lined up each shot, made sure the gun was steady and did pretty good overall. If I had to shoot quickly, like my life depended on it? Yeah, I’d be zombie meat in no time.

4)   Guns smell bad when fired, some worse than others. They give off this acrid sulfuric kinda smell that sticks in your nose. I’m sure you’d get used to it, and outdoors it wouldn’t be so bad, but at the shooting range it was pretty awful. Something to keep in mind when you’re writing shooting scenes that take place in doors. 

5)   Recoil really fucks with your aim. Seriously. I’d heard it would but there’s nothing like feeling it in your hand, snapping your wrist, or into your shoulder (depending on the gun.) If you’re not prepared, or not strong enough, it can hurt and it can majorly mess with where that bullet is going. Also, if you’re not in shape or used to it, your arm gets tired after a while. My arm was actually numb after two hours of shooting.

6)   It’s a hell of a lot of fun! I tried four different guns but I liked the shotgun and revolver the best. I’d love to go back and try some different ones. Entertainment wrapped up in a scary, death in your hands kinda way.