So. Because New Mexico DPS (Dept. of
Public Safety, ) Doesn’t let anybody know when they all of a
sudden decide to change the Gun Rules. Because I was previously a
member of this here USCCA I put in the notes my midway point of
two years (Refresher Course coming up this month). So when August
came around I signed up for the class ($79.00/$85.00 after all the
.gov hookie-dookie).
I had to go to my dreaded Indoor Range for the class Calibers SR
on Coors/Cactus Junction. NM. I previously had to only go every (4)
years and it was no strain or hassle. Today it was like walking
into a completely different Range though. All ‘LAW SHIELD’ paraphernalia
was gone as well as their ‘Instructor’s’ (Paid Shills) and USCCA ruled the roost!.
But now if you skip the Refresher you can’t sign up for the 4 year renewal…
USCCA Signage, Brochures , decals were EVERYWHERE! Different Counter folk's and an Instructor who gave it to you straight (with a sense of humor towards Asleep
people ---who signed up for the wrong class, didn't bring any
Ear/Eye protection, Sandals, Tank Tops and...NO BOOLETS!.)
It's all in the literature: The Do's N Don't of Range Expectations.
I was amazed some of these folk's knew to pull on the front door to open
it (The doors say 'Pull so it's 50/50 most folk's will get this)
(and a little frightened to know these same people MAY be Carrying
Firearms pretty soon (it was hard enough concentrating in my
Lane---knowing some of these bright sparks were next to me with only
'Bullet Resistant' panels separating us from Life or Death!
The 'SCARE EVENT' was a Fossil with a .357---a lot of nervous eye exchanges were had
when he suited up for WAR Please try not to wear CAMO for Range attire unless
it makes you look like an Operator and not wearing Daddy's hand me down uniform
(It's a personal peeve for some).
I wish to THANK the ANGELS for such a pleasant experience @
Calibers I really didn’t know how to act for the first half hour!
(almost Speechless… ALMOST! 
)
So use to road blocks, BAD RO’S, Overpriced Boolits and a host of
nightmarish scenarios that when it all was laid out before me like
the Yellow brick road today I definitely felt like I wasn’t in Kansas
anymore Toto!. After YEARS of me telling you, pleading with you
(if you had a couple of M$ll$on laying around PLEASE invest it
here and open up a Range) (if nothing else Competition to run
Calibers out of town on the Rail! it was so bad–My PTS was
activated when I just ‘thought’ I might wish to go Shoot and my
alternate plan Bravo was Outside on my Mesa but @ 107+ wearing a
heat suit isn’t my idea of a good time anymore. When I was
young(er) 115 degrees was ‘manageable’ Today? Not so much. It’s so
hot these days…‘HOW HOT IS IT?’ 
I tripped over a Rattler and he just said ‘Phuck you buddy’ and
didn’t move a scale on his back (sarc) 
Now
That’s HOT! 
.
Some ‘Changes’ Caliber’s made to their Menu:
THIS INSTRUCTOR didn’t charge me for a rental .45 Smith Revolver (usually $25)
He also made the offer (2) Gunners could ‘Split’ a box of .45 ammo ($16 instead of $35 was a great deal (don’t know how it was $16 but I’ll take it) I avoided the NEW Coffee station–which might be coming out this week after the couple of green faces after they Battle tested their Latte’s. You want a great Latte? Mocha ask me! I make the best! (and NOT for $9.00!) Sheesh! (Remind me of ‘Precinct Coffee’)
Since ‘Covid’ they threw out ALL their RENTAL eyewear, Cans and you can’t ‘Borrow’ Speed Loaders or Mag ammo assistors (I spaced what they are really called). Sooooooooooo a lotta folk’s needed to PURCHASE all they needed to stay in the game. One guy spent $146 on lord knows what—I think he made an excuse to buy new equipment (but that’s cynical old me I’m sure). People don’t spend on Guns and Assorted hardware if they don’t HAVE to amirite? 
(I mean who would do that? Not Moi?)
The Instructor DID ALL OUR PAPERWORK—we filled out the sheet (test scores-I got 100/100 but I ain’t bragging–really 3 yards of 15 then 7 yds of 10 ).9mm) then 3 yds of 10 rds then 5 @ 7 yds. (Honestly folk’s if you can’t hit close to the HEART you should invest in Pepper spray and a Tomahawk!. I even gave one to the head I was feeling so good!
If the Somali’s could hit the broad side of a barn I wouldn’t be here today! (they just got real lucky with an RPG (INDOORS!)–No wind, Shrapnel in an enclosed area will tag even the hardiest of War Fighters.
Anyway LOT’S of good feelings and laughs were had (I know I saved some other money because of the generosity of this Instructor I just can’t stop grinning this afternoon but I can’t recalled exactly what?..
OH, I also was offered a J.O.B! Man, I didn’t even hunt (or hint?) @ that. My scores were really tight and I didn’t HELP fellow students…NEW rule you start trying to (be the Instructor you could get bounced, you all of a sudden Bang the Gong (as he put it) Hitting support metal or bounce a round off the floor and you were history! (New rules I could wrap my head around). You don’t go into the Waffle House and tell the Cook how to make Biscuits N Gravy do ya? well, do ya? I didn’t think so.
He taught the four rules, (explain what the plain English meant (scary people once again raised their hands). I’m not all knowing and all seeing but c’mon RULE NUMBER 1: Never point your firearm @ anything you aren’t willing to destroy —self explanatory right? WOW, a show of hands went up and somebody else (I swear it wasn’t me GROANED!—I was too busy holding my Urine in! .
Anyway I could prattle on (as I’m known to do) but I HAD A GREAT TIME—Temp inside a nice 70 (better than 10hotAF! that’s for sure!). Saved some bread, blew off some older .9mm, found a really nice Smith.45 revolver (Satin, Rubber Pachmyer’s, Shot the Dicken’s out of her (smoooooth action)…NO! I can’t buy another Revolver! I just bought TWO! for pity’s sake! What’s wrong with me it’s not like they are Hi-Point priced!
So to tidy this Topic up my ADVICE is if you wait long enough, take care of yourself, you may outlast all the idiots you run into on a daily basis. That guy @ Valvoline you’re really not sure if he actually changed your Oil…or the obnoxious Range Officer who was born AFTER 1995! You may just experience a great day like me.
Stay Frosty Gunners (Now when y’all come an visit me we don’t have to crowd next to the Rattler for shade by the Lonesome Cactus!.
