Here are some samples of the
fun enjoyed by UGCA members and their guests.
While it is an interesting academic exercise to debate
the relative merits (or flaws) of famous old or new firearms, the best
information comes from actually firing them. UGCA members bring a
wide variety of guns to these sessions and everyone usually gets a chance
to share in the experiences.
(This is also a chance for people with no shooting experience to learn
how to safely handle a gun under close supervision.)
If you collect guns, we invite you to join
UGCA.
Membership benefits include for free admission
to all UGCA shows, reduced table rates, and a great newsletter.
Click here for membership
information and application
Copyright 2001 by Utah Gun Collectors Association. All rights reserved. Box 711161, Salt Lake City, UT 84171
Let's go to the UGCA Picnic and Historic Arms Shooting Session, May, 2002
Before we shoot, we need to have lots of targets. George, our offical Range Officer did a lot of the preliminary work, and club members all pitched in to post and change targets throughout the afternoon. The younger participants thought this was great fun! Besides children and grandchildren of club members we also had an Israeli guest, who is quite familiar with firearms, their use and necessity for self defense..
Some of the Shooters
A Dad supervising his teen age son shooting the M1 Garand rifle.
This young man has been shooting since age four, and is a superb shot,
often sought out as a team member by adult "Cowboy Action" shooters familiar
with his skill. He is still a couple of years younger than the Americans
of the "Greatest Generation" who used this type rifle to win World War
Two.
.
Steve is a Police Officer using this Mauser "Broomhandle" or "C96"
pistol. This is a very historic type of gun, the first practical
semi-automatic pistol, invented in 1896 and made in huge numbrs for sale
all over the world. This was imported from Germany by a New York
firm around 1910. Sir Winston Churchill carried (and fired) one identical
to this in the Boer War in South Africa in 1898. Note that he is
using the wooden holster that doubled as a shoulder stock for greater accuracy
at longer ranges. Trivia buffs will note that there is only one screw
in this pistol, to hold the grips on.
Some of the historic guns
Gun collectors like guns from all periods of hstory. One member
is firing a single shot .54 caliber smoothbore percussion "horse pistol"
made about 1840 and likely carried inthe Civil War. (The "horse pistol"
refers to the fact that these were carried in holstered attached to the
saddle, unlike smaller "belt" or "pocket" pistols carried on the person.
So what is a "deer rifle"???)
The collector in the center is trying out a properly registered full
automatic MP5 submachine gun, widely used by our law enforcement and military
"Special Operations" units.
The rifle in the foreground is a bolt action 6.5x55mm Swedish rifle,
a slightly shoerter version of the one adopted in 1896. THese have
been availalbe from surplus dealers for several years ar incredibly cheap
prices, and are exceptionally well made and accurate rifles. Some
collectors specialize in just Swedish rifles, and can find about a dozen
different variations.
Note that shooters should always wear appropriate eye and ear protection,
like these members.
(No photo) One of our Doctor members specializes in WW2 German semi-automatic rifles. (He is also a talented sculptor in his spare time.) One of his patiens found out he was interested in guns, and brought him a German G43 rifle that he had taken from a German soldier during WW2. This was a nice rifle with a known history to add to his collection. And, for the first time in 57 years, it was fired.
.
This members brought a wide variety of World War 2 vintage rifles.
He is firing a German K98k 8mm Mauser rifle, with the bayonet attached.
On the shooting bench you can see the Mauser along with a .303 British
Lee Enfield rifle, and a U.S. .30 caliber M1 Carbine. WHen not being used,
they should have the action open to show that they arenot loaded and are
safe.
.
One of the great things about freedom is that you can collect whatever
you like. This member is a serious pistol competitor, as shown by
the nice assortment in the case on the bench. However, he also took
a liking to the semi- automatic version of Belgian made FN-FAL 7.62mm rifle.
THe tru :assault rifle" version which also has full automatic capability
is the standard service rifle of numerous nations, inlcuding many NATO
allies. Only a few were imported into the US and he hope that this
will increase in value. but meanwhile is enjoying its splendid shooting
capabilities.
One member specializes in variations of the M1 Carbine, and brought
these two. Everyone enjoys shooting htese great little guns, and
he used up a LOT of ammunition.
Some assortedguns brought by mameber for shooting enjoyment.
These include a lever action Model 1894 Winchester .30-30 deer rifle (invented
by John M. Browning about 60 miles fromthe range we were using), a Marlin
.22 semi-automatic rifle, a target pistol and a custom sporting rifle still
under construction. (Made from a 1916 vintage british rifle, a new
barrel, and a U.S military sniper telescope!)
Using a two hand grip resting on the bench for accuracy, this member
is trying out a top grade target pistol. He and the pistol both performed
well.
A historic full automatic weapon