Guns and fun
There comes a time in ones life when you get the opportunity to do something that you will most likely never do again. Today, that opportunity came for me to shoot one of the largest guns legally possess-able to a non-military (or police) citizen. My work is trying to have a bit of a party or reward each time we meet our goals for the month. Because my boss is very into guns, she decided it would be good to go out west of Utah Lake and shoot. I shot lots of guns; rifles (one from 1903), old style revolvers, other hand guns and even a potato gun. However, the highlight of the day was that I shot a 50 caliber big gun. I don’t know the official name of it. According to this image (and caption), it’s the Barrett “Light Fifty” Model 82A1 sniping rifle. But I’m not sure if that’s the exact same gun. The ammunition for this thing is $10 a pop.
Was it fun? Yes. Did it make me feel manly? Yes. Would I like to own one? Heck no. Do I think they should be legal for non-military? Heck No. This gun is way to powerful. The average citizen has absolutely no need for something like this. It would blow away anything you would want to kill to eat. It’s only applicable for show and tell.
When this gun is fired you can feel the concussion from a good 20 or 30 feet away. Each time it was fired, everything that wasn’t secured would fall off the table from which we shot it. It’s just one of those things that you gotta do once in your life.
Would I do this again? Yeah… if the opportunity presents itself. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to make sure it happens again.
Oh, and by the way, my left ear is still ringing and my sholder is really sore. All in good fun, right?
One Response
dan you should come shooting with us some time. my brother has a barrett 50 cal. here’s a vid of him shooting it: http://www.ryanbyrd.net/rambleon/2008/10/01/third-times-the-charm/
don’t worry, if obama becomes president, it’s certain he’ll prevent sales of the barrett 50 to civilians.
the destructive power of the gun is awesome. we shot through 1/2 steel targets and the bullet exploded a gaping hole through the plate like a hot knife through butter. truly amazing.