“We were lucky enough to avoid most of the rain,” said Mas, dryly.
“Mas, that joke just sucks,” replied Tom, swiftly.
But, seriously…
On this end, we’ve had remarkable good luck dodging bad weather so far this year. This past weekend, rain had been predicted for both shooting days. We got through Day One with nary a raindrop, though. Quarter-inch hailstones and monster rain and lightning storms had been predicted for Day Two. We ended up shooting in light rain some, and went indoors when the thunder rolled, but still finished only a few minutes later than scheduled. Shooting in the rain presents some degree of safety hazard – loaded guns in wet, slippery hands, and vision somewhat impaired by rain on the shooting glasses – but that can be compensated for. Lightning, however, is non-negotiable. When you’re responsible for people’s safety, you don’t send them out in a lightning storm to stand in an open field holding metal objects. Minutes after the last student had departed the graduation ceremony, the skies opened with sheets of rain and an impressive light show of natural electricity.
In mid-May, we had been teaching a MAG-40 class at Karl Rehn’s outstanding KR Training center near Austin, Texas. We got rained on throughout, but thanks to KR staffer Rich Worthey’s masterful navigation of weather apps, we were able to get folks inside before any lightning hit the scene. That heavy rain hasn’t stopped since. Rich told me later that he and his neighbors were beginning to understand why Noah felt such urgency in building the Ark. That whole area has suffered severe flooding since, and now. Indeed, flooding of late has been horrible from Houston to Hoboken. Condolences to all who are going through such brutal weather.
How bad has it been at home ? Time to put the house up on stilts yet?
Keep your powder dry- literally.
Aw, come on Mas, Gun Fights are not called due to rain, or Lightning!
Thought you all were all for realistic Self Defense Training?
Actually, I once lived just inside the SW quadrant of the San Antonio Beltway, so we regularly “Flooded” during most Rainy Seasons, for all the time we lived there, so you have my sympathy, and still got off only lightly “Dampened” considering how bad it must have been in that area, this year.
Welcome to Texas Mas!
Unfortunately, our weather had been feast or famine. We end a 100 year record drought with the wettest May in history. Go figure. I’m just glad our lakes have filled up, but a lot of folks who’ve been flooded out are hurting. God Bless.
Our friends in Bastrop ended up being evacuated due to Colorado River flooding a few days after we left the wet MAG 40 class at KR Training. So even though it seemed pretty bad and I had to repair my windshield after one of those hail storms on the freeway, I have to agree, yeah we did miss most of the rain!
Texas has many attributes but after having lived there six years, I would say weather is not one of them. Fried pies and barbecue, yes, tornadoes and blistering heat, no. Climate added floods after I left.
The first time I fired my Glock in the rain, I was surprised by how slippery it becomes when it’s wet, but I was even more surprised by the fact that it’s still very controllable & that it doesn’t seem to affect my shooting ability at all. I have shot perfect scores on qualification courses even in a steady rain. Shooting in bad weather is something everyone should practice so that you learn what to expect & so that you won’t be distracted by it in an emergency.
I feel bad for the people who have been flooded in Texas & elsewhere. I hope they will recover soon. We just had the hottest May on record in this part of Virginia, but the heavy rain did not hit us until today. So far, I have not heard of any flooding or severe damage here & I hope it will stay that way.
Interesting to note, that “holding a metal object” does not really make things more dangerous, and neither does *not* holding metal make things less dangerous. That lightning just traveled a mile through one of the most insulating materials for electricity — air. A piece of metal isn’t going to affect whether it goes for you or not, it’s just searching for the easiest path. And that’s anything besides air.
I hadn’t ever thought about training in rain, but it does make sense. You aren’t always in ideal conditions. Of course, my range’s outdoor shooting stalls are all covered, not sure what I could do there!
It will be hot and sunny in July in WA.
Mas. Would you consider posting a blog entry on what you would want to have on hand in case things get nasty this summer? Suggestions on what you would want on your person, in your car, and at home would be interesting. How much ammo do you need? etc.
I have this feeling that this summer is not going to be peaceful and calm, and it’s not good to be buying stuff when the poop is already flying.
Here in south cental Pa., we have none of the extremes suffered by others, thankfully. It has been raining for a few days, but no one is complaining as it truly is needed. The temperature is another story, however. Two days ago you could break a sweat just by walking across the back yard. Now? An hour ago I closed all the house windows as it is right at an indicated 54 degrees that feels like 34. Tonight it is to drop into the 40’s.
Mas, your cautions re: lightning remind me of my long-ago youth, where we were brought in from the pool at the 1st sign of any “natural electricity” – just as we would be chased in if we were caddying at the golf course. Of course, the standard advice was: “in case of lightning, to be safe, walk into the middle of the fairway and hold a 2 iron straight overhead – because not even God can hit a 2 iron.”
Hello All!
As a Hunter I enjoy being out in most any weather and shoot in all conditions. With a passion for such activity it is natural to gain experience shooting in such. I do not generally find inclement weather to constitute a safety issue, personally.
That said, to operate in a blue bird day mindset and/or coming from a place of ignorance of the unique challenges presented by such conditions is surely foolhardy. Part of any shooting endeavor is the use of ambient conditions to best advantage.
Needless to say – Staying safe is highly advantageous!
Personally I have never participated in any range activity while lightning was happening thus far. Furthermore, there are no plans to do so! I have; however, been out afield when such kicked into the skies and did not shut down my Hunt. It was a judgement call on the day and I was not struck.
Great post, thanks Mas, reading this has brought back some beautiful memories of a rain and lightning storm that occurred some years back during my last visit to Austin. Fortunately there was no flooding then as there has been elsewhere in the Great State of Texas this year…
My sincerest condolences to all those effected.
May the Good Lord bless and keep you all!
Well it looks like training in the rain is a good possibility for the upcoming MAG 80 class in Kankakee in June. Looks like rain on 4 of the 5 days. Nothing like Texas has had so that’s a good thing. Might have to look into some new rain gear……..
I was thinking about safety issues that I have observed over spending several hundred days at shooting ranges. I remembered more muzzle control issues involving revolvers than semi-autos, and shotguns even more than revolvers. Semi-auto shooters seemed to be most likely to break toting-loaded rules, or other particularly-range-specific regs. Revolver shooters seemed prone to point muzzles sideways at their neighbors while loading or ejecting shells, which could be infuriating to the neighbor. Trap shooters have been careless and had ND’s, apparently due to wandering attention. Then there were the people who would try to get away with anything, including driving a motor vehicle 50 yards to the target and back. Wondering about others’ ideas on this.
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