California is the most populated state in the union. It is a state with the most diverse natural environment, the most comfortable weather and a state economy that could compete with many industrialized countries on its own.

I enjoy visiting the state every time I get a chance.  I also shot many clays in their wonderful sporting clubs. The comfortable weather makes it year around sport there.  I have met lot of great law abiding gun owners over the years but the most recent CZ-USA demo event really brought out the cream of the crop amongst the defenders of the 2nd amendment. 

This event was held at LAX Firing Range  right by Los Angeles international airport in  Inglewood. I was familiar with the area from my playing days. We used to play the L.A. Kings in the Great Western Forum, not far from there . Only the older hockey fans remember that arena and also only the older players do. 

I was invited to represent CZ -USA at the event held by private Southern California shooting club called Bullets & Bagels. Part of my participation was speech given about my journey from communist country to America. The members came from all over Southern California. We shared a wonderful breakfast and many ideas about the state of affairs of the 2nd amendment before they went on and shot several CZ and Dan Wesson handguns. 

I knew of the California gun laws being strict but did not know how “oppressive” they really were. Tough gun laws or not, California is still extremely large firearms market.  I’m grateful CZ-USA continues to offer variety of handguns for the local market. The feed back from the club members/shooters was tremendous. 
The most popular gun was the CZ 75 SP-01, of course, followed closely by couple Dan Wesson models. For the firearms enthusiast interested in purchasing some California compliant guns from CZ-USA, the website is easy to navigate and the California guns are well marked. 

The best part of the event for me was discussing the 2nd amendment and it’s California restrictions. 

The carry permits are hardly ever issued, the modifications on handguns are crippling for most manufacturers and finally the changes mandatory to the CZ Scorpion are hard to understand even in a place like the “People’s Republic of California”.  The ultimate reason behind all that is to make it difficult and cost prohibitive for manufacturers to produce California compliant gun and for the individual buyer to just give up on owning a gun due to a cost and regulations. There is also a major public relations campaign amongst the liberal politicians and celebrities (who by the way all have armed guards) to blackball, embarrass and or discredit  anyone who is associated with firearms in any way. 

I am no legal scholar but surprisingly there is not enough  cases going to the US Supreme Court to challenge legitimacy of some these state gun laws. Whether it’s California or any other non gun friendly state. 

These two other issues have been on my mind for several weeks. 

I have a huge “beef” with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. I always had a problem  with his lack of courage during President’s Obama administration. He never stood up to him when it came down to debt ceiling and/or government spending decisions. He played hardball just for the show because he did not have the backbone to stand up for the principles he supposed to represent.  Last straw came the day after the horrific Las Vegas shooting. The democrats had no problem exploiting the moment for their anti gun agenda. Hillary Clinton(who is she ?), Chuck Shummer and Sydney Blumenthal (democratic senator from Connecticut) all came out speaking against the  use of suppressors. Taking full advantage of the moment  to address the Hearing Protection Act(allowing suppressors to be purchase without the fed tax stamp and a long wait) the Monday after the shooting. Knowing well that bill was on it’s way to the house for a vote in immediate future. What  did Paul Ryan do? He came out and said it was not the right time to vote on such a bill and the vote was postponed indefinitely. 
What a weak man! His opposition speaks up and he backs off. Is that a sign of a leader? I don’t thinks so. And there is many more like him Washington. 

He should have doubled down and reinforce the necessity for law abiding citizens to be able to live their lives and protect their loved ones the way the constitution guarantees it. And go ahead with the vote on the Hearing Protection Act because the other part of that bill was national reciprocity for all conceal carry permit holders. 

That’s what I would call leadership. 

Second issue.
The liberal complaint always is the gun owners do not have the training necessary to prevent or stop crime with their privately owned firearms. I personally try to find solutions, not get rid of problem. 

You still have an absolute right to own firearms. Some of us, more and more every year have carry permits but still can’t carry everywhere we would like. My solution is more training you get from  your state or local law enforcement agencies, higher level of permit you can obtain. If I decide to train enough and receive the “gold standard” permit I can carry just about anywhere. If you do not want to train and spend time getting better you keep your current standard  permit. 
Two things are important here. It has to be local or state law enforcement agency providing the trainers/instructors and we might have the NRA possibly subsidy some of the training cost for people who can not afford the best program for them. Being able to protect yourself in movie theater,church, restaurants, schools(teachers,janitors,parents carrying and be able to protect) and sporting events for example we will collectively decreased the amount of “soft targets”.

But it’s just  idea from a guy who does not know what he’s talking about. There is so many well educated people in Washington  who know what’s better  for us and I’m sure they’ll find the perfect solution.

            DISMAL RIVER CLUB

This fall has been busy time for me. I did not get to shoot and hunt enough. But finally in November I had a great opportunity to spent couple days with friends  pulling the trigger in Nebraska’s Sandhills. I have  hunted there in the past with the Dismal River Outfitters, this time we enjoyed the conveniences of very luxurious, classy and rustic Dismal River Club. The club offers world class golfing, hunting and also one the best long range set ups I’ve ever seen. The opportunities for outdoorsman are endless. We tried to break some clays on their five stand with the rental CZ shotguns but Nebraska’s November wind was getting the better of us. 

If you are one of the few guys who has time to play golf and hunt in the same lifetime, this place is for you. Contact the club and they can help you coordinate both outings on the same trip. 

I don’t know many places, if any this would be possible and that’s good enough reason to check out the DismalRiverClub.com. 
(Alice can you check if the website address is correct?) 

The day on the range started with mounting my  new Silencerco Sparrow suppressor on the heavy barreled CZ 455  22 magnum. The rifle was sighted in at 50 yards previously. We took our ear protection off because suppressors allow you to and went to “work”. Short while later  the rifle is sighted in and everyone is taking turns shooting 100 yard target. 

The rifle is ready for some small game hunt now. Anything within hundred yards should be dead if I do my job.

I’m planning  to try to suppress CZ’s 512 Tactical  22 mag this winter with my other  Sparrow. 

The bolt action offers so much fun, I can not imagine what the semi auto platform will be like. 
22 LR great  but 22 WMAG is greater 🙂

Here are few of my observations  from the long (very long)range:

Shooting long range is a skill. It takes long time to get good at and you need lot of patience. To become successful in a “long range game” you also need good equipment. The equipment I mean accurate guns like  the CZ heavy barreled 308, 300 win mag and or 338 lapua. Good spotter friend is valuable especially once you shoot beyond six hundred yards. 

The rifles in different calibers each have their own sweet spot. 

I have gained lot of experience shooting 308 in the last five or six years. The  308’s sweet spot is from hundred to six hundred yards. Anything beyond that takes more skill, experience, reloading, spotter(ideally) and very good equipment. The  caliber has its limits but it could be thousand yard gun on a great  day. I still believe it is the best all around caliber. Great starter long range gun but also great long term gun for the lack of recoil. Most shooters get tired of dealing with the recoil eventually. You can shoot suppressed 308 all day and every day. Everyday gun  performs like a master. 
(Alice I’m hoping to provide some picture of the 557 308 varmint suppressed in couple of weeks, my friend finally got his barrel threaded and I got the can) 

300 win mag’s  sweet spots extends to  800,900,1000 yards. I’ve seen a hit at a mile with the 300 win mag  CZ but  you need everything to go your way. 

Finally the Lapua 338. Walking it up to thousand yards was no problem for the CZ HET 550 even in not so good conditions. Late afternoon is not ideal for long range shots. Morning air is far more consistent. I understand military snipers do not have a choice but we’re not them. The attempt at a mile was not successful but it gives something to shoot for next time, literally. 

Just like my first CZ 75 b made me a better shooter years ago, these rifles (and quality scopes)) will get you into the long range game with ease. 

As I was going through my final edit on this blog I realized I left out couple very important mentions. 

The food in the Dismal River Club was absolutely fantastic. Everything was prepared fresh and tasted just the way it’s supposed to. From any beef dish to lighter options like pheasant pot pie, chicken either breast or whole to side dishes of pasta, potatoes and rice. All served with plenty of fresh vegetables. Their seafood choices for example shrimp wrapped in bacon were just as good as any meal. The beef was very likely the best i ever tasted. After all we were in the middle of cattle country. 

You topped that with genuinely nicest people in the country and you’re having yourself one great getaway.