As the world changes around us due to COVID-19, many of us enduring the quarantine become bored...and for some of us, that can lead to depression. As many of you are aware, depression can be a serious medical condition. To combat this, the family is an important unit that can help in various ways. Generally, we “oldies” are usually at the head with our kids taking their cues, both negative and positive, from us. If we are calm, follow all the guidelines and observe our 6-foot social distance, we can still get things done! Here are five Coronavirus-boredom cures we're taking as directed--and I strongly recommend them to you, too.
1. Cataloging Our Gear
Quick: What's the total value of everything in your gun safe? It's not just an academic exercise; this is information you'll need for your insurance purposes as well as your own. As my firearm inventory increased over the years, I started to list specifics for every firearm to include variations of the following:
- Make:
- Serial Number:
- Caliber:
- Barrel Length:
- Finish:
- Date Obtained & From Where:
- Cost:
- Scope Make & Power:
- Cost:
- Rings & Base:
- Cost:
- Any Features That Makes It Special:
- Then I take a photo and include it with the description.
What I also include is what cartridge or handload is it sighted-in for, and at what range. On some firearms, I tape this to the top of the scope so in the future, the next user will easily know the practical data specific to the firearm. Having this paperwork ready to read at a glance will be invaluable now and in the future.
2. Cleaning Time
Now is a good opportunity to check all firearms and clean those barrels and frames again. After my barrels are clean, any the final patch comes out white, I then run down an impregnated patch with Ballistol and put them away. Then after a few months, I will run down a clean patch and many times, I would get a semi-green patch out the muzzle. I then clean it again and push down another Ballistol patch and put it away. Now is the perfect time to recheck your firearms and possibly re-clean the barrels.
3. Online Classes
Many schools today are closed and virtual schooling is the only choice to complete the school year. Parents, if you can, this has become a great opportunity to be involved in their daily learning and bonding. Our 11-year-old granddaughters were bummed when Pennsylvania Hunter Ed classes had to be canceled due to the pandemic...but many courses are being offered online now. Check with your state's fish and game service...they may have online classes that you and your kids will enjoy. Additionally, don't forget that the NRA offers a wide variety of online classes for everything from the basics of pistol shooting to NRA's official Hunter Ed courses. (Click here to explore!)
4. Build an In-Home Shooting Facility
Since our grand kids started shooting a few years ago, I constructed a 10-yard range of sorts with a 36 x 36 x 12-inch-thick box in my garage. Inside the large box, I stuffed heavy cardboard, and in the center, two old heavy towels and more compressed cardboard and magazines. This contraption is secured on a raised platform with a target placed in the center.
At the garage opening, 10 yards away, I put a small bench with a sandbag and rifle rest on top. Now I have a nice, safe BB gun range! To assure that all pellets are caught by my homemade backstop, I change the cardboard every so often as our young shooters' pellets will chew it up eventually.
I usually use a Caldwell Fire Control rifle rest for new and young shooters. Once the rifle is secured in this rest, it is hard to move so its muzzle is always pointing downrange. With all the hunting and competitive shooting my wife and I have done for many years, it is relaxing to go into the garage and shoot a few. s
Medical Warning
If you're doing work or using equipment you are not used to, be careful and do not over do it. This is no time to have an accident and need to go to the emergency room. Wear those safety glasses at all times while you're shooting (or using any other tools that could be hazardous if misused).
Having the ability to adapt to various situations is what survival is all about. In today’s world, as throughout time, making common-sense decisions will get us through this both physically and mentally. Through adversity, we learn and grow.
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