DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

for what it's worth, i've shipped ammo to the Riv and had no trouble at all. the business center accepted my packages which i had ordered from Cheaper than Dirt and all was smiles when i went to pick them up.

[hexjunkie]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

Someone had mentioned tables previously, If I were to buy one or two tables, would anyone in the Vegas area be able to store a couple of folding tables for future use?

Folding Table from WalMart

just for an idea.

[topsnooper]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

I've picked up 6 of those same folding tables which I plan on bringing to the shoot... does anyone have an idea of how many tables are needed or would be "nice" to have?

[hexjunkie]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

IF the back of my pickup is within a reasonable distance from the shooting range (ie: i can back my pickup right up to the range) that is my table and I won't need one.

If not it won't be the first time I found a log and started using my case as a table.

[Samael]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

Hey guys,

This will be my first time at Defcon, and I am really interested in attending the shoot.

I just have some questions that I didn't find answered in the thread.

1. I own no guns, ammo, and have only minimal experience. I've shot an ak47 and a desert eagle once when I was in LV about 5 years ago.
2. How much money will it all cost, and since I don't own any guns etc will I be able to borrow someones?
3. How soon before Defcon is the shoot?

Cheers

[hexjunkie]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

Hey guys,

This will be my first time at Defcon, and I am really interested in attending the shoot.

I just have some questions that I didn't find answered in the thread.

1. I own no guns, ammo, and have only minimal experience. I've shot an ak47 and a desert eagle once when I was in LV about 5 years ago.
2. How much money will it all cost, and since I don't own any guns etc will I be able to borrow someones?
3. How soon before Defcon is the shoot?

Cheers

This is not my first con, but it is the first shoot I can actually attend!

Your questions can be answered by reading this thread really.

1. I own no guns, ammo, and have only minimal experience. I've shot an ak47 and a desert eagle once when I was in LV about 5 years ago.

From the first page on in this thread there has been great discussion about this, even I have made statements about this. All of the guns being used in this event are personal fire arms of someone at the shoot. With this in mind (at least with my own firearms) if you have minimal experience, I will teach you the basics of fire arm safety and I will show you what and how to do things with MY firearms. If you are an ass-hat you will never touch one of my firearms. I do not trust my life to someone who I simply cannot trust or have confidence in that they will be safe and respectable with my firearms.

Posted by Cot Man in Location of shoot for DC17 was great ...

While it seems most people that plan to shoot do bring weapons to shoot, several people make arrangements with other people bringing weapons to share weapons. Some people brought weapons with plenty of extra ammo to share with anyone that wanted to fire off a few rounds, but others had weapons that required more expensive ammunition, and some of these people made arrangements to share a weapon if another person was willing to provide the ammunition, or trade something.

Announce your interest early, and try to make arrangements with other attendees to borrow their weapons. It may be as simple as buying a specific manufacturer's specific caliber of ammunition, or just the cost in time to offer something to, or ask the people that arrive with weapons. The cost of ammunition has gone up, and shelves have been empty at many local stores.

Your chance of making arrangements early with other people increase if you know people that can vouch for you as a sane and safety conscious person. Obviously, they would need to be people that know you and the party with which you want make arrangements.

Last year, a few people like Deviant Ollam had .22 rifles and other small caliber rifles that they offered to anyone to try. Others would allow others to shoot their weapon if they were asked in-person, but some of the larger caliber weapons can be expensive to shoot, especially the automatic weapons, which don't take long to exhaust a clip of ammunition.

2. How much money will it all cost, and since I don't own any guns etc will I be able to borrow someones?

Cost is answered in this thread as well, there are no fees (I am sure there is a cost for the shirts, though I have not heard a price yet). As to borrowing someone else's guns please see above. My feelings is it would be smart to bring a little cash as it would be polite that if someone actually lets you use their guns and allows you to burn some of their ammo, it is only nice to "tip" them as they are actually spending money on you by allowing you to use their ammo/firearm. Again its all about the situation (I like to live in the moment), at the very least a heartfelt "thank you" should be in order to the person who was kind enough to loan you a gun and ammo for a while.

If you want to know overall expense:

I know that for me just getting the guns to the con is going to cost about $50 each way for oversize baggage fees, as I said in a previous post I am buying all kinds of special ammo which adds up some as expensive at $50 per 9 rounds and more. I never mind eating the cost of purchasing the firearms because I'd have them anyways. There is also a cost of targets, cleaning, gun upkeep, and other such incidental costs. For some this is just incidental costs of having a good time, for others this is a serious expense. I see myself as one of the former and would gladly share guns/ammo/space/rides/water/ and later a few rounds at the bar with anyone at the shoot provided they are not the aforementioned ass-hat and I never expect anything in return. Again it is a situational thing that I am sure someone will come along and answer much better than I.

3. How soon before Defcon is the shoot?

This one I actually know; and it is answered in this thread, first post actually.

Welcome, one and all... i'm happy to announce that the newly revived DEFCON Shoot will indeed be happening again just prior to DC 18.

Everyone seemed to really like the location, so we'll likely be back there again. Thursday morning will be the same time, just as in years past.

This year i have many of my friends from other countries who have expressed interest in coming to the DC-Shoot, and i think on some level it could be a really amazing outreach type project... where if you have a guest who can show citizenship from a nation that isn't gun-friendly, they can try out your firearms simply for the cost of ammo.

Heh... someone wanna work up a mock-UN type flag that features firearms? Having a small one of them near your shooting station could signify your willingness to be an Ambassador of Gun Goodwill to our international guests.

I do know that all of these questions have been answered several times over in this years Defcon Shoot threads and more over in previous years shoot threads.

My advise from one new person shoot attendee to another would be to not plan so hard. If you are genuinely interested in firearms, gun safety, and are willing to learn there is always a chance to hook up with someone, get a ride out there and just seeing what it is all about. If you get there and its not your scene, I'm sure there are people who will head back to the hotel soon enough. If you get there and you are having a good time who cares if you get to borrow someone else's guns or not, at least you are there and having a good time. I believe that is solid advice for the entire con, not just the shoot.

[Samael]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

Hi Hexjunkie,

I really appreciate your reply, thanks. I didn't read the entire thread, and the first few pages seemed to be discussing what I thought had already been settled.

I wouldnt consider myself an asshat, but as it's my first con I have no one ready to vouch that.

I'll be happy to turn up and wish for the best :)

The only reason I asked about funds is that I don't mind paying a bit, but I'm fairly broke at the same time so didn't want to go if it was going to be outside of my budget.

Just one question about the timing...does "just prior" mean the day before, or what? I'm going to be coming from New York, so would need to know to come in advance if necessary.

I will also be going to Costa Rica soon...so if ammo is cheaper in NY or Costa Rica and I can grab some for someone do let me know.

Cheers :)

[hexjunkie]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

As for ammo, I know I buy mine online for this event, so I get the best deal I can find without buying cheap ammo. I can't speak for the rest of the people here, but shipping eliminates the hassle for me :)

Cost isn't an issue for any event at DefCon that I have come across, save maybe the EFF's fundraiser, the rest of the events are no cost or very low cost. Like I said, just show up and see what happens. If you need a ride post on this forum or ask in PMs to people. The event is on Thursday Morning (fact check ?) before the badge office is open.

Since this is your first con, if you didn't know there are plenty of parties every night to keep you entertained, I suggest if you arrive on Wednesday, and you like to drink, try to limit yourself on Wednesday night as you will have Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights still to drink. (the desert sun is hell on a hangover)

The reason the event is "just before the con" is that before last year nothing really happened on Thursday until the evening. Since last year they have started a Newbie track that starts around noon? on Thursday. This was a time before the con was DefCon Shoot. In the last two years Thursday has been absorbed more and more into the DC Weekend.

[Picch]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

I can't speak for others, but for me personally...assuming the non-asshat caveat...if you bring ammo, you're more than welcome to shoot what you bring with my firearms. I stated in one of my earlier posts what guns I'll be bringing and what they shoot as have others.

My only rules with regards to that are as follows:
1) No ammo with steel casings will be shot through any of my firearms. 7.62x54R Soviet Surplus ammo that has a steel casing but is copper plated is fine.

2) My friends and I obviously get priority on my firearms

[Samael]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

Hi Guys,

It all sounds awesome, and I can't wait :)

I will PM people closer to the event I guess, and keep an eye on this thread :)

[jcbxcalibr]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

It's been awhile since I've been to Defcon. This year, come hell or high water I'm going.

I'm local to Vegas and two or three people can ride with me. I don't mind people shooting my guns as long as you help out with the ammo cost.
Calibers that I'm bringing;
45 ACP
40 S&W
22 LR
7.62 x 39
5.56 or 223
308
12 Gauge

@sintax - I have a truck and could probably come up with a table. Let me know and I can help you out.

[Picch]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

It's been awhile since I've been to Defcon. This year, come hell or high water I'm going.

I'm local to Vegas and two or three people can ride with me. I don't mind people shooting my guns as long as you help out with the ammo cost.
Calibers that I'm bringing;
45 ACP
40 S&W
22 LR
7.62 x 39
5.56 or 223
308
12 Gauge

@sintax - I have a truck and could probably come up with a table. Let me know and I can help you out.

Hey jcbxcalibr,
I've had 30rds of surplus .308 sitting on my shelf for for about 6 months. Perhaps I can take a few mins to run through them on whatever your bringing that shoots it? I'd be more than willing to trade time on anything I'm bringing.

[Samael]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

I am looking at booking flights at the moment....I was looking at arriving on the 28th of July....but if I arrive in the afternoon would that be too late? Would it be better to arrive on the 27th?

[jcbxcalibr]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

I am looking at booking flights at the moment....I was looking at arriving on the 28th of July....but if I arrive in the afternoon would that be too late? Would it be better to arrive on the 27th?

I believe the shoot is on Thursday morning so coming in Wednesday night should be fine.

[jcbxcalibr]

Re: DEFCON 18 Shoot information thread

Hey jcbxcalibr,
I've had 30rds of surplus .308 sitting on my shelf for for about 6 months. Perhaps I can take a few mins to run through them on whatever your bringing that shoots it? I'd be more than willing to trade time on anything I'm bringing.

You're more than welcome to shoot it. I have some boxes of 9mm that I've had for awhile that I hope someone can put to good use.