Hello everyone,

Let me introduce myself, my name is Susan Gray. I am a novice with firearms. Before my current position, I worked in the Home Improvement field for many years. Ten months ago I was blessed when I acquired an administrative assistant position for the training department at FreeState Gun Range. Before I began working here, my knowledge of firearms was limited to hunting squirrel and rabbit with my father when I was a teen.

Since I am working in the training department, I made it a priority to get my HQL (handgun qualification license). The HQL allows you to purchase hand guns in the state of Maryland. I now have a Canik TP9SFX 9mm, Semi-Automatic and a Heritage Rough Rider .22, Single Action. These two guns are both fun to shoot, but very different. The Magazines for the Canik holds 18 rounds each, where the Heritage is a six shooter. I love the fact that to load the revolver I only have to open the cylinder and put the bullets in (the spent casings must be taken out before inserting the new bullets).

When it comes to loading the Canik, it is not that easy. The bullets must be loaded into the magazine which has a spring in the bottom that pushes the bullets up as you fire the gun. Hence, it takes some strength to load the magazines. Luckily, my Canik came with a Speed Loader which allows me to load the magazine quickly. A nice thing about the Canik is that the casings are dispelled from the gun as you shoot. Also, since each magazine holds 18 rounds, you do not have to reload as often. This is really good if you are in a situation where you are protecting yourself or your loved ones..