First time handgun shooter going to shoot next week

[BehindTheIronCurtain]

Hey guys, I've never shot a handgun before and bought a glock 30. I'm a big dude, 262 and pretty strong, I just don't want to look like an ass on the range after taking my first shot. Any tips?

 

[Michael R.]

Why don't you start with a 22 first?

 

[BehindTheIronCurtain]

Why don't you start with a 22 first?

Because I live in NYS and getting one gun is a process, getting two requires an amendment, and I wanted one I could use for home defense rather than waiting to be processed for a second gun after I bought a 22

 

[Odd Job]

I advise going to the range with another dude who you can trust and who has a bit of experience with pistols, let him have a few shots with it first. Let him show you the basics and then you have a go. Can be useful if there are questions about the function of the gun or accuracy.

 

[Michael R.]

Ok. I see now. The only advice I could give you is to take it slow and start out short, you can always move back in if you want to.

 

[Odd Job]

I forgot to add that quite a lot of familiarity with the gun and trigger can be had at no risk if you get some snap caps for it, such as these:

http://tinyurl.com/cofzbbv

 

[montanaoffroader]

If you are interested in practicing with .22 LR, you can pick up a .22 conversion for your Glock. It is not an actual firearm, so you don't have to mess around with permits and such. This would give you 2 firearms in 1, able to shoot lots of cheap .22 and switch to .45 for the serious stuff.

Just my $.02

 

[T Bran]

Best tip I can give you is to double up on the hearing protection. Put in a set of ear plugs before you put on your muffs.
T

 

[BCRider]

You want to make sure you're holding it the best possible way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm9uG5bPubw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

are two great freebie vids with lots of good tricks.

The only thing they either don't mention or gloss over quickly is the need to avoid fighting the recoil. Don't try to fight it and don't try to aid the gun in any manner. Just hold steady and pull the darn trigger.

I find that it helps to concentrate on pulling the trigger all the way through the BANG! and hold it there through the recoil. It's a form of trigger follow through and shows that you did the job right. Only after all the recoil is done should you then ease up on the trigger. Remember. Steady sight picture and build pressure on the trigger right through the BANG and hold it until the recoil shock is done. If you can do that steady enough and avoid fixating on all the commotion happening in your hands you'll do nicely.

Best of luck with the new toy! Post a range report on this thread when you get to shoot and about the results and your feelings on the whole thing. I'll warn you that shooting a handgun well isn't an easy thing to do. I joke about it a bit but to do it well it's really a Zen like thing. If you can sort of ignore the BANG and recoil fuss you'll generally do well.

 

[Teachu2]

Great choice on the Glock 30 - I recently bought one myself. I doubt you'll have any problem shooting it - just try not to giggle like a 12-year-old girl when you realize how much fun it is shooting one!

Since you are going to a range, ask the rangemaster to point out someone shooting who can help you out. Every range I've ever been to had at least one guy there who was happy to get a new shooter started safely. I know that for a fact, as I was there, and I'm always willing to help - as are 95% of others.

The Glock 30 shoots surprisingly well in many ways. The .45acp is a low velocity cartridge, so the recoil is more of a "push" than a "snap". The trigger on the 30 isn't the kind that makes accidental discharges easy to accomplish. You gotta mean to fire to make it happen, unlike many other guns. It's also pretty accurate, especially for a smaller gun.

Thirty seconds of instruction by someone familiar with a Glock - any Glock - will go a long way toward calming your nerves. We all were mentored by someone, and we all are happy to pass that along. Just look for a "mature" shooter that's taking their time, and they'll be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Have fun, be safe!

 

[rswartsell]

You should be advised that handguns are the most difficult firearms to shoot well, but it is in no way impossible to do so. They require proper technique and while you may never be a Jerry Miculek, you certainly can become proficient with proper instruction and practice.

For most new shooters the legendary .45 acp might be somewhat intimidating. And some attention should be paid up front to this as recoil anticipation is the enemy of any handgun shooter.

As far as recoil goes, the .45 acp is usually dreaded far beyond any reality by completely inexperienced shooters. It is nothing to fear. Lightweight .357 mags, .44 magnums and the extreme hi-power revolvers (.454 Casull, etc.) are in another category entirely in regards to muzzle jump and felt recoil.

Most people describe .45 acp as a "push" instead of snappy or overwhelming. Within a very few rounds I could have soccer Moms beyond their fear and paying attention to proper technique (I have done so for .38 spl. beginning with .22 and am confident I could have gone to .45 acp given a reason) if the gun has any weight at all. The Glock 30 at about 34 oz. loaded and you being a big strong guy, you will find very quickly that recoil is not only managable but within "comfort" levels. Only the experince of shooting it will drive this home for good.

I would seek instruction (for safe handling BEFORE shooting) and for proper technique as soon as all initial apprehension is overcome. Don't wait until you develop bad habits to break.

I don't for a minute think that .45 acp is a "bad" place to start and I think you made a good choice in the Glock 30 as a platform.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Set up a lesson right there at the range..

Build your shooting foundation from an instructor

Key,


Ls

 

[Teachu2]

BTW, my 125 lb 5'4" wife had never shot a pistol until three trips to the range ago. On her second trip, she fired a magazine (7 rounds) through one of my 1911s, also .45acp. Shots 5,6,and 7 were all in the 1" orange dot and touching each other. She grinned and said "I LIKE that!"...

The Glock30, being lighter, will feel like a little more recoil - but you'll be fine. I haven't let her shoot mine yet, as I'd like to keep it. Fortunately, for me, she has really small hands....

 

[F-111 John]

I would only make one suggestion: Your very first shot should be with only one round in the magazine.

 

[BossHogg]

Just go and shoot the thing. Be aware of the slide action, but with about any normal type grip there is nothing to be worried about. I think you made an excellant choice for a range and home defense gun. Very mild shooting 45 acp.

 

[buck460XVR]

Make sure you fully understand how you gun operates and how to use it's functions. Make sure you follow the four rules of gun safety and concentrate more on form and function than accuracy. Accuracy will come with use if form and function are correct. If there are other folks at the range when you are there, don't be afraid to ask questions or for help. Most of us are happy to assist, especially for new folks to the sport.

 

[coalman]

9mm. Thumbs forward. Square shoulders and feet to target. Extend arms. Keep both eyes open. Trigger finger on first pad. Start with target at 5-7 yards. Load 10 rounds or less regardless of capacity. Go slow. Enjoy.

 

[Patriotme]

I would only make one suggestion: Your very first shot should be with only one round in the magazine.

That's a very good point.
I would also suggest only loading a couple of rounds in each mag for about 3-4 reloads. Then go up to 5 rounds per mag. This will allow you to get more reloads in and work on your gun handling. Most people top off their magazines (don't call them clips) and only get a couple of reloads in per range trip. They get a lot of trigger time in but they don't do a lot of reloads. You get just as much time on the trigger with 5 rounds per mag as you do with 10-17 but you get better at working the controls when you do more reloads. You can't beat building muscle memory.
Most people only buy 1-2 boxes of ammo per range trip so downloading your magazines is always a good idea when starting out.
The gentleman that suggested putting 1 round in the first mag is dead on. I had a woman almost drop my 9mm the first time she shot it.
As a new shooter you'll be a little nervous, a little excited and a little puzzled. It's good to take a break and a breath every few rounds. Getting those reloads in helps you to calm down and relax. Some people fully load the mags, crank off every round as fast as they can and build no skills. On top of that they don't breathe properly and this effects their groups.
Be safe. Everything else is expected and forgivable of a new shooter except being a safety hazzard.

 

[jad0110]

All great suggestions. The only thing I'll add is to remember to clean that factory gunk out of the works before you fire the first shot. It doesn't have to be surgically clean, since you are going to dirty it up anyway, but a lot of manufacturers pack a lot of preserving grease into the barrel.

Also, field stripping it for a cleaning before hand is a good way to become more familiar with the inner workings of your pistol before you shoot it.

 

[Tinker]

All great suggestions above.....just want to add this..... Main thing.. Don't discharge it into something you don't intend to shoot and...HAVE FUN with it!

Like this feller from Tennessee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3b5xuTwZHM

And to see what kind of accuracy is eventually possible with you new little pistol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWgYIef1ZUE