I've just started shooting and I'm looking to make my first gun purchase (I started another thread on here about that process). I've been looking in the gun shops and Cabelas and a couple of other sporting good/hunting stores and I've been a little reluctant to have the guy start pulling guns out of the cases. Honestly, I'm not sure what to do when he does.
I didn't grow up around guns and this is all new to me. I know (and follow) the basic safety rules, watched a bunch of Youtube videos, went through a full day CCP class, and have gone shooting a few times now.
First, what is the proper etiquette. I know I shouldn't point a gun at anything but is it ok to point a gun down at the floor to see how it feels in a shooting position? At the ceiling? Across the store where there isn't a person? Just not sure. Also, is it ok to cock it? Fire it without anything in it (after checking)? Take it apart if it's used (although I'll probably buy new because of my inexperience)?
Also, what am I looking for? I know the feel of the grip in my hand but other than that, without firing a gun, what other distinguishing characteristics am I looking at from one gun to the next.
When I am shooting different guns I've noticed differences in the feel of the gun in my hand, the recoil, how hard/easy it is to pull the trigger, it's weight. People mention sights a lot and right now I'm not seeing much difference. They look different but I don't know if I'm knowledgeable enough yet to see a real difference from one sight to the next when shooting.
I didn't grow up around guns and this is all new to me. I know (and follow) the basic safety rules, watched a bunch of Youtube videos, went through a full day CCP class, and have gone shooting a few times now.
First, what is the proper etiquette. I know I shouldn't point a gun at anything but is it ok to point a gun down at the floor to see how it feels in a shooting position? At the ceiling? Across the store where there isn't a person? Just not sure. Also, is it ok to cock it? Fire it without anything in it (after checking)? Take it apart if it's used (although I'll probably buy new because of my inexperience)?
Also, what am I looking for? I know the feel of the grip in my hand but other than that, without firing a gun, what other distinguishing characteristics am I looking at from one gun to the next.
When I am shooting different guns I've noticed differences in the feel of the gun in my hand, the recoil, how hard/easy it is to pull the trigger, it's weight. People mention sights a lot and right now I'm not seeing much difference. They look different but I don't know if I'm knowledgeable enough yet to see a real difference from one sight to the next when shooting.