How to get into guns/shooting for someone with no experience?

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gregr507

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This is my first post here, I'm 21 and am interested in learning how to shoot and maybe purchasing a gun of my own. The thing is, I haven't grown up around guns or anything, I've never even shot one actually. I would like to learn, but don't really have any friends/family who are into it either.

I've discussed my interest with a good friend of mine and my girlfriend, and both sounded like they would be up for going to a shooting range with me some time. The thing is, none of us have any experience. I worry about looking stupid not knowing what I'm doing, and much more importantly, worry about being unsafe.

So what is a good way to get into shooting for someone with basically zero exposure to it? Thanks in advance
 
shed the worry about looking stupid or you are gonna die. just go to a range and ask for an employee to help you out. no one would ever say no. do a little reading. when you rent and go to the range take a bit to play with the gun. ask some questions. practice for a few minutes on how to load, unload, pull the slide back, any safeties ect...
after all the safety stuff is covered, try to have some fun. look around online. there is plenty of literature for you to read/learn with.
 
Hey Gregr,

Welcome! Please feel free to look "stupid". All of us were beginners at some point. As previously suggested, find a shooting range near your home, walk right in and find the manager/rangemaster, tell him that you're brand new and want to learn.

You'll be amazed at the welcome you'll receive from the shooting fraternity.

All the best!

Bill
 
You could find a basic pistol course in your area, or seek friends/family with firearms and see if they'd be up for some basic instructing. I've taken a few new shooters to the range, I supplied the toys and let them buy me lunch after.

If you want to start out completely on your own, I'd start with a nice simple rimfire (go with .22 long rifle, AKA "22LR", or simply ".22", it is the most common and easy to find) rifle or handgun, with basic open sights. Henry and Ruger come to mind, but there's lots more out there. Don't be afraid to buy used from a reputable shop, if cost is an issue. Don't stress over the type of action, semi-auto or revolver handguns are both good starter guns, as are semi-auto, lever, or bolt-action rifles.
Someone will be posting momentarily with their opinions on "how to start out a new shooter" with a lot of specifics, don't worry about following (non-safety) instructions to the letter. Whatever works for you is fine.
While it isn't a requirement, starting with rimfire will let you develop skills and safety with a smaller investment, and you can move up to more expensive centerfire if you still have a desire to shoot, whether recreational, sporting, or just for self-defense.

If you added your general location someone could probably recommend a rental range and/or instructor.
 
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Ditto on the .22 long rifle. You can get a very good rifle or handgun for far less than a decent centerfire gun would cost and the ammunition is also inexpensive, meaning you can burn lots of rounds at the range. Ruger and Browning make very good pistols and the little Ruger Bearcat is a very nice revolver. The Ruger 10/22 is probably one of the most popular rifles, but I really do like my Henry lever action.

As others have recommended, visit a range, take a safety course and rent a gun.

Like you, I did not grow up around guns, though I had fired them from time to time. When I turned 21, I bought my first gun and took the NRA's Safe Hunter course. My first gun was a Colt Trooper Mk III in .357 Magnum. My second gun was a Colt Woodsman in .22 long rifle that I could really afford to shoot!
 
Howdy and welcome.

Remington has 3 online courses: http://www.remington.com/safety/
Shooting & Hunting Safety
Centerfire Rifle Basics
Shotgun Basics

Since you're online, an online class is a convenient starting point.

For pistols, the state of Maryland has an online class:
http://mdgunsafety.com/
(The class is intended for Maryland residents, to document their training. Hence the registration stuff at the beginning.)

NRA classes are probably the best place to start, for good practical training.
http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx for a listing of classes near you (For some reason, you have to scroll it. Choose First Steps or Basic Pistol).
 
Welcome to The High Road!

Welcome to the Shooting Family!

Others have stated some great options. Taking a NRA FIRST STEPS Pistol Orientation course or NRA Basic Pistol Shooting course is always a good way to start. You can find a course near you at this web site:
http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx

The basic pistol course usually runs about $50, and is WELL worth it. This usually will work for your training requirement for your Concealed Carry License if your state requires a course.

Before you ever pick up a gun, however, you should know the four "laws" of gun safety:

1) Treat every gun as if it is loaded. (Optional phrasing - Every gun is always loaded)
2) Never point the gun at something you do not want destroyed.
3) Always be sure of your target and what is behind it.
4) Keep your finger off the trigger until you want the gun to fire.


Once again, welcome to the "club". Hope you stick around!
 
First off, thanks for the warm welcome everyone

I called a shooting range about 40 mins away that looks pretty nice, I think I'll take the gf down some time soon. Plus there's a big outlet mall in town so that should make it easier to convince her!

On the phone they said if I came on a weekday when it was less busy there would probably be someone available to help a first time shooter (us). I'm wondering if this is considered in poor form or inappropriate though? I wouldn't presume that someone would want to teach me for free, but he sounded like there would be people there to give pointers?
 
I agree with the recommendations to find a NRA class. The NRA classes are the Gold standard for training for beginers and are offered throughout the country. You should be able to find a Basic Pistol or Basic Rifle class near you.

Check out the NRA website at www.nra.org and look for "Training Opportunities." You'll also want to ask around at local gun shops and gun clubs to look for a class as not all instructors list their classes on the NRA website.

A little instruction at the start of your shooting carear will go a long way.
 
it's always hard when you don'tgive a location in your profile

maybe a member would b inclined to give you some pointers...you could offer to pay for the ammo
 
just keep in mind when getting pointers from random individuals in person or on the internet, that 90% of the guys are highly opinionated and are sure they're experts.

it will be up to you to apply common sense and just generally be skeptical and verify everything said.
 
Don't worry about having a range employee teach you the basics and give you some pointers, they aren't doing it for free, its their job. Don't be afraid to ask questions or even ask them to slow down and explain in more detail. You won't look stupid, you will look like you care about doing things correctly and safely which everyone appreciates. You'll have a great time, enjoy!
 
Hunters education class taught me the basics. They are cheap and then you are able to buy a license.
 
One of the issues that people have when starting out is that they have images in their heads from movies where a gun in someone's hand somehow results in everything around them exploding and then dying. In the real world, guns don't turn you into a killer. They are simply a tool designed to do a specific job. Don't be afraid to look dumb while holding one and don't be afraid to hold one. Nobody is afraid to hold a power drill though I have seen plenty of people looking dumb while holding and operating them. In the academy they issued us all our glocks and then after showing us how to field strip them, we were told to play with them as much as possible to get used to them and see how they work. They told us to dry fire them as much as possible to get used to the trigger and not to flinch when you pull it. Of course there were no bullets from miles around when we were issued them.

I now use the same practice when I get a new gun I am not 100% familiar with. I learn how to take it down, then I play with it as much as I can until it feels natural in my hands. Only then do I go to a range with ammo and put bullets down range. You will be much more comfortable with something you are familiar with then with something that you just barely saw let alone fired.
 
If your in NE Kansas look me up I will take you as I am currently between college and jobs for a few more days anyway! I have 5 or 6 .22s with ammo to spare. Just bring your GF and yourself. All you will need is eyes and ears and your own lane.
 
Where are you located? I am sure there are plenty of members who would like to show you their toys and let you compare them.
 
Well I plan on heading to a range and having an employee give me some pointers, I just hope that works out ok as I really know next to nothing about actually operating a gun

And for those who asked, I am located in central indiana
 
I would suggest renting a revolver first. Less things to worry about while letting you get used to what to expect when pulling the trigger. I know the first time I had a pistol jam it was a little scary or at least a little intimidating.

Most of shooting is common sense, a gun is always loaded until you eyeball it yourself (even then it's always loaded), watch where you are pointing it, know what is behind your target, keep you finger off the trigger until your going to pull it and never dry fire a gun that isn't yours!
 
You may not be able to find or afford a course. If that's the case, then at least ask a knowledgeable, experienced, patient person to help you out. There are only three rules: safety, safety, and safety. With that in mind, I envy you on the new delights you'll discover.
 
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