Has anyone ever been to a shooting range?

[imported_Tomato]

Is it fun? Do I need to buy earplugs? What gun is good to start with (do they even give you options?)?

I've never held a gun in my life, much less shot one. But it looks like I might be checking one out next weekend.

 

[minendo]

Yes, no (range I go to supplies them), I started with a 410 (shotgun).

 

[notfred]

The range will rent you a gun and ear protection. They'll also give you lessons on how to shoot it.

It's not particularly fun though. You stand in a noisy room and make holes in a target hanging from the ceiling.

 

[Mr N8]

Yes, Yes. An 18 Gauge shotgun or a 30-30 rifle would be a good start. The ranges I have been to all require you bring your own gun, but I wouldn't doubt there are some that have guns for use. If you want to shoot a handgun, start with a 9mm with a light load.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Tomato
Is it fun? Do I need to buy earplugs? What gun is good to start with (do they even give you options?)?

I've never held a gun in my life, much less shot one. But it looks like I might be checking one out next weekend.

Yes

Maybe, they may have protectors to loan or rent (earplugs are cheap)

9mm anything, I prefer Glocks, but there are many good guns made nowdays, after you hit >$400 price point, it's like arguing Toyota vs Honda vs Nissan.

Don't overlook the 357sig.

Enjoy

 

[OutHouse]

Yes been to many there used to be a nice open range north of Denver, but thanks to urban sprawl it has been zoned out of business. :|

start with a .38 pistol. easy weapon for a woman to learn to shoot with.

 

[TheBDB]

If you have a choice start with a .40 or 9mm, the recoil will be easier on your hands than a .45.

Yes it is much fun.

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: notfred
The range will rent you a gun and ear protection. They'll also give you lessons on how to shoot it.

It's not particularly fun though. You stand in a noisy room and make holes in a target hanging from the ceiling.

Not all ranges are like that.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: TheAudit

Originally posted by: notfred
The range will rent you a gun and ear protection. They'll also give you lessons on how to shoot it.

It's not particularly fun though. You stand in a noisy room and make holes in a target hanging from the ceiling.

Not all ranges are like that.

Hmm, probably not, but since she owns neither a gun nor ear protection, and has never fired one before, she should probably look for one that IS like that .

 

[ThePresence]

I've been on a range hundreds of times. It can get pretty damn noisy, but they should provide ear protection. I'd say to start with a .22.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Tomato
Is it fun? Do I need to buy earplugs? What gun is good to start with (do they even give you options?)?

I've never held a gun in my life, much less shot one. But it looks like I might be checking one out next weekend.

Don't just buy ear plugs, buy or rent a good pair of ear muffs. Makes a HUGE difference on how much you will enjoy the shooting range.

There are a ton of different guns that you may enjoy shooting. It also depends on what type of range you are going to.

Either way, I would stay with a small gun with minimal kick until you're sure you enjoy it. Any time of .22 plinking pistol or rifle can be a ton of fun and is really cheap to shoot.

If you are wanting to shoot a larger bore pistol, I would go with a 9mm. Not too bit a round (.45 caliber will turn you off completely the first time...at least this has been my experience with girls).

Pistols in the 9mm range that I would recommend: Berretta 92F, Glock 17, HK USP, Sig P226.

You may enjoy shooting revolvers, but I tend to enjoy automatic pistols the most (like those listed above).

Anyway, my girlfriend enjoys shooting stuff .22 caliber rifles and pistols much more as she tends to do a lot better, they are nto as loud, and she doesn't have to deal with a lot of kick.

Another thing you might want to try is going skeet shooting. This is where you shoot clay pigeons down in a specific sequence and count get a score. It is rather social and I have gone many times with a group of girls who all really enjoyed it.

 

[dquan97]

Pretty fun for about an hour. They can rent to you a gun and ear protection. Bullets are additional

 

[Kenazo]

I've never been to a range

<- grew up on a farm. I shot things all the time.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

For shotguns: 28 gauge
for handguns and rifles: .22

The reason I saw .22 is that you can get used to the feel of a gun without killing your shoulder and if blow $5 in ammo, you've used up 100 rounds. With a 30.06 that's 10 shots, with a 7mm Rem Mag, that's 5.

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: TheAudit

Originally posted by: notfred
The range will rent you a gun and ear protection. They'll also give you lessons on how to shoot it.

It's not particularly fun though. You stand in a noisy room and make holes in a target hanging from the ceiling.

Not all ranges are like that.

Hmm, probably not, but since she owns neither a gun nor ear protection, and has never fired one before, she should probably look for one that IS like that .

Perhaps.
When I think of ranges I think of the outdoor affairs with targets that you walk out to and staple up yourself. And then there are the county ranges by me which I would only use to shoot skeet.

As an aside, all of the first-timers that I have introduced to the range enjoy the experience.

 

[cronos]

yes. back when i was still in college.

they will provide everything that you need. i was coming with a friend who was actually a shooting athlete, so he also kind of prepared me for everything.

 

[Electric Amish]

All the ranges I've been to have been outside.

Yeah it's fun. I don't know why I don't go more. I have a freakin' .22 pistol that I've owned for like 5 years and never even fired.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
All the ranges I've been to have been outside.

Yeah it's fun. I don't know why I don't go more. I have a freakin' .22 pistol that I've owned for like 5 years and never even fired.

My shooting instructor in Israel drew a picture on a target with a .22. Really easy shooting.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: saxguy
yes. back when i was still in college.

they will provide everything that you need. i was coming with a friend who was actually a shooting athlete, so he also kind of prepared me for everything.

Shooting a gun is about as athletic as playing video games.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's great fun. After going once I was hooked and went out and purchased my first handgun (Taurus PT92-I think). That was almost 14 years ago and probably 15 or so guns ago. I don't own the Taurus anymore but it was a decent gun and never jammed or broke.

I'd recommend a medium frame revolver in .357 Magnum. You can shoot the less expensive, lighter recoiling .38 special ammo through it and keep it loaded with .357 magnum if you need it for self defense. Smith &amp; Wesson makes excellent revolvers, I've owned/own a few of them.

I would also recommend going with someone you trust who shoots or getting some instruction the first time you go.

Edit-You can rent eyes and ears (protective glasses and hearing protection) at the range. Most ranges allow you to rent guns also (at least the ones around here do) but usually you have to buy the ammo from them if you use their guns.

 

[MustISO]

I used to go every other weekend. Got really expensive but I loved it. Like others have said, get your own eyes and ears (range speak for glasses and earplugs). I got some nice range glasses and some really good ear protection. It's worth it if you go alot. Definitely start with a smaller caliber like .22 or even light .38 loads. Take everything you do there VERY seriously, it's no time to be joking around or not using your head.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: saxguy
yes. back when i was still in college.

they will provide everything that you need. i was coming with a friend who was actually a shooting athlete, so he also kind of prepared me for everything.

Shooting a gun is about as athletic as playing video games.

Biathlon.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: saxguy
yes. back when i was still in college.

they will provide everything that you need. i was coming with a friend who was actually a shooting athlete, so he also kind of prepared me for everything.

Shooting a gun is about as athletic as playing video games.

Not in competition....especially distance.

 

[cronos]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: saxguy
yes. back when i was still in college.

they will provide everything that you need. i was coming with a friend who was actually a shooting athlete, so he also kind of prepared me for everything.

Shooting a gun is about as athletic as playing video games.

that might be true. although if it's true, i wonder why they don't have those game-playing skinny nerds or obese geeks competing internationally in shooting. they could break the world record!

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: saxguy

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: saxguy
yes. back when i was still in college.

they will provide everything that you need. i was coming with a friend who was actually a shooting athlete, so he also kind of prepared me for everything.

Shooting a gun is about as athletic as playing video games.

that might be true, although i wonder why they don't have those game-playing skinny nerds or obese geeks competing internationally in shooting. they could break the world record!

I didn't say that playing video games made you good at shooting. They both require a steady hand and a good eye. Neither requires much muscle or endurance.