i want to shoot some guns...

[LOLyourFace]

shooting would be an awesome hobby, I've always wanted to go to a shooting range and try all the cool guns but I have absolutely no idea where or how to start this.

first is the cost, how expensive is this hobby? how much should I expect to spend if I just walk into a shooting range with no prior experience whatsoever?

also is there like an age limit? I'll be turning 22 this december.

 

[BatmanNate]

Depends. If you start out with guns that have cheap ammo (like a .22 or a shotgun) then it's usually 100-200 for the gun and chicken scratch for the ammo. You have to be 18 to purchase a rifle, 21 for a pistol (in this state at least), and I don't think there is an age limit at the range. If you start really getting into it however with something that spits .223's auto then it's going to start making your wallet light.

 

[LOLyourFace]

so i have to purchase the gun first? there's is no rental?

plus can i still buy one if im not a citizen? imma permanent resident.

 

[Konigin]

Originally posted by: LOLyourFace
so i have to purchase the gun first? there's is no rental?

plus can i still buy one if im not a citizen? imma permanent resident.

There are probably places where you can rent a gun....

Uh, I don't think you need to show citizenship papers to buy things here in the US, though you may need to register as a gun owner with your state. Look up you states website and find out if they require gun owner registration.

 

[tcsenter]

Yes you can rent firearms but not all ranges rent firearms.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Originally posted by: LOLyourFace
so i have to purchase the gun first? there's is no rental?

plus can i still buy one if im not a citizen? imma permanent resident.

There may be ranges that have rentals in your area. You need to call them, since what it costs is up to them. There's one in my area that charges out the ass for mandatory classes and membership. No idea what their rentals go for.

 

[KingNothing]

There's no point in renting one anyway, in my opinion. Buy your own gun, get the sights the way you like it and practice with it whenever you want. I'm buying a Ruger 10/22 for $155 as soon as I can figure out where to store it. The ammo is dirt cheap, like $10 for a box of 500 rounds.

If you're wondering about the legality of owning a gun, look in your phone book, under the city offices, under the police department, for the gun registration department. They'll tell you everything you need to know.

BTW, I would recommend a .22 rifle as your first gun. No kick, cheap ammo, fun to play with. Plus laws are generally more lax about rifles than handguns.

 

[PCMarine]

Know any friends with firearms and/or firearms experience?

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
There's no point in renting one anyway, in my opinion. Buy your own gun, get the sights the way you like it and practice with it whenever you want. I'm buying a Ruger 10/22 for $155 as soon as I can figure out where to store it. The ammo is dirt cheap, like $10 for a box of 500 rounds.

If you're wondering about the legality of owning a gun, look in your phone book, under the city offices, under the police department, for the gun registration department. They'll tell you everything you need to know.

BTW, I would recommend a .22 rifle as your first gun. No kick, cheap ammo, fun to play with. Plus laws are generally more lax about rifles than handguns.

Ruger 10/22...
Is that a combo rifle/shotgun??

 

[LOLyourFace]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
There's no point in renting one anyway, in my opinion. Buy your own gun, get the sights the way you like it and practice with it whenever you want. I'm buying a Ruger 10/22 for $155 as soon as I can figure out where to store it. The ammo is dirt cheap, like $10 for a box of 500 rounds.

If you're wondering about the legality of owning a gun, look in your phone book, under the city offices, under the police department, for the gun registration department. They'll tell you everything you need to know.

BTW, I would recommend a .22 rifle as your first gun. No kick, cheap ammo, fun to play with. Plus laws are generally more lax about rifles than handguns.

what would you recommend for a handgun? I have no interest in bulky rifles..

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: LOLyourFace

Originally posted by: KingNothing
There's no point in renting one anyway, in my opinion. Buy your own gun, get the sights the way you like it and practice with it whenever you want. I'm buying a Ruger 10/22 for $155 as soon as I can figure out where to store it. The ammo is dirt cheap, like $10 for a box of 500 rounds.

If you're wondering about the legality of owning a gun, look in your phone book, under the city offices, under the police department, for the gun registration department. They'll tell you everything you need to know.

BTW, I would recommend a .22 rifle as your first gun. No kick, cheap ammo, fun to play with. Plus laws are generally more lax about rifles than handguns.

what would you recommend for a handgun? I have no interest in bulky rifles..

My current plan is to get a 9mm Glock when I turn 21 next year. I don't know much about handguns, but there have been several gun threads on here so just search for it and you'll get your fill of opinion.

 

[440sixpack]

Originally posted by: LOLyourFace
shooting would be an awesome hobby, I've always wanted to go to a shooting range and try all the cool guns but I have absolutely no idea where or how to start this.

Ah, you're in MA, then next May you'll want to come here:

Hanson Rod & Gun Club Annual Machine Gun Shoot

That's the page for this last year's but it should be about the same time.

We are now the number 2 organized machine gun shoot in the country after knob creek, and I guarantee almost any automatic weapon you'd like to fire will be there - this last year we even had a GE Minigun. Not cheap though.

Same ages in MA as BatmanNate posted, before you can get any kind of license though you need to complete a certified gun safety course, a copy of this certificate is required by the police. Check for local gun clubs, they can probably hook you up. The actual license application is done through your town's police dept., they will have the forms you need there. You may need to provide 2 passport size photos, but some departments will do them for you. Thanks to our lovely state government the fee for a license has just gone up from $25 to $100 so you'll need that too.