- Jun 24, 2004
- 15,628
- 5
- 81
Recently I decided I wanted to get a gun. There are two main reasons - one, I want a new hobby, and two, I live in a ground floor apartment in a big city so I think having one for self-defense would be a good idea. I already have my permit to purchase a handgun, and I also went into the closest gun store to where I live and asked the guy there some questions. He suggested I sign up for a handgun familiarization class at a nearby shooting range. Unfortunately, it's not happening for another month. I'm not exactly in a hurry to get the gun but it would be nice to not have to wait quite so long.
I've already pretty much decided on a 9x19mm pistol, so what I'm really looking for isn't advice on which gun to get - I'll take care of that when it's time to actually buy one. I've done plenty of research and at this point it mostly comes down to which one feels right. What I am trying to figure out is my best course of action from here. Should I just wait the month, take the course, and then after that decide on a gun? Or should I forget about the class and head over to a different range where they rent guns, talk to them about my situation, maybe rent and shoot a few, and then pick one out to buy?
To clarify, there's a gun store really close to me (~2 miles) that doesn't have a range, as well as two ranges that are a bit farther away. One of those two (the one recommended by the owner of the gun store) doesn't rent but is offering that class in a month. The other one does rent, but the guy seems to have a grudge against the place since he was accidentally shot in the shoulder there a few years ago.
Last thing is, one of my friends also wants to learn to shoot. She was planning on attending the class with me but I realized it's pretty steep for both of us to attend (at $95 each). What I was thinking was instead of the class, I could just go to the range that rents, try to get some free advice and pointers from other people there, rent some 9mm pistols, pick one, and then later I could come back and teach my friend how to shoot as well.
Would it be a mistake for me to not take a class first, or am I fine without one? I've already read a whole lot about gun safety and even though I know there's a lot you can't tell by just reading stuff, I'm not sure it would take $95 and an entire afternoon just to learn how to use one. I'd rather apply that money toward renting or buying a gun and paying for range time and ammunition.
To be clear, I would never think of just buying a gun and playing with it until I figure it out... that's stupid and dangerous. But I have heard that the people at shooting ranges tend to be very friendly and helpful to gun newbies, so I'm questioning whether I need to really take a formal class.
I've already pretty much decided on a 9x19mm pistol, so what I'm really looking for isn't advice on which gun to get - I'll take care of that when it's time to actually buy one. I've done plenty of research and at this point it mostly comes down to which one feels right. What I am trying to figure out is my best course of action from here. Should I just wait the month, take the course, and then after that decide on a gun? Or should I forget about the class and head over to a different range where they rent guns, talk to them about my situation, maybe rent and shoot a few, and then pick one out to buy?
To clarify, there's a gun store really close to me (~2 miles) that doesn't have a range, as well as two ranges that are a bit farther away. One of those two (the one recommended by the owner of the gun store) doesn't rent but is offering that class in a month. The other one does rent, but the guy seems to have a grudge against the place since he was accidentally shot in the shoulder there a few years ago.
Last thing is, one of my friends also wants to learn to shoot. She was planning on attending the class with me but I realized it's pretty steep for both of us to attend (at $95 each). What I was thinking was instead of the class, I could just go to the range that rents, try to get some free advice and pointers from other people there, rent some 9mm pistols, pick one, and then later I could come back and teach my friend how to shoot as well.
Would it be a mistake for me to not take a class first, or am I fine without one? I've already read a whole lot about gun safety and even though I know there's a lot you can't tell by just reading stuff, I'm not sure it would take $95 and an entire afternoon just to learn how to use one. I'd rather apply that money toward renting or buying a gun and paying for range time and ammunition.
To be clear, I would never think of just buying a gun and playing with it until I figure it out... that's stupid and dangerous. But I have heard that the people at shooting ranges tend to be very friendly and helpful to gun newbies, so I'm questioning whether I need to really take a formal class.
Facebook
Twitter