Want to go to a shooting range, but have no experience...suggestions?

[BD2003]

I want to go to a shooting range and shoot stuff. I've fired a gun once in my life, so I hardly count as experienced.

Do they rent guns for you to use at most places? Do they offer training? Do you really need training?

 

[tweakmm]

from the couple shooting ranges I've been to, they will rent you a gun and they will probably require you to take a class on firearm safety

 

[LOLyourFace]

closest I've come to shooting a gun is playing CS..

although I have to admit it feels really cool with a booming sound system

 

[trmiv]

If you have any friends that have experience at the range, you might try going with them first. I went my first time with a friend of mine who's a cop. I rented a gun there, although I spent most of the time shooting his guns. Believe or not, they didn't require me to take a class, although they did require me to buy a membership to the range.

 

[notfred]

Most shooting ranges will rent guns and may or may not require training, but will most likely offer it. If you've only shot a gun once before, do the training.

 

[BillGates]

Take some inner city firearms training - it's a great deal, and you learn how to shoot moving targets.

Don't forget, free tattoos!

 

[MrBond]

The NRA offers firearms training in several skill levels. Check it out here

 

[dman]

Am I the only one who read the title as:

Want to go on a shooting rage, but have no experience...suggestions? :Q

Oh well, probably would have been an interesting thread if it was.

 

[BD2003]

Do all ranges require membership?

 

[HappyPuppy]

No suggestions, but let me know when and where you plan on going so I can be someplace else.

 

[axelfox]

1. assume all guns are loaded

2. Never point a gun to anything you don't intend to destroy.

3. Don't put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Do all ranges require membership?

No, at least all the ones I went to in AZ did not. You had to have your gun unloaded and the chamber open in the holster when going in. Then when you're in the booth you can fire away. Some yahoo would always come in with a Desert Eagle .45-.50 and scare everyone in the damn place. Too bad most people cant hit a target at 25 yds let alone shoot the most powerful handgun in the world.

 

[jjones]

Want to go to a shooting range, but have no experience...suggestions?

Don't stand down range.

 

[silverpig]

Get the biggest gun you can and go around CS style... It helps if you dress like a postal worker.

 

[bizmark]

well, it depends on the kind of shooting range you go to.... what I usually do at the range, for the maximum fun with the least expense while still maintaining variety -- divided up by the approximate amount of time I spend on each activity:

(50%) shoot a 12-gauge pump shotgun at launched clay pigeons
(25%) plinking at iron targets with a lever-action .22 rifle..... going for quickness and accuracy
(13%) shoot a 9mm pistol at 15yds
(12%) shoot a .270 deer rifle w/scope at targets 100-200yds

By far the most enjoyable IMO is the shotgunning and plinking with the .22. A .22 is so small that there's absolutely no kick whatsoever, and you just kind of get 'in the zone' firing and flicking the lever and moving from one target to the next, until you pull the trigger and hear the click when the magazine is empty (like 15 rounds)... .22 bullets are so incredibly cheap that you can waste a buttload of them and not spend much money. Of course, the raw power of a large rifle (and the sonic shock wave that hits your entire body when you fire a round) is incredibly impressive, but IMO there's just not much fun in looking through a scope to hit a paper target. And the only hunting I do is bird hunting, so it's not really practical for me anyway...

 

[boi]

Remember, if you want to pick up something, put your gun on the table before you pick it up. One time a guy picked up his mag off the floor while the gun was facing behind him and the gun fired. The bullet hit the soda machine which was pretty hilarious.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Find one that will let you bring your own ammo and doesn't require FMJ rounds. A lot of ranges even want you to buy their ammo. Avoid if there are others that will let you shoot whatever you want to. I'm not a big fan of public ranges, they just aren't big enough and you get too many folks out there. There are just too many idiots that don't know what they are doing. Plus you get reloaders that don't know what they are doing and could blow in the stall next to you.

Not likely, I just don't like lots of folks around The private range here is $75 a year and an NRA membership required. That's really nothing. You can shoot whatever you want. Has an IPSC range for pistols and a hi power range for rifles. See if you have any around and see if they'll let you go shoot to just check it out (most likely won't have any guns to rent though).

The standard indoor shooting range is just a bunch of stalls with dividers and push button target movers. Just moves em forward and back, woopty do. I haven't seen one that has targets in rows or at different distances like you can find on private ranges (and by private I just mean clubs).

 

[brtspears2]

If you have questions about any gun, the friendly range master will show you how to operate it. Start out on something simple like a Ruger 10/22, then move up to smaller 9mm handguns. Practice safety and accuracy. Take your time, most ranges usually dont like double tapping anyways. Bring lots of money, once you start, you wont be able to stop. If you have time, try a 12 gague shotgun. You'll be impressed. Bring a friend.

In the rare event the gun jams, and you are inexperienced, don't unjam it yourself. Put gun on safety, have your friend watch it while you get someone to help out. Injuries may lead to death.

 

[brtspears2]

Originally posted by: boi
Remember, if you want to pick up something, put your gun on the table before you pick it up. One time a guy picked up his mag off the floor while the gun was facing behind him and the gun fired. The bullet hit the soda machine which was pretty hilarious.

My friend was reloading a Benelli M1, and well, forgot about the safety, and scared the sh!t out of everyone around. To this day, theres still a hole in the roof. Remeber to keep that safety on AND keep finger away from trigger until you are ABOSOLUTELY ready to fire.