Wheres a good place to start looking into guns.

[coolred]

I am interested in learning more about guns. Not sure where to start. I'm not a big fan of hunting, and not really doing it for protection either, more like something to do, like target practice. I think I would like to start with handguns, but not sure. Any good websites i can check out? Thanks

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Start at your local range or gun shop. Go up to the desk jockey and tell him you're interested in getting some firearms, and you want to take the appropriate safety courses before even thinking of picking up a firearm.

I cannot stress that enough.

- M4H

 

[RyanM]

Target shooting is a very enjoyable sport. Stress relieving, exciting, and, if you ever do get a CCW, a realistically useful skill to possess if you're ever in a life and death situation.

Try this site. Lots of useful info contained within.

http://www.a-human-right.com/introduction.html

 

[Moonbeam]

If you're going to look into guns, I do know you shouldn't do it by looking down the barrel.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
If you're going to look into guns, I do know you shouldn't do it by looking down the barrel.

Unless you've removed the clip and checked the breech for an unspent round. After that, it is safe to examine the barrel for any corrosion or wear.

If you do set the gun down and leave it unattended though, the 4 rules of gun safety say you've gotta check the chamber again and make sure a bullet didn't magically appear in it. Sounds silly, but you can never be too careful around a gun.

 

[Ranger X]

Back of unmarked vans.

 

[coolred]

Yes i understand safety fully. I am not a yahoo redneck, that just goes off shooting people(not that you implied I was one). But I know enough to know i don't know enough, so I better take a saftey course. For right now I am mainly looking to just find some good sites or something so I can learn more about guns. What would be good for me, what are all the uses for handguns, the differances in calibers, all that good stuff.

 

[Alistar7]

former ohio resident, what part?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Actually, if you ignore the gungrabbers, ATOT's a pretty decent place. We're like a big interactive database of anything that goes "Boom"

Edit - For a first gun, I'd say to start - 22 caliber, nothing bigger. Learn to handle and control that.

I'll get some good suggestions.

- M4H

 

[Alistar7]

for target practice a 22 caliber is fine, cheap ammunuition, very small recoil.

indoor practice is almost always handguns, you could try skeet with a shotgun, difficult but rewarding, but beware a 12 gauge will give you a workout comapred to a 22.

1st rule of gun safety, it is loaded, I know, you just took the only round out of the weapon, it is STILL loaded, always treat one as such.

 

[Looney]

Do they do a fingerprint check when they do a background check as well? I plan on stealing a new identity and moving to the US one of these days.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic
Do they do a fingerprint check when they do a background check as well? I plan on stealing a new identity and moving to the US one of these days.

bring the tank and the witness protection people will take care of ya....

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Some good choices for a starter .22 are the Ruger Super Single Six, or the Ruger SP 101 if you want a double-action. The Colt Diamondback and Trooper Mark III/IV are also good choices.

If you're just into target shooting, that's your best choice for fun and least expense. Cause admit it - shooting is fun.

Edit - If you do decide to use a pistol for home/personal defense, please check back again. A .22 certainly isn't the best choice.

- M4H

 

[Alistar7]

yeah and it doesnt hurt you can go to Kmart and get 100 22cal shells for 5 bucks....

 

[Yossarian]

I have only been shooting for a few months but based on my limited experience, go with at least a 9mm. May as well deal with a little recoil right from the start.

 

[RyanM]

I would recommend starting with a .22 and working your way up.

Reasoning is simple - It's easy to adapt to the larger recoil on larger caliber guns when you graduate to them.

But .22 ammo is cheap, and the skill which takes the longest to learn is how to aim properly, and how to keep your arm relaxed enough so the tension doesn't cause vibrations, while being tense enough so that the gun doesn't wobble.

After you're shooting bulleyes consistently with a .22, you can afford to move up to a larger caliber. It'll take less time to get used to it with several thousand cheap rounds of .22 under your belt. Or rather, several thousand rounds sent downrange.

 

[Rogue9]

<--- US Army trained in the use of firearms

If you have a gun range nearby, most rent guns that you can try out. The handgun I learned on is a Ruger Mk II - a .22 cal autoloader (semi-automatic pistol), and I highly recommend it for starters. .22 ammo is the cheapest (less than 2 cents/round) so you'll get more shooting for your dollar, and it's fun because of the low recoil and noise.

Definitely learn by-heart the basic gun safety rules before even touching a gun. Some people have different ways of stating the rules; here's my way.

1. All guns are always loaded.
Treat every gun as if it were loaded, until you personally have verified otherwise. Don't trust anyone else to unload a weapon. If you pick up a weapon and set it down, the next time you pick it up, you should re-verify if it is loaded.

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire.

4. Be sure of your target, and what's beyond it.

The best all-purpose gun forum I've found is The High Road. If you have specific questions, you can go there and ask; I'm sure plenty of people would help out.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: MachFive

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
If you're going to look into guns, I do know you shouldn't do it by looking down the barrel.

Unless you've removed the clip and checked the breech for an unspent round. After that, it is safe to examine the barrel for any corrosion or wear.

If you do set the gun down and leave it unattended though, the 4 rules of gun safety say you've gotta check the chamber again and make sure a bullet didn't magically appear in it. Sounds silly, but you can never be too careful around a gun.

You don't have to do all that, we always enjoy a good laugh at yet another Darwin award

 

[tcsenter]

In any event, don't go to a gun shop to learn anything about firearms except perhaps for the most straight-foward information not open to opinion or interpretation; make, model, caliber, capacity, and price.

I have experience with several gun shops and often received bad information. Also, for some reason which I've yet to pin-down, there seems to be an inordinate number of assholes who work at gun shops. Big attitude, like you should be grateful they even allowed you into the store or something.

 

[Analog]

See if a local gun club has CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) affiliation. If they do, they probably have a regular "shoot" and practice shoots. If you find out more information about getting started in this, it would be a great way to learn about shooting, safety and marksmanship. Most clubs have their own rifles, and you wouldn't need to buy your own. They are also run by some of the most decent and "willing to teach" people I've ever run across. You would come away with great knowledge, and would have to invest very little of your own money, and all the time you can afford. If you do go to a formal shoot, you can then qualify to buy a rifle directly from the US government, shipped to your doorstep. I have several of these.

If you're not familiar with the CMP or the clubs that are affiliated, check out link

 

[HokieESM]

Originally posted by: Rogue9
<--- US Army trained in the use of firearms

If you have a gun range nearby, most rent guns that you can try out. The handgun I learned on is a Ruger Mk II - a .22 cal autoloader (semi-automatic pistol), and I highly recommend it for starters. .22 ammo is the cheapest (less than 2 cents/round) so you'll get more shooting for your dollar, and it's fun because of the low recoil and noise.

Definitely learn by-heart the basic gun safety rules before even touching a gun. Some people have different ways of stating the rules; here's my way.

1. All guns are always loaded.
Treat every gun as if it were loaded, until you personally have verified otherwise. Don't trust anyone else to unload a weapon. If you pick up a weapon and set it down, the next time you pick it up, you should re-verify if it is loaded.

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire.

4. Be sure of your target, and what's beyond it.

The best all-purpose gun forum I've found is The High Road. If you have specific questions, you can go there and ask; I'm sure plenty of people would help out.

As someone who has been around firearms all his life--this is very good information.

I'd like to add one thing (not to dismiss Rogue9's excellent suggestions): if possible, always leave a firearm (or hand a firearm to others) in a neutral/safe position and one that is OBVIOUSLY neutral/safe. For example, hand a revolver to a person with the cylinder open and unloaded, grip first. For a semi-auto, lock back the slide. For a bolt-action rifle, open the bolt. This goes with the "a gun is always loaded"--it makes it easier for the person you're giving the firearm to check to make sure its safe/clear. Also, it ensures that you're not representing a "threat", as the gun is obviously neutral.

Enjoy target shooting--its very rewarding and fun. I did it for many years--and the shooting is very soothing(especially if you can find a quiet range). And if you really enjoy shooting--handloading is GREAT.

 

[Ausm]

Visit the Ghetto, I am sure someone will introduce you to guns very quickly

Ausm

 

[Kelemvor]

I would guess that the NRA's website would have useful information...

 

[tarheelmm]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Back of unmarked vans.

Not funny. I still look around when pumping gas.

Goto

the NRA (My wife works there!)

 

[SinfulWeeper]

Just pic one up and kill something. The first game I shot was duck of some sort that gramps wanted for dinner.

But a 12 guage shotgun while I was only 9 years old was such a vulgar display of power for me :|
He should have at least let me try a 410 of .22