[PATH]

Who taught you how to shoot? Was it Dad or an Uncle? MAybe you learned from a friend or in the military?

[Thumper]

Dad.

He can still beat me with a rifle.

Spanks me with a shotgun, but I have him beat with pistols.

Barely...

[chetrogers]

A friend of mine took me out one day and was going over the safety aspect of rifles and pistols ..we went out for every weekend for about a month .Then he moved..My dad was never there for me "literally" and none of my moms friends are into guns so unfortunately i didn't get into guns until i was 21/22 and I'm 25 now..

[Spieler]

My older cousin was the first person to take me shooting when I was 7 or 8, with some old bolt action .22 IIRC, and I was hooked. I didn't really learn the fundamentals until I joined my JROTC Rifle Team in high school though. LTC Heib was a retired SF guy who saw action in WWII, Korea & Vietnam and did a few years as a cop to boot - he really drilled rifle marksmanship into me. I first had (structured) training in handguns in Military Police School - you know the kind, AAAARRRRMY TRAINING, SIR!

[jsalcedo]

Dad with a winchester lever action someone gave him when they couldn't pay for the repairs on their car and my uncle with his PPKS .380

[tomkatz]

my father, may he rest in peace....he always outshot me, he was just a great natural shooter....I have his S&W 686-0 6in, the only gun I got out of his collection thanks to a spiteful stepmother.....tom

[boing]

The gun shop owner/instructor gave me a quick run down of the really basic fundamentals my first time. I read a few gun rags, surfed a lot of internet, and tried to pick up what I could, but I'm mostly "self-taught", I guess.

A few bona-fide lessons and a less stubborn nature would have made me a much better shooter, much sooner.

[sm]

All dad did was give the rules and show me the basics. At his NG Armory at 6 y/o the 'gunny' ( rangemaster) took to me. Dad never taught me to shoot -and he could shoot, I watched him compete once, he took top honors with a carbine and 1911-but he wouldn't teach. That gunny took to me, later another gunny taught me NRA sponsored rifle stuff, I've had a progession , from an uncle, men at church( Vets) to other kids dads, to meeting one 'old man' , to just begging, bugging and being a pest.
Various instructors whenever I wanted to learn something. I still do. I'm always still learning.

[firestar]

My dad when I was 11. I can outshoot him with handguns, rifles and shotguns now but what he really taught me was safety. He was very strict about me never pointing a gun at someone even if they stepped in front of my barrel. I learned that it is my responsibility to make sure that my gun never crosses the path of someone even if they are stupid enough to walk in front of where I was pointing.

Many people think they are gun safe but until you have heard the roar of your pi$$ed off father yelling at you, I don't think it sinks in.:D

[SIGarmed]

I first shot a .22 with dad at around 11 or 12, but not much.
My uncle Sam was the one who really taught me the tricks of the trade. He learned me to shoot a rifle, a pistol, and shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun et cetera. He also taught me to swab a mean deck.
All during four years at the school of hard knocks. You can say that when you're USMC alumni. :D

[Orthonym]

Books and self; mostly books.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I think I mostly taught myself.

First with airsoft, then reading about stances, grips etc for the airsoft. The got into the rules for real stuff through that, but hadn't fired any real stuff then.

When I first went out with friends to try a gun, no rules, just "Here, it's loaded..."

Now when I go out with them, I am a rules banger, and I make sure they follow them, and they make sure I follow them. A bit different that before. :)

[Delmar]

My father taught me the way around a shotgun. Said pistols were only for killing people and 22 rifles were too dangerous for 7 year olds because they travelled too far. Bought me a 20 gauge Savage single shot.
Didn't fire a rifle until I was in my teens.
Didn't fire a pistol until I joined the Army. My drill sergeants were responsible for my basic marksmanship rules and I have been picking up stuff ever since from here and there. Some I have picked up and employed from stuff I have read on THR!

[Majic]

Good ole Dad. He's into his 80's now, but I still have to put forth effort or he will clean my clock in shooting.

[igor]

My mom with her air rifles. She was a very decent shooter and taught all of my siblings. Only I carry on the torch but I'm teaching my nephews and nieces as well.

[swingset]

I'm an oddity I suppose in that no one taught me. I learned the "rules" from my older brother, but he went away to college and I didn't get to shoot with him. So, when I turned 18, I bought a .22 and rented a library book on rifles (I later bought the book, which was a adapted version of the British Musketry handbook, an excellent guide btw). I taught myself how to shoot with the book and my own wits.

I didn't do too bad, I can shoot as well as my poor eyes will let me. :D

[Dave McCracken]

Mom with a 22, probably not too long after I was housebroken. A vague memory of shooting with the rifle propped up on a bench shooting at a tin can come to mind.

Shotguns, centerfire rifles and handguns, Pop, with assists from the Govt.

[Nightcrawler]

My first time firing a gun was a 20 gauge shotgun. It knocked me over (I think I was eight.) My second timewas when I was in the 6th grade at a school weekend camp. I put about 10 rounds through a bolt-action .22 of some sort. (Keep in mind up here many young boys start hunting by the 6th grade, so this wasn't unheard of, even in the early 90s when it was going on.) Then, I did a little bit with pellet guns in JROTC in high school. My first time firing a centerfire rifle was when I joined the Nat'l Guard, before I went to basic. It was February 1999, and it was annual qualification. They handed me an M16A1 and some ammo, went over the basics, and let me bang away on the little 25 meter indoor range we use. I scored expert, I believe. Maybe it was sharpshooter. In any case, I did really good, given my level of experience.

Aside from that, I taught myself. Learned the four rules after I got home from basic; never heard of "rule three" in the Army...

[Legionnaire]

Although I'd shot rifles a couple of times previously, my college coach "taught me" how to shoot. I then read up and practiced all I could from Jack O'Connor, Jeff Cooper, etc. Couple of summers ago I took Long Range Rifle I and II at Storm Mountain. Still learning.

I was introduced to pistols by a friend, but then immediately took a couple of classes at LFI and Insights. I read and practice. Still learning.

I still haven't learned how to shoot a shotgun (wingshooting) effectively! Something about "pointing" instead of "aiming" I just don't get. :rolleyes:

[foghornl]

My Dad...WWII Army Infantryman

[Kharn]

Boy Scouts originally, but then I taught myself some and my cousin (former US Army, instructor school, etc) has tried to help me out, but our schedules hardly ever work out.

Kharn

[45King]

My Dad taught me how to shoot. He gave me a BB gun for Christmas in1961, when I was 6 1/2 year old. Once I got the basic fundamentals of marksmanship down, he moved me on to a shotgun. By the time I was 8, I was going dove huting with him. When I was 10, I went to the Citadel summer camp and honed my rifle skills (Dad didn't own any rifles, only shotguns,) with an NRA certified instructor using .22s. I learned to shoot pistols from reading about it, and the first chance I got to shoot was was when I was about 12 or so and had a chance to shoot a game warden's .38 when we were on a dove hunt.
I had to learn the safety rules myself. Dad had me read "The 10 Commandments of Gun Safety," but that was about it.

[Kreed]

I taught myself. I had my brother to shoot with, and we had lots of woods to run around in here in Florida in the mid to late '70s, and boy, did we do a lot of shooting.

My dad never liked guns, but he let us go our own way, bless him. My mom, too. My son seems to like 'em, though, so we he gets a bit older (he's five now), I'll be passing on the heritage.

[Sisco]

My Dad. He grew up in depression era Arkansas where the "One shot one kill" rule on small game was strictly enforced.

[cool45auto]

I watched my dad shoot and shot a friend's rifle some but pretty much have been going it on my own.

[hillbilly]

My mother taught me how to shoot. When she was young, her favorite gun game was to put a penny flat atop a wooden fence post and then try to skim that penny off the top of the post from about 10 yards with a BB gun.

She also taught me how to dig bait, put worms on a hook, and fish.

She is an old Arkansas girl.

hillbilly

[CatsDieNow]

Justin and Chris Rhines about 2-1/2 years ago. It was so cold outside that we had to re-load in the car. I actually kinda miss Indiana winters now, it doesn't snow here.

[Logistar]

My Dad wanted to be proud of his son and show everyone that he was an excellent hunter and a good shot. He spent countless hours teaching technique with targets. Despite his best efforts, I could never hunt worth a darn. (Hard to actually shoot a squirrel when you intentionally aim 6 feet to the right!)

Eventually he realized that I just wasn't into "shooting animals" but enjoyed coming along for the "hunt". He never invited me to go hunting again but I sure learned to be a good shot with all that practice!!!!!

Logistar

[Kamicosmos]

Handguns - I taught myself. First handgun was a .44 Mag Redhawk. First lesson learned: Earmuffs should be on when firing a .44 indoors!!!
Lots of reading and experimenting.

Rifles - Boy Scouts .22s at summer camp to earn Rifle and Shotgun Merit Badge.

[DigMe]

My father taught me basic shooting with .22 rifle, Marlin 30-30 and 12 gauge. He was a good one to teach because he's a safety professional and that invades every area of his life, especially shooting.

Then my uncle came along and taught me a few things about tactical pistol shooting. He lives in Houston and is an investigator with the Harris County District Attorney. He was a good teacher as well and definitely had a different bent on safety than my father. He reinforced basic gun safety but also taught me things such as closing one eye while shooting can completely blind you to someone pointing a pistol to your face point-blank on your weak-eye side and the standard way to clear jams in a fire-fight.

What is it with uncles teaching everyone to shoot?!

brad cook

[Legionnaire]

hillbilly, I like the sound of your Mom. My Mom's from Arkansas, too. She grew up shooting. But I grew up in in the city. My Dad wasn't a shooter and my Mom didn't still have a gun. It was my father-in-law who got me back into shooting after my college days. Even today, though, my Mom is far more interested in seeing any new toys than my Dad is.

[brownie0486]

Boy Scout camp 67 --rifle
Marine Corps DI's 69---rifle, pistols
OSS operatives 81----pistols, rifles, shotguns
HK x3 92-94---subguns, sniper rifles, pistols


Brownie

[RandyB]

My dad. The first gun I can remember shooting was a .45 T/C Hawkins muzzleloader. It was great and I was hooked to shooting ever since.

[Newt]

Another vote for Dad... He also grew up when hunting was for meals and not for sport. I was taught the safety basics at about 9 or 10 and he gave me my grandfather's .22 that was given to him. I still have it and will hopefully pass it on again.

Newt

[enichols]

My uncle, when I was about 9 or 10, took me out shooting for the first time. He taught me fundamentals (breathing, trigger control), and I have been hooked on shooting ever since. The only problem was that I only see him for a few weeks every two years, so up until I turned 18 and bought my own guns I would either have to wait to see him again or to go shooting with friends who were shooters. Since I have my own firearms now, I'm pretty much teaching myself by reading books and practicing at the range (and picking up any pointers from anyone who's willing to share their wisdom).

[Carlos Cabeza]

My Ol' Granpappy and my Dad. First gun was a .22lr .410ga. over and under I got for my ninth birthday.

[meathammer]

My Dad. He taught me the fundamentals, and safety. Then it was a lot of practice with a Crosman air rifle, moving on to a .22, and so on.

I still remember the first time Dad let me shoot his Ruger Blackhawk .357. I was about 13 at the time, I thought that was so cool. :D

[Bravo11]

My Dad.
JC Higgins .22 rifle with retractable sling in the stock(remember those)
Out at an old gravel pit near our home.
Before I actually fired a real gun I used to go out dove hunting with dad and friends carrying a a double barreled cork gun.
After that I graduated to airguns then to an old Rem Model Sportsman 58 16 gauge.

[Kentucky Rifle]

But I think it was my "Granny". (How could a shootin' woman like my Granny,
EVER raise an "anti" like my mother???)
Anyway, my father gave me a .410 when I was six. Sheesh! Close to HALF a CENTURY ago. That's what started it all.

KR (I'm not aging well at all.)

[KMKeller]

My Dad. First with a BB gun, then with a .22. Pistol was myself and then the US Navy.

[matis]

Myself.

I had a bit of experience with Enfield rifle converted to shoot 22lr in the Canadian Air Cadets. They pretty much taught me to fly (at age 13!! in Stinson Voyagers -- fabric covered, duralumin-framed 4 seaters) -- but not much about shooting.

We used a basement range in the armory, all actions were strictly controlled by the rangemaster, and nothing was explained. No safety training -- nothing. We were just handed 5 rounds at a time, then lights out and we did everything on orders.

Years later (1968) I shot, with a friend, a full box of 9mm, in his BHP (I later realized it was) -- plinking at beer cans on a turn off on the Alaska Highway (I knew it was unpaved, but to me that meant gravel. Nope, it was 1300 miles of dirt).

But again, no instructions on safety or anything else. Just told me to point it and shoot it. He reloaded the mags. And he was a bit chagrined 'cause I outshot him. (grin)

And no hearing protection! He was shooting a Colt 45acp. My ears rang for over 6 hours and I felt like there was liquid dripping inside them.

I'm a bit hard of hearing, now. Think there's any connection? :)


So when I finally overcame my anti-gun position, I subscribed to gun magazines, cleaned out the library of gun books (they had 'em in the eighties) and taught myself.



But my 15 year old daughter won't have to say this on some future gun forum.


I'm taking her to the range for the very first time -- this afternoon!!


She has a tendency to act like nothing scares her. E.g. I no longer ride the roller-coasters. She OTOH works on me to take her 1000-1500 miles -- just to ride the tallest, scariest coaster. Nothing seems to scare this kid. And she loves to call me a sissy 'cause I won't ride.

So I set her up :D

I tell her that the guns are extremely loud, kick like hell -- and not to feel bad if it scares her or if it's all too much for her. (Actually I'm starting her on the 22.)

Heh, heh. Now, just to show me, she'll probably become the next Annie Oakley.


Hey, you do what you gotta do, right?.


I love her to pieces; I'm very proud of her -- and I can't wait to get her to the range. Just 2-3 hours left!



I'll post on how it turns out.


Matis:D

[Jesse H]

Family friend whose an NRA instructor, Glock armorer, buys guns like I buy sodas. Unfortunately he lives out in Vegas and so I don't get much instruction.

I just go shoot as often as time/money allows and am somewhat satisfied I can group.

[Brian Williams]

Self taught with some from my Uncle. I got a Sears bolt action after 2 years of begging my parents. Still have it and it still shoots. I spent four years working with my Uncle and he taught me how to shoot an M16. OBTW that uncle is called Sam

Mostly reading and application while Dryfiring then on the range.

[TheEgg]

My father taught me to start with. He was career army (served in combat in WWII, Korea, and VietNam), so I lived on army bases all my life growing up. This was a long time ago and it was common to have ranges on most of the bases (I don't know if they still have them). After teaching me the basics, he turned me over to experts -- I spent a lot of time shooting 4-position rifle matches (with .22's when young) and earning badges, medals, etc. Then we added skeet and trap shooting, and Dad and I were the terrors of any father-son event in the area!

Strangely though, Dad had no handguns, and did not teach me anything about shooting them. When I was out on my own, I learned handguns from a retired LE instructor and a bunch of old bulls-eye shooters.

Great way to learn!

[McPherson]

I have my Dad to thank for introducing and maintaining an interest in shooting sports. If it wasnt for him exposing me to firearms, i very well could have turned into an anti :what:

[JeanC]

My hubby :)

[Double Maduro]

When I was 4 we moved from the city to the country and I think I got a single shot, break action, Daisy BB gun soon after, killed a ton of starlings with it. My dad must have taught me about sight picture and some safety but I can't remember. When I was 5 or 6 I started going squirrell hunting with him, he used a single shot 12ga.

When I was 7 I got to go hunting by myself for squirrells, single shot 20ga. When I was 8 I got a single shot bolt action .22 for a present and used it for squirrells and rabbits. This was about the time I discovered Bob White quail.

A friend of mine helped to hone my skills. I also had a lot of help from my Uncle Sam. He taught me to shoot the M14, M16, 1911, M50, M60 and some specialty stuff. I shot these well enough to become an instructor for all of the non automatic stuff.

I am teaching one of my granddaughters to shoot. So far she is the only one old enough to be allowed to shoot by her parents. I have had to make a few solo trips to the range to try and get back some of the skills I let slide, just to stay ahead of her.

So I guess it would have been my dad.

[OEF_VET]

My Dad got me started when I was 12. He covered the basics. In order to go hunting with him, I had to take the Montana state NRA Hunter's Safety Program. That's where I really learned the rules of safe gun handling. We moved from Montana about a year later, and it was another 3 years after that until I started shooting again. Then it was again Dad who taught me how to shoot a handgun.

Most of my knowledge and skill has actually come from three other sources though: the Army, reading books and magazines, and experience.

Still have to give props to Dad for kindling the initial interest. He always made me buy my own guns though. His philosophy was that a person is more respectful of something they've bought with their own money, rather than something that was just given to them.

Frank

[Jack19]

Dad during the Detroit riots in the 60s, then a police department, then a bunch of schools since. :D

[geojap]

My BB gun as a kid.

I shot different BB guns for years, running around in the woods and bayous. Luckily, no one got an eye put out. But I learned enough lessons from it, so that when I learned real gun safety as an adult, it was very easy for me to see the practical points involved and to implement them.

[Lt. G]

My dad, the best and now I'm teaching my son.

[txgolfer45]

Learned rifle shooting at summer camp. Learned handgun shooting from a friend who competes in IDPA at a National level. Still need more handgun training!!

Scott

[Nando Aqui]

1. My Dad, the basics with a pellet rifle, when I was about 8
2. A Winchester rep & showman gave me one lesson on skeet, and had me break 15/25 the first time I had ever held a shotgun.
3. From books to shoot a pistol
4. Then I taught my sons to shoot a rifle, shotgun and pistol - and we practiced and hunted a lot
5. Then my sons taught me even more after they became Marines!
6. Books again - continuing...
7. And now... from you guys!

Alex

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

An NRA instructor, whom I didn't know before I took lessons.

I had a BB gun when I was a kid, and remember going out with my dad to shoot rifle two or three times, but I don't think I really learned much.

- pdmoderator

[FPrice]

The U S Air Force. They started it and it just got better from there.

[Dave Markowitz]

Ron in PA, AKA "Dad" taught me how to shoot.

He can still beat the pants off me, especially with a pistol.

[Dionysusigma]

Azrael256, friend from college...with a crappy Marksman BB pistol, Wincester 30-30, and a couple o' shotguns.

[taoshooter]

Had a friend with a gun that let me 'try' it. That's was all there was until I joined my first gun club and got a lot of advice, etc. And, bought tons of books and videos.

But in the long run I'd have to say it was practice that taught me the most.

[WAGCEVP]

My husband taught me the basics, I taught myself the rest

[jimbo]

Nobody taught me to shoot. And it really shows.:banghead:

[Stevie-Ray]

Have to credit my sister's ex-husband for getting me into guns. He was 9 years older than me. With him I shot my first gun, (Mossberg .22) first shotgun, (12 ga single:eek: ) and first pistol. (Ruger RST-4) The pistol left such an impression on me that years later, my first handgun was an RST-6. I still miss him at times. As far as skill and safety, I was pretty much self-taught.

[Darrin]

Learned from my Pop when I was 6. I'm 28 now and teaching him a few things! :D

He taught me on his first rifle. That rifle became my first rifle. Maybe one of these days I'll have a kid to pass on the knowledge and the rifle.

[Sean Cloherty]

Boy Scouts of America in the Sovereign State of New Hampshire. It was a great range and was well run. Thinking back I really enjoyed the ancient single shot bolt action .22s they featured at Parker Mountain and Camp Sachem.

My dad never really showed and interest until I showed him my CMP M1. He literally hadn't touched a firearm in 50 years and he still made me look like a monkey on the 100 yard range. Although he had fun and is really good, it just isn't his cup of tea so we don't often go.

[Bowlcut]

Dad taught me. Taught me on Grandpa's favorite .22lr winchester. I now have that rifle. I dont know how often it will make it to the range tho, turning it over and seeing Grandpa's initals in the stock E.H. just wells me up. Dad let me "brrow" it when I went home for fathers day. Got to hear stories about him and grandpa hitting crows with it across the field, "back when they both could see".

Dad no longer shoots for fun. Fathers day was the first time he had shot his .380 in probaly over a year he says. He carries it everyday, just never shoots. He can still hit something out to about 25/30 yards on first shot, dang eye site on him is going. But guess he could defend himself and my stepmom.

I never got to shoot much as a kid. We went "rabbit hunnin" once on thanksgiving in our field when i was like 6. We shot clay's once or twice out at the gun club. Played with the 22's a bit. But that was about it, he never wanted to shoot much. But putting my Mosin in his hands had him giggleing tho. Fathers day was a good weekend....

[Deepdiver]

No one.... I was born with two full hands :evil:

Actually, my dad started me out young, then gave me a 38 spec. when I was 16......it's been down hill ever since ($ wise).

[Rupestris]

I learned in high school!:what:
yep. In 1986 I was in the JROTC at Southwestern High School in Detroit. Part of the class was firearm safety and shooting bolt action (.22 shorts) rifles at the schools indoor 25 yard range in 3 basic positions.:D
After that my uncle was kind enough to show me how to shoot handguns and shotguns.
Rupe

[Hardtarget]

My first teacher was my Dad...rifle,shotgun, then pistol. Later, an older cousin showed me varmit rifle. Later on, my Brother in law taught me fine points about pistol shooting. I can't say I have ever been able to put to use all the lessons, but I've had fun all my life. My marksmanship is far from fine tuned...I just don't embarass myself very often. :D
Mark.

[Chugach]

My dad (long passed) and my brother. Started on BB guns, went to everything else as quickly as physical size and maturity allowed: single shot shotgun, single shot .22, .38 Special, .45 ACP, double-barreled 12 gauge, 6.5mm Carcarno, 9mm in surplus Astra.

One of the things I enjoy the most is talking to my brother about firearms and shooting. Unfortunately, we're half a country apart. Makes for some memorable range sessions when we do get together...

[duckfoot]

The United States Marine Corps

[capnrik]

So, where is Tamara?

[Seeker]

you were 'spose ta have somone teach ya?

[chaim]

The United States Army taught me to shoot a rifle. With pistols it was a combination of self-learning, books, and friendly range folk. The "formal" class I took at a DC area range was more safety centered, though there was some sight picture, hold, and stance stuff and the like. Of course, by then all the classroom stuff I already knew anyway and this class had no structured range time (you had to shoot, but there were no instructors on the firing line).

Man some of you who learned as kids have me jealous. Dad is an anti (he grew up a hunter in western PA only a few minutes from the WV border, but he changed). I actually wanted to go to a military school as a kid (not to learn to shoot but that would have been a nice side benefit)- not allowed. I also wasn't allowed to join the Boy Scouts (too "traditional values") and in Cub Scouts when we went to the Scout camp one summer dad came with us and I was one of the only guys who wasn't allowed to use the rifle range (dad wouldn't allow it and he made a stink trying to get the den leader to not allow any of the kids to do it- lucky for me he didn't succeed).

[50 Freak]

A really nice Long Beach CA police officer I met at a indoor range I went to with friends. Was a little kid at the time and this was a great opportunity to try the "cool" guns.

Anyways, saw on TV 8 years later that is officer was shot and killed effecting a traffic stop. :(

The perp was never caught. May he burn in hell.:fire:

[sw442642]

NRA courses at a local range

[The Plainsman]

My dear ol' Pappy, at about age 10 (been so long ago, it's hard to remember for sure) We shot his Winchester Model 69 .22cal., that he bought in 1935 for the princely sum of $16, earned as a gandy-dancer for the Rock Island RR at 10 cents/hr. I now own that rifle, complete with the custom forestock that my dad put on it (with his initials) and the Redfield peep sight.

Many and many a good memory of plinkin' with that rifle. And we moved onward and upward from there.

P.S. How many of you here know what a gandy-dancer was/is?

[Erik Jensen]

I did. practice, practice, practice, read, practice, ask advice, practice.

[capnrik]

Laid track, didja Plainsman?

[Tim Currie]

Myself.

Its amazing how well I turned out :) My Dad is fairly against guns, does not own one and never taught me anything about 'em, rest of the family varies but nobody ever had any firearms or taught me anything about them.

For some reason as a kid, I always had the idea that I would want a gun when I was older because you never know if you'll need one. Was never interested in hunting and never have gone, wasnt interested in shooting. then..... I have no idea why or how I had that idea from a young age, but I did and here I am. Just bougt a .22 rifle today! First .22 :cool:

[PATH]

I am a self taught shooter myself.

[blades67]

A close friend of the family.

[JackM]

My Dad taught me shotgun, with the Remington 10 he got for his 14th birthday, in 1924. It still shoots. An old neighbour, who was on Vimy Ridge, taught me rifle and revolver.

Bye
Jack