First Trip to the Gun Range

[The Scout]

Finally got to make a trip to the gun range with my Dad and brother Derick. All I can say is I've been missing out!! I have never been to an organized range before, we shot once or twice in my backyard, but that was several years ago before someone built a house back there.

So we showed up at the gun range with our .22s, two rifles and a ruger single-shot pistol. Turned out the rifle ranges were occupied the entire time but we got to shoot at the pistol range next to a very generous group. They allowed us to try out a snub in .38 special and a 9mm semi-automatic, not sure what model it was. It was just so nice to be able to shoot some other calibers, today was my first time with something other than a .22.

The other group also had a .44 Magnum with a scope, a .380 pistol (looked like the James Bond model) and also a black powder pistol. From the two we triedI didn't like the snub that much, was shooting several feet high at 20 yards, the 9mm was alright though, hit 3/4 shots. My Dad also got to try out one of the gentleman's .357 Colt, he really seemed to like that.

All in all it was a great day at the range, although we were in sore need of ear protection at the end. Hopefully next time we will be able to shoot rifle as well, and we will certainly have the ear protection.

 

[jamz]

Glad you had fun! Hearing protection is a must though, and it's very cheap. It makes it much more enjoyable, improves your shooting, and too much exposure will damage your hearing beyond repair.

 

[matt87]

Ditto on the hearing protection mate! Foam in-ear plugs are danged near free, though they're not exactly the best. I suggest a pair of over-the-ear muffs; they are more comfy (for my) and actually attenuate certin noises the foam plugs can't.

Glad you had fun! Shooting is a great way to have fun, build self control and concentration, put meat on the table (in a more natural way), and defend oneself and those in the area.

 

[Outlaws]

Definitely get ear plugs. Foam plugs work better for rifles IMO, as they don't get in the way, but I like headsets for pistol.

 

[The Scout]

Yes, I'm defineitely getting ear protection. Would have used some today but we didn't have any time to get any.

 

[Guntalk]

Not only do you need hearing protection, but you simply MUST be wearing protective glasses -- shooting glasses. They are cheap, and it's critical that you do not fire guns without wearing eye protection.

You might want to check out the free gun safety videos at www.guntalk.tv. This is brand new, but there is a lot of info to help people get started in shooting.

 

[Hoppy590]

welcome to the sport! get some eyes and ears ( glasses, and muffs) and you will be comfortably blasting away all day

 

[22-rimfire]

At this point in time, I have a hard time even considering shooting without hearing protection at a range. Shooting a 357 or 44 mag is down right painful without protection and it takes a lot of the fun out of it.

I'm glad that you had a good time at the range. You broke the ice! I have found that trying to assemble a group to shoot with (or anything else) is most difficult and often you end up frustrated and don't go.

 

[Starter52]

Ear protection! Just because YOU brought only .22's to shoot . . . .

BTW - you mentioned a Ruger single-shot .22 pistol ? Did you mean a Ruger single-action revolver?

 

[The Scout]

Starter yes I meant a Ruger single-action revolver, my Dad calls it a single six...

We had eye protection when we were there, the 9mm the one guy let us shoot had the shells ejecting all over, my friend got nailed in the forehead, not sure if its cause of his height but I was glad I had the glasses on.

 

[jetman]

I'm glad to hear you had a great time at the range. Take it from me hearing protection is an absolute must. I shot for years as a kid with "just" .22's and went hunting many many times with a .410 shotgun and worked up to a 12 ga..... and never used hearing protection. No one told us how dangerous it was to our hearing. Today I'm practically deaf in my right ear and have permanent tininitus. My left ear is hearing reduced but better than my right. EVERY time I go shooting now I double plug with the foam ear plugs AND the headphones to preserve what hearing I have left. It REALLY is that important.

 

[The Scout]

No I knew there would be other people there with louder guns, a .22 isn't that loud either. We just didn't have any hearing protection, if we would have had some we'd of used it, we're going to have it for next time.

 

[GlowinPontiac]

shooting a .22 rifle without ear protection isnt very loud. however a .22 pistol can be very loud without protection.

 

[akodo]

yes, foam twist-and-plug are very very inexpensive. I carry extra with me in my shooting bag always, just in case. Of course, mostly I go to indoor ranges where earmuffs are provided.

The only exception to this is the occasional family outing with .22 LR rifles only, on private land out in the cropfields and gullies.