Instructional Gun Websites?

[Hans Esker]

I do not know anyone to help teach me how to shoot, and I am on a tight budget and can't afford any of the instructional videos, so I was wondering if there were any websites that showed the basics of shooting such as stance,
grips, etc.

Up to now I have picked up a few things piecemeal, and know safety protocol, but I need something comprehensive to fill in all the gaps before I go to the range and try the rentals.

Also, any suggestions on books, which could get my hands on via Interlibrary Loan, would be welcome.

Edit: I cannot think of a proper web search query to come up with what I need, which is why I am asking

 

[VegasOPM]

Try mattburkett.com or google "USPSA Grand Master". YouTube has tons of shooting hints, although some of the posters are less than great.
Some other Google hints
Rob Leatham
Doug Koenig
Bruce Piatt
Brian Enos
Todd Jarrett
Mike Voight
Clint Smith's Thunder Ranch
Gunsite

You can also find a local club that has IDPA or USPSA matches and just go watch. Ask questions, introduce yourself... you might find some very useful tips and maybe even a good shooter that can point you in the right direction.

 

[Orvanic]

there are some interesting vids @

http://www.downrange.tv/

 

[camacho]

http://www.guntalk.tv/site.php

 

[bogie]

http://www.wonderhowto.com/weapons/

I was surprised - the above site has a surprisingly good signal to noise ratio... And a buncha cool non-gun hacks too.

 

[spwenger]

While Not Exactly Instructional...

...many people find my site useful, if only to help them evaluate what they may read elsewhere.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I am on a tight budget and can't afford any of the instructional videos

If you can't afford the videos and you can't afford a class, you can't afford to shoot.

Ammunition is NOT free. Neither is supervised range time (as a new shooter, you need it). Then there is transportation to and from the range.

And then there is the cost of the gun.

Get some good - in person - instruction. After that, think about your budget and what you CAN afford.

 

[spwenger]

Try Telling That...

If you can't afford the videos and you can't afford a class, you can't afford to shoot.

...to the generations of Americans who defended this nation largely with the skills they developed in the woods near their homes, with no instuctional videos, books or formal courses. Yes, all those things are desirable but I suspect that the person who has the sense to seek instructional material for which he need not pay is not going to prove to be a bozo with a gun.

 

[Bobo]

This is excellent (and free):
U.S. Army Field Manual (2003) - COMBAT TRAINING WITH PISTOLS, M9 AND M11
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-23-35/index.html

There's also a lot of good stuff (and some really bad) on Youtube.

Also some good stuff here:
http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/

Bobo

 

[markk]

Check your local library's video section.

I was very surprised to find several of Lenny McGill's shooting instruction DVDs in mine.

 

[CannonFodder]

And, in addition, the magic of inter-library loan opens up the entire world to you.

It's how this broke grad student is reading Unintended Consequences this week!

 

[Mandirigma]

If you can't afford the videos and you can't afford a class, you can't afford to shoot.
Ammunition is NOT free. Neither is supervised range time (as a new shooter, you need it). Then there is transportation to and from the range.

Thought the purpose of this forum was to promote Firearms shooting and RBKA? Not to play elitist and say, well you are just too poor you cant have one.

Not being able to afford videos or supervised range time, doesn't mean you can't learn to shoot. Ammo ain't free, but a brick of .22lr is cheap, and gives you a 1000 chances to practice.

I gave "free" instruction to my BIL and sister two days back, out in the back yard. Out of pocket expense, maybe 10 dollars. The Dr.Pepper inside the cans we used as targets made up at least a third of the cost. A bunch of .22lr, half a box of 16Ga, and a few mags each of .45 and .357SIG. I gave him a broad range so he'd have a closer expectation to how recoil was going to be. I also didn't do things that my uncle's did when I was 10, "here boy aim over there and pull the trigger" not correcting me or my aim nor hand him the shotgun but not tell him how to hold it, resulting in a bruised shoulder.

I know I've made a convert he was checking out gun manufacturer websites that night. A shame he's got to go through so many hoops being active duty and about to be stationed overseas.

Before you ask, yes I've helped strangers, as sm would say paying it forward.

Back when I was learning more "advanced" techniques, (more advanced than just burning through ammo at a range and bringing back a target with holes all over the black and white), my cost to my "instructors" were usually ammo or a meal or a few beers.

The line that worked wonders for me was "Yeah, I like to go shoot, but I'm not that good." was usually followed at some point with "Really, we should go shooting then" people usually like being better than someone else, and don't mind gracing them with their experience.

OP: going to a range and going to renting a gun to familiarize yourself is a great place to start.

Once you get comfortable with the operation and recoil of your rented gun try to find a target that looks something like this

It can help to figure out why exactly you aren't hitting what you are aiming at.

 

[hso]

Knife Knut,

If you're anywhere near East Tennessee you're more than welcome to come to my place for a couple of days and I'll work with you on the basics.

 

[Hans Esker]

Thanks for the invitation hso, but I live near Charleston, SC

Just to add some details, I am currently working my way through the few instructional gun books at the library (man there are some dinosaurs in there, and huge range in quality of instruction in them also).
One of the local gunshop ranges is $5 for all day to get in, $5 all day to try any of the renals (all kinds of stuff, from a Ruger Mk II and a III to over a dozen different Glocks), and a few bucks for protection gear. At that price it seems to me more economical to rent a .22 than buy one. Of course ammo may end up being my largest expense.

I am eyeing an EAA M88 (one of which is in the rental case) as a first gun. It feels good in my hand, and my rationale is the added mass of the steel frame will make it more controllable, but the thinness of the gun due to the single stack design will make it more concealable than a double stack.

I plan to go and try them out in the next week, and look further into NRA classes offered there.

 

[Frank Ettin]

...YouTube has tons of shooting hints, although some of the posters are less than great....

Actually, IMHO many are downright awful and dangerous. BUT --

[1] Check out anything by "shootingcoach" on YouTube. He's an excellent instructor. (http://www.youtube.com/user/shootingcoach?ob=1)

[2] There are some Todd Jarett videos on YouTube, and anything by him is worthwhile. (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=todd+jarrett&search_type=)

 

[Seancass]

posting so i'll come back and watch some more some day...

 

[gallo]

I don't mean to discourage you from buying the EAA M88. However, today I went by Academy and gripped a 9mm Bersa Thunder since I have heard nothing but good things about it. It felt like a glove in my hand, and the construction is solid metal. The best part is that it was only $349.

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

If you can't afford the videos and you can't afford a class, you can't afford to shoot.

Ammunition is NOT free. Neither is supervised range time (as a new shooter, you need it). Then there is transportation to and from the range.

And then there is the cost of the gun.

Get some good - in person - instruction. After that, think about your budget and what you CAN afford.

Whats up with the elitist attitude man? The guy is looking for so free advice because he is on a budget. We have all probably been there/done that at some point in our life.

No, ammunition is not free, but .22lr is cheap. Some of the military surplus stuff is relatively cheap as well.

Gas to the range isn't cheap either. Maybe the guy lives five miles from a range. Or maybe he is blessed with being able to shoot in his backyard.

As for supervised range time, it may be prefered, but not required. The only "supervised" time I ever had was with dad in the backyard. There are lots of members here that may be willing to help out a new shooter. HSO already offered, but location seems to be a deterent. Maybe he can hook up with some members here that are in his area.

Maybe I am reading your post wrong, but to me, it came across "If you don't have money, you are not welcome." Wealth is not mentioned in "...Shall not be infringed..." Having to have money to exercise your Second Amendment right is like the poll tax of yesteryear.

If I am reading too much into this, I appologize, if not, lighten up.

Knife Knut, welcome to The High Road. If you are ever in the central Virginia area, look me up. We can shoot at the house.

Oakville Shooter

 

[Hans Esker]

Update:
I have not gotten around to looking at any of the sites yet, but I had my first shooting session! Here is the report:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4842733

Also, any book suggestions?

 

[pappy]

While Not Exactly Instructional...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...many people find my site useful, if only to help them evaluate what they may read elsewhere.

+1 I've been a spwenger fan for years, even bought the book which I would highly recomend. Maybe one day I can save my pennies and actually visit AZ for a class......