Please help a newbie !!! I am totally new to guns !
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Pat Cannon
Member
An excellent place to start would be the rec.guns FAQ.
Or ask here like Moonclip says, if you have a specific question. Caliber, BTW, is just bullet diameter in decimal inches, i.e a .45 caliber bullet is 0.45 inches across. Unless you're in a military or non-U.S. environment where they use metric, e.g. 9mm, but it's still just bullet diameter. Sort of -- of course people have managed to make it more complicated than that, but that's a start.
Or ask here like Moonclip says, if you have a specific question. Caliber, BTW, is just bullet diameter in decimal inches, i.e a .45 caliber bullet is 0.45 inches across. Unless you're in a military or non-U.S. environment where they use metric, e.g. 9mm, but it's still just bullet diameter. Sort of -- of course people have managed to make it more complicated than that, but that's a start.
hornblower
Member
Newbie
Hot Sauce
I am in the same situation. I am trying to educate myself but what I find most difficult is the use of initials in almost everything that is written.
Where is there a "glossary" of initials related to shooting, firearms, ammunition, optics, etc.?
It would be helpful to have something like the following for the first use of initials in an article:
BUIS (Back up iron sights).
Hot Sauce
I am in the same situation. I am trying to educate myself but what I find most difficult is the use of initials in almost everything that is written.
Where is there a "glossary" of initials related to shooting, firearms, ammunition, optics, etc.?
It would be helpful to have something like the following for the first use of initials in an article:
BUIS (Back up iron sights).
Hornblower:
Here's a start
http://thehighroad.org/library/acro/acron.html
go up to the THR Library link in the upper right
Here's a start
http://thehighroad.org/library/acro/acron.html
go up to the THR Library link in the upper right
Funderb
Member
If you decide to start buying guns, and have limited funds, unlike some here seem to have, get a few .22s and maybe a rifle you'd like to hunt with that ammo is readily available for.
Your wallet will thank you.
Your wallet will thank you.
hornblower
Member
Cavman
Thank you.
That is a great start!
Thank you.
That is a great start!
3KillerBs
Member
I would strongly suggest taking an NRA Basic Pistol course to get a good grounding in all the fundamentals.
Your local gun shop or range should be able to help you find a class.
Your local gun shop or range should be able to help you find a class.
Chuck Dye
Member
Welcome aboard! Both to THR and to the sport.
An NRA membership couldn't hurt. The association has a lot for the tenderfoot.
This forum and others are good. Most have search functions. While THR, www.thefiringline.com and www.armedpolitesociety.com tend to be tolerant and civil, making use of the search function will save you from being savaged elsewhere.
An NRA membership couldn't hurt. The association has a lot for the tenderfoot.
This forum and others are good. Most have search functions. While THR, www.thefiringline.com and www.armedpolitesociety.com tend to be tolerant and civil, making use of the search function will save you from being savaged elsewhere.
Thanks for all the links. The acronyms are useful. I found this under the definitions section and found it hilarious:
Tin Foil Hat: These provide excellent protection against mind control rays which may or may not be transmitted by aliens, the CIA, or the military.
Tin Foil Hat: These provide excellent protection against mind control rays which may or may not be transmitted by aliens, the CIA, or the military.
Dismantler
Member
A good source of basic knowledge is a book such as "The So and So Book of Rifles, Shotguns and Hanguns." * These can often be found cheap on used book web sites or in used book stores. You can find them new in book stores, too.
The author walks you throught the nomenclature and functions of the different firearms. You can also find a book dealing only with one kind of gun. For example, "The Big Book of Pistols and Revolvers." * Make sure that it is instructional, and not just a catalog or review of products.
Another help may be if you post your location. Other members may be available to help you in person.
* These are imaginary names, you understand.
The author walks you throught the nomenclature and functions of the different firearms. You can also find a book dealing only with one kind of gun. For example, "The Big Book of Pistols and Revolvers." * Make sure that it is instructional, and not just a catalog or review of products.
Another help may be if you post your location. Other members may be available to help you in person.
* These are imaginary names, you understand.
1911 guy
Member
Welcome aboard!
Welcome to The High Road, as well as the shooting sports.
Just cruising this site can give you more info than hanging out in a gunshop for a year. Cheaper, too. I tend to buy stuff at gunshops!
I'm not sure what area of firearms you're interested in, handguns, rifles or shotguns. Within each of those three areas, there is self/home defense, hunting, target shooting and formal competition. All are good pursuits, but not all are interesting to everybody. For example, I use a handgun for self/home defense, rifles primarily for target shooting and hunt a lot with a shotgun.
There are so many facets of the shooting sports that I'm sure you'
ll find something to keep you interested. I'll second the notion of taking a safety class, this will be applicable to any and every firearm.
Throw those questions out here, there's a good bunch of guys and gals here who know a lot and are willing to share what they know.
Welcome to The High Road, as well as the shooting sports.
Just cruising this site can give you more info than hanging out in a gunshop for a year. Cheaper, too. I tend to buy stuff at gunshops!
I'm not sure what area of firearms you're interested in, handguns, rifles or shotguns. Within each of those three areas, there is self/home defense, hunting, target shooting and formal competition. All are good pursuits, but not all are interesting to everybody. For example, I use a handgun for self/home defense, rifles primarily for target shooting and hunt a lot with a shotgun.
There are so many facets of the shooting sports that I'm sure you'
ll find something to keep you interested. I'll second the notion of taking a safety class, this will be applicable to any and every firearm.
Throw those questions out here, there's a good bunch of guys and gals here who know a lot and are willing to share what they know.
Cuzzin
Member
just words...
Words on paper and on various forums are fine and informative - but - nothing takes the place of actually handling and firing weapons/guns of various types. As suggested earlier, take an NRA course - or - swallow a little pride and go to a gun range where they rent various types of weapons and have a qualified person to instruct you in the basics of several types of handguns (or longguns). Tell them you are a beginner and they will know where to start with you. There will be no pressure and no-one will be making fun of you. Welcome to shooting sports or self-defense - whatever is your goal!!
Words on paper and on various forums are fine and informative - but - nothing takes the place of actually handling and firing weapons/guns of various types. As suggested earlier, take an NRA course - or - swallow a little pride and go to a gun range where they rent various types of weapons and have a qualified person to instruct you in the basics of several types of handguns (or longguns). Tell them you are a beginner and they will know where to start with you. There will be no pressure and no-one will be making fun of you. Welcome to shooting sports or self-defense - whatever is your goal!!
Cuzzin
Member
Sorry...
Sorry HotSauce - I did not realize you lived in Pakistan. Probably nothing I said applies other than reading the forums and getting some literature.
Sorry HotSauce - I did not realize you lived in Pakistan. Probably nothing I said applies other than reading the forums and getting some literature.
Try this for basic reading
See if you can find a copy of The Complete Book of Shooting, by O'Connor, Dunlap, Kerr & Cooper. A very good basic text covering many aspects of the sport in very accessible language. It's been through a couple of printings.
See if you can find a copy of The Complete Book of Shooting, by O'Connor, Dunlap, Kerr & Cooper. A very good basic text covering many aspects of the sport in very accessible language. It's been through a couple of printings.
The following was my favorite when I was new to handguns..Its actually how I foung THR..good luck and enjoy !
http://genitron.com/basics.html
http://www.genitron.com/
http://genitron.com/basics.html
http://www.genitron.com/
Wait a minute......post#655James T Thomas
Member
Open minded scepticism
Just keep in mind when you read "information," that "Jack" posts here too, and you will find him at most of the other gun related sites too.
Try not to become overwhelmed by all the stuff. It usually resolves itself into a few basics after you have enough experience.
Just keep in mind when you read "information," that "Jack" posts here too, and you will find him at most of the other gun related sites too.
Try not to become overwhelmed by all the stuff. It usually resolves itself into a few basics after you have enough experience.
James T Thomas
Member
Whoops there it is
There is an old saying in Pakistani; the translation goes something like this:
"See what I mean?"
There is an old saying in Pakistani; the translation goes something like this:
"See what I mean?"
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