Some very newbie questions

[Jim Watson]

I have a couple of informal students myself.
One has had the classes taught by the local PD which are pretty good. I am working to get her up to speed as a competitive shooter with the gun she is most comfortable firing extensively.
The other is signed up for those classes, my main aim is to just familiarize him with his purchased but never shot guns so he can pay attention to a department instructor and not have to worry over the mechanics.

 

[J-Bar]

Uteridge;

Their names are familiar but I don't think I have met them in person...probably conversed with them on the SASS Wire.

 

[franconialocal]

Take the drive up here to NH sometime and I'll take you to the police range with my girlfriend. She is 23 y/o and very slight but she shoots like a pro now having started only about a year ago!! She was very nervous and somewhat timid (like you??) about the whole firearms realm but now she won't get off my back and wants to go shoot all the TIME!!!

Compliments to you on taking the first steps! Don't let the self-professed "experts" get you down or ruin your resolve. If you are serious about your endeavor in this then there are a ton of good reliable people you can turn to.

 

[Uteridge]

Great people. And Lonesome is a fantastic holster maker if you get the occasion to make his acquaintance. I miss Missouri. The Marine Corps had me in California for 3 years and now almost 3 years in Louisiana. Seems like there are not as many normal, sensible people in some other parts of the country.

I am an expert shot and I have still never been to a cowboy meet where I haven't been offered a chance to shoot just about every gun on the range. Cowboy events are the place to go if you want a chance to meet good people and learn a lot about different types of guns.

Don't think if you go to a Cowboy Action event to learn about guns that you will only get a chance to shoot older style guns. There are always lots of people around that have all different types of pistols, rifles, and shotguns on them. Every time I have been to Cowboy Action shooting events in Missouri we had people constantly going off to side ranges to shoot modern weapons and teach new shooters.

 

[Jim Watson]

There are always lots of people around that have all different types of pistols, rifles, and shotguns on them.

And other stuff, too. Like the guy who showed up at the Mississippi River Rangers, Byhalia Miss. with his Thompson and motorcycle scout saddle scabbard. Woo, woo.

Sorry, a little OT there, just showing how diversified you can get in The Gun Culture.

 

[MikeNice]

I have to second the advice to seek out an Instructor. NRA Instructors are usually pretty good.

I also agree with the advice to visit corneredcat.com. You can learn a lot there before you ever touch a gun. I found the advice on finding the gun that fits your hand great. There are also stories and advice directed torwards women specificly.

I also agree that if possble you should start your shooting adventures with a .22lr handgun. The ammo is cheap enough that you can afford to practice the basics. Also, it has very little recoil. That makes it much more comfortable to learn on. You can run through fifty or more rounds without noticing it.

Just as important is to remember to invest in eye protection and ear protection. Even small caliber guns cause hearing damage quickly.

 

[jbr]

Welcome aboard! My $.02. I am with a few of the other guys - start with a handgun class -purchase at least one or two sessions with a shooting instructor so you can learn the mechanics of shooting - stance,trigger pull, aim, etc... it will really speed up the learning curve - start shooting w/ a .22 and shoot a lot for a few weeks. Most ranges rent either the ruger or browning .22's. $10 is the going price where i live. Some want to sell you a brick of ammo to go with it but if you tell them you will be renting for a while for practice and eventual purchase they will usually let you bring your own ammo - either way by only the smallest amount they sell and bring your own for the rest. You can go thru 200-300 rounds with no problem in a short range session - you will be surprised. each 500 rounds fired will run you approx. $80.00 (three range trips- less if two range trips)- repeat - Then when you are completely comfortable rent a large or medium frame 9mm (with a single stack magazine if they have one) or .380 and give it a try - with just one bullet loaded each time until you are comfortable with the recoil. Then load it up and enjoy. Consider the trigger in the gun you buy. It's my most important criteria when considering a purchase. If you like the trigger you can probably shoot it well. Those .22's will spoil you! Good luck!

 

[BullfrogKen]

I thought this series of threads by miss lead, was wonderful. Just FYI really.

Post #9 here . . . . http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7119301#post7119301


So did I. It was a great, in-progress accounting of a gal going from no guns to one she really wanted and enjoyed.


I think that advice about a local NRA First Steps class is a good way to begin the journey. Ask questions from there, and try to find a club where you can find some knowledgeable shooters go to practice. Show up at a practice night/weekend, introduce yourself, and make some friends.


I wouldn't worry too much about being a young girl at a club. The Hunters Education classes at my local club have been 40% middle and high school girls for years now.

Unless you positively know of a really good local gun shop, and a really informed, decent human being working the counter, I wouldn't go blindly into one for help. Might work out, might not. In my experience, mostly it doesn't.

 

[Dave21]

First of all welcome...I'm new too! I've also got a newbie question....I want to start a thread asking for advise on my first buy but have read forums, and threads that were 'remakes' of old threads and people seem to get mad at the person posting a new thread instead of posting on the old ones. I've looked at old threads and don't see any that are particular to my needs. Sorry to steal your thread Illyria, and I give you mad props for joining a predominately male thread and asking for advice....very very cool.

On every range there is a guy (or gal) shooting 7 yard groups the size of a trash can lid and flinching with every shot. Don't be that guy (or gal)... There is a name for those people, that name is: "People who didn't start with a .22".

That was totally me at 18 when I started because I didn't know better. Luckily I'm outgoing and bothered other shooters for advice which they graciously gave me. Now I have shot placement at 25 yards. Thanks for the advice and stay safe!

 

[Illyria]

I know I'm getting way ahead of myself in asking this, but could I possibly go for a gun like the CZ-75B and get the .22 Conversion Kit? That way I could basically have two guns in one for when/if I want to start shooting something other than .22. Good or bad idea?

 

[KodiakBeer]

The CZ has a very long trigger reach, so it will depend on how large your hands are. If you're the petite type, it may not work for you. If you have medium to large hands, buying a CZ with the .22 conversion would be an absolutely great way to start out!

The CZ is one of the best handguns around, in my opinion.

 

[TX1911fan]

The CZ with the 22 conversion kit is a great idea.

 

[Sherri]

I've taken an interest in shooting and reloading over the last year. It's been an interesting trek.

There are some very good beginner videos on the Ruger website: http://ruger.com

Choose NEWS & RESOURCES, then VIDEOS. At the bottom of the screen is a link to BEGINNER SHOOTING TIPS.

 

[Uteridge]

Go to a range that rents guns and give the CZ a try. They sometimes do not work too well for people with small hands but if it is comfortable for you then that would be a great idea.

 

[rfwobbly]

Welcome

Illyria -

Hi everyone!

Welcome to THR!

Let me first say that I never thought I would be posting in a firearms forum as I have honestly been very afraid of them for most of my life.

This is one of the nicest, most civil places you could ever visit. Beyond the guns, I'd be interested to hear your impression of the help you received. After all, you are the future of our sport.

I know I'm getting way ahead of myself in asking this, but could I possibly go for a gun like the CZ-75B and get the .22 Conversion Kit?

I love CZ guns and in fact own 2. However, since you have not fired the first shot this might be way, way, way ahead of yourself. You're talking about $850 for an unknown. What if gun smoke makes your sinuses go crazy? What if you need your nails re-done after every range session? What if gun ownership compels you to start dressing like Annie Oakley?



I mean the hat is way cool, but the scarf has got to go.

The point is, you can buy a used .22 gun at any dealer for $150-$200, shoot it for a year, and trade it in on your CZ (or whatever) and get 80% of your money back on trade-in. That's a much better plan IMHO.

All the best!

 

[mustang_steve]

Welcome to the forums!

Being a woman is not a bad thing when it comes to learning firearms. It's been my experience that women learn how to shoot better than guys.

First, what state are you in? That will determine how easy it will be for you to rent/obtain a firearm. Illinois for example is a very restrictive state, but Florida will let darn near anyone that's not Federally restricted use a firearm. That's a good thing, as the permits required in some states can be annoying and difficult to obtain.

Once that's sorted out, go look for a firearms safety class. Go to a good one that covers semi-automatics and revolvers. It's a good thing to learn both sides of the fence, just in case you find out you like one better than the other.

Once that's done, go hit up a range and see what you can rent. Rentals are a good way to see what calibers, models, etc you like without the hassle of buying, then selling a gun. In the end, the cost of a rental is about equal to the loss from buying and then selling it off, or may even be less than said loss.

Don't be afraid of the gun. Provided it's well maintained and quality ammo is used, much like a car it will only do what you tell it to do and when you tell it to. So long as you carefully follow the techniques and safety practices taught to you in the course and you'll be set.

I do suggest you start with small caliber until you develop a good trigger pull. It makes adapting to large caliber pistols SO much easier. It's one of the things I wished I did.

 

[kayak-man]

Definately try it out first. I've bought a few guns without shooting them, and for the most part they worked out great, but theres a couple purchases that I would have done differently.

Also try out some other ones - you may try out the CZ and find that you really like it, and I hope you do, but there very well could be a Ruger, GLOCK (Its spent in all caps, I'm not emphasizing it) or H&K sitting in the case that fits you even better.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the conversion kits, buts thats mainly because I'd prefer to have two seperate guns so that if something .... happens... to one I still have the other. Also, I like variety - I want my big guns to feel like big guns and my small guns to feel small. That being said, I think the idea of a conversion kit is great, as you get inexpensive practise with the same gun, and since its all personal preferance, my opinion on the matter is as usefull as a surfboard in Kansas.


rfwobly:
The scarf isn't that bad, but there's no way in this world you'll see me in a hoop skirt!

Well, okay, I guess if it somehow led to me owning an AR-15 I might... or a good FAL.... maybe an M14.... yea, I might be willing to wear a hoop skirt for an M14....and ammo... lots of ammo ...


Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[Illyria]

Thanks for all the advice again, everyone!

I found a couple options near me in Connecticut. There's a pistol permit class that goes over the basics, safety, etc. with revolvers and semi-automatics near me that I found via the NRA instructor site. It's $130 for the public class or $175 for a private course. Doesn't sound too horrible to me considering the price of things around here (for example, I charge $45/hr for Spanish tutoring - which even to me is totally crazy since I'm originally from Indiana where things are cheaper.)

I really just can't get over how welcoming everyone on here is. It's great to know that there are some sweet, down to earth people in the world willing to lend a hand.

 

[mustang_steve]

Great to hear a fellow Hoosier is on the boards. I grew up in the Fort Wayne area....but now have been a Floridian for some time now.

edit: forgot to mention those prices are pretty reasonable for a comprehensive training program.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Indiana where things are cheaper

Yeah, well welcome to Connecticut.

 

[FROGO207]

Welcome to the community Illyria. Sounds like you have a handle on things already. I have started all the new shooters (that I have helped learn) on the .22 also. You should be able to find one for a reasonable price when ready. If you look on Gun Broker.com and key in on .22 pistols or .22 revolvers and look at completed auctions this will give you a feel of ACTUAL prices paid, not what the person selling one thinks it is worth. Armed with this info you will be able to get a better deal when you decide to purchase one. Do keep us informed, just think of us all as big brothers and sisters that want to see you succeed.

 

[MOHunter1978]

I don't know how it is where you live, but in MO the conservation dept puts on handgun classes for women. The NRA is always a great source for info too.

 

[LKB3rd]

I live in Southern Ct also. North Cove outfitters in Old Saybrook is a good place to go look at some guns, and they run classes for the pistol permit, which you need to buy a handgun in CT. Chris's range in Guilford is also a good place, and he would rent you guns to try out (no permit required to rent).

eta: I see you have it sorted out. That price is in the ballpark unfortunately for the class. It will include range time as well. They'll have you load, fire, and unload/clear both semi auto's and revolvers.

 

[Illyria]

Thanks for the recommendations! If I don't find any place closer to me that rents I'll look there. However, it's a bit far of a drive since I live in Norwalk. I'm glad to see someone else from CT here.

 

[LKB3rd]

There is a shop with a range in Norwalk. I forget the name, but it is right near where rt123 starts at rt 7, between rt 7 and main st. They probably have rentals there.
editing after looking at map.... 4 New Canaan av
http://www.forestandfieldnorwalk.com/