Tips for a new shooter?

[Roc_Kor]

Does anyone have tips for me? I'm pretty new to shooting and have only been to the range 3 times. I know much about gun safety and the basics of firing a gun, but can anyone offer beginners tips? What guns are good to start with?

I am learning with my dad's guns:
Ruger 10/22 carbine
S&W 915
Makarov .380

Oh, and I might as well introduce myself. I am new to this site. I am a 15 year-old freshmen in Northern Virginia. I really like guns and really want to join the gun community. I believe in the use of guns for sport and self defense. I believe murder is wrong, but not killing. If I have to pull a trigger and end a life to save an innocent one, I will. I hope to become a respected member on this site.

I also am planning to get a SAR-1 (well, my dad's gonna have to get it, duh )
Thanks!!!

 

[Sean T]

As for guns it's best to start small and work up to the biggest ones. As for shooting tips, the most important thing to do is relax and breathe. A lot of people (especially new shooters) tend to tense up, and as a result their shots go all over the place. My dad taught me to take a deep breath, let half of it out slowly then squeeze the trigger. You also want to pull the trigger slowly, so that it almost suprises you when it goes off. That's all the tips I have for you now.

P.S.

Welcome aboard

edited: know and now are 2 completely different words

 

[Nick1911]

Welcome, Roc_Kor!

Tips for new shooters... hmm... not a lot comes to mind - I'm sure other can help out more then I can, but I'll give it a shot:

• ALWAYS be safe!
• Have fun with it. If a point comes where you're not enjoying it, call it quits for the day.
• Realize that from here on in, any money you make WILL go to your local gun shops...

. I really like guns and really want to join the gun community.

You're already part of it. It's just now you've found a large-ish collection of simmlar people, who will convince you that you need to buy stuff! ; there is quite a large knowlage base here - don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone's pretty nice.

Nick

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Welcome to the board...

 

[Pheonix]

Do good in school and get a degree and job in a field that you will enjoy and make tons of money. Buy a beater car and live with your parents forever. Dont smoke drink or take drugs. Dont give anything away and never sell. Then and MAYBE then you will have enough money to buy everything this site makes you want to buy before you die of old age!





Stick with the 10/22 and get a .22 pistol. You will prolly like the Neos by Baretta. Spend your lunch money on ammo and you will be good to go!

 

[Ric]

Welcome

first of all, have fun

remember that this forum is like vegetable soup;
some things you like and some you won't, so take what works for you and don't sweat the rest. But this forum above all the rest I've seen is full of good people.

shoot what you are comfortable shooting and don't let anyone tell you to go bigger/smaller/faster, that will come in time

lastly; have fun

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Welcome to the board.

Tips for new shooters? Hmmm... What are your goals and interest? What type shooting do you intend to do? Hunting, super accurate bullseye and benchrest, action pistol, Cowboy Action Shooting or collecting?

While you are enjoying firearms recreation don't forget to bring your friends to the range and give them a positive experience so they can appreciate firearms for their wholesome recreational value.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I am a 15 year-old freshmen in Northern Virginia. I really like guns and really want to join the gun community.

You're already a member in good standing. Welcome.

As for tips, I can think of two:

1. Shoot safely.

2. Shoot regularly.

 

[TooTaxed]

Trigger squeeze, for training: Remember, no one can hold the sights perfectly all the time. You will get a perfect sight picture, then the sights will naturally drift off. Each time the sights are perfect, tighten the trigger pull just a bit, not trying to make the gun go off, and hold tension while the sights drift off. After several cycles the gun will fire and you will have a good hit. Pull the trigger quickly when your sight picture is perfect, and you will pull the sights off and miss a perfect hit. As you gain practice and familiarity with the trigger the procedure will speed up... Just remember, accuracy comes first...speed second.

 

[ysr_racer]

Here you go.

There are six basic gun safety rules for gun owners to understand and practice at all times:


1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded.
2. Keep the gun pointed in the safest possible direction.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Know your target, its surroundings and beyond.
5. Know how to properly operate your gun.
6. Store your gun safely and securely to prevent unauthorized use.

 

[Waitone]

Welcome.

Glad to see you are starting early.

I suggest putting yourself into the hands of an NRA certified instructor. Start with a safety course and move on to the various pistol courses. It isn't expensive and will pay dividends far in excess of the monetary costs.

You are up there in NoVA which is where the NRA is HQ'd. Instructors ought to be easy to come by.

BTW, spend you money on training before you start shoveling it to your friendly gun dealer.

 

[dairycreek]

Welcome Roc_Kor!!

You have chosen a great place to learn! Hope you enjoy it. The other posters have given you some great suggestions. Learn them and put them in practice. Particularly those that regard safe shooting practices.

Let me echo those that suggest you get come competent shooting instruction form a certified instructor. Unfortunately, learning to shoot is like learning to play golf. You can learn bad habits and they are often very, very difficult to unlearn. Learn the right way to do things and then practice, practice, practice. Good shooting

 

[Riffraff]

Head Pheonix's warning, if you do not do well in school you and you continue to shoot you will wind up poor!

This board will not help your financial situation. It is a losing proposition.

It starts with a simple .22 and plinking, the you save and buy a CMP Garand, then you start collecting, next thing you know you are applying for a C&R license from BATF. Your buying everytihing you can afford and wishing for the rest. Soon your even wanting a chrome AK with the switch...all of the sudden your thinking about Class III...

You've...



become...



addicted...



On a serious note, always follow the 4 rules, they are easliy found on this board. There is a lot of great people active here.

Lastly you are never to young to get involved politically, protect your rights.

 

[Red_SC]

It starts with a simple .22 and plinking, the you save and buy a CMP Garand, then you start collecting, next thing you know you are applying for a C&R license from BATF. Your buying everytihing you can afford and wishing for the rest. Soon your even wanting a chrome AK with the switch...all of the sudden your thinking about Class III...

Man, that is so true. I'm wanting a C&R right now.

 

[Roc_Kor]

Thanks!!!

Wow, thanks for all the tips. I am familiar with the gun safety rules. I also have a gun store called "Shooters Paradise" that has an indoor range(where my Father and I always go.) They have classes and you can also get your conceal carry permit by taking them. As for the .22 pistol, I'm not so sure I need one. I can pretty much handle my Dad's .380 and 9mm. I just need to practice more. And I want to be a good target shooter, with both rifles and handguns. I might be getting that SAR-1 at the end of the school year!

 

[Baba Louie]

Welcome Roc_Kor
Go in with yer Pa and get a .22 pistol... just cause it's cheap to feed and 9MM and .380 aren't AS cheap. Sides that, you might want to intoduce a girlfriend or twelve to the sport someday, right?

Ya got the 4 rules down. Good. Here's my little bit of advice.

Breathe in, exhale 1/2, hold, Front sight, slowly Squeeze trigger.

See target attached. Save and Print out a couple or three for yer next range visit.

Non-shooting related... but important anyway... Learn and read as much as you can on firearms, history and politics. Go to THR Library and read ALL of Col. Coopers commentaries, starting from the beginning. He's considered the father of modern handgunning. Check out Oleg's works of art... priceless.

Take classes on hunting safety (even if you or your family don't hunt), NRA classes and membership. Compete.
http://www.mynra.org/display_content/show_content.cfm?mod_id=58&id=0

 

[Roc_Kor]

Money isn't a problem, so the .380 and 9mm ammo can be expensive, cause it doesn't matter to us. My Dad would spend millions to see me happy and having a hobby. (I suffer from depression.) Oh, and thanks for the girlfriend comment, I think I'll be a bit upset for a while. (See previous comment in parentheses) I printed ff that target, it looks cool. I think it'll help.

 

[Roc_Kor]

Oh, yeah.

Oh, and I do read up on guns and politics. I think that gun control is stupid and also follow the news and things like that. I know the history and operation of my favorite gun, the AK-47. I could probably field-strip one right now and I've never actually gotten to hold one.

 

[N3rday]

Shoot!
And thank your parents for letting you do so, let them know you appreciate it. I can't get my parents to go at all, and I'm 17.

I know the history and operation of my favorite gun, the AK-47. I could probably field-strip one right now and I've never actually gotten to hold one.

Same here. I can field strip a Glock, an SKS and a 1911 (with a normal guide rod), and I haven't even touched the last two.

 

[Skofnung]

Welcome! Glad to have you aboard!

First things first.

I suggest (this is just my opinion, mind you) that you concentrate your efforts at first on the rifle. After one learns the rifle, the pistol becomes a little easier to pick up, and you do not learn the "bad" (not bad, just not right for precision) trigger control of the shotgun that can throw you off later. I suggest that you go pick up (if your local library does not have a copy, ask them about Inter-Library Loan) "The Art of the Rifle' by Col. Jeff Cooper. This book will help you become a better shot.

Avoid the temptation to rapid fire your 10-22 (or any other autoloader) until you can consistently hit what you are aiming at with aimed shots. Not only is spray and pray wasteful, it tends to develop bad trigger control habits. Keep reminding yourself that only hits count.

Learn to shoot a shotgun (wingshoot) at some point in time, even if you do not intend to hunt.

Spend more on practice ammo than you do on new guns.

When shooting a semi-auto pistol, DO NOT cross your weak hand thumb over your strong hand. I had a friend of mine do that while shooting my .45 and it was NOT PRETTY.

If you have a misfire, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction for 10 seconds or so. My younger brother did not follow this dictum and there is a .22 caliber hole in the tin roof at the range to bear out his shame.

Read everything you can. This goes well beyond the shooting sports.

Take "expert" (read: gunwriter) advice with a grain of salt.

If you don't know something, ask.

Teach others what you have learned.

Lastly, it has been stated already, but if I heard my father say it once I heard him say it 10,000 times in my early years. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER 'TILL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

Have fun and stay safe.

 

[RGO]

Hey Roc_Kor,

Welcome to THR! For beginner's info, please feel free to visit my website. Just click on the link in my signature, below.

 

[Roc_Kor]

Yay!

Awesome.
I have a new question.
My Dad's 10/22 has a scope on it. Should I take it off and practice with the iron sights?

[SEXY]

[/SEXY]

 

[Roc_Kor]

Oh, and don't worry. I've got those rules down:



Please answer my 10/22 question in my previous post.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Yes, it is always good to train with iron sites. You can always put the scope on later once you establish a good foundation to build on.

 

[Roc_Kor]

Ah, ok. Thanks!!!
I also checked out that site "A Firearms Primer."
I have to say... WOW!!!
Thanks, I needed to see that site. I added it to my favorites after reading all of it. It'll definitely help.