Whats a good place to start?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MadMusial

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
9
Location
Alaska
I love guns always have. Unfortunately my family never really saw thru to ever take me shooting. I'm at a point where I would very much like to begin shooting and possibly collecting firearms. Was hoping for some input on the best place to start as far as learning to shoot well was concerned. I.E. good starter guns, what should I look for in a safety/ rudimentary training class?
 
I know nothing about Alaska, but first thing is for you to look into laws for your area. Once you know this, you can proceed to shooting!

1. Get a hunters safety course, and if you can a basic firearms course at your local range. The NRA offers the basic course as well.

2. Rent a few guns to see what you enjoy shooting. Don't just buy the first cool looking gun, get what fits you and what feels good. At many private ranges you can get a good selection, as well as instruction.

3. Dive into this site. It has more reliable info than most sites.
 
I wasn't even aware you could rent guns. Would this be somethign I would do at a gun shop or a sporting goods type store?
 
The only places I've ever seen that rent guns are firing ranges. Of the six I've visited, four offer a reasonable selection of firearms for rent.

I'd also ask friends/family who have guns for permission to join them on their next trip to the range.
 
honkeoki beat me to it. Firing ranges are about it, and you also should speak with those who you know that shoot, and ask to go out shooting with them. If anyone I know shows an interest in shooting, I'd drop everything to take them out and show them what it's all about.

I'm glad you're showing an interest in shooting, and I really hope you move on it. Shooting gives you back what you put into it. It's you against you, and shooting can be really relaxing also.

Men in general can't focus on one thing, and shooting for me makes you focus by design.
 
Go for a course that isn't too expensive or long. Have one done by the NRA that is about safety and legality. Rent guns if you can in order to figure out whether or not you want to take on the hobby. If you want to buy, start out with cheaper long arms.
 
a good air rifle doesn't cost much and requires the same skills as their firebreathing cousins. never pass up a chance to work on the FUNdamentals
 
Everyone is different on how they approach hobbies. I would first read and research about the sport. Learn how firearms operate and understand the basics. I would then begin shooting and based upon what you know and like and get in your groove that way. Just start out with a cheap .22 and build up from there.
 
If you know, or can be introduced to, someone who already is a well-versed firearms handler, look into going shooting with him/her. Offer to buy the ammunition you will be firing, and have him/her teach you by actual practice the safety rules, some basic fundamentals of gun handling, and how to clean the gun(s) afterward.
As was mentioned, a decent air rifle and a decent .22 caliber make excellent starting points. My first long gun was a .22, but my first handgun was a .357 Magnum. I learned real quick that that is an expensive round to try to learn shooting with, and was back in the store within weeks getting another in .22 caliber.
 
I would recommend starting with a inexpensive bolt action or single shot 22lr. A air rifle would be a good place to start as well. A hunter safety course would be a very good idea, even if you do not intend on hunting. It would be a good idea to find someone to teach you as has been mentioned, but I would be careful about that. There are plenty of morons that think they are experts on guns. You want to find someone knowledgeable about firearms, and especially someone who is contentious about firearm safety.
 
Anchorage gotta love the Big city ;)
Not really, will deffinately start looking into training classes and possibly a 22 or an air rifle to start. As far as people I know who shoot I know my father inlaw does but I'm not sure he'd have enough patience I tend to be the person who asks alot of questions and he's got a low tollerance for that (thankyou very much brother in laws) Great guy just don't know if he'd be the best person to learn abotu shooting from.

thanks alot for all the input everyone you guys and this board are great
 
The main ranges here are Birchwood and the State range at Rabbit Creek. RC is just south of town and has cheap year passes but is often crowded and has 100 yards max. Birchwood is further out past Eagle River but is huge.

A .22 Rimfire rifle is the best place to start. It's easier to learn muzzle discipline with the long barrel, easier to manipulate and you'll see great results with in a day of training. Handguns are much more difficult. You can't go wrong with a CZ 452 lux with the iron sights. I'm a big fan of learning on iron sights. It's like learning to drive on a stick.

There's a very extensive and strongly-rooted gun culture here so finding people to give you assistance is not difficult at all. I'd be happy to run you through basic stuff if you're down at RC. Shoot me a PM if you're interested. I'm usually there on the weekends.
 
Great team sprit here--warms the heart.

Good luck, MadMusial, and don't forget ear protection.
 
You started here, you're on the right track. I'm going to agree with many of the above statements. Take a hunting course, start with a .22 or even a BB gun! Everyone's got to start somewhere!!!
 
Start where I did. Get an airsoft just as an intro to guns. If you are still interested after 3 months, then get a bolt action rifle. If you still like it after nine months, get a semiauto longarm. If you are still interested after a year, get whatever you legally can acquire that you want.
 
You might also want to consider practicality up front. For example, if you live alone (or if your parents/roommates don't have a problem with it), you might consider home defense up front. A security style 12 gauge shotgun is a very effective and popular choice for a first gun. By security style, basically means a pistol grip and short barrel (usually 20" or so). Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 are probably the two most popular, but I haven't seen a poll or anything. Or if you prefer a pistol, that fits the bill nicely too. And the options are almost endless.

Whatever you decide, the first response to this thread hit what is probably the most important thing. Check gun laws in your state. I don't know anything about Alaska either.

Edit: Also important is to make sure you always practice safety. Not just for you, but keep in mind everyone who lives in the house, as well as your visitors. If there are children in the house, that's definitely something to consider when looking at storage options. Just use common sense and be safe. Good luck to ya.
 
MadMusical-my best friend in the whole world was Paul Musser-he was an Air Force Firearms Instructor and part owner of a gunshop near a Air Force Base in Alaska. That was 30+ yrs ago. Seek out those kind of people where you live, they love to shoot. teach people like you to shoot and hunt and make some contacts with your local police. Ask them about ranges/trainers/ride-a-long programs-make COP friends. Meeting those who use firearms as a tool or a life-style will fulfill your desires. Good luck>
 
@ Bobson:

He might want to try pistols a little later. They take a lot more skill and precision to properly use than long guns.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top