Going shooting tommorow, first time

vinnie · Post by **vinnie** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:48 am

Local pistol range is having an open day- bring ID, closed shoes and A$5 per clip and that's about it.

Figured given my Army interview is on tuesday, it'd be nice to be able to tell them I've fired a real gun at some point, so I'm wandering on over with my ID, closed shoes and $20 or so and going to shoot at bits of paper.

Any words of wisdom to share? I picked up a rifle once at a show about 14 years ago... and I'm pretty 1337 with 'Point Blank' in the arcades... that's my total experience with guns and 'Point Blank' doesn't really count.

Cheers

qball15j · Post by **qball15j** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:06 am

Good luck and have fun!

chimdogger · Post by **chimdogger** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:25 am

vinnie wrote:Local pistol range is having an open day- bring ID, closed shoes and A$5 per clip and that's about it.

Figured given my Army interview is on tuesday, it'd be nice to be able to tell them I've fired a real gun at some point, so I'm wandering on over with my ID, closed shoes and $20 or so and going to shoot at bits of paper.

Any words of wisdom to share? I picked up a rifle once at a show about 14 years ago... and I'm pretty 1337 with 'Point Blank' in the arcades... that's my total experience with guns and 'Point Blank' doesn't really count.

Cheers

Wear shooting glasses and ear protection. Squeeze the trigger slowly. You will have better aim that way. Above all relax.

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:32 am

The first clip: Don’t worry about hitting the target. Get a feel for how the pistol feels and reacts when the hammer falls.

The second clip: Now that you have a feel for the weapon, you can focus a bit more on where the rounds are going.

The last clip: Put everything together that you’ve learned, along with what you’ve experienced, with the first two clips and discover the meaning/value of practice, practice, practice.

It’s okay to be tense the first few rounds and don’t worry about hitting the target. Your senses have to get use to a lot of “stuff” very quickly (recoil, noise, fear, tension, expectations, etc.) With time (money) and practice, it is a great way to enjoy making noise.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:59 am

Closed shoes?

AAF Striker · Post by **AAF Striker** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:22 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:Closed shoes?

Where your feet aren't exposed.... You most likely can't wear flip flops, sandals, etc where your feet would be exposed. That is my interpretation...

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:28 am

AAF Striker wrote:Where your feet aren't exposed.... You most likely can't wear flip flops, sandals, etc where your feet would be exposed. That is my interpretation...

Ah.

striker8000 · Post by **striker8000** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 4:34 pm

believe me, there's a good reason for that little rule,
I found out the hard way, I shoot left handed with a right handed rifle, I used to have a burn mark down the inside of my right arm where the hot shell casings would bounce on their way to the ground (I have since taken to always wearing long sleeved shirts when shooting, no more burn marks, but one of the scars is still there)

RoscoPColtrane · Post by **RoscoPColtrane** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:39 pm

yeah i remember picking up shell casings when i was smaller and burning my fingers!

My dad taught me how to shoot, remember to treat the gun as if its loaded at ALL times, and NEVER point it at anything you don't indend to kill!

Have fun!

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:45 pm

Not a clip, it's a magazine.

Ask to "handle" a few differing pistols. Find one that fits and feels snug. Ask for extended hand-grips on the mag if you have big hands.

Don't overgrip the pistol, it's not gonna jump out of yer hand. It will move some(depending on caliber how much). If you hold it like it's a venomous snake with a deathgrip, you'll end up with horrid results.

Also, do NOT try and compensate for the recoil. The bullet is movin at a good rate down that barrell, so don't try and "help" it. Just line up the sights and squeeze off a round.

Lastly...if you have an instructor LISTEN. Do what he/she says and all will be well. I was hardheaded for many years and could never shoot(pistol) as well as my pops(sniper/range instructor in Army). I finally one day listened o him and lo-and-behold my groups tightned up and I could do much better. Not as good as him, but better than most folks.

Bouncer · Post by **Bouncer** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:00 pm

1) Earplugs and safety glasses. Get em, use em.

2) Don't jerk the trigger, just take a normal breath and let it out. In that pause between exhaling and inhaling again smoothly squeeeeeeeeze the trigger. The shot going off should be a surprise to you. If it is, you did it right.

3) Start short range to build your confidence in yourself and in the weapons sights. Then extend it out. There's not any reason for you to be shooting more than 7m away at this point. I know that's close range but you need close range.

4) You will have an instructor: There are no stupid questions. If you're not going to listen to him, go home before you hurt yourself.

5) A weapon is ALWAYS loaded. There is NO other way to treat it.

6) HAVE FUN! You're not shooting for the Olympic team. Relax and have fun with it!

7) Take 40Aus with you. Trust me, after three clips yer gonna want a few more.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:02 pm

Grab an M-16 point it in the general direction. Pull the triger.

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:08 pm

Have fun with it!

Just think, you might meet a woman there like the one I have:

Be safe.

vinnie · Post by **vinnie** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:18 pm

Thanks folks, much appreciated

I'll report back in a few hours... here's to hoping I can at least get some shots near the target area.