Shooting range Tips

[jyl]

At this point, you should focus almost entirely on safe gun handling, and almost not at all on shooting skills.

Every person I know who owns pistols has had at least one incident when they accidentally fired a round and/or when a friend accidentally fired a round in their vicinity. Every one.

A class would be a very good idea. Failing that, here are my personal rules:
- Every single time the gun is picked up, check if there is a round in the chamber, if there is a loaded magazine inserted, and if the gun is cocked. Even if you just set the gun down for a second, you check again when you pick it up.
- Forefinger is never inside the trigger guard unless you intend to fire the gun right now. At all other times, the gun is held with the forefinger alongside the guard.
- At the range, the gun only points in two directions - downrange towards the target, or straight down at the floor. It is never held in such a way as to point anywhere else, even if unloaded. Only exception is when it is being placed in the case or being removed from the case.
- At home, the gun is only pointed in a direction in which it could be safely fired. This usually means towards to floor or at least at a downward angle (such that the bullet would penetrate the floor rather than the wall).
- Anyone who owns a gun must be completely and instinctively familiar with how it works, meaning they can decock, unload, field-strip, clean, re-assemble, reload, cock - preferably with eyes closed. The point is not to be a gun mechanic, the point is to know the mechanism so well that you instinctively know when the gun is cocked and ready to fire.
- A first gun should not, in my opinion, be a semi-auto. People should start with revolvers, because there is less room for confusion on whether the hammer is cocked. If it has to be a semi-auto, then one with a visible hammer. Semi-autos with concealed hammers are deceptive - people often have no idea that a round is chambered and the firing pin is cocked. Also, some women don't have the hand strength to safely pull back the slide on a semi-auto. Some revolvers also let you practice with light loads and then work up to heavy loads. My first pistol, at 12 or something like that, was a single-action .22 revolver - an ideal starter gun IMO.
- Your gun has no safety lock. Doesn't matter whether it does have a safety, or whether you engaged the safety - you have to act as if it does not. People who rely on the safety are asking for it.
- Gun storage depends on who has access to your house. If kids visit even occasionally, the storage has to be as kid-proof as if kids lived there full-time.

When you get to shooting skills, I think starting with fewer variables is a good idea. If you start shooting from a rest (forearms supported), one shot at a time, aiming deliberately, there will be fewer variables. Then add shooting without a rest, shooting faster, etc. Make sure to grip the pistol the same way every time - if you reposition your grip with each shot, it is hard to be consistent. Finally, a compact .380 isn't an easy gun to shoot accurately anyway.

Edit: I forgot another rule. At first, avoid wearing shirts that are wide open at the collar. Every now and then some newbie at a range will have a hot, just-ejected brass bounce off the divider and fall down his Miami Vice-style open shirt. Then he jumps around, pawing down his cleavage, squeaking "ow ow" and waving his loaded and cocked gun in the air. Everyone (who has a clue) gets scared.

[jtkkz]

Treat a gun as if it is always loaded.
Always point your gun downrange.
Do not rapid fire.
Wear safety glasses.
Wear ear plugs.
Trigger control is important.

Have fun out there. Think Safe.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Agreed with the sentiments regarding safety.

Safety should be paid attention to RELIGIOUSLY. It's not difficult to be safe and conscientious with a firearm.

[targa911S]

I think John has given you the best Crash Course of all of us. safety first. So very true on all points. many of us here should read his post at least twice. Thanks John

[928ram]

Yeah and don't hit the clip that holds the target; it will seem like hours that that things swings back and forth, range gets quiet, snickers start....

[kach22i]

Thanks for the tips and links everyone, I'll be taking it to heart.

[targa911S]

Take it seriously. Not only is ownership a big responsibility it is also a giant liability. Know the laws inside and out. Have fun..be safe.