Going shooting for the first time...G/F's idea.

[K. Roman]

I've never shot a gun at a range. Just out of a moving car. Seriously. I was young and dumb. It wasn't a drive by, but still pretty stupid.

What should I expect? This is happening sunday. I don't know anything about guns, but my G/F wants to go shooting, then shopping for a pistol. She grew up around guns, I didn't. Any tips?

[Danny_Ocean]

Indoor range? Don't stand next to someone firing a .44 mag (or any other "hand-cannons"). The percussion will scramble your brain and you'll have a headache the rest of the day. I can't shoot @ indoor ranges.

Outdoor range, if available, is preferable. Wear good eye/ear protection, regardless.

First pistol? Revolver, .357 mag. You can target with .38 specials then work your way up to magnum rounds. An old "highway patrolman" is ideal. When not using it to shoot, you can use it to hammer nails around the house:

[tabs]

Do consult with VP Dick Cheney on how to practice gun safety.

[m21sniper]

If AT ALL possible, start with a .22 rimfire. Barring that, the smaller the caliber, the better(but avoid a compact or pocket type of weapon, as their reduced weight and grip can make even light calibers difficult to control properly at first)

First, and most important, MIND YOUR MUZZLE AT ALL TIMES. NEVER, EVER, EVER point your muzzle anywhere but DOWN RANGE.

The keys to good shooting are concentration, breathing, and trigger control.

Firstly, AFTER you are sure the range is clear, block all external distractions from your mind. Nothing exists but you, the firearm, and your target. You want to be in a big time Zen state. Start at a target at close range. For a rifle 25m is plenty, for a pistol, 7m is plenty.

When aligning the sights on the target, focus on your front sight so that it is sharply focused. It's ok for the rear sights to be a little 'fuzzy', as you can't focus on both at the same time. Aim for the dead center of the target. The rounds may not go there, but what you want to do is make a nice tight grouping, where they hit is secondary to the desire to have them all as close to one another as possible.

When it comes to shooting, make sure to have a proper grip on the weapon. Precise instructions can be found on many websites as to the proper technique for holding a rifle or pistol.

Take a deep breath, then exhale some until you feel comfortable. Never fire while breathing, as this causes vertical stringing. (A vertical dispersion in your shot group). Then slowly squeeze the trigger until the weapon fires. Deliberately.

The weapon should surprise you when it goes off. If you expect the moment of recoil you will naturally flinch, so you want to surprise yourself as to the exact moment of firing so that when you flinch, the projectile is already long gone. This is where the .22 excels, as it has minimal recoil and muzzle blast, so your natural flinch will be greatly minimized as opposed to firing, say, a .357 magnum. If flinching is affecting your aim you will see horizontal stringing. Jerking the trigger can also cause horizontal stringing, but if you follow my advice and squeeze off slow, deliberate shots, you won't have any problems with jerking either.

If you see diagonal stringing, your aim is being affected by both breathing and/or flinching/jerking.

Once your trigger control is down (could take anywhere from a few hours to a few months depending on your natural talent and amount of practice), and you don't have any flinch issues, focus on firing between heartbeats. The beating of your heart actually affects your aim. At long range firing during a heartbeat can cause you to miss your target entirely by several feet. Don't worry about this in the beginning, as trying to time your shots precisely makes it difficult to squeeze the trigger slowly enough to surprise yourself when the firearm goes off.

Good luck.

[varmint]

first, you need to do a little dance of joy for having a good girlfriend.


second, if you really are entirely new to guns, i guess you could go to the NRA site. look up the eddie eagle safety program. most of the stuff is patronizingly obvious. but couldn't hurt.


also...

no rapid fire.

don't hold the gun like a movie pimp.

gun store people are nice people. but they're still salesmen. don't buy anything that day.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

Indoor range? Don't stand next to someone firing a .44 mag (or any other "hand-cannons"). The percussion will scramble your brain and you'll have a headache the rest of the day. I can't shoot @ indoor ranges.

Good advice. When I was in class for my CCW we had a couple of sessions at the indoor range. At the end we were allowed to put some holes in the targets with our own pistols. I had brought my .45acp. Well in the stall next to me was a little old lady, (she was cool) well I didn't tell her I was changing from the .22. I pulled off a round, and saw a flash from my right side. It scared her so badly she dropped her gun and ran out the door. I guess you had to be there but it was funny. We got her back, so she could finish her qualifying and she even shot a few from my gun.

[Buckterrier]

Your girlfriend suggested? Any advice? Here it is...
Become a better shot than her

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

First pistol? Revolver, .357 mag. You can target with .38 specials...........

great idea

.38 reloads and a .357 and at least you feel like you're shooting a real gun.

[ken_xman]

revolver? I say first should be a SIG 9mm if cost of rounds are an issue. Reliable, accurate, good re-sale if needed. My P239 .40 is a great usable gun.

[azasadny]

Eye protection
Ear protection
Have someone familiar with range procedures assist you
Shoot various small caliber guns (.22 to .40 caliber)
Take your time and pay attention
Learn how to properly grip the gun and how to aim (front sight clear, rear is blurry)
Have fun and be careful!

[Mo_Gearhead]

RULE 1
Handle EVERY firearm as if IT'S LOADED.

RULE 2
NEVER let the muzzle point at/sweep another persons body.

RULE 3
Never touch the trigger until you are on/pointing at the target.


Be darn careful out there ...rookie!

_______________

Don't go 'shopping for a pistol' too soon!

[RPKESQ]

Since it is tomorrow, Google to learn about firearm safety, then concerning the pros and cons of various calibers and action types. It is much easier to learn to shoot with a .22 rimfire rifle and progress to handguns. Using a firearm properly for defensive porposes requires far more extensive training than most male will ever admit to. Most males believe that from birth they are John Wayne, Jim Clark and Cassanova in abilities. Perfect example that beleif and fact are not equal. Make sure both your gunfreind and yourself are totally familar with any firearm kept at home. Feel free to PM me for more info.

[scottmandue]

Call the range, see if they have someone who can walk you through the rules.

Are you going to rent guns there? Might ask them about that too.

+1 on the .357 revolver, that is going to be my next gun. It can fire .38 special rounds for pop gun fun or .357 magnums if you want to go big.

They won't let you shoot if you do not have eye/ear protection.

Go here, read this:

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/hscsg.pdf

[nostatic]

always wear eyes and ears.

If you can, take a class at the local range. No telling how your g/f was "trained." Almost all ranges will have a beginner class, and most rent guns. Don't buy one until you think you want to take it up as a hobby.

Finger outside the trigger guard until you have a target acquired. PERIOD. I hammer that home to my son at the range all the time. Get your finger out of there! Now it is automatic. And he pointed out that the Get Smart posters were showing bad gun habits. *sniff* makes a dad proud.

[scottmandue]

Oh yeah, does she have a sister?

[VincentVega]

Be nice to the range office/counter guy and tell him your new to this. Usually they will give you a quick safety speak, pay attention, and maybe even come in with you and get you started. Be safe and have some fun.

[Jeff Higgins]

This is an awful lot like saying "I'm going driving with my girlfriend tomorrow. While I have never driven a car before, she has and wants me to learn. Any tips?"

Yes, it is that complicated. Shooting, that is. Your first day behind the wheel of a car should probably be in some rather slow, boring, automatic transmissioned sedan. Shooting is the same way; don't start with something that will be intimidating and difficult to use. It sounds like a simple task (as does driving), but your first few efforts will be rather overwhelming.

The easiest, least intimidating introduction will always be the .22 rim fire. Rifles are always easier to learn to hit with than hand guns (actually hitting something is fun, and the point of the whole exercise anyway). RPKESQ is spot on; start with the rifle if you can. Most indoor ranges will allow the use of a .22 rifle.

If, for some reason, you do need to start right in with a hand gun, make it a .22 as well. Revolvers are simpler and safer than autos. There is far less to do, and it's far easier to ensure one is not loaded and safe when need be.

If your girlfriend is supplying the gun(s), it may be more important to use what she brings than to listen to us. She has made the offer and is putting in the effort, not us. Hopefully she brings a .22 for you. If not, make do, don't insult her with advice we have given you, and have fun. If it sparks an interest in you, then get back with us and we'll provide some advice (and argue vigorously among us) concerning which kind of gun you should get, or if you should rent one (and which kind). For now, just go with the flow. Be safe.

[legion]

Just hope his girlfriend doesn't show up with a Desert Eagle...

[Gordo2]

Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

Never point the weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot.

Keep the weapon on safe until you are ready to fire.

Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

Not a safety rule, but helpful: Relax, be safe & enjoy yourself.