First time to a gun range

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

That the range and the participants are all anal about the safety rules.

If you ever see a barrel pointed somewhere other than downrange, leave.

Massive +1

I love shooting, but being around a bunch of guys who have neve shot before? Not my idea of a relaxing time.

[weseeeee]

I always start new students on a 22 cal, then progess to a 9mm, 40 then 45. Along the way they discover what they are comfortable with and enjoy the most. If you purchase a 1911 style 45, Glock or other popular model you can often get a 22 conversion kit for it which consists of a slide, barrel, spring and magizine. The kits allow you to shoot inexpensive training ammo utilizing your primary (fun gun, self defensive, etc) pistol with a consistent trigger pull, reset and sight alignment. Enjoy and stay safe. btw, you can never be too safe with a gun, always check an double check to be sure it is unloaded.

[dtw]

I had always shot long guns up until a year or so ago. Then the need arose to get handguns. I started out on a range with rental guns, and was most comfortable with a 9mm. I could consistently group shots with that caliber. With larger ones like .40 and .45, I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn or group worth a flip. After lots of range time, I moved up to a .45 and can now group fine with it. I've got more than one in the collection at home now, but my favorite is my Kimber Ultra Carry II in .45. It just took some range time to work up to it.

[lm6y]

Originally Posted by tadink

guys - sorry to hijack here - but I'm also in the market for a handgun to take care of the occasional rattler on the property. Any thoughts on what might be suitable? shotguns tend to be overkill for the task - but effective! Is there some birdshot that can be used in a handgun for this? thx td

I have a friend that just bought a S&W Governor. It shoots 45 ACP, 45 Colt, and 410 shotgun. I'm not terribly impressed with it, it has some "adaptor" clips that you use, and I found them VERY clumsy during reloads. if I'm not mistaken the 410 cartridges don't need the adaptors. Just one option of many, I'm sure.

[gwood]

Originally Posted by tadink

guys - sorry to hijack here - but I'm also in the market for a handgun to take care of the occasional rattler on the property. Any thoughts on what might be suitable? shotguns tend to be overkill for the task - but effective! Is there some birdshot that can be used in a handgun for this? thx td

CCI makes shot cartridges in most pistol calibers.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by tadink

guys - sorry to hijack here - but I'm also in the market for a handgun to take care of the occasional rattler on the property. Any thoughts on what might be suitable? shotguns tend to be overkill for the task - but effective! Is there some birdshot that can be used in a handgun for this? thx td

Taurus Judge in 45lc/410. There are some inexpensive and cheap derringers with the same combo. The TC Contender (single shot switch barrel) was available in 45lc/410. You could buy/make an AOW or SBS, if legal where you are and if you want to jump thru NFA hoops. You can also get shotshells in a variety of pistol calibers from 22 (great fun for bumble bees around the azaleas) all the way up thru the popular defensive calibers - 357/38, 40, 10mm, 45acp, 44 special, 44 magnum. These are all small shot (#9 thru #12) in small quantities, so before you depend on 'em for nasty snake defense try a few at some beer cans and large pieces of cardboard before you really trust 'em.

[Aggie93]

Well, the trip to the range got postponed. Thanks for the tips.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you're considering getting your own, maybe you should grab a friend and go anyway? Much fewer distractions with just a few of you and he can show you the ropes.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by Aggie93

Well, the trip to the range got postponed. Thanks for the tips.

I see you are from Da Burgh, where was the range you were going to?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by tadink

guys - sorry to hijack here - but I'm also in the market for a handgun to take care of the occasional rattler on the property. Any thoughts on what might be suitable? shotguns tend to be overkill for the task - but effective! Is there some birdshot that can be used in a handgun for this? thx td

Taurus. The Judge.

[Aggie93]

Originally Posted by targa911S

I see you are from Da Burgh, where was the range you were going to?

Anthony Arms down in West Mifflin. Somebody from out of town was arranging and found it as a place that had a decent selection of rentals and open to non-members. Do you know of anyplace north of the city?

[tadink]

Thanks guys - I'll check out the birdshot in the calibres you mentioned....bye bye rattlers! It will certainly be more tidy than taking them out with a shovel - which is a bit of an adrenaline rush to be sure! td

[dtw]

Thought about this some more. I went to the range with some coworkers once. It was a disaster. One guy managed to mix 9mm and .40 cal ammo into one mag. Sheared the firing pin on a .40 M&P. He alternated the bullet calibers, so every time the range master would come out, clear the chamber, fire the gun once, and give it back to us. Then of course it would misfire again. He shot a .22 rifle into the ceiling by mistake. We all decided then and there never to go on a co-worker trip again. We were lucky the misloaded gun didn't blow up in someone's hand.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by tadink

Thanks guys - I'll check out the birdshot in the calibres you mentioned....bye bye rattlers! It will certainly be more tidy than taking them out with a shovel - which is a bit of an adrenaline rush to be sure! td

This is what I got my Ruger Single Six in .22cal for. Beautiful pistol. And with snake shot in it, gets the job done. Very accurate and I can attest that the shot will not only kill snakes, but can take out a squirrel up to about 20 feet.

Fun to shoot, very safe as it is a double action pistol which means you have to pull the hammer back before the trigger will engage. My daughter learned to shoot with that pistol.

[svandamme]

when shooting, it helps to repeat the mantra "get some"
whisper it at first
increase volume as you continue shooting... end up maniacally laughing and yelling

GET SOME HWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH GET SOME GET SOME GETSOME !!!

[lane912]

though i do enjoy sharing the "firearm" experience with others, the time I get to be alone at the range is far better for me.