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Advice for First Timers

blackjack50

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I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?
 
I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?

Definitely start lower caliber to get accustomed to the idea of recoil and the noise of these damn things...

Then of course the golden rules and what-not (always check to make sure weapon is unloaded if you do not intend to use it, never point in direction of people, etc. etc.).

First purchase pistol should be .22 or 9mm. Same reasoning as below.

First purchase should be a .22 for your first rifle. Its the best starter gun caliber with cheap and accessible ammo.
 
I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?

AR-15 is great for first timers. Low recoil, light weight, easy to handle and ammo easy to find. It is also a good weapon for any skill level. Tens of thousands of new shooters every year learn with the M-16 in the military. NRA has some good training programs for safety and marksmanship.
 
no real answer

where do they live

what are the laws (did you know that the UZI semi carbine was introduced for home defense in cities where handguns were banned)

what sort of property are they on

are there homes nearby?

what is the potential range they might have to engage targets

do they have small children that in the case of a home invasion, they might have to go get as opposed to a married couple or a single occupant who can barricade himself or themselves in a safe location and merely cover the entrance to that area while waiting for the cops

what sort of prior training have they had-

what are their physical limitations
 
AR-15 is great for first timers. Low recoil, light weight, easy to handle and ammo easy to find. It is also a good weapon for any skill level. Tens of thousands of new shooters every year learn with the M-16 in the military. NRA has some good training programs for safety and marksmanship.

See...my problem with that as a choice is that it is a difficult weapon to learn to clean compared to other weapons. Additionally, I feel like for a civilian, the cool factor is more important there. They might waste time buying optics and slings for their slings. Why not go for a simple and reliable pump shot gun? Or something along those lines?
 
See...my problem with that as a choice is that it is a difficult weapon to learn to clean compared to other weapons. Additionally, I feel like for a civilian, the cool factor is more important there. They might waste time buying optics and slings for their slings. Why not go for a simple and reliable pump shot gun? Or something along those lines?

if you have to go through your house to secure a child-a good handgun with a light on it is probably best. If you or you and your wife are in the same room most of the night, with no one else, then a semi auto shotgun is the best choice for barricading yourselves in your room and preventing entry into that room
 
See...my problem with that as a choice is that it is a difficult weapon to learn to clean compared to other weapons. Additionally, I feel like for a civilian, the cool factor is more important there. They might waste time buying optics and slings for their slings. Why not go for a simple and reliable pump shot gun? Or something along those lines?

It all depends on what you are going to use the rifle/shotgun for. If you are going to use it for home protection could be your best choice. If you are going to use it for plinking then a rifle could be your best choice. I have a shotgun, pistol and CAR15 next to my bed. A pistol and shotgun is good for inside the house. CAR15 is for outside and plinking. I plink with the pistols also. I don't have any optics on my AR. I have a sling and a light on the shotgun and rifle so I don't have to turn lights on. The only people in the house are me and my wife. We live in the mountains and have some toys that are always outside and we have poachers or animals sometimes. Those are the only reasons I have a weapon for outside. We have other guns but they wouldn't be much use for self defense. They are more like toys or hunting rifles than anything else. It is like anything else, figure out what your use is going to be and use that to help in picking a weapon. The AR isn't any more complicated than any other rifle. It can be used for self defense, plinking, hunting small game and even deer in some states. A shotgun is good in a house but not as fun to plink with. A pistol is great for plinking and self defense in a house but not much good for long range plinking.
 
For a lot of people a revolver is the easiest way to ease them in to shooting. Absolutely everyone understands the basic function so there is very little learning curve in getting the fundamentals down. The basic familiarity will also make it more likely that a novice will actually take it out for practice.
 
As TurtleDude said there are a lot of things to consider when considering making the leap. They should consider all the ramifications and situations then go to a range that allows people to fire a several types of fire arms and provides training for first times, a good reputable range/dealer will help them chose wisely. Then once they make their selection and get into the fun of shooting they can join the rest of us and spend waaaay too much money on "just one more gun" and OMG how much ammo did we just shoot up club.
Maybe they would be better off with a dog or two, they're cheap, right?
 
How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?
1: 4" DA revolver, .357 magnum. S&W 620 or 686+ w/ 7 rounds is ideal. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.
2: Practice. A lot. Start w/ .38s then +P rounds.

If the person is significantly smaller than average, I suggest a S&W M637.
 
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if you have to go through your house to secure a child-a good handgun with a light on it is probably best. If you or you and your wife are in the same room most of the night, with no one else, then a semi auto shotgun is the best choice for barricading yourselves in your room and preventing entry into that room
We have 2 handguns and a 6-shot 870 in the bedroom. Hopefully that's enough.
 
I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?



you need more than "Safety training" you need "shooting training" specific to the purposes you (or your friend) is purchasing a weapon for.


Safety is the easy part. Don't point that **** at anything you don't want to destroy. Don't put it where people who don't know this, can get it.


find courses from eag tactical, randy cain, etc.... train to fight/defend with it...
 
For a lot of people a revolver is the easiest way to ease them in to shooting. Absolutely everyone understands the basic function so there is very little learning curve in getting the fundamentals down. The basic familiarity will also make it more likely that a novice will actually take it out for practice.

I've read that another advantage with a revolver is that they store well.

A semi-automatic weapon apparently needs periodic maintenance even if unfired, as there are various lubricated surfaces, springs under pressure, etc that can wear out or lead to malfunctions if left in storage for long periods.

I know it's best to practice regularly, but people do what they do, so if it's a self-defense weapon and the person isn't going to be using\maintaining it regularly, then a revolver is a good choice.
 
I've read that another advantage with a revolver is that they store well.

A semi-automatic weapon apparently needs periodic maintenance even if unfired, as there are various lubricated surfaces, springs under pressure, etc that can wear out or lead to malfunctions if left in storage for long periods.

I know it's best to practice regularly, but people do what they do, so if it's a self-defense weapon and the person isn't going to be using\maintaining it regularly, then a revolver is a good choice.

Well, cleaning most revolvers is easy. No major disassembly means that people are more likely to do it and do a decent job of it.
 
I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?

.22 single shot bolt action rifle. Learn how to handle a firearm using something that forces you to think through every action. Something that you can develop the muscle memory of handling and firing a firearm without worrying about the kick, whether you have it on single or semi, whether you just fired round #13 or #12, etc. Focus on the core disciplines of handling and firing and avoid as much of the distracting stuff as possible.
 
if you have to go through your house to secure a child-a good handgun with a light on it is probably best. If you or you and your wife are in the same room most of the night, with no one else, then a semi auto shotgun is the best choice for barricading yourselves in your room and preventing entry into that room

SEMI auto shotgun??? If you want a home protection dream weapon, then go with a FULL-auto shotgun:
gallery_18546_496_656099.jpg
If someone breaks in, all you have to do is turn on the lights and let the perp. see it and their ONLY thought will be "OH HELL NO!!!"
:twisted:
 
For a lot of people a revolver is the easiest way to ease them in to shooting. Absolutely everyone understands the basic function so there is very little learning curve in getting the fundamentals down. The basic familiarity will also make it more likely that a novice will actually take it out for practice.

My Dad wouldn't let us use a handgun until we could handle a rifle properly. With a handgun, it's easy to end up with it pointing the wrong way, since there's a certain amount of disconnect between where it's aimed and where you think it's aimed. With a rifle, the direction the barrel is pointing is far more evident. Use the rifle to develop the disciplines surrounding firearms safety and then the additional disciplines that a handgun requires will come much more easily.
 
I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?

1. shoot a number of different pistols....buy something that feels good in your hand
2. buy something that is fairly easy to use and maintain (i prefer glocks myself)
3. TAKE A COURSE FROM AN EXPERT....i cant stress this enough....my father was an instructor....

guns are not toys....make sure you take care with them....and for gods sake, keep them out of children's hands unless you are there supervising

i believe everyone has the right to arm and protect themselves....and most do so very sanely

add to those numbers, not the crazy ones.....
 
As TurtleDude said there are a lot of things to consider when considering making the leap. They should consider all the ramifications and situations then go to a range that allows people to fire a several types of fire arms and provides training for first times, a good reputable range/dealer will help them chose wisely. Then once they make their selection and get into the fun of shooting they can join the rest of us and spend waaaay too much money on "just one more gun" and OMG how much ammo did we just shoot up club.
Maybe they would be better off with a dog or two, they're cheap, right?

or you can be like me

and have BOTH

nothing wrong with doubling up
 
My Dad wouldn't let us use a handgun until we could handle a rifle properly. With a handgun, it's easy to end up with it pointing the wrong way, since there's a certain amount of disconnect between where it's aimed and where you think it's aimed. With a rifle, the direction the barrel is pointing is far more evident. Use the rifle to develop the disciplines surrounding firearms safety and then the additional disciplines that a handgun requires will come much more easily.

There's something to be said for that and I don't necessarily disagree with the thinking though, IMHO, learning the discipline can be easily accomplished with either weapon.
 
There's something to be said for that and I don't necessarily disagree with the thinking though, IMHO, learning the discipline can be easily accomplished with either weapon.

My Dad's logic was simple: It's harder to shoot yourself in the foot with a rifle than it is with a handgun (although entirely possible with either firearm).
 
My Dad's logic was simple: It's harder to shoot yourself in the foot with a rifle than it is with a handgun (although entirely possible with either firearm).

You've gotta love "Dad logic"!:lol:
 
I have noticed a few friends who are getting into the shooting sports. A lot of them want one for self defense/home defense or just because they are interested in the sport. So with that in mind, how do you advise them? I've noticed my area is lacking in that kind of instruction.

The one gun shop I went into, I heard a guy advising someone about an AR15. I'm not saying anything about that particular weapon, but for a beginner? Of course they sell black rifles and all kinds of fancy pants tacticool guns. So what do the recommend?

How do YOU advise a first timer? For safety training? First purchase? What is your advise for newbies?

Ruger 10/22 or AR rifle and a Ruger MK II or 22/45. Will last generations. A Remington or Mossberg 20 gauge pump is also a good, all around firearm...
 
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or you can be like me

and have BOTH

nothing wrong with doubling up

I agree 100% that is why we have two dogs and way more than that in various guns.
 
you need more than "Safety training" you need "shooting training" specific to the purposes you (or your friend) is purchasing a weapon for.


Safety is the easy part. Don't point that **** at anything you don't want to destroy. Don't put it where people who don't know this, can get it.


find courses from eag tactical, randy cain, etc.... train to fight/defend with it...

Sadly, I disagree. I can't tell you how many times I've watched someone pick up a gun with their finger on the trigger or pull the hammer back before they are ready to shoot. Not pointing it at stuff is the easy part, but I see a lot of people mishandle them in other ways.
 
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