[chiefiji]

ive always been fascinated with guns but i have no idea where to start. would the best place to start out be at a range and just test shoot some stuff, see what i like?

what about online resources? i've checked out ar-15.com so far. there seems to be a lot of good info there but its a little overwhelming because everyone there seems like theyve been shooting for years.

if anyone has any suggestions to help point me in the right direction, i'd greatly appreciate it.

[ToyotaDoodz]

To me the first question is what do you want the gun for or what do you want it to accomplish? Hunting, self defense, target practice, plinking, ex-wife's boyfriend, etc. (j/k) That helps determine what you want and where to start.

[chiefiji]

Originally posted by ToyotaDoodz
To me the first question is what do you want the gun for or what do you want it to accomplish? Hunting, self defense, target practice, plinking, ex-wife's boyfriend, etc. (j/k) That helps determine what you want and where to start.

target practice. i want something that i can have fun with at the range and it wont break the bank. fun i guess is the keyword. i dont want a gun thats so complicated to tear down that i'll hate having to clean it.

hunting, self defense, and ex-gf (j/k too) arent what i'm looking into buying a gun for.

[chiefiji]

found this doing a google search, looks like a good place for me to start: absolute min for newbs

i'm looking more into learning how to shoot and hit targets first. it seems like a .22LR type of rifle/handgun is the way to go, is that right?

[mikes4runner]

Originally posted by chiefiji
found this doing a google search, looks like a good place for me to start: absolute min for newbs

i'm looking more into learning how to shoot and hit targets first. it seems like a .22LR type of rifle/handgun is the way to go, is that right?

If you have never shot a firearm before the .22 cal is a great start
Get a revolver first/easy to clean/ simple in use/cheap.

Then as you get better you can move up.

join a gun club/take a NRA class.

I was lucky my father was my teacher 20+ years on the Police force. Taught me more then any class could

[SteveM]

I'd second the recommendation of a .22 as a starting point.

There are several indoor ranges in SoCal; all of them should rent guns.

The Ruger MKII semi-auto .22 is a fun plinking gun (it's on my short list to buy). The Ruger New Model Single Six is a fun .22 revolver (I have this one).

The nice thing about .22 is the ammo is dirt cheap!

[GatorGreg]

Hey Chief, I think HK stopped making/importing them a couple years ago but if you can find one I highly recommend the HK USC for target fun. It's a carbine that shoots .45 ACP, you can read about it at this HKPro forum link. The reason it's so much fun is since it uses handgun ammo, you can shoot it at your local handgun range (at least the ones in my area) where they don't typically allow rifle ammo. I've owned several nice rifles over the years but I hardly ever get to an outdoor range where I can have fun with them

Edit: I just saw you're in CA, I don't think HK was ever allowed to sell the USC in CA

[ToyotaDoodz]

I too would also recommend a 22 long rifle whether in pistol or rifle or both at least to start. I've had an awful lot of fun with 22's and if out doors the range is not so far as to be a big danger at long range compare to a center fire cartridge.

[olliebear]

I worked as an instructor for a while while working the gun business years ago. Sign up for a gun safety class. I know, I know, you have a brother, an uncle, a dad, great uncle, who served in WWII, was a deputy reserve, or some civil air patrol who was all into guns and he'll just show ya.....that is the biggest mistake. Mostly likely what you will have is one generation passing ignorance to another generation. There is no other field, no other hobby, no other past time, that is so filled with myth, misinformation, or ignorance than guns, and it normally tied to some form of gonadal projection. Yeah, a .45 will drop an elepant, (NO), a .357 will crack an engine block. (No) Pushing on the muzzle of a COlt 1911 is a safety procedure. (Double No). I've heard them all, right there with wrist snapping a revolver cylinder close...looks good to Matt Helm and in Mike Hammer novels, but not in real life. It ruins the locking mechanism in the frame and bungs up the cylinder stop notches.

Go sign up and spend as few bucks on a good instructor. Learn how to safety load, unload, check, and clear revolvers and semi autos. Learn proper breathing, grip, aim, and squeeze of the trigger. Learn how to use proper malfuntion clearance procedures in an auto. Leanr the proper Weavcer stance, semi-Weaver, and the isosceles and which is better for you and which is better for taget shooting, and which is better for combat.

Learn a proper double handed hold. No, not on the wrist, not the "saucer and tea cup method" either, is it thumb up or thumb down in the shooting hand.....is it better supporting elbow up or supporting elbow down.....

Learn the four iron rules of gun handling (I was an absolute drill seargeant on this when I taught):

1) eveyr gun is loaded until you have persoanlly check to make sure it is unloaded. (When I handed an empty pistol back to the student, I expected hiim to check it immedaitely. Hey, I told them, I could be stupid and handed you a loaded gun so let's get into a good habit.)

2) Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire.

3) Never point it at anyone unles you mean to shoot.

4) Alway be sure of your target--no richochet, no through and through to someone, it is a live threat?, etc.

Then use those skills to try out several types of guns. Learn how each one feels. Remember that how it feels when you are a nocie will change as your expereince grows.

Target shooting skills are differente from combat shooting skills, but they all share the same good shooting skills: never shoot faster than you can hit, take your time quickly--as you get better you will get faster, but alwasy take your time to do all the basics. Speed is a function of efficiency.

Then later learn more advance skills and see what type of shooting you would llike to try in local meets: IPSC, IDPA, bullseye, action shoots, etc.

Ruger Mark II is one of the most rugged and durable .22LR ever made. Will shoot till the cows come home. Field stripping and re-assembly is a bit of a pain though.

A good Smith and Wesson .357 will shoot .38 Specials so shooting with light .38 is a good way to develop arm and hand muscles and eye proficiency. Then move up to hotter .38 to full house .357 loads.

Recoil control is not with your hands. It is with your hands, wrists, forearm, upper arm, shoulders, upper body, trunk, and legs.

Get some good books from writer Massad Ayoob. He has a good list of books that are informational and very practical. John Shaw has some good books.

[chiefiji]

is it better to buy new or used or does that depend on the situation/type of gun. i think i'm going to look into buying a pistol first, definitely a 22lr cal. do any of you so cal guys have a recommendation on where to go?

btw, thanks for all the great advice, i knew i could count on t4r.

[olliebear]

I would not have a problem buying used...but then I have some expereince in examining a gun to see that it was not abused or mistreated. Guns rarely ever wear out. They are "abused" or "neglected "out. You don't get a warranty witha used gun, but the prices can be better. Now here is the kicker. Most Mom and Pop stores are terrible businessmen. They price theri used junk like some museum piece---right up to the price of a new gun. That is no bargain. If it is within 10% of a price of a new gun, just buy the new gun. It comes with full instructios, warranty, and box.

Here's a rule of thumb when I dealt with used guns. Depending on the sahep...let's say 90% should seel for no more than 75-85% of new. 75-80% condition should sell for no more than 60-75% of new. I used to price tham that way to move the guns. I was in the business of selling and not running a museum. I'd buy them for 1/2 of the projected price and turn the sale around fast.

If you are not familiar with inspecting guns or don't feel up to it, just buy new.

Like some of the folks here say, get a Ruger Mark II, Browning Buckmark, or Smith & Wesson 422 (if that is still their model number) They'll last you a long time and give years of shooting pleasure.

Get a good cleaning kit and clean it after every shooting session. Get used to taking it apart and putting it back togethre. Get your hands used to SAFELY cleaning and maintaining it. (I sued to give cleaning lessons as well. You'd be surprised how little peole know about cleaning and oiling. Whihc part gets oil, which part gets grease, how much, when to usee Hoppes #(, when to use a spray degreaser/flusher, how to use the cleaning patches, or using stelwool and JB Bore cream, or lead removal kits. Even our regular cop buddies used to come to our shop to havea us clean their gear for inspection.) Your eyes and hands will know if anything is out of alignment or not working correctly. Get used to diligent cleaning. That's all part of good gun ownership. I have seen guns so dirty and corroded from owners that it failed to work. Then after a good cleaning they work just as good as new. Such malfunctions are alright for a target pistol, but it's life or death on a home defense gun. SO get into the good habit of making sure you always havea a well maintained, well cared for firearm.

Where in Cal are you?

[Iman74]

While I was growing up, I had a few bb/pellet guns/rifles. I was so good I used to staple GI Joes to my parents firewood and from anywhere 15 to 25 feet away I would shoot the limbs of them.
Jump ahead to 2004, and I go paintballing with my sister and her man after not shooting anything for years. Well shortly after that day the itch to shoot is back; first instinct is to get a paintball gun, but then I realize that will get old quick unless I join a team, and even then I rather spend more time with my family. So the alternate solution was a real gun for at this age I can't see using a bb/pellet gun as an alternate solution. First step, convince the wife, second work on getting a permit.
Jump ahead a couple months I now own a gun and permit.

What I learned is first go to your nearest range and learn about the laws where you live. Second, asking people about guns won't do you squat except get some facts, and a whole lot of opinions. The best thing to do is get what you need to get done to shoot at a range (depends on the laws of that state). Then from there rent guns: it's best to start with a .22, but that gets old quick. In the end I sold my Beretta .22 Neos for a 9mm Beretta 92F. After holding/shooting several guns: Sig, Colt 45, Glock, etc. I found the Beretta 92F is the gun for me. But you won't know till you try; how will you know you ask? Trust me, you will know when it are holding the right gun. Nothing feels right to me except a 92F or a version of it like the Elite.

[chiefiji]

Originally posted by olliebear

Where in Cal are you?

so cal, san gabriel area. thanks for the tips. theres a local outdoor chain store called turners, i dont know if theyre up in nor cal too. they have a sale for a browning buckmark for $250. is that about the right price for that gun? i know when turners has other stuff on sale, its not really any cheaper then some places.

turners

[Iman74]

As far as cleaning, you do not have to clean it after each shoot. It's a good idea to do so, but it's not really necessary; as long as you stay away from lead when you buy your ammo you have little to worry about. What you can do is right before you put your gun away from shooting at the range, and while it's still hot/warm, run a bore snake through it.

Olliebear,
I disagree with you on one thing: a gun is loaded unless you check it yourself. I treat every gun, even if I checked myself that is "closed" as a loaded gun. In short, "a closed gun is a loaded gun!"

[ZOSO Runner]

Hey chiefiji, we're nieghbors I'm in San Gabriel too. My buddy is into guns big time, he's got a whole safe full of them. His pride and joy is his Glock with the night vision sight :awais:

He often goes to an outdoor range somewhere by the Azusa Dam. I'll ask if he knows of any gun shops locally he would recommend.