Firearms training for a neophyte!

[Lawn Lad]

I've always had an interest in firearms. I never signed up for the service and nor do I have family members who took me to a gun range or hunting. I've been to a firing range a couple of times but thats the extent of my experience.

I'm interested in learning more about firearms in general and ultimately becoming proficient in their use for both recreation and self defense. Firearms are not something that I'm afraid of nor intimidated by. I don't want my family to be either. I'm a believer that the best way to get over intimidation or fear is to become familar with something. If my wife or children (future tense) are to learn about firearms, someone must teach them so they are not confused, afraid of, or intimidated around them. Accidents happen because people are untrained. Therefore I need to learn myself so I will be able to comfortably introduce the concepts of firearms to my family.

I'd like to find classes or courses that are hands on. I'm unsure though whether the courses taught at the "local" range are even approaching adequate. How do I evaluate or find courses that are worth my time and that are going to begin teaching me the basics "properly". I'm sure I'll find the answers to more advanced options once I get into the culture and understand how better to evaluate the opportunities.

I'd also be interested in some general books or resources that I can read that will help to give me the back ground I need so I have a better level of comprehension when I read, talk and listen to those who understand firearms. Like a "Guns for Dummies" Often when I read articles I'm not following all of the abreviations or understanding the "language" since I don't have the basic information or knowledge. The more I read the more I pick up, but I want to learn faster.

Any thoughts from those who know about the educational options out there would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

[HerkFE]

Well, I grew up hunting and shooting. Then I spent about 13 years in the USMC handling some great weapons. I even dabbled a bit in competetive pistol shooting, but quickly found long range rifle shooting to suit me better. :rolleyes: Some of those pistol shooters are just incredible!

I would start with checking out the NRA's website. www.nra.org Look on the left hand side menu on the homepage for Safety and Training. There you can find courses, instructors, etc. You should be able to find someone in your area.

Safety training is so important. Even the time tested "Treat every gun as if it were loaded" and "Don't ever point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot". Geez, these two rules, if followed, would save a lot of needless injuries.

Firearms can be a great recreation sport. Trap, skeet, sporting clays are a blast! Take the time to learn the rules of safety, how to care for your firearms, and always treat them with respect.

Good luck and be safe!

[Pelican]

I don't know much about the area you're from, but here we've got some gun clubs which offere traing from Certified instructors. This would also be a place to check. One of them here hired a State Police instructor to teach a course, you might ask your police agencies if they offer any public safety training.

Be sure you get your training before handling a gun, this way you don't have to worry about breaking bad habits. I enjoy "American Handgunner", a bi-monthly magazine devoted to handguns. You can gets some ideas of training from their articles, plus there's some competitive shooting articles too. You'll learn of the different types of handguns and can decide which works best for you. In the back are classified ads with countless accessories and training facilities listed.

[labsnducks]

HerkFE, Well said, I too grew up hunting & shooting, and was able to use some of the finest weapons the USMC had available, the NRA is a great place to start, you may also want to go to your local shooting range and ask for the entry level classes. Also check your state Dept. of Natural Resources and take a "Hunters Safety Course". They go over a lot of useful info. And go VERY DEEP on the safety issue.

I would suggest starting out with a .22 rifle or a shotgun, until you understand the safe and proper handling of firearms, then and only then would I recommend you taking a handgun class if that’s what you ultimately want to use for personal protection or for recreational shooting.

I started with a BB gun as did both of my boys 10 & 12. The boys have there own .22's and 20ga shotguns and are receiving the best training that I can give them. The 12 y.o. was able to go hunting with me this year and was able to harvest his first deer. It was an awesome feeling sitting next to him and sharing that moment.

Getting the family involved in the shooting sports is a lot of fun, and teaching them the safety aspect makes me feel good knowing that im not home much and if something were to happen my wife knows how to protect her and the kids, we only live an 1/2 hours drive from Wash. DC and Baltimore, so crime is common.

Doug PM me if you need any further info.


Mike

[ih82plow]

40 now been carrying since I was 18.I took a course about twenty years ago I found advertized in combat handguns on the use of deadly force.It was a 10 day course in the midwest.Some of the best money I have ever spent.What I learned in that course I still practice to this day on the range.There is alot more to carrying a gun then just the saftey and hitting a target training that most course available today teach

I was told the course I took years ago is NO longer available to the genral puplic.

I would look to combat hand guns advertizements in the back of the mag.

[HerkFE]

Hey Mike, good call on the .22 to start with. I still have the first rifle that was ever "my very own". I received a Remington Mohawk Nylon 66 for Christmas on my 12th birthday. Remember those? I'll bet that it has had 20,000 shells through it. Used to go by the 500 box of 22LR at the local hardware store. Man, times have changed. People around here freak out at the mention of any kind of weapon.....

I had a BB gun too and then I was graduated to a single shot .22. Learned a lot about sight alignment/sight picture. No second chances....

Then I bought a Remington 700BDL in .270 bolt action. Worked all summer to earn enough to buy it on my own. Got my first deer with that. 110 yards, 1 shot. Best summer sausage was made at Knebel's in Wisconsin. That's where I grew up.

We had to go to hunter's safety if you wanted to get a hunting license before you turned 16. Few weekends. Great safety lessons.

Oh well, enough remeniscing.

Doug, I think it is a good thing that you are doing. I know that I feel safer when I'm gone knowing that my fiance knows how to handle the firearms (good shot too!) we have. Her father was an Army officer so she also grew up around weapons. Crime is everywhere and the police are not. I would never go looking for trouble and scumbags will steal what they want, but cross into my home or bedroom and it's a whole new ballgame.

Get the safety courses, get the proper permits, take the time to learn slowly and with a good teacher.

Be Safe & Enjoy!

[sschario]

Doug,

We have an indoor/outdoor gun club down my way that holds hunter safety and training classes. It is primarily handgun, but there is a little rifle. No shotgun, but there is also a skeet club very near by.

It would be a long haul for you, but I don't know if there is anything closer. They have weekly pistol leagues in the NRA national match course year round. Let me know if you want any info.

Steve

[labsnducks]

HerkFE, Oh yea I remember that rifle, as I still have mine!!! It wasnt my first, mine was a remington .22 pump, man that thing is still deadly on squirles and rabbits, and the hardware store ammo, and you could buy it as a youngster and noboby questioned it, they also had boys that did the samething, oh well the good old days!!!

Doug, as HerkFE said start slowly, with a rifle (I know there has been alot of talk about hanguns here) with a handgun it is much easier to make "stupid" mistakes with, such as "keep your muzzle pointed down range" its easier if somebody asks you a question and the weapon(handgun) is in your hand and you turn around then you are pointing the muzzle... where? anyway take classes, be safe, get your proper permits and enjoy the sport so many of us do.

I carry an Sig P220 .45ACP EVERYDAY. it makes me feel better knowing that my family, employees and customers are protected from the lowlifes and thugs of the world.

I hope this has helped.

Mike

[Adams Plowing]

best plact to find out about training would be to hit the local gunshops they usually have a line on training thats going on in the area if not offering it themselves. i have to agree with the others a long gun is definatly the way to go if your just starting out.