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Shooting Range n00b
Reckless
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
My best friend's birthday just came and passed, and we've both been itching to try our hands at some target shooting recently. I figured it'd be an awesome gift to take her to a local range, rent two handguns, buy some ammo, and try our hand at shooting.
Now, I've never been to a range before. For the record, I'm 18, she's 20, and we're in New York State.
So, my questions are mostly aimed at people who have gone shooting before.
1) Can we rent handguns at a typical range?
2) How can I research a range to make sure it isn't too seedy? I expect a certain level of unsavory folk, but it is a shooting range so, at least in the mental picture I have, that's to be expected.
3) How much should two rentals, some lessons, and some ammo be?
4) Anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks for any help!
Now, I've never been to a range before. For the record, I'm 18, she's 20, and we're in New York State.
So, my questions are mostly aimed at people who have gone shooting before.
1) Can we rent handguns at a typical range?
2) How can I research a range to make sure it isn't too seedy? I expect a certain level of unsavory folk, but it is a shooting range so, at least in the mental picture I have, that's to be expected.
3) How much should two rentals, some lessons, and some ammo be?
4) Anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks for any help!
Reckless on
0
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All of the gun ranges I've been to have been top-notch. If crap looks like it's falling apart, go somewhere else, but typically, because these guys are liable for your safety (except in cases when you get stupid), it should be well-maintained. Be sure to use proper safety (keep the muzzle down-range, keep weapons unloaded when not in use, assure no one is down-range, etc.) wherever you go.
As far as getting better, my understanding is that you want a fundamental understanding of the mechanical processes and forces involved (this also helps for safety, it's generally a much better idea to let a chemist handle volatile chemicals than some undergrad who managed to find a major where he never had to take any chem classes at all) and then from there practice forever. Like, seriously never stop practicing anything you want to be good at.
If that means waiting for a friend to come with you to teach you to shoot, awesome. I'm not really sure how going it alone would work though. My first thoughts would be to advise against it.
Now, I dunno how things work in NY, but here in Awesomeland - also known as, 'The South' - most ranges have pistol rentals. Somewhere between 10 and 20 bucks I think.
Not much you can do to research most ranges. However, I've never been to a range and thought, "Man, Im gonna get capped up in this hizzle," If thats a concern at all, cut your losses and leave. I cant imagine spending any ammount of time at a 'seedy,' range.
Rentals: 10-25 dollars, I'd think.
For ammo: You can get a box of 100 9mm bullets at wal-mart for about 11 bucks. Some ranges want/need you to buy their stuff though, and may offer discounts on range fees.
No idea about lessons cost though. When I learned, it was from my dad, and his buddies, all of which are competent shooters.
As far as anything else you should know:
Guns are safe.
You can have a loaded gun sitting on a table for decades, and noone will be bothered by it. Guns are safe. Not perfectly safe, but extremly safe. The issue comes from the user.
Basic gun handling rules that everyone knows:
1: Every gun is always loaded. Even if you see a guy empty a gun, and hand it to you, the first thing you should always do is check to make sure its empty. Even after knowing its empty, treat it like its loaded to the full extent you can. This means that if you have to clean it, go ahead, after making sure its empty. But dont say, "ZOGM LAWL BILL MY GUN IS UNLOADED LOOK IM SHOOTIN MAH HEADS."
2:Never let the muzzle aim at anything you arent willing to see destroyed. Look at something. Say, "If this thing ceased to exist, would I be upset?" If the answer is not 'no' dont point a gun anywhere near it. This includes people.
3:Keep your finger off the trigger. If you arent looking down the sights, at a target that you decided is okay to shoot, then your finger shouldnt be on the trigger, or in the trigger guard. It should be indexed along the side of the gun.
4:Know your target, know your backstop. If you arent 100% sure what you're shooting, dont shoot it. Even before shooting it, know whats behind it. This isnt much of an issue at shooting ranges, but still needs to be said.
Now, keep in mind, every negligent discharge of a firearm had to be caused by all 4 of those rules being broken. If everyone followed all those rules, or even just one of them, you'd never have someone accidently shoot someone else.
Have fun, be safe, and all that other cliche jazz
All guns are downrange at all times. Never, never, never ever point the gun anywhere that isn't downrange, which includes accidentally sweeping people when you put a new magazine in, etc.
Read over those safety rules above and be really, really safe. As someone who frequents ranges, if anyone gets mad at you for safety reasons, don't take offense. Just explain that you're new and ask them for help.
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