I’d like to get into shooting. Probably mostly going to a range maybe once or twice a week.
I’d like to mostly shoot a rifle, but I’d like some recommendations on - getting a firm footing on the basics (safety, storage, loading, cleaning, etc.) - whether that is via online resources, books, augmented with in-person training, etc.
Also when it comes to a decent rifle for eventual purchase - I’m up for recommendations.
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Here are the absolute basics of gun safety
The firearm is always loaded and cocked even if you just unloaded it and think it’s not.
Never ever ever point your firearm at anything you don’t want to destroy/kill
A safety is a mechanical device that can and will fail when you need it the most. Never trust a safety.
Never hand someone a loaded firearm.
Also
- Beware of your target and what’s beyond it: Paper targets will never stop a bullet. You best have a backstop that will, especially if you live somewhere flat.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready and about to fire. Even when you’re reloading and have the muzzle pointed down range. Not until the moment you need to fire.
- Alcohol is for after your day at the range and when everything is put away, absolutely NOT before or during. Operating a firearm under the influence of drugs/alcohol is probably the only thing more dangerous than operating a motor vehicle on a highway under the influence
Most ranges have safety classes, and many will rent you a gun for the day so you can try different skins out. I’ll add yet another recommendation for a bolt-action .22lr.
Google, memorize, and commit to muscle memory the 4 rules of gun safety!
I’d also recommend starting with a cheap .22. preferably bolt action so you learn to aim first.
Start by watching a bunch of Paul Harrell videos.
I started with a 22 rifle. They’re inexpensive and the ammo is inexpensive as well. My first was a Henry AR-7 survival rifle but a Ruger 10-22 would be a great option as well.
Anyone have any recommendations for a specific Ruger 22 model? I was checking out what Big R carries and there are quite a few options…
Welcome! Any reason you’d mostly want to shoot a rifle? What are you actually interested in doing? There’s a lot of different types of shooting. While the recommendations for a 10/22 are great for an all-rounder first gun, if you ONLY want to larp as a tacticool guy, then perhaps a M&P Sport II would be better.
Nope, no interest in larping here, lol. If anything, I want most of my guns to be on the DL.
Then a 10/22, especially a takedown model, should fit the bill. Note that a takedown model will be slightly less accurate than a non-takedown, so if you’re going for super precision shooting, then don’t go the takedown route.
A few other things to consider - if you’re planning on only buying ONE gun, you might want a slightly higher caliber, such as at least 9mm, in case you need to use it to defend yourself - sticking with rifles, the Ruger PCC is a good one (although heavyish), and is also a takedown. Obviously if you’re comfortable in getting a first rifle for learning the basics, then adding another rifle to your lineup later that’s got more bells and whistles, this won’t apply to you.
Another two considerations, especially if you want to be more on the DL, is storage and transport. Your state/county/city might have storage laws that you may have to comply with, making it slightly harder to store rifles than pistols. And clearly if you have to put a big rifle case in your closet it’ll be more obvious than a tiny pistol safe. Regarding transport, it’s pretty hard to covertly carry a full sized rifle around, since the cases are so much longer, whereas takedown models such as the 10/22 or PCC are much easier to fit in a (tall) backpack or tennis racket bag. Pistols are obviously much easier as well.
Thanks for all the info. Just to be clear, by “on the DL”, I meant more that I don’t want to put a lot of effort into presenting as some ammosexual - all the tacticool gear, the stickers, the flags, camo, and all the typical regalia that goes with being that persona, if you will. Although I typically do wear the same type of clothes - Carharrt, etc…
If someone happens to learn I have guns, I am okay with it, I suppose. I’m just not going to be one of those people putting out a sign on my lawn about what a gun nut I am, LOL.
Ah, well in that case, you might want to consider an AR-15 as your first or second rifle. It’s an extremely versatile platform and, because of its popularity, knowing how it operates will give you instant familiarity with a huge amount of rifles out there. You can even find conversion kits for .22lr (and 9mm, but those are supposed to be way less reliable), so you can have one “gun” (serialized lower) that can be reconfigured to shoot a lot of different kinds of ammo and is useful in various situations.
started with a rossi ranch hand and then had a mini 14 for a while. would not recommend either of those as a beginner. 10/22 is a great suggestion from the others. if you want something with a bit more bang then maybe a 9mm ruger PC?
Search your area for a gun range, and talk to the employees. I imagine they’d appreciate the conversation with someone who wants to learn rather than everyone that just goes and pretends to be a cowboy for an hour.
Take classes at your local range. In-person is the best, because you need muscle memory, and you’ll have people to correct you right away. And you’ll make friends.
Any cheap AR is a good starter. It’s cheap, ammo is cheap, and it’s easy to change parts. Parts can be as cheap or expensive as you want.
I’m going to suggest the old standard ruger 10-22.
Simple enough for a beginner to maintain well, but solid enough to enjoy for a lifetime. It’s also customizable, with plenty of options out there.
As far as training, nothing beats in person, and it’s one of those things where it’s important enough to get the training from someone that may not be political ally if need be. You just can’t get the kind of correction needed as you’re learning without an experienced shooter helping. It isn’t something you can read your way through entirely. In person is the default, with books and videos augmenting, not the other way around.
If your goal is short range shooting only at a range, you might as well go ahead and get friendly with whatever range you’ll be going to, and you can’t really guarantee you’ll even like anyone there. That’s tangential to what you’re asking, but it is important to keep in mind that you’ll be running across a lot of people at most ranges that are much farther right than you might prefer. So go into it with that awareness, and it won’t be a problem. Don’t let the political divide prevent you from good shooting guidance.
