A comprehensive beginner's guide to handgun shooting.

W

WarlockFirearms

Inactive
I wrote this with the intention that someone who has never handled a firearm before could read this and get a good overview of what is required to safely and effectively shoot a handgun. I tried to cover pretty much everything a total noob needs to know to fire their first magazine and hit the target.

I am sure that most of you guys are well beyond the level of skill and knowledge that this guide is addressing, but I would like to know what you think? My goal is to give a total beginner a foundation on which to build his or her skills. Do you think this achieves this goal? Is there anything I left out? Anywhere I am just plain wrong?

Let me know what you think. Thanks.

A comprehensive beginner's guide to handgun shooting
 
Thanks for posting that info. If the public needs anything, it's more firearms education and training.

That said, I think you can add pictures illustrating the examples and differences between handguns and their actions. Especially since it's written for the beginner.

The only thing I would change is the term "automatic pistol" to semi-automatic pistols.

Thank you, and keep up the good work.
 
While *I* greatly appreciate the use of humor ("You don't want to shoot your five-year-old niece in the face, do you?"), I think some people, especially the intended audience, might not appreciate it. Also, it may make people take your message less seriously, when it is in fact the most serious information they will ever learn about firearms.

Also, specifically, I'd include instructions on how to remove the magazine and check the chamber of a semi-auto, and how to inspect the cylinder of a revolver. Even though you specify "check to see if its loaded," a complete beginner might think the safety isn't red so it can't be loaded, etc.
 
Also, specifically, I'd include instructions on how to remove the magazine and check the chamber of a semi-auto, and how to inspect the cylinder of a revolver. Even though you specify "check to see if its loaded," a complete beginner might think the safety isn't red so it can't be loaded, etc.
Click to expand...

I included that information in the sections on the various types of handguns.

As for the humor, I don't want it to be a totally dry infodump, so a little something is necessary to keep from putting the reader to sleep. Thank you for your input.
 
Free Advice (and worth every penny!)

OK, Warlock, you asked for it, so here goes...

I can see you put a lot of time and thought and work into this project, and it's a worthwhile one.

And I don't want to be too critical; for one thing, you're in Aloha, OR; I spent a good bit of time in the West Hills. I used to love the ride on the articulated bus from Hillsboro or Aloha, down TV Highway into Canyon Rd. and down onto Jefferson, where we'd pass under Suicide Bridge and slide up across the street from my all-time favorite watering hole, the Goose Hollow Inn.

And I'm happy to report that your spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax are all good, which is saying something nowadays.

You're a decent technical writer. There are a number of places, however, where you could hit "paragraph" more often. That gives a little pause for stuff to sink in.

Also, long paragraphs tend to make readers' eyes glaze over. Try to write a bit more like Hemingway and a bit less like Faulkner.

I understand your desire to have fun, to lighten things up and to make for more enjoyable reading. But I agree with ScotchMan; a lot of your humor strikes me as too flip, and I think that puts it at odds with the seriousness of the subject, especially when your intended reader is a novice.

So I think lines like "...It makes baby Jesus cry when you shoot like this" (there are other examples, but that one strikes me as the most egregious!) are not helpful. Then again, it's your own (unique and distinctive) style, so if you insist on keeping it, at least capitalize "Baby"!

I'm certainly not trying to take the fun out of your writing or to discourage you; quite the contrary! 'Hope you'll take these comments in the spirit in which they're offered.

Break a leg (not "put a hole" in it)!

Cheers, Ringolevio
 
Warlock, I think your work is wonderful. It resonates well with today's crowd (not so much for us old fuddy-duddies).

I agree that "automatic" pistols should be called "semi-automatic pistols". That is a correction that I would make, because the media likes to say that ..."automatic weapons were recovered at the scene." implying that the semi-auto pistol was somehow an illegal weapon. Let's not contribute to that myth.

Some photos would be nice, especially on checking to see if a pistol is cleared, and some showing different types of revolvers and pistols.

All in all, really good work.
 
Good job. Someone commented on your page asking why don't you write about rifles. Have you considered writing about choosing and purchasing your first handgun?
 
Good job. Someone commented on your page asking why don't you write about rifles. Have you considered writing about choosing and purchasing your first handgun?
Click to expand...

That is such a loaded question, I don't even know where to start. It would be a good article, though, and I have been thinking about it. But everyone wants a specific, solid answer to that question and, really, there is no "one size fits all" answer to it.

I'll think on it.

In the meantime, I'll probably go back to doing a few breakdowns, haven't done one in far too long, and maybe take some pictures for this article. Maybe I'll do a Ruger Mk X .22 for my next breakdown, since everybody seems to have one and they often come into my shop in a box-o-parts.

I'm also considering making a video version of this article, but I've never done a talky video before, and I think I'm a little camera shy. It would be a good way to illustrate the points that are hard to get across in words alone, though.

We'll see. I just enjoy the process, really. I only wish I had more free time for it.
 
Most of your beginner's guide guide to shooting isn't about shooting, but about describing different kinds of gun designs and ammunition types. You're throwing too much peripheral information at the beginner too soon. That's the kind of thing you link to at the end of the article.
 
Yeah, the "Baby Jesus: comment was flippant so...leave it in, or take it out.

I think you have to write the way YOU want to write otherwise it would be way, way too much work and it's not like you're doing this for someone who is paying you to do it 'their' way.

Just like we read what you wrote and like/dislike/agree/disagree you are certainly entitled to do the same thing with all our comments.

Once again I'm impressed with this forum and how both the writer and the readers are able to do quite a bit of give and take without stuff getting personal and out of hand.

Also a big +1 to the Ringolevio comment about good spelling, grammer etc.
 
Last edited:
Good article for first time shooter, useful info. You writing style, however, somehow rubs me wrong way. Is it serious info or attempt at comedy? ... Baby Jesus? Shooting five years old niece in the face? Booger picker? Feeding your entrails to your children? ***? ... Sorry, personally I don't appreciate this "humor" at all... Your other articles are more professional IMO

Edit: and I see TFL seems to agree with me, dotting out some of your text picked out of the line describing types of bullets :D
 
Last edited:
Big difference here on this forum web site and what they said about your article on the other forum web site, huh? You get some encouragement and some criticism here, but the other folks ripped in to you pretty bad. :eek: Lesson learned, find out who your audience is and speak to them at their level.
 
The appropriate tone depends on who your target audience is. The stereotypical old, uptight, right-wing, religious fundamentalist gun enthusiast isn't going to like Baby Jesus jokes. If you're trying to appeal outside that group an "edgier" tone makes more sense. That said, I'd suggest that if you're going to use that kind of humor that it had better be really funny. Which yours is kind of...not.
 
I've got to be honest with you WarlockFirearms, I don't quite understand why you even posted this with the appearance that you were asking for a critical analysis and suggestions from the members here. Just posting it as a link to your article would have been more logical.

I say that because it doesn't appear that you have accepted any of the suggestions or criticisms. In fact the "Baby Jesus" concern has not only been ignored, you added a very long rant on why you refuse to do anything about it, and how you adamantly will not bow to the will of anyone concerning the issue. That rant is longer than your guidance on firearm safety. In other words, you not only ignore the concerns of others you chose to throw it in their face for having the concerns. A polite reply in this and your other threads saying that you preferred to keep the blurb would have sufficed.

Personally, I could care less if your article references the Baby Jesus or not. I wouldn't have even mentioned it in a critique of your work. However, others are concerned about it, and your resulting treatment of them is downright insulting.

Again, why ask for suggestions if you are going to ignore them, and even insult or belittle the suggesters for making the suggestions?
 
Mal,

I was asking people to comment on the information in the article. I have had a couple of suggestions, which I have implemented. I recently went through and changed all mention of automatic pistols to semi-automatic for clarity, for instance. I also took out a couple of vulgarities because they were indeed unnecessary. As for adding photos, that is something I am working on and it will just take time.

As for being insulting, that is certainly not my intention. As CastleBravado pointed out, this is not aimed at "the stereotypical old, uptight, right-wing, religious fundamentalist gun enthusiast," it is aimed at novices. Some people just like to take offense at some things, which is fine, but I will not censor myself just because it may offend somebody.

I intentionally tried to keep a light and candid tone throughout the article so that it was not too dry and boring. It's a lot of information and I'm afraid of putting my intended audience to sleep if I keep it dry and "just the facts, maam."

I am not trying to be edgy, I am just expressing myself the way I normally do. When I make a joke, it tends to be dark. That's just my sense of humor. When I am speaking or writing candidly, that comes out without conscious effort.

There were a few places where it was pointed out to me that I was in fact insulting the reader, calling him a fool and whatnot. After those were pointed out to me I took them out, because they were unnecessary and they were direct insults to the reader.

As for my afterword being insulting, that is certainly not my point. I was simply responding to the numerous complaints I have had about that particular line as honestly as I could. I did not respond directly, here or elsewhere, to that particular complaint because this is not my house, so to speak, and I don't feel that I can speak candidly here.

As for the cannibal reavers thing, that's a reference to Firefly. It's a great show, basically a western in space with lots of awesome guns. You should check it out if you haven't.

EDIT: I would just like to add that TFL's response to the article has been quite helpful. The really nasty responses were mostly from another forum I posted it to, with a readership far grumpier than than this one.
 
Last edited:
Fair enough. When I read the article this morning it still had "automatic pistol" and several of the other things that were pointed out as incorrect. Looks like you've done some editing today.

In truth, it's a good, readable, article. I have no problem with a little humor (even dark humor) interjected into an educational piece. It was the apparent lack of response to some good suggestions, and the complete lack of a well-reasoned response to a sensitive subject. Instead a self-described rant was given in its place.

... I don't feel that I can speak candidly here.
Click to expand...
Please dispel that thought. Anyone and everyone can speak candidly as long as they address the issue at hand and don't attack the member. We have always allowed frank and even vehement "discussions", but we have never allowed ad hominems or disparaging comments.
 
Disappointed

I, frankly, no longer care what Warlock does or writes.

I took the time and trouble to read every word of his (rather long) piece and critique it. As a freelance proofreader, copyeditor and rewrite specialist, that happens to be something I am frequently paid to do. Had I found typos or errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar or syntax I would have corrected them on the fly.

I wanted to try to help a fellow TFL member, and felt I was particularly qualified to do so.

I also tried to personalize my critique by letting Warlock know that I am more than passing familiar with the area where he lives.

I praised his competence as a technical writer and his command of the written word. And I made it a point to let Warlock know that my critique was not intended to discourage him or to take the fun out of his writing.

In short, my critique was as thoughtful and as crafted as anything I might write.

Now, I know that a good deed should be done without expecting any recognition for it. But just a simple, single word of thanks would have been a gracious gesture. And what did Warlock have to say in response or even acknowledgment?
Zip, zilch, nada.

Stay classy, Warlock.
 
Sorry I forgot to thank you, Ring.

You are correct that some of the paragraphs could be broken up into more bite sized pieces, and I thank you for the insight. I apologize that I did not get back to you soon enough, you clearly put a lot of thought into your critique and I should have thanked you, it simply slipped my mind.

Sorry. I apologize for forgetting to thank you. Can we be friends now if I buy you a beer? We've got the good stuff up in Orygun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top