A slight beef with 'gun recommendation' threads

Range time is great as long as it's structured. I've seen some things happen at the range that weren't real grand as well, including a younger shooter that couldn't seem to keep his barrel up when carrying rifles back and forth to his bench. My personal rule is that the case goes to the bench and the rifle comes out of or goes into the case before being brought to or removed from the line. His seemed to be that the case stayed 30 feet behind the line and the rifles traveled between it and the bench with the barrel pointed in all sorts of directions.



It may well be better to spend time with an experienced shooter in the woods first. There you are away from the commotion and constant distractions of a range. Get the hang of it there first, where there's less risk and it's calmer. The problem is that these days, the woods you can shoot in are harder to find all the time.
 
My old man wasn't a shooter,and he split when I was 11.My older siblings joined rifle clubs when we lived on post.I was too young.
Oldest brother was going off to war when I wanted a .22.He told me to join the YMCA Junior NRA rifle club and learn to shoot.
If I'd had a rifle,I did not have transportation,a place to shoot,or a mentor this side of the ocean.I did have about a pickup load of gun magazines,and some books like Ruark's Old Man and the Boy.
His advice was good,and an old man at that range would stay and work with me hours after everyone else left.I don't know his name,but I thank him.

OK,I'll agree the safety stick and nannyism might get tiresome.

But every formal shooting competition I have been to begins with a shooters meeting and safety is covered.Funny,there are always some rude people who know too much ignoring it and BS ing in the background.

If a new shooter must ask this forum questions that reveal lack of experience
,its OK to nudge them away from learning the hard way.

Some subjects have serious enough consequences to set ego aside .

The fervor against our right to be armed is re-ignited every time there is an accident or inappropriate shooting.A clear dedication to safety is one of the best ways to take care of the 2nd ammendment.

I have had a white haired old person with decades of experience negilently point a rifle at me,and then get testy with me when asked him to stop.He explained,"It isn't loaded".He just got done wounding an elk that escaped.Of course,I could count on his clarity.He could easily be a curmudgeon on this forum who is tired of hearing about safety.

I have read plenty of posts here that indicated the OP needed a re-direct.

As a matter of fact,My first post was inspired by someone who was using like 25 gr of Bullseye with cornmeal to fireform 30-06 brass.
 
Owning and shooting a firearm has great similarities with owning and driving a motor vehicle... Some will seek knowledge and advice from those experienced, and some will not. Personally, if I can use myself as an example, I find the Firing Line to be a great resource of collected knowledge from a wide range of firearm enthusiasts, and I feel better off because of it. I've been shooting for fifty years, and I did not enter this forum to learn safety premises or requisite qualifications for ownership of firearms....I have noted that many who enter this arena do so because they are hungry for information, and that's what the forum is all about- information....I dare say that those who are asking questions here are sincere,, and rely heavily on the good judgment and maturity that SHOULD be a hallmark of any forum like this....If they are newbies and ask for advice, then everyone here has a responsibility to deliver just that....and that often includes safety/instructional guidance....I elect to wear a seat belt when I drive,and encourage others to do the same...
 
I think ypu are right Chris. it's bad enough the mass shootings that are carried out by screwballs and gang-bangers but IMO the irresponsible use of guns at a home is worse particular shootings of family members by other family members.
 
I have only had one class, NRA basic pistol, and it was after I got my CWP. I don't have a gun and have gone shooting 3 times, once with a shotgun I had borrowed because of a crazed ex, once with a coworkers arsenal, shot so many kinds of guns it all became a blur, and once at that class, with someone elses 22, not my first choice.

I became interested in firearms for two reasons. One, we just moved to Idaho and I want my kids to know how to safely handle firearms because everyone around here has them. Two, I still have that crazed ex but for the first time am in a position to be able to effectively defend my home and my kids if he shows up.

Taking a class is great. There were folks at the basic pistol class I took who were clearly there for there county's cwp requirement, and who I wouldn't feel any safer around after they'd had the training.

As a newbie, I have learned a great deal from reading recommendation threads as well as from responses to my own questions seeking guidance. Ongoing training seems like common sense to me. I've signed up in advance for as many more classes as I can afford, registering for every session of the free ones. It's kind of hard to imagine that someone would buy a gun and plan on keeping it around without taking every opportunity to train and practice, seems downright stupid. The last thing I want to face is an intruder who is more proficient than me.
 
50% of the time our gun forums are the worst place to get a straight answer, when all someone needs is a little information. Usually ends up in a brand name or caliber war and "know it alls" giving out incorrect information. :o we can do better than this.;)
 
hcap3335.jpg


Now thats just way too funny.

Besides the humor in that, I am a believer in classes. I hope everyone at the range that I visiting at the moment have had safety classes. It no fun when someone accidently sweeps you. Besides the CCW class I took, required to get my permit, I also attended a Advanced Pistol Class where they taught us how to move and shoot, weak hand drills , double taps. Thats was the most fun I had on a range since my visit to Knob Creek. So I am all for classes.
 
When a poster who is new to firearms asks about getting a first gun, I do him/her a disservice if I don't recommend training.
 
Ginger ~

Good for you! It sounds as if you are absolutely on the right track. That is a solid, healthy attitude. Applause! :cool:

Kathy
 
I agree that, presented politely, advice about safety is fine.

The other side of the coin is that the person posing the question may have tons of experience with weapons, just not on that platform.

I am a living example - Uncle Sam didn't teach me anything about revolvers, but that does not mean I need remedial firearm safety classes either.
 
Last edited:
All you have to do is read the manual that came with the gun, parts of which are now etched into the slide and frame of some new guns, and there's your safety class.

I personally believe that gun safety should be taught to newbies by all of us experienced gun owners. Before I take anyone to the range I belong to, I review the rules and then I review MY rules. I demonstrate how to use the gun, and stress a number of safety concerns.

The "beef" I've got with the topic is that it seems to be advocating formal firearms training before someone can purchase a gun. Just more fuel for the antis.
 
I do agree that a gun safety course is always a good idea, but I do not feel it is mandatory for owning a gun. If a responsible adult chooses to buy a gun, go to the range, and learn to shoot on their own I have no problems with it. I am willing to bet a lot of the people on this board are "self taught" shooters.
 
I do agree that a gun safety course is always a good idea, but I do not feel it is mandatory for owning a gun. If a responsible adult chooses to buy a gun, go to the range, and learn to shoot on their own I have no problems with it. I am willing to bet a lot of the people on this board are "self taught" shooters.
Click to expand...

I'm a self taught shooter. I took my CCW class a few months after I got my first gun(s) and it reinforced all the safety stuff I already new. I think people can learn how to safely operate a hand gun on there own but learning to shoot well is another story. It wasnt till I took a real intensive shooting class that I learned how to shoot right.
 
start a new subheading for new shooters..

you could start a new subheading for 'new shooters' or 'newbies'..I have just found your web site and find it to be very well put together and informative.

I have been shooting for over thirty years and really appreciate the freedoms we have with guns and the freedom of speaking our own minds..
 
I've recommended the NRA Basic Pistol class to several people who were interested in buying a handgun and learning to shoot, because I took that class and found it very helpful. I usually suggest taking it before choosing a gun to purchase, because in the class I took, I got exposure to several different handguns and got the opportunity to try them out. Of course, learning the basics of how to shoot and safety were a big part of the course, and I knew I needed that myself.

The people I've suggested the class to have been people like me, with limited experience. I'm not trying to "nanny" anyone, just to share what helped me.
 
So no safety courses for handgun ownership, but we're required to take one for hunting.

Does that make sense?:confused:

I see people at the range waving their handguns around and doing very unsafe things all the time. Evidence the bullet holes in the concrete, metal roof and...even behind the line next to the stands.
 
chris in va

A slight beef with 'gun recommendation' threads
I'll keep this short and sweet.

Before a gun and equipment get bought, the new shooter needs to get a safety class under their belt.

IMO it's irresponsible to not make this priority #1 when bringing a new gun owner into the fold. Too many people are waving these things around, oblivious to the dangers and laws surrounding gun ownership.

If classes are unavailable, at the very least suggest an experienced person show them the ropes. But I'm seeing a noticeable lack of this in the replies.

Thank you, carry on.
Click to expand...

In responding to a gun recommendation request, I believe that offering a focused response is best. Going off-topic to proclaim the necessity of safety training is presumptive and counter to the question. Addressing their question makes for a clearer response. Going off-topic about something that may not be of interest to them (as they may have taken care of the training issue already) is more likely to be ignored by the person asking for something else.

While safety is important, especially for those new to the use of firearms; it is not what the posters are asking about. It is presumptive to assume that they know nothing about firearms safety.

Sometimes it appears we become so obsessed with the ephemeral goal of safety that we lose sight of the purpose of the exercise. Safety is not first. Safety is second. Victory (or success) is first. Jeff Cooper
Click to expand...

Those posting on gun forums are more likely to be seeking knowledge on a specific topic. They also probably have the ability to seek information on training when they want. Once they decide on a gun, they can gather information on training if they have not done so already.
 
G'day from down under

My comments are from the other side of the world to you guys, but I hope you dont mind an outside (alien?) comment or two ;)

Here down under we have to join a club to hold a handgun licence, so most folk get to shoot a few different types and styles of gun then decide what they want, do the safety stuff, wait a probation period (6 months) get signed off for a licence, then you can buy 17 handguns like I have if you so wish.

I would suggest that if someone wants to shoot for any other reason than "self protection", if they want to shoot as a sport (or just plink) it would be of benefeit to them to find a shooting group, or friends that shoot, have a shot in some comps or plink days etc, shoot everything yhey can get there hands on and see what they like ..... and actually see if it is something they want to do for ever, or if they realise it was just a passing fad. No point doing all safety courses and licencing hassles..... if they decide they dont want to continue..... as long as they learn basic safety and gun handling from responsible folk in the beginning.... old habits are hard to break

hope this helps and not seen as an intrusion
 
Some friends were going river tripping in Alaska and I had a little 30-06 carbine on a Mauser I encouraged them to take along.We went off to the toolies for them to get some informal familiarization with the rifle before the trip.River guides brother came along .He had a little .380 Bersa or something.

He pulled it out,and was about to shoot.He must be cool,he bought a gun? I was just watching,no questions asked.
He popped a few rounds,then,in one smooth,cool motion,twirled it like he was trying to impress Doc Holliday.Never mind it was a loaded chamber single action semi-auto with the hammer back.
I'm sure if I had asked him if he needed a safety or familiarization dicussion he would have said "Aw,no,I got it fine,no problem."

Good thing it had a crappy trigger.


If I walk into an indoor range and ask for some range time,I will have to at least read safety and range policy and sign it before I can shoot,and it won't do me any good the tell them how long I have been shooting.

I actually read it before I sign.I don't mind
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top