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youngone

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Hey all,

My name is Ryan and I currently live in New Jersey and am 17. I know guns are a big responsibility and everything along those lines. I currently went a youth day held at a local shooting club. I fired a differnet assortment of guns and thought they were all fun. But I especially enjoyed shooting ski(spelt wrong?)targets. I found it very fun and actually didn't do bad my first time. I am considering purchasing a permit and a 20gauge shot gun.

So my questions are:

Will it be difficult for me to get a permit because I am 18(will be when attempting to purchase it)?

As of now I only want to purchase a 20gauge shot gun because I just want to ski shoot. Do you think I should join a local range or should I stick to free ranges?

Will this be expensive hobby for a kid making 9.50 an hour at an amusement park and dealing with college expenses?*

*I am committed to saving a lot of the money I am making at my amusement park job for the shotgun, ammo, permit fees, fingerprint costs, equipment maintaining the shot gun, and possibly club fees.

Sorry for the big post.:D
 
"skeet" "trap" and sporting clays are the sports, clay pigeons are the target...
I cannot help with the permit info, but if you live at home and don'r party away your money, you are possibly able to afford a few rounds... It takes a skeet club for the most part to shoot skeet or a private piece of land and shooters just "winging it". From what I know, I cannot afford the clay sports. Best of luck...
Brent
 
Well I don't know anything about New Jersey law so I can't help you there, but I can talk about expenses.

You should be able to afford it as long as you spend your money wisely. Getting into shooting doesn't have to be an expensive venture. If you're looking to just get started into shooting I would suggest that you go with a simple and reliable pump gun and wait until later to get fancy. If you can buy used that might save you some money, but buying new can be pretty cheap too. Here is a 20 gauge mossberg for $265 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128772791. Personally I really like Mossberg. They make reliable and affordable guns. I don't think you'll be disappointed with something like this.

Ammo and clays are where most of your money is going to go in the long run. Around my neck of the woods I can get a box of Estate shells for $7 without tax and a box of 90 clays for $10. Right now shotguns are about the only things I can find ammo for so you shouldn't have any trouble finding it for a decent price.

And whether or not you should go to a range or not really depends on where you live. If you've got land around your house that you can safely shoot on, I would encourage you to go ahead and do that. I go out on the logging roads behind my house and have never been a member at a range in my life. Only downside is that if you're by yourself you'll need to throw the clays for yourself. You can buy one of those cheap plastic throwers for <$10 or you can get an mechanical thrower for >$50. In the scheme of things you'll probably be happy that you bought the more expensive thrower, but if you're tight for money its not a necessity and you can wait and save up for it.

If you ever want to do competition you'll need to be a member at a range to properly practice.

Oh and I think you meant "skeet" instead of "ski"

Hope this is some help.
 
Thanks for the response. I already looked at the costs of the permit costs 7 bucks plus 25-50 for a fingerprint id. But would it be cheaper if I shoot a 20gauge on paper targets. <Does a lot of ranges not allow that though?
 
coyote Thanks for the response. I just want to start out simple. Besides that website you listed. Is there any good websites that you can purchase items from. I am thinking of taking a ride to Dicks sporting goods store and checking out their shot guns. And actually I live in a suburban area =(. But theres quite a few local state parks. My dad is actually a law enforcement officer so I could possibly ask him if he can purchase a shot gun and I'll just pay him.

Thanks for all the info.

- Ryan
 
Why are you only looking at 20 ga guns? I love shooting my 20 ga, but if only having one gun, I would look at a 12 ga first.

12 and 20 gauge ammo is roughly the same price. 100 round value packs can be had at Walmart between $22 and $25 depending on the brand. A round of skeet my club is $4.00. If shooting 4 rounds of skeet, you would be into it for for close to $40 between ammo and range fees.

As a starter gun, I would look at either the Remington 870 or the Mossberg 500. Both can be had for reasonable prices and there are lots of them are out there. Often they can be had used for a good price with out a lot of wear. Removable choke tubes is a big plus and adds to the versatility of the gun.
 
dalecooper

thanks for responding. I was only looking at 20 gauges because I figured they would be cheaper. Plus I did SKEET shooting with a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge. And I actually enjoyed the 20 gauge more. It could possibly be because I did a bit better with it. :D

Thanks for the shotgun purchasing tips as well.Wal mart does not sell shotguns in new jersey. But Ik they sell shellls. I'll look into it. I am only 17 1/2 so I have to wait a while unless I get my dad involved with this.
 
For a first gun, the Maverick for $200 or under from walmart will have the 28 inch barrel and Accu-choke threads with a MOD choke installed...
Brent
 
Shooting 20 gauge will not be any cheaper than 12. Usually they're exactly the same price. 12 gauge is more common though and if there was going to be a cheaper shell it would be the 12. Just because the 20 is smaller doesn't mean its less expensive.

http://www.gunbroker.com/
http://www.gunsamerica.com/

These two sites will be your best bets for finding a good shotgun I think. GunBroker has more guns listed and is easier to navigate so you'll probably have better luck there, but GunsAmerica has a decent selection as well. The thing about using the websites is that you've usually got to tack on an extra $50 bucks to the price you won the item for. Roughly $25 for shipping and another $25 for the FFL that you use. Sometimes those costs can be more or less.

Going down to Dick's or Wal-Mart would be a good idea. Last time I went down to our local wally world they had a couple of Mossberg pumps for sale there. And if you're on a budget that's as cheap as you'll be able to find anything.

If you can find something locally I would encourage you to do that. It's most likely going to be cheaper and it will be simpler.

I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to shoot in state parks...... I know I'm not even allowed to have a firearm in a state park in Washington. That is something you should be 100% certain is legal before you try it. Otherwise you may find yourself in a heap of trouble. Seeing as your father is an officer you might be able to use the police range, but that's iffy at best too. I think your best choice is to find a good local range and use that. Just make sure to read all rules before hand and if you have any questions ask someone. Shooting around other people is a huge responsibility and its much better to be open and mark yourself as a novice than to make a mistake and hurt someone. Also be aware that some people you might run into will be complete jerks.

And is there any reason in particular that you want a 20 gauge? Its a great round, but its no cheaper. It's great if you're not a big fan of recoil though.
 
Im not sure where you are in New Jersey, but I live just over the border in Penssylvania off Rt 78. If you are not too far away, you and your father are more than welcome to come try my guns at my club. I have 12 and 20 gauge pump guns, and a 12 ga semi-auto. Club rules say you must be 18 unless accompanied by an adult guardian.
 
Coyote,

Idk the issue with state parks. My friend said he goes to a park. Maybe its a not a State park. Lol. I am definitley going to take a ride to Dicks and check it out. My dad will probably say yes to a police range. But the catch is it would only be every 3 months he would let me do it. I am not complaining but I was hoping to actually shoot atleast once a month. Those websites look cool too, thanks. I think I am just going to stick to a local range.

I liked 20 gauge because there is not as much recoil. LOL I didn't want to admit it but oh well. I am actually a decently big guy. Just would rather have a low recoil gun rather than a high.
 
Btw , (this sounds stupid but w/e)If I go to Dicks and look at gun without a parent. Will I get in trouble. I Just plan on looking at them through the glass case. Will I get kicked out because I am 17 or does that just depend on the worker?
 
lol. Don't worry. People have different tolerances when it comes to recoil. One of my local buddies is a big guy at about 6'4" and cringes at the thought of shooting my 7mm, but my other buddy who is only about 5'5" loves it. Different strokes for different folks. Personally I think 20 gauges are the bees knees. They're just comfortable. And that's important. Especially if you're gonna be doing a lot of shooting all at once.

And no. You can't get in trouble for just looking at the guns. You wouldn't be allowed to pick them up and hold them, but there's nothing wrong with just looking at them. If you were to just walk into a gun store you might get kicked out if you look young and they find out you're under age, but at a wally world or Dick's where its open to the rest of the store you won't have any problem.

P.s. Welcome to the forum :)
 
Personally I think 20 gauges are the bees knees.
Click to expand...

I agree with coyote, and I would definitely go with what you like best. Don't get overly concerned with other's opinions, take them with a grain of salt.

OH, and don't shoot skiers!;):D
 
I got my daughter a charles Daley cheap at Wal-Mart. I know they are not the best, but she is easy on weapons and she shoots skeet in the back yard and the occasional turkey shoot. (Targets and they give the winner a frozen turkey).

I paid $23 for 100 rounds the other day at Wal-Mart. It would be interesting to find out what the ownership laws and regs are in NJ. Anyone know?

Mel
 
Hi Ryan and welcome aboard,

This may sound far fetched. I known a few young men who wanted to get into shooting but were hampered by the costs. Their solution was to get a job at a gun club. If you keep you ears and eyes open, there's a lot to learn without actually shooting. When they shoot, it's with the club's guns and they are given a big discount on ammo and fees.
 
There's a better solution, youngone...

move to Colorado :D We don't need no stinkin' permits! lol! :D:D

I walked into ye olde "Big 5" when I was 18, and I've picked up three long guns from them. Every time I walked in empty handed and walked out with a gun, it was less than a half hour ;)

well.. Hope you have fun shooting- and welcome to the forums ;)
 
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