First handgun & gun range experience

[ConstantChange]

I went to the indoor gun range for the first time as well as shot a handgun for the first time today. Overall, it was a good time.

The range itself seemed fine. It was more relaxed than I expected. Our room had 5 or 6 lanes. After reading their rules, I expected a member of the staff to be in each room to monitor things, but nobody was. The 2 seconds between each shot rule was not enforced either. A lot of "trust" is involved, but we never had any issues with people not keeping the guns pointed down range.

We shot the following guns...
Rugar Mark III .22
Sig Sauer Mosquito .22
Unknown 9mm

Things I took away...
I 100% agree that a beginner should learn on a .22. The 9mm doesn't have a lot of kick, but the sound and recoil is enough to be a factor to some users.

A LOT of people seem to have no training and just point the gun and shoot. They don't really have a form. Their feet, arms, hands, etc... vary from shot to shot. To me, it's like shooting a free throw. I try to keep everything the same each and every time.

I need to either take a class or get training from someone. Nobody showed me anything, I was just trying to go off the YouTube videos I watched in regards to hand placement, arm position, etc...

All my shots with the .22 were in a pretty tight grouping, but it took me several magazines to get dialed in. For example, one magazine I was always low.

Each gun is significantly different. The trigger on the Rugar was a lot different than the trigger on the Sig.

Finally, beyond about 15-20 yards, most people can't shoot worth a piss (with 9mm and up). A casual user has a better chance throwing the gun at the target than getting a good shot off.


It was a good learning experience. I learned a lot.

[Jeff '79]

No kick, but has recoil ? What does that mean ?...Cool that you checked out a few guns...:seasix:

[lspencer534]

No kick, but has recoil ? What does that mean ?...Cool that you checked out a few guns...:seasix:

Maybe he had a good grip/strong arms so that between the .22 and the 9mm he felt it a bit more.

[ConstantChange]

No kick, but has recoil ? What does that mean ?...Cool that you checked out a few guns...:seasix:

To me, the 9mm has more kick/recoil than the .22, but it's not a big factor. I'm 6'0, 245lbs and have been hitting the weights for 16+ years. I'm guessing my grip and forearm strength is above average. A smaller person might have more of an issue with the 9mm.

Neither should have an issue with the .22, so I think it's a good beginner gun.

[ConstantChange]

Maybe he had a good grip/strong arms so that between the .22 and the 9mm he felt it a bit more.

:iagree:

[Chris Fowler]

Before I went for the first time I paid $100 for a 2 hour class where we spent about an hour in the classroom talking about gun safety, parts of the gun and learning a few of the most common stances.

We then went to the range and worked through getting familiar with actually using the gun and stances.

This was a 1-on-1 class.

I had my wife do it the next week.

Was definitely worth it.

[Mike Mercury]

Our room had 5 or 6 lanes. After reading their rules, I expected a member of the staff to be in each room to monitor things, but nobody was.

interesting. At our local indoor range; there's a shooting observer in each area.

The 2 seconds between each shot rule was not enforced either.
I've never been in an indoor range with that type of rule. Although I've known of a two "shot" rule; no more than two shots rapidly fired in a row.


A LOT of people seem to have no training and just point the gun and shoot. They don't really have a form. Their feet, arms, hands, etc... vary from shot to shot. To me, it's like shooting a free throw. I try to keep everything the same each and every time.

I too have a learned "stance" when target shooting. But if I'm shooting my CCW weapon... I practice not being in the same exact stance everytime; I'm practicing for real-world scenarios one might encounter in a CCW situation. For CCW practice, you pull the trigger as soon as you find mass. You are not trying to add up points - as when throwing darts.



Finally, beyond about 15-20 yards, most people can't shoot worth a piss (with 9mm and up). A casual user has a better chance throwing the gun at the target than getting a good shot off.

If you're there solely for CCW practice; 15-20 yards is as far as you'd need. Again, it depends on the type of weapon being shot... and what its intended purpose is.

[BADRACR1]

I too have a learned "stance" when target shooting. But if I'm shooting my CCW weapon... I practice not being in the same exact stance everytime; I'm practicing for real-world scenarios one might encounter in a CCW situation. For CCW practice, you pull the trigger as soon as you find mass. You are not trying to add up points - as when throwing darts.



If you're there solely for CCW practice; 15-20 yards is as far as you'd need. Again, it depends on the type of weapon being shot... and what its intended purpose is.

Last time we went to the range I was practicing the "quick draw and fire" from the holster with each of the three pistols I had brought. My son was down a few tables, and the guys he was talking to asked him why I was doing that. He told them because in most cases the target won't pose for you!:dance:

I always practice at the 10 and 15 yard targets for that reason. Farther than that and it's gonna be hard to claim self-defense.

[BADRACR1]

I have a Mosquito also. I always start noobs with this one. Almost no recoil, very accurate, and full sized frame for ease of use. It is a very good beginner pistol.:seasix:

[Nox]

If you decide you are going to take up shooting regularly, make sure you get instruction on proper form and shooting techniques first. It's a lot easier to learn proper shooting techniques at the outset than to re-train you after you've been shooting for awhile. You'd be surprised. I come across people who have been shooting for many years and with their bad form, they can't hit squat. It's really hard to teach them anything either-- they know better, they've been shooting for years they say. I say, yeah, "you've been shooting like crap for years." :cert:

[mike100]

... After reading their rules, I expected a member of the staff to be in each room to monitor things, but nobody was. ...

1) they don't need extra exposure to lead (they wear a suit when they sweep the place at night).
2) You can't get shot if you aren't in there.

[ConstantChange]

On the rule sheet that I had to read beforehand, it mentioned the "range marshal" or whatever term they used would be in the room and monitor several actions. If you ever had a question, you could lay the firearm down on the counter and the guy would come over to assist.

Just curious what was normal.

[C5Nate]

Went shooting at the local Bass Pro shop today.

4 lanes with no range marshal.

Clicked off several 8-9 rapid fires, stayed in mass. No quick draws since there was a table in front of us.

Of the 4 lanes, there were gals (with their guys or dads) in every lane but ours. One did the hot brass down the clevage dance.

After 90 minutes, we checked out and he said, thanks for cleaning up all your brass and the guy's next to you brass after he left it a mess. No charge.

Good day at the range. :cert:

[Mike Mercury]

in most cases the target won't pose for you!

I always practice at the 10 and 15 yard targets for that reason. Farther than that and it's gonna be hard to claim self-defense.

http://www.tim-yvonne.com/gif/bell1.gif

[Sea Six]

If you decide you are going to take up shooting regularly, make sure you get instruction on proper form and shooting techniques first. It's a lot easier to learn proper shooting techniques at the outset than to re-train you after you've been shooting for awhile. You'd be surprised. I come across people who have been shooting for many years and with their bad form, they can't hit squat. It's really hard to teach them anything either-- they know better, they've been shooting for years they say. I say, yeah, "you've been shooting like crap for years." :cert:

This.

Re: my first response in the OP's other thread.

CC, you need an experienced shooter with you, or you will have so many bad habits you'll never be able to break them all. :)

[1911fool]

This.

Re: my first response in the OP's other thread.

CC, you need an experienced shooter with you, or you will have so many bad habits you'll never be able to break them all. :)

I agree, CC, let me know and we'll meet up at H&H sometime or some other range.

[ConstantChange]

I agree, CC, let me know and we'll meet up at H&H sometime or some other range.

Cool. That is where I was today. :seasix: