Shooting? Never been, want to try it!?

Question

I live in England and would love to try shooting sometime, but I've never been and am unsure where to start - should I try clay pigeon shooting first? Has anyone been, and if so, do you know what's involved? Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who's answered so far! I have one more thing to add - I've looked up a few clubs nearby, and all the membership forms ask for details of a 'firearms certificate' - is this needed simply if I wanted to join a club full-time, or would I also need one even if I just wanted to go on a day-long course? What exactly is it? And how would I go about obtaining one?

Answer 1

England ?

Let try New England if even that!!

The game afoot.

Answer 2

Congrats on joining the shooting community. Many years of fulfillment, relaxation, and joy follows. The best thing to do before you ever hold a gun is to take some soft of beginners gun safety/safe gun handling course just to get you familiar with the basics. Local gun ranges may provide these classes.

I don't recommend a beginner start with clay pidgeons. You need to become disciplined with gun safety rules. I see too many new-comers on the trap range who swing their guns around all over the place. They don't have it etched into their brain yet to always watch where the muzzle is pointed.

I'd suggest just shooting stationary targets with either a small caliber rifle or light shotgun loads at first. This way you don't have to worry about hitting a moving target. You don't have to rush your shots. You have the time to understand how to use the gun properly and the time to employ all of the safety rules. You'll have lots of fun while building up your knowledge of using firearms. You'll become familiar with gun fit, stance, grip, breathing, etc. Those fundamentals will be fun to learn and it'll help you out. The small caliber weapons won't be too much to handle while trying to learn. Excessive recoil from a large magnum will only distract you, cause you to develope a flinch, and it may discourage you from shooting because of the discomfort.

If you're with an experienced shooter you can go ahead and try hitting clay pidgeons if you're ready. If you can get a range all to yourself that would be best so you can focus on learning how to do it and not holding other people up (some people are not very patient).

Answer 3

I can't answer this question in any detail, but I want to mention that if you ever visit the USA, try visiting a gun shop that has a gun range. Gun shops are common (you might have heard), and many have ranges, just use the yellow pages. Many gun shops with gun ranges rent guns so you can try them out. The selection at an American gun range is usually world-class. You are very limited in what you can shoot over there in Jolly Old England. Many shops are helpful if you are new to shooting. Most ranges around here (Chicagoland) charge $15 to use the range and about $5-$10 each to rent guns while you are on the range, plus ammo costs (centerfire target grade pistol ammo runs $8-$20 per box of 50).

If you visit Las Vegas, you *must* visit one of the following stores:

The Gun Store http://www.thegunstorelasvegas.com/rental.htm
Las Vegas Gun Range http://www.lasvegasgunrange.net/overview.html
Discount Firearms http://www.discountfirearmsinc.com/Rentals.htm

These shops all rent full auto weapons in addition to pistols and carbines. Shooting an MP-5 or AR-15 is a blast and you deserve to try it out.

Check out the hotties shooting at Las Vegas Gun Range. I wish I was there right now:

http://www.lasvegasgunrange.net/shooters.html

Answer 4

I know there are many shooting clubs there in the UK. Contact a few in your area and find out who has open days for new shooters. As a rule, folks that shoot for sport are very friendly and open to giving novices an introduction lesson. Look on the web for clubs as well.

Shooting is great recreation and a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Answer 5

Well I don't have my license. but my boyfriend does and I've been out with him a few times. The first time I shot was Clay Pigeons it was hard but fun and then we went to a gun range and shot. We are actually getting me a license to carry and getting me a small gun so I can shot my own when we go out. If you know of any one else that shot I would say to go along with them first! Try it out before you go and spend money!

Answer 6

I would start at a gun range first and then move on to mobile objects (clay pigeons)

Answer 7

Try my blog, its called Just Hafta Shoot!
http://profiles.yahoo.com/[e-mail]

Answer 8

no clay pigions. virtually impossible to shoot with anything but a shotgun unless you are a master shooter. just try silouette shooting(paper), thats how i started off

Answer 9

Come to Arkansas. I'll give you lessons.

Miketyson26