Where is the best place to learn how to shoot a gun?

Question

I would like to learn how to shoot a weapon and don't know where to start. Should I contact the local police department or a shooting range? What would be the best type of gun to start with - a handgun or a rifle? I would like to learn for hunting purposes and for home security. I recently moved toTX, so any rules/laws, and any other help would be appreciated. Thanks.

SERIOUS answers only. I don't want your stupid answers.

Answer 1

Talk to gun dealers. I got my first shotgun when I was 11 years old and my gun and shooting hobby took off from there. My dad taught me how to hunt and I got a gun. I fell in love with and hunting and guns. I've learned a lot by talking to my local gun dealers. Your best gun to start shooting is a small caliber rifle such as a .22LR and for a shotgun a 20ga started me off. Handguns are different. There are a lot of people who hate handguns these days but when used correctly they can be fun to shoot and good hunting weapons. But the best place to start is with a low powered rifle and shotgun. When it comes to hunting it all depends on what you are hunting. This is where it is handy to have some one experienced with hunting and guns. You always want to make a good clean kill and try not to waste any meat on the game. When it comes to having a home defense gun the best all around close up gun is a 12ga shotgun. Usually a pump action is the best. Thats what I have. I got a New England Fire Arms Pardner pump action 12ga through my dealer for only $159 very reasonable and is build like the world ranouned Remington 870 except about $200 less. It has a 18.5 inch barrel and a 3inch chamber. Holds 6 rounds and I keep it loaded with OO buck shot world clear the hall way if needed. The other thing is if you have other people in your house. Take this fact into consider ration. If you were to have a handgun or rifle for a home defense gun one of these would go through a wall a lot easier than a shotgun. Now think about shooting. it is hard to shoot a rifle or handgun with standard sights at night. Also there is only ONE projectile verses a shotgun can have any where from one slug up to hundreds of small pellets. Also back to the fact of other people in the house lets say you have a standard 9MM with a flash light and laser on it. You may think you are going to kick some serious "A" with it. But you are never ready for someone breaking in your house at night when you are asleep. So this is why a shotgun best. If you take your 9MM and you see the person who breaks in to your house has a gun to. At close range you a looking at a knife or a handgun. Now it boils down to who will be the fastest. Shoot first so you won't get shot. Now you have your 9MM you shoot and miss. The bullet goes through a wall and you do not know who or what is behind it in that room. It could be something valueable like Grandma's dishes or worst a human being. Now think if you have a shotgun. One shot would get the job done safly with little aiming involved. The excess pellets that do not hit the attacker go in the wall no through it! You are also able to get no lethal shot shells such as buck shot with plastic pellets. The is if you want to dis arm the attacker with out harmimg them seriously. There is a lot to learn about guns. There is a lot of info on the web and there are lots of gun experts and dealers accross America who are glad to give you advise on these topics.

Answer 2

I am not a Texas resident but I'll give you some advise.

Go to some Gun Shows, Gun shops..Gander Mt., *****, etc. at the stores you should find a cork-board near the entrance that may have some business cards pinned-up on what you are looking for. At the Gun Show there are usually some booths/tables set up with a rep. trying to get you signed up for firearm training classes. Plus you'll get to see and handle countless firearms with is the next part of your question.

It is hard to have a "1 GUN DOES ALL" and in your case...Hunting and Personal Home Defense. Because you sound like a novice I will make this recommendation. Home & Personal defense hand gun...GLOCK's G23 or G27, they both shoot the S&W 40 cal. And by the way I own 3 Glocks and I love them, they are the choice of more Government agencies around the Globe then any other firearm manufacture. What would like to hunt, a Ruger 22LR like the 10/22 is the most popular 22 rifle on the U.S. market. A great choice for Target/Plinking & small game. Stepping up the scale, a 223 in a bolt action for Target & Varmints. Deer sized game take a good look at a 308 or 7mm-08.

I hope this was helpful in your search, good luck.

Answer 3

Its best to start with a .22 rifle to get the feel of shooting, Then slowly move up to larger calibers. Best thing to do would be get in contact with a local gun range and explain you want to learn to use a firearm the correct way for hunting and home defense and ask if there is anyone they know of that would be willing to teach you. Or Find a boyfriend or something like that who hunts to teach you.

Im from Texas also. Welcome.

Answer 4

I would ask at a reputable gun store, they will take a pride in gun ownership and advise you of a suitable range.
I found that most ranges would also let you try different weopons so that by the time you come to buy, you know pretty much what suits YOU.
Best of luck, you are going on a fascinating journey, relax and enjoy.
P.S. ignore the idiots.

Answer 5

Stacy,

I'd recommend a couple of things.

Take a hunter safety course. Also, go to the gun range and take a CCW pistol course.

Truthfully the best home protection is a 12 gauge shotgun, you can also use it for bird hunting..

Answer 6

to start out, shoot a .22 rifle. i am 13 and i started out on a .22. the .22 is very low on recoil and it is inexpensI've to shoot. start out shooting using open sites. then, as you get better, go for a scope. my grandfather has 2 .22's and ive shot both of them at targets as well as groundhogs and one skunk. if you think you can handle the recoil, go to a gun store and buy a used .25/06 to hunt deer with its recoil is very tolerable and it will take down deer 200 yds away. if you want to hunt small game, upland, waterfowl or turkey, i would recommend a 20 gauge. the recoil isn't that bad, and it will still get the job done. if you aren't afraid of the recoil, go to a 12 gauge for small game, upland, waterfowl, and turkey.
for home defense, start shooting a .22 pistol to practice keeping your arm steady. then go and get a .38 or a .40 they are both good home defense weapons.

live in western PA, and damn proud of it <((((><

Answer 7

Gun Clubs, Rifle and pistol ranges, Sportsman's Club, Trap and Skeet Clubs*... 12 gauge or 20 gauge shotgun for Hunting and home security> 30-06 caliber for hunting*... 22 caliber long rifle for plinking and target shooting*... 357 Magnum for home defense because you can shoot 38 caliber ammo in it also, you get two(2*) guns in one*.... 22 caliber pistol for plinking and target shooting*... Buy used firearms and save $$$$$$**....Let the other person pay the new price*... I buy all my firearms used, all Twenty-two(22*) of them rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers with no REGRETS**...

Answer 8

Shooting on gun shooting ranges is an ideal thing.
Shooting is a sport that almost every family member can enjoy together. It is also a sport that boys and girls, or men and women, can participate in together. You will surely enjoy your time.

Answer 9

My back yard, but since you are in Texas ask your friends who have guns to teach you or go to a local gun store and ask them to recommend someone to go to for a class.
I think it would be best to start with a bolt action .22 rifle, but any gun is ok as long as you are careful and it doesn't kick too much for you to handle while you are learning.

Answer 10

The best place to learn to shoot is the marines.However that isn't available to most people,so if you know police officer personally,they might help you.If not,go to the rod and gun club