Went shooting for the first time today - Page 2

oniman7 · #21 01-21-2013, 03:33 PM

My parents made us attend this class (not that there were any objections) for safety. We get to decide now if we want to be involved with guns more than that.

Every since I got my airsoft gun, I've followed the "laser rule"

oniman7 · #22 01-21-2013, 07:22 PM

By the way, anyone have any suggestions for a decent rifle to get into shooting? I have a small frame and no experience with rifles (although my dad wants to get a 12 gauge shotgun for the house and teach us to use it).

Something accurate, available, easy to handle, and cheap for both the weapon and ammo. I don't hunt so I don't need it to take down a buck, and it wouldn't be a home defense weapon. Just sport. Also, being cross-dominate, one of the local authorities in my area suggests that people under 20 learn to use the weak arm rather than the weak eye, so something easy to shoot ambidextrous is a bonus.

Right now I'm looking at a Ruger 10-22 or Smith & Wesson MP 15-22. I do hear the .22 LR is very hard to find right now. I'm also considering a surplus rifle such as the Mosin-Nagant, 98K, K31, etc. but I don't know about managing a round that large. An M1 Carbine would be something I'd really like to fire but money is an issue. Anyways, just some conversation.

Floyd Eye · #23 01-21-2013, 07:28 PM

The Ruger 10-22 is an excellent choice.

Staredge · #24 01-21-2013, 08:15 PM

My first rule: clear ALL guns when you first touch them. NO EXCEPTIONS. Doesn't matter that your best friend just cleared it in front of you....do it yourself. Make it a habit that you can't break.

I have a Remington 572 pump .22 that I absolutely love.

Great little gun. I have mine scoped. Fair little tack driver, for being a pump.

If I was in the market for another .22, the Ruger would be high on my list. Great gun, and a great platform for mods. Nice thing about .22s are that they're cheap fun. Brick of 500 rounds isn't that expensive, nor is it all that heavy. Short of repetitive stress to your trigger finger, there isn't any pain.

oniman7 · #25 01-21-2013, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staredge

My first rule: clear ALL guns when you first touch them. NO EXCEPTIONS. Doesn't matter that your best friend just cleared it in front of you....do it yourself. Make it a habit that you can't break.

I have a Remington 572 pump .22 that I absolutely love.

Great little gun. I have mine scoped. Fair little tack driver, for being a pump.

If I was in the market for another .22, the Ruger would be high on my list. Great gun, and a great platform for mods. Nice thing about .22s are that they're cheap fun. Brick of 500 rounds isn't that expensive, nor is it all that heavy. Short of repetitive stress to your trigger finger, there isn't any pain.

There are many things that are attractive about a .22, and the low recoil and low cost is one of them.

However, around here we're out of everything. You can't find .22, .223, .380, 9mm, .45, etc. You can pay $40 for a box of 20 30-06 (although I don't know if that's normal) and you can find rounds like .243 and .273 at higher prices. So, no 500 round brick shooting unless I buy from someone's secret hoard somewhere.

SBsoundguy · #26 01-21-2013, 08:32 PM

You can still find .17hmr but not too many rifles are made for this round.

Floyd Eye · #27 01-21-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

You can still find .17hmr but not too many rifles are made for this round.

Henry makes an awesome lever action .17.

ADbassman · #28 01-21-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oniman7

My dad was a certified expert marksman in the navy with a .45, M14, and 12 gauge slug as well as other general certifications.

Hey, me too.

oniman7 · #29 01-21-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADbassman

Hey, me too.

That's pretty cool. You also were or your dad also was?

two fingers · #30 01-21-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

Fun, addictive, and expensive.

Good luck with that .40. That's a punishing caliber to shoot.

.45 ACP is my favorite.

I'm with you except for the .40. That thing is flat and fast! And it's a blast to shoot for me. My main passenger seat gun is a .40. I have shot that thing so many times I know when it's in a bad mood!

OP, I'm cross dominant as well (right hand, left eye). It's all in the stance. I pull my right shoulder back just a little and it lines things right up (oversimplified but you get it). It's not the "correct" stance for those who are one-sided, but it gets the job done.

Shoulder arms is another matter. I had to train with my right eye. After some time it works fine though. Maybe try to train with something cheap like a .22 and work up when you get it figured out. I tried the left shoulder and it never felt even close to "right". My arms just don't aim that way.

Enjoy!

ADbassman · #31 01-21-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oniman7

That's pretty cool. You also were or your dad also was?

I am, currently.

oniman7 · #32 01-21-2013, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADbassman

I am, currently.

Congratulations! Those are pretty high marks.

oniman7 · #33 01-21-2013, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two fingers

I'm with you except for the .40. That thing is flat and fast! And it's a blast to shoot for me. My main passenger seat gun is a .40. I have shot that thing so many times I know when it's in a bad mood!

OP, I'm cross dominant as well (right hand, left eye). It's all in the stance. I pull my right shoulder back just a little and it lines things right up (oversimplified but you get it). It's not the "correct" stance for those who are one-sided, but it gets the job done.

Shoulder arms is another matter. I had to train with my right eye. After some time it works fine though. Maybe try to train with something cheap like a .22 and work up when you get it figured out. I tried the left shoulder and it never felt even close to "right". My arms just don't aim that way.

Enjoy!

Thanks for your input. I have astigmatism in both eyes but my right eye has something like a 50 degree deformity and my vision in that eye is 20/60. I haven't had new glasses in almost 2 years, so that probably doesn't help. I think my left eye naturally took over as the strong one. They are both on even ground with glasses so I may be able to train my right eye. I'll also try the left arm but even thinking about it feels uncomfortable.

ShredderMaximus · #34 01-21-2013, 10:06 PM

Few months ago I got to do some shooting down in Louisiana with some AR-15's, 270, a 20 and 12 gauge shotgun, and a .45 S&W, and I had a blast. I had no experience really other than always having a pellet gun as a kid and shooting my Uncles 9mm pistol and his .22 rifle a few years back which hardly compares to shooting those AR-15's or the 270 (my stepdad split his head wide open taking his first shot with that 270 and getting a scope in the face, that sucker really kicks!) but I've had to convince myself everyday since that trip to Louisiana that I really don't need a gun, yet.

::EDIT:: Got my guns mixed up

paparoof · #35 01-21-2013, 10:10 PM

The boy (13) and I just went to the range tonight. We shot a Ruger .45 and he handled it just fine.

I highly recommend a .22 rifle for a first gun. Cheap way to get into shooting, and you can still take plenty of small game with 'em if you decide to hunt. Squirrel and rabbits are delicious!

Exxcell · #36 01-21-2013, 10:26 PM

When I was younger my dad had a friend who was ex-navy seal and also worked for the OK Highway Patrol at the time.

He had an awesome array of weapons.

We would go out every so often and get to shoot.
Shot off AK's, AR-15's, a couple high powered rifles that I can't remember the names of, and even got to shoot a Barrett 50 Cal. through a car!! That was f****** awesome. Although it hurt like a SOB. Got to see a couple other cool things to.

Guns are sweet, I'm just not into them, but I'll never pass up a chance to waste someone's ammo.

I also remember the day I got to shoot the family cow right between the eyes with a .30-30. Life changing moment. It was pretty cool for a 13 yr old.

PWRL · #37 01-21-2013, 10:46 PM

First gun, I'd go Ruger .22 as well. And being a Ruger, if you take care of it, you'll have it forever.

Webtroll · #38 01-22-2013, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt. Rock

"Punishing" is a matter of perspective. I've yet to shoot a handgun round that I would describe that way.

Many conceal & carry guns are very light and can have a bigger kick than their larger peers.

sloasdaylight · #39 01-22-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webtroll

Many conceal & carry guns are very light and can have a bigger kick than their larger peers.

True, but the .40 S&W still really isn't a punishing round, regardless of the platform you're firing it from. The .50 AE and the .460 S&W on the other hand... those make a lot of people think twice before pulling the trigger again.

**Unprofessional** · #40 01-22-2013, 09:03 AM

[quote=ShredderMaximus;13756581]... (my stepdad split his head wide open taking his first shot with that 270 and getting a scope in the face, that sucker really kicks!) ... /QUOTE]

From a .270? My .270's no recoil monster. Somebody must have had that scope way back in the mounting rings or he didn't have the butt firmly seated into the shoulder. Sorry he got smacked.

It's good to see a positive thread about shooting anywhere. You wouldn't believe the number of people who think a gun is some kind of demonically possessed thing that's gonna jump up off the table and hurt/kill you. A gun is exactly like a chainsaw, a piece of machinery that can hurt you or others if you don't handle it properly and with respect.