Hola and Good morning to all my fine, feathered friends out there!
I'm gonna learn ya a method of training and knowledge that I am sure many of you have experienced (from one side or the other) in your life.
Let me qualify this post a bit. First of all, most of us that post on the weapon forums, topics, chats, topics, etc, have, at least, a modicum of experience with said weapons. Perhaps we are enthusiasts, gun owners, ex-military/LE, security, survivalists, etc, etc...
For the rest of you all, you might be too young to own a firearm, your state prohibits you from owning one or another, no access to your own, etc, etc...
Here’s where my advice fits in. If you are looking for a firearm to purchase for yourself, then I whole heartedly recommend going down to your local gun range and TEST SHOOTING a rental gun from their supply. MOST shooting ranges have guns for rent, and usually stock a WIDE variety to choose from. Decide WHY you want to buy a firearm first, then decide WHAT you want said firearm to do for you. Take those answers to the gun range and ASK the guys behind the counter what they recommend. This is a great way to curry favor with the local range safety officers, AND might even net you some discounts on rentals, range fees, and ammo. Gun enthusiasts LOVE to talk and share knowledge about their favorite firearms!
Also, talk to other shooters on the range. Again, THEY LOVE to talk about their guns, experiences, skills, expertise, etc. I've personally had several fellow shooters offer me their firearms to try out while I was there playing with my own. Hell, I've even walked into a strange firing range, and shot all day with other people’s firearms and ammo, just because I was friendly, respectful, and inquisitive as to their toys and knowledge! Didn't cost me anything but a can of soda I bought I for a guy that let me shoot his entire arsenal! Even the range time was on his dime.
I cannot stress this enough. Always, always, try to test shoot a gun that you are looking to buy BEFORE you buy it. There’s nothing worse than buying a gun, taking it to the range or outside your property, popping off several rounds, and deciding that it doesn't feel right, or doesn't match your shooting style. Its the worse feeling ever...I know, I've done this once before many many years ago....
If you have little to ZERO knowledge of firearms, read up on them, then take that "knowledge" and ask the guys at the range about it. Make sure you clear a large chunk of time because some of these good folks can be exceptionally long winded... Be polite and respectful. DO NOT GO INTO A RANGE THINKING YOU KNOW EVERYTHING! Listen carefully to what the folks have to say, ask questions relating to what they are telling you. Praise them for their knowledge, thank them respectfully. This will put you in their good graces, and they will WANT to help you. People will bend over backwards because they want to share their knowledge and passion with others. They'll pay the range fees, offer up their own firearms to use on the range, and even go halves with you on the ammo.
WOMEN! This means YOU! YOU females out there are the kryptonite of all male firearms enthusiasts! We will do ANYTHING to get you into the sport. Being polite, respectful, inquisitive and a tiny bit flirtatious will get you damned near whatever you want. You don't even have to be particularly good looking. The fact that you are a female and in a shooting range at all is well over half the battle! The guys will be getting in each others way to help you! Its free training, advice, experience, and range time....RUN WITH IT!
So, to sum it up. If you are planning to buy a firearm (especially from a private party), test it out first. Rent the gun that you are planning to buy. Buy a box of shells, ask the Range Safety Officer about proper handling of this particular firearm, and shoot it. If it feels right, conforms to your style of shooting, functions well, etc, and then, by all means, pick it up. If not, you spent $25.00 to find out its not for you, instead of $500 to $3000!
For those of you with little to no experience with firearms but want to learn, go to the range and follow my instructions. Be polite, respectful, listen closely, ask questions, and thank them for their time. It may take 2 or 3 visits, but soon, they'll come to recognize you and greet you by name. The regulars there will be happy to split ammo and range costs with ya, while providing their own firearms for you to use.
Just a little food for thought!
