Ok Stiletto, et al. I'm going to the range this weekend with my uncle. He's a police chief and he's going to let me learn to shoot some of their weapons. I'll be firing some rifles and handguns. I have only fired a shotgun before, and even that was really informal and in a backyard. I want to know some gun safety tips. I know not to put my finger on the trigger until I'm ready to shoot. Do I keep the safety on until I'm aiming at the target? (I'd assume)

Tell me some of the other n00b gun-shooter tips and tricks so I don't make a total ass of myself and/or shoot someone else.

(OB, if there's another one of these threads, plz 2 bttt it and lock this, I searched though)

11/17/2006 8:13:04 AM

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-32,GGLJ:en&q=gun+safety

google ftw

11/17/2006 8:25:52 AM

Do you know what kind of guns you will be shooting, it would be very helpful to know this, that way you could look up online how to load/unload and operate them.

But some universal gun range tips:
- When cease fire comes, have the gun unloaded, magazine out and bolt open, don't touch the gun during cease fire (you will of course need to know how to do all of these)
- You can use your safety, but the best one is just not placing your finger on the trigger until you are on target
- Always obey the Range Safety Officer
- Don't take the gun (loaded or not) off the range line/bench unless its packed up.
- Lastly you may want to google some tips on how to properly aim rifles and handguns

11/17/2006 8:38:59 AM

well there is no problem at all with asking Q's.

id say you are better off asking you uncle how to shoot a gun. im sure they will give you some sort of safety sheet.

11/17/2006 8:45:33 AM

Ok, thanks guys. I guess at this point I should explain a little better.

When I say "range," I don't mean one with range officers on duty. It will just be me and my uncle. It is also an outdoor range, if that matters at all.

I'll be shooting a glock, for sure, because that's his duty weapon and then he said he'd scrounge up some of their other weapons to shoot.

I think he said AR-16, but I really have no idea about guns--hence why I'm trying to learn.

11/17/2006 8:57:52 AM

best thing is to just go ahead and say you don't know much about guns. Its better to be safe and learn about the weapon before you use it. Using a weapon wrong or in a dangerous matter is worse than asking for help.

11/17/2006 9:01:50 AM

Treat every gun as if it is loaded at all times. "Empty" guns are the ones that kill people in accidents.

Watch your muzzle. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction, away from anything you aern't willing to kill/destroy. Never even "sweep" your gun's muzzle in the general direction of people and/or other things you don't intend to shoot.

Keep action/bolt/chamber open (if possible) and safety on until ready to fire.

Have someone completely familiarize you with each weapon, it's operation, safety switches (if present), features, and proper handling before you begin shooting.

If you follow these few rules (THE most important one is to watch your muzzle), then you will be fine.

[Edited on November 17, 2006 at 9:07 AM. Reason : /]

11/17/2006 9:06:11 AM

Quote :

"there is no problem at all with asking Q's."

FTW. Some of you people don't think. Its better to ask questions then look like a dumbass know-it-all, especially when it comes to something like this.

11/17/2006 9:26:22 AM

When you aim, focus on the front sight, not the target.

When shooting a handgun, most the grip comes from your non-trigger hand (this will reduce shaking). The hand squeezing the trigger is mainly just for that.

11/17/2006 9:51:25 AM

Thanks guys. I will not only possibly hit a target now, but I don't think I will kill any civilians either.

11/17/2006 10:00:14 AM

Quote :

"Gun Nuts "

bgmims

11/17/2006 10:59:26 AM

What? I obviously didn't mean that as an insult.

11/17/2006 11:15:05 AM

why don't you just ask your uncle? unless you have something to prove to him.

11/17/2006 11:36:36 AM

^^ Oh, okay. When drawing the weapon out the holster, always keep you index finger pointed outward. You don't want to accidentally grab the trigger while you're pulling at the weapon. Make sure downrange is clear, which shouldn't be a problem. And even though I have a lot of range experience, I never act like a know-it-all at a range. I follow ALL instructions to the letter, and I handle the weapon with the respect that it deserves.

When holding the weapon, it's best to always keep it pointed downrange. Since you are using a pistol, there are generally two safe position while on the range: (1) the pistol is in the holster and the safety is on, and (2) you are holding the pistol in front of you with both hands at waist level. The weapon should be pointed at the ground approximately seven feet in front of you.

Your uncle will help you with loading. Ask him about that.

Trigger
Let's talk about accuracy. Remember, trigger pull is higher on a pistol than a rifle. With a rifle, you want just the tip of your finger on the trigger so as not to affect the shot. With a pistol, you want to wrap your finger around the trigger to pull smoothly. With either weapon, DO NOT ANTICIPATE THE SHOT! You will start shaking and affect your aim. Once you have your sight picture, the shot should come almost as a surprise

Stance
You should probably use an Isosceles to begin with. It's solid and simple.



There is also the Weaver.



And the Modified Weaver.



If someone were to be firing at you, the Weaver stances would give you a smaller silhouette. Once you have some experience, the Weaver stances will probably feel more natural.

Breathing
Breathe slow and steady. DO NOT hold your breath! You should fire as you exhale. Breathe in naturally, exhale slowly, good sight picture--FIRE!

Sight picture
Focus on the front sight first. Get that sight in focus and then place it center mass on the target. Once you have that picture, let the front sight go fuzzy and focus on the rear sight--FIRE! In addition, if you look at the target for more five seconds without firing, stop. Start the sighting process over--unless you're a sniper with a scope, you should only look at the target for approximately three seconds.

Two more things: elevation and windage. Elevation is up and down; windage is side to side. If your shots are hitting above or below center mass, it's probably your breathing. If your shots are hitting left or right of center mass, it's probably your trigger squeeze--pulling the weapon one way of the other.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Good shootin'.

11/17/2006 12:25:48 PM

Thanks a lot
So is the trigger finger usually on the left hand?

Quote :

"why don't you just ask your uncle? unless you have something to prove to him."

Because he's not here right now and I'm trying to burn some time at work.

11/17/2006 12:30:49 PM

Be safe (follow the four safety rules) and have fun. To save you frustration, ask him to show and demonstrate necessary controls on each firearm (i.e. safety, magazine release, slide stop, cylinder release, decocker, etc.) so you don't stand there trying to figure out what does what. But be careful, shooting and owning firearms can be an addicting and sometimes expensive habit. Also you may meet some of the coolest and down-to-earth people because of it. Make sure to give us a range report afterwards.

http://www.thefiringline.com/Misc/safetyrules.html

11/17/2006 2:47:49 PM

be sure to always keep the safety on on that glock, those things will go off easy

11/17/2006 7:56:40 PM

^^^
Trigger finger is on whichever hand is your dominant hand, because that'll be your main grip hand. The person in those pictures looks like he's a lefty.

Trigger control:


Until you have the target in your sights, and/or you're actually about to take your shot, keep your finger outside of the trigger guard, and preferably either along the receiver or tucked under the trigger guard.

[Edited on November 17, 2006 at 9:10 PM. Reason : .]

11/17/2006 9:07:12 PM

hey hooksaw,

don't forget the Massad Ayoub stance!

(prob not for the beginner, though...and not for me either)

11/17/2006 9:25:37 PM

^^ Damn! I didn't think he was serious about not knowing which finger to use.

^ I seem to recall the name from one of my defense tactics courses. But I am unfamiliar with the stance. There are many other stances, though: quick draw, shoulder point, barricade, and the old FBI one--you hold your wrist for support; it's not very good. And then there's the prone position, which means the shooter is lying down, of course.

Are you talking about the stance in which you hold the weapon very close to your face to get a sight picture? Mainly used in close-quarters combat?

11/17/2006 10:07:08 PM

Mas Ayoob always makes for interesting reading, but he's probably left off of the beginner's list.

11/18/2006 12:28:44 AM

send your uncle down range to test out the effectiveness of his bulletproof vest

11/18/2006 7:48:26 AM

Ok, I'm going tomorrow as long as the weather is good (and it is supposed to be)

I'm going to be firing his standard issue glock and an AR-15. I thought it was an AR-16, but it isn't. I'll let you know how it goes.

11/18/2006 9:15:57 AM

The M16/GAU-5 is the military type classification (the Air Force calls their particular variant the GAU-5) of the Armalite Rifle, Model 15 (AR-15).

11/18/2006 11:49:06 PM

Standard carry:
Mag in the well
1 in the chamber
safety off
double action
2 full mags on the belt

11/19/2006 7:29:40 AM

show a pic of this abib stance

11/19/2006 7:33:41 AM

Ok, I'm back. Your tips helped me pretty well as far as no one looking at me funny. There were several people out there today, although its usually empty.

I fired an AR-15 at a target that was 50 yards away. I'll say that shooting shit in video games is MUCH easier, lol

I hit the target several times, but not consistently, so I have a lot of work to do.

I also shot two glocks, a .45 and a 9 mm. I sucked hard with both of them, and wouldn't have hit anyone unless they were pretty damned close. The .45 was fine, but kicked pretty hard and the 9 mm didn't kick, but it ejected the casing back at me (even though it ejected it from the right) and hit me a few times, which didn't hurt, but was annoying.

Thanks for you help.

11/19/2006 4:10:55 PM

Quote :

"but it ejected the casing back at me"

Sucks when one gets caught between your collar and neck.

11/21/2006 12:06:55 AM

helps to wear a ball cap.
along with your "eyes" and "ears" protection.

11/21/2006 12:18:04 AM

Quote :

"I'll say that shooting shit in video games is MUCH easier, lol "

Get some trigger time in. Soon you'll be like the rest of us, constantly bitching about how you totally could have made that shot in real life with that gun.

Oh, and AK47S WITH LEFT-SIDE CHARGING HANDLES AND EJECTION PORTS LOLOLOLOLOL

11/21/2006 12:46:45 AM

i'm left handed, gun shopping is a longer process for me

11/21/2006 1:09:46 AM

Lefty gun shopping isn't quite the big deal it's made out to be. It is harder on predominantly right handed guns, such as SIGs, however. Glock, Steyr, HK, and XDs are ambidexterous, for the most part.

The hard part is getting a hand on and some gun time on all those to find out which is the best fit.

11/21/2006 1:31:48 AM

^^^ that would weird me the fuck out

11/21/2006 10:32:23 AM