Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and wanted to first say that from reading a lot of the newbie threads and faqs I feel more confident about many things being new to firearms.
I recently renewed my pistol license and finally settled into a new firearms one on one class which was much better for me than a group setting. My instructor really helped me feel much more comfortable than I had been before when I first took the basic firearms course to qualify for my license. After working extensively with the SIRT Training Pistol, I finally felt comfortable enough to work with the real thing. I went to a firing range for the first time in my life a few weeks ago and fired four different guns that my instructor brought along:
22LR (Ruger MK3)
9mm (Glock 17)
38 Spl Revolver (S&W 686)
45ACP (1911)
He said these would be good introductory guns to fire for my first time and give me an idea of different calibers and recoil.
The Ruger Mk3 was the first gun I fired and it was an easy feel. My groupings were really good and I felt pretty confident holding it and firing it. The second was the S&W. Revolvers scare the crap out of me - I am not sure why honestly - I think the size and kind of "open aspect" to the design. Firing the S&W was difficult. I don't have a lot of arm or hand strength at all and the gun felt huge and unstable in my hand. I was gripping quite hard. The third was the Glock 17 which I think is the gun I hear most about when people talk about guns. It was a scary gun to fire and I can't say why. I did fairly well with that grouping on the target as well but I really became fatigued. The 1911 was a nice feel but the recoil was so unexpected and it was quite loud as well. It was the last gun I fired and I believe my arm and hand was quite fatigued by then. I couldn't fire more than a couple of rounds before needing to stop.
My instructor was really pleased with what I did. Looking at the targets I brought home I am surprised as well. He recommended I spend more time at the range and really getting more comfortable but he seemed very confident that it wouldn't be long before I might consider purchasing my own firearm based on my skill of shooting and class testing. I know there are many more types of guns out there and the range I went to did have a variety of rentals available. While the idea of going back there by myself intimidates the hell out of me, I would like to continue practicing to get more confident with firearms. I am not sure where to begin since I really don't know much about the types of guns ... should I just pick one and try it? The folks at the gun range are ... hmmm ... less than friendly or approachable and I didn't want to hound them with questions so I thought I might ask here ...
Are there any recommendations people have for someone like me who is new to shooting? What kinds of guns should I try?
Thank you all for your time.
Elaine
I recently renewed my pistol license and finally settled into a new firearms one on one class which was much better for me than a group setting. My instructor really helped me feel much more comfortable than I had been before when I first took the basic firearms course to qualify for my license. After working extensively with the SIRT Training Pistol, I finally felt comfortable enough to work with the real thing. I went to a firing range for the first time in my life a few weeks ago and fired four different guns that my instructor brought along:
22LR (Ruger MK3)
9mm (Glock 17)
38 Spl Revolver (S&W 686)
45ACP (1911)
He said these would be good introductory guns to fire for my first time and give me an idea of different calibers and recoil.
The Ruger Mk3 was the first gun I fired and it was an easy feel. My groupings were really good and I felt pretty confident holding it and firing it. The second was the S&W. Revolvers scare the crap out of me - I am not sure why honestly - I think the size and kind of "open aspect" to the design. Firing the S&W was difficult. I don't have a lot of arm or hand strength at all and the gun felt huge and unstable in my hand. I was gripping quite hard. The third was the Glock 17 which I think is the gun I hear most about when people talk about guns. It was a scary gun to fire and I can't say why. I did fairly well with that grouping on the target as well but I really became fatigued. The 1911 was a nice feel but the recoil was so unexpected and it was quite loud as well. It was the last gun I fired and I believe my arm and hand was quite fatigued by then. I couldn't fire more than a couple of rounds before needing to stop.
My instructor was really pleased with what I did. Looking at the targets I brought home I am surprised as well. He recommended I spend more time at the range and really getting more comfortable but he seemed very confident that it wouldn't be long before I might consider purchasing my own firearm based on my skill of shooting and class testing. I know there are many more types of guns out there and the range I went to did have a variety of rentals available. While the idea of going back there by myself intimidates the hell out of me, I would like to continue practicing to get more confident with firearms. I am not sure where to begin since I really don't know much about the types of guns ... should I just pick one and try it? The folks at the gun range are ... hmmm ... less than friendly or approachable and I didn't want to hound them with questions so I thought I might ask here ...
Are there any recommendations people have for someone like me who is new to shooting? What kinds of guns should I try?
Thank you all for your time.
Elaine