I have read in a few articles how first time gun owners are increasing after the election. Who here has just bought their first and what is your level of shooting experience? Scouts, Military, Family?

 

Also, if you have been shooting for a while what training have you recieved? Miltary, LE, Scouts, schools?

 

I'll start

 

I have been shooting 22's since I was 8. Recieved USMC rifle training in basic, and regular rifle training for infantry. More intimate training with a .45 and 12ga in the Marine Corps Security Forces School and became an NRA Certified Rifle and Pistol Instructor a few years ago. Although work and logistics has kept me from doing any formal training outside of friends and family.

 

How about you?

great thread.

 

My firearms experience started back in russia 18 years ago when during the equivalent of our Boy Scouts, we became familiar with basic mosin rifles.

 

Otherwise, I have been shooting between 4 to 5 years, but since getting my FID card in the begining of the year, I have done more shooting in the past few months than during that entire 5 year period.

 

My brother, who served in the Soviet army at that time, ukraine, than introduced me to shooting. Naturally, I shot more than he did. hehe.

 

Otherwise, my firearms knowledge was enchaned by learning in the forums, as well as "virtual" practice via the means of Counterstrike, Call of Duty 4, and the likes. hehe.

 

Currently in the process of taking NRA Instructor classes.

I shot for the first time at 16 with family friends. Then not again until I was in Basic, M16, M60 and M2HB, then I moved into tanks and shot big guns and the 1911. After I joined the National Guard I wanted to get my own pistol to get more practice then the once a year qualification they gave us. It was a matter of pride I always wanted to qualify Expert. So I bought a 45.

When we switched to the 9mm I had to get a Taurus Berretta clone. Then the collection just started to grow. SWMBO has imposed a limit on the number of weapons so I usually trade in guns to up grade the collection.

 

So I guess most of my training has been military and extensive reading of gun rags.

 

Maksim, I also love COD 4 and have been tearing up COD WAW on the 360 on X box live. Something about WW2 loads of fun it has tanks.

 

TC

Strictly target shooting for close to a year now, and a new firearms owner. So very new to the sport

No formal training here I started shooting with my father and uncles when I was 12-13, was introduced to 22s and slowly larger calibers. I attend shooting clinics at the Range when available and have learned alot about M1 Garand, high power, and black powder. 33 years and tons of ammo my aim and skills have improved since those first days, I plan on taking some NRA classes and becoming an instructor.

I have shot friends .22 here and there but have always wanted to get a gun to target shoot. I was always told by my fam that there wwould never be a gun in this house so I never persued it. Then when I got married and moved out I did not know how to bring up to my wife that I wanted to get a gun. Then shortly after the election she looks at me and says I think we should get a gun. I said I think you are right. With the fact the Obama is anti gun and not knowing if we would be able to get guns in the future we went down to the PD and set things in motion. We did the first shots program with Gun For Hire at the Bullet Hole in Belleville and then on Valentines day we went back to Anthony at Gun For Hire and took NRA Basic Pistol. I bought a Springfield .45 the next week. We have on order, XD 9mm, Ruger SR9, Ruger LCR, Beretta CX Storm (9 mm) and a GSG-5. I am also more then likely taking the NRA instructor class next time it is offered at Gun For Hire.

Bought my first gun, a Colt Trooper Mark V 357 Magnum in 1983 and just started shooting with friends @ the Inner Circle Range in Lakewood. Sold the Trooper in '86 to buy a Colt Gold Cup National Match .45, then in '94 found my stainless Colt Python 357. Currently looking for an AR15.

 

Never took any classes, but I'm looking to do a safety course right now. My girlfriend and sister are interested in taking one, so I thought I'd do it with them.

 

I was looking at doing a safety course at Shore Shot or Brick Armory. Does anyone have an opinion on the courses at either place? Thanks in advance.

I started shooting with a friend when I was 22. Around that time I bought my first gun, Beretta 92 FS. I spent several years "guessing" my way on target shooting. I eventually bought a SigSauer P226 and a H&K USP 45. After about 6 years of shooting, I finally took NRA Basic Pistol at NJ Firearms Academy (I needed it to get my FL carry license anyway).

 

About 2 years ago, I flew out to Front Sight, just outside Las Vegas, NV. I took their 4 day defensive handgun course. What an experience that was! There I learned to draw from a concealed holster and fire twice into the chest in under 2 seconds! We also had a night shooting session and a training opportunity in a tactical simulator house.

 

Just recently I took a "rifle weekend" course through NJFA. Day 1 was NRA Basic Rifle, day 2 was level 2 tactical rifle.

tell me about this class in Vegas... may be going out there in June... =P

tell me about this class in Vegas... may be going out there in June... =P

 

You might not want to go in June--you will be outdoors most of the time, in the middle of the Nevada desert. Pack a lunch with you each day, as there is no cafeteria or anything there, and there is no place nearby. Be sure to bring a water bottle--they supply water, but it's pumped from underground wells.

 

Use sunblock, bring a hat with a brim, and sunglasses. You may use your own gun, or rent one of theirs. You may also bring ammo, but factory only (no reloads, and NO steel cased, such as Wolf). You will also need a belt holster for your strong side (no shoulder holsters, cross draw holsters, or thigh holsters). Any holster is okay, as long as the trigger is covered.

 

The facility is about an hour outside of Vegas, so get up early if you plan on staying in Vegas. You are expected to be at class on time each day (7 am the first day, 8 am the remaining days).

 

You will be taught presentation from the holster, shots to the chest, and shots to the head as well. You will be taught using weaver stance and kneeling position. Tactical shooting simulator session will be on day 3. The night shoot is also on day 3--you will need a flashlight with an on/off switch (I used a Surefire tactical light).

 

If you have not already done so, visit their website at www.frontsight.com, read about them, and order their FREE DVD. Then you will see what makes Front Sight stand out from all the rest of the shooting schools.

Front Sight has been the subject of a legal action for some time. This is the one of the latest rulings. I'm somewhat suspect of an organization that pushes lifetime memberships.

 

http://www.frontsightlitigation.com/

It is nice to see the interest in taking courses for safety and proper use of your firearm. Years ago it was the responsability of the family to teach safety and marksmanship. As time went on that practice started to die off. It shows a great deal of maturity and the ability to leave your ego behind to seek help in learning the basics and becoming more competent. And most important, exercising your constitutional rights to do so.

Front Sight has been the subject of a legal action for some time. This is the one of the latest rulings. I'm somewhat suspect of an organization that pushes lifetime memberships.

 

http://www.frontsightlitigation.com/

 

I am familiar with the litigation involving Front Sight. As a life member, I have received many documents from the District Court, as well as from the plaintiffs and defendants, inquiring if other life members had the same experiences as the plaintiffs. The court acknowledged that no additional plaintiffs came forward after that fishing expedition.

 

Just to backtrack, Front Sight intended to build resort hotels and vacation homes on the Front Sight property. Investors (plaintiffs) got impatient with the development process after the contractors pulled out last minute. That's when the litigation started; investors wanted their money refunded, and even got the court to issue an injunction to prevent Front Sight from continuing with development.

 

I have been to Front Sight. I can honestly say that they well exceeded my expectations.

started shooting with 22 cal. rifle while a member of a Jr. Naval Unit in 1945 (age 15). then military service 1947 - 1969 (short break in between) then Police firearms instructor from 1974 to 1988. Just a plain shooter since..............including original civil war carbines and trapdoors from indians wars...................Did a bit of shooting in korea, 1951, but that was self defense........

Started when i was a little boy (8 or 9) with a red rider BB gun Loved it. Shot it for about 7 years TP cardboard sleeves int he back yard..those little neo candies that shatter etc...Then when I was 14 I got a shotgun for Christmas that I was allowed to use for duck hunting. A year later I got my first rifle (10/22) and took a NRA basic rifle course at the local LEO (Law enforcement officer) range. It was taught by LEOs and retired military personnel. I shot at ACPR (The range) for about a year and the ROs (Range officers) there were very informative. I would go when it was very cold so no one would be there. It was practically a one on one training session. I learned ALLOT there. They were the ones who taught me what a chamber was...how a firearm worked...etc.. Then later I joined forums and got really interested in the sport. I bought a RRA ar15 a year later, and then a savage half a year later. I started reading allot of books, (Shotshell reloading, The ar15 owners guide, lyman's 48th reloading manual, firearm books, how they first came about how they have evolved why they evolve etc...) And I keep learning every day. I love the sport because you will never stop learning. Its not like a video game where you beat it and its over...there is always room for improvement. Love this sport

I've never been a cop or military. I grew up in hunting country in NW PA, with rifles and shotguns around all the time. I got my first gun of my own when I moved to Philadelphia at age 23. Since then, the last 12 years, I've taken several firearms safety and tactics courses, shot IDPA once in a while, and get to the range with varying frequency.

 

I'm always looking for more training.

I started shooting hand guns in January. I did have 10+ years of hunting and shooting trap, but I decided to take the NJ Firearms Academy NRA Basic Pistol course in February and I came away with mixed reviews. I think it was great for the true newbie ( I was the only one in the class with any shooting experience), but for someone with some experience, the class fell a little short. My objective was to focus on the safety aspect of shooting and storing a firearm. I wanted to make sure I was handling the firearm safely at home, at the range and during cleaning. I heard of way too many accidental discharges when cleaning a firearm. I was also concerned on how to best store a firearm at home. There's a delicate balance between keeping the weapon safe and secure and having it at the ready just in case. The course didn't really focus on home safety.

 

The NJFA course taught the basics; 3 hours of lectures, an hour shooting, an hour of cleaning and 30 minutes for the test and grading. The test was a joke. It was open book and we self graded. There were a few students who should have never passed. A little scary since they could be in the lane next to me at my next visit to the range.

 

If you've never touched a firearm, then I would recommend NJFA. If you have some experience, look elsewhere. I heard the guy across the street from the Bullet Hole teaches a good basic class.

I decided to take the NJ Firearms Academy NRA Basic Pistol course in February and I came away with mixed reviews. I think it was great for the true newbie ( I was the only one in the class with any shooting experience), but for someone with some experience, the class fell a little short. My objective was to focus on the safety aspect of shooting and storing a firearm. I wanted to make sure I was handling the firearm safely at home, at the range and during cleaning. I heard of way too many accidental discharges when cleaning a firearm. I was also concerned on how to best store a firearm at home. There's a delicate balance between keeping the weapon safe and secure and having it at the ready just in case. The course didn't really focus on home safety.

 

The NJFA course taught the basics; 3 hours of lectures, an hour shooting, an hour of cleaning and 30 minutes for the test and grading. The test was a joke. It was open book and we self graded. There were a few students who should have never passed. A little scary since they could be in the lane next to me at my next visit to the range.

 

I also took basic pistol through NJFA about two years ago. Our class started at 8 in the morning and went till at least 6pm (with a break for lunch). Something is wrong if your class was only 5 hours.

 

Safe handling has to do with the three rules of gun safety:

--keep the gun pointed in a safe direction;

--keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot;

--keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

 

I have also heard about discharges happening during cleaning; this is because of too many people not making sure the gun is unloaded. Safe handling at the range simply means the gun stays pointed downrange until unloaded and cased.

 

How to "best" store guns at home is a matter of preference. I keep mine in a safe. Others use cabinets, trigger locks, or lockable cases.

 

Keeping a gun ready for home defense is not part of NRA Basic Pistol. For that, look for a class called NRA Personal Protection in the Home.