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10-05-2016, 11:15 AM
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#1
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 973
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How to own a handgun?
I feel that I need to have a handgun, not for a real need to defense or something like that, just think I need one in my life. So please do not get into politics or argue if I should have a gun or not. I just need some information. I am in Kentucky.
Since I have never touched a gun. How should I learn to shoot a gun? Should I buy a (used and cheap) gun first, then learn to shoot; or should I learn to shoot first (how and where), then buy a good gun?
(I think this is similar to learn to drive and own a car.)
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10-05-2016, 11:16 AM
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#2
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 8,968
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Some gun shops have indoor ranges where you can shoot various guns to see what you like best.
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10-05-2016, 11:19 AM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Fair Lawn
Posts: 2,940
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Just replying so I'll be alerted to other replies. This is something I am considering as well.
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10-05-2016, 11:22 AM
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#4
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gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
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Absolutely seek out some training. You might want to see if the NRA has any classes in your area or via a local gun shop and/or range. In general, I would say get training first, try out a few different pistols and then buy what you are most comfortable with and can shoot well.
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10-05-2016, 11:22 AM
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#5
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 129
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Go to a gun range try out a few. You can have an instructor recommend and teach you how to use one.
Then buy a good gun and go to the range and practice regularly
A 9mm is probably a good choice..
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10-05-2016, 11:35 AM
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#6
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2008
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 8,764
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Definitely training first. An NRA class or something similar offered by a range. Once you're familiar with the mechanics of a gun, try them out. I think you'll find that it's a fun and rewarding hobby. Sort of like golf, in that it only takes one good shot to keep you coming back.
__________________
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." - Anonymous (not Will Rogers or Sam Clemens)
DW and I - FIREd at 50 (7/06), living off assets
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10-05-2016, 11:45 AM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
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+1 on some training. Your local range should be able to set you up. After that, rent a few different flavors of handgun to see what you like. I would suggest a 9MM semi-automatic, a .22 of some sort, and a .38/.357 revolver. If this is essentially a toy, it doesn't matter what you buy so long as it is fun to shoot. If this is for zombies/self defense/coyotes, do some research before you buy.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
- George Orwell
Ezekiel 23:20
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10-05-2016, 11:51 AM
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#8
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Acworth
Posts: 1,214
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harley
Definitely training first. An NRA class or something similar offered by a range. Once you're familiar with the mechanics of a gun, try them out. I think you'll find that it's a fun and rewarding hobby. Sort of like golf, in that it only takes one good shot to keep you coming back.
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I completely agree.
Training first, is imo, one of the most important things you can do to ensure you are a safe and effective shooter. This is preferred over even "having a friend teach" because you are more likely to be taught how to do things "right" from the beginning when using an instructor vs. someone who may not be as competent as they believe they are. Also, always remember to follow the four rules of firearm safety.
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10-05-2016, 11:52 AM
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#9
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,252
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In our area, there are many local gun shops with associated indoor shooting ranges. In Kentucky there must be many and they will be easy to find with a google search with terms like "gun range" or "indoor shooting range", etc. Just go to one or two and have some fun. No need to buy a gun until you have had training, practiced, and have had some fun.
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10-05-2016, 11:55 AM
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#10
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LOL!
"indoor shooting range"
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Oh yeah: for your first outing I would pick an outdoor range over an indoor one if you have a choice. Its a lot easier to concentrate and learn when you are not deafened every 3 seconds by the dude with the magnum cannon two lanes over. Being outdoors gives you a little less noise to contend with.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
- George Orwell
Ezekiel 23:20
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10-05-2016, 11:59 AM
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#11
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345
Oh yeah: for your first outing I would pick an outdoor range over an indoor one if you have a choice. Its a lot easier to concentrate and learn when you are not deafened every 3 seconds by the dude with the magnum cannon two lanes over. Being outdoors gives you a little less noise to contend with.
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Not to mention lead dust.
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10-05-2016, 12:09 PM
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#12
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelover
Not to mention lead dust.
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For sure. Not likely to be an issue for one visit, though.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
- George Orwell
Ezekiel 23:20
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10-05-2016, 12:22 PM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,223
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If nothing else from training sticks, just this one : Never let the gun be pointed at anything that is not ok to be shot.
This also applies to when you think i't not loaded.
I can't count the number of accidental discharges I have seen, including an embarrassingly high number in law enforcement.
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10-05-2016, 12:38 PM
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#14
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingaway
Since I have never touched a gun. How should I learn to shoot a gun? Should I buy a (used and cheap) gun first, then learn to shoot; or should I learn to shoot first (how and where), then buy a good gun?
(I think this is similar to learn to drive and own a car.)
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Take a look at the local gun shops in your area and get a feel for what training they have. Since you've never handled a firearm before I'd recommend a basic or entry level safe handling course. There are many flavors of these but generally speaking the NRA designed courses would be best for you. Not very expensive at all. And they are ~very~ safety oriented.
Hopefully the course will allow you to handle both a semiautomatic pistol and a revolver. Then you can make decision as to which type you'd like to own and become proficient with ( maybe both! ). At that point take your time and research what's available before purchasing anything. Maybe you have an acquaintance or friend that's already in the hobby and can help you shop around.
Since you're new to the hobby I'd recommend a new purchase, as used firearms (as in anything) may have hidden problems that you'd be hard pressed to find.
You can then take subsequent courses on shooting skills if you like.
Good luck!
_B
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10-05-2016, 12:55 PM
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#15
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Les Bois
Posts: 5,761
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingaway
I feel that I need to have a handgun, not for a real need to defense or something like that, just think I need one in my life. So please do not get into politics or argue if I should have a gun or not. I just need some information. I am in Kentucky.
Since I have never touched a gun. How should I learn to shoot a gun? Should I buy a (used and cheap) gun first, then learn to shoot; or should I learn to shoot first (how and where), then buy a good gun?
(I think this is similar to learn to drive and own a car.)
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go to a gun shop that has a range and take a lesson from an instructor
if you don't and you use a semi, you can cut your hand pretty badly if you don't hold the pistol correctly
I have 2 glocks, a kahr p9 (for cc) and I used to have a springfield xd9 - the springfield was by far the most accurate
__________________
You can't be a retirement plan actuary without a retirement plan, otherwise you lose all credibility...
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10-05-2016, 01:06 PM
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#16
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 61
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Please make sure you get yourself quality hearing protection as well as eye protection. And remember the 4 rules of gun safety:
• Every Gun Is Always Loaded
• Never Point the Gun at Anything You Are Not Prepared To Destroy
• Always Be Sure Of Your Target and What Is Behind It
• Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You are Ready to Shoot
__________________
"The surest sign that there is intelligent life out there is that they haven't tried to contact us yet." Calvin & Hobbes
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10-05-2016, 01:10 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,660
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Go to a sketchy part of town. Ask a couple people. Shouldn't take long.
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10-05-2016, 01:11 PM
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#18
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Cavalier
Posts: 2,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheel
Please make sure you get yourself quality hearing protection as well as eye protection. And remember the 4 rules of gun safety:
• Every Gun Is Always Loaded
• Never Point the Gun at Anything You Are Not Prepared To Destroy
• Always Be Sure Of Your Target and What Is Behind It
• Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You are Ready to Shoot
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+1
and get NRA training if available
__________________
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." Pogo Possum (Walt Kelly)
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10-05-2016, 01:14 PM
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#19
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,199
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10-05-2016, 01:35 PM
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#20
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 973
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Thanks for all the replies. Just found a local gun shop and range, the first training session is on this Friday.
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