First Time Shooting ---need advice!

[new2shootin]

Hello. I'm a big fan of guns and a HUGE fan of CHLs..

I am a 16 year old guy and I am going to go shooting for the first time on Saturday with a friend (old guy...know's guns...lol)

I am sure he will run me throught he safety procedures....and I understand the basics are obviously to : never point the gun at something you dont plan to shoot, keeping the finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire, and unloading the gun when not in use.


He has a couple of guns...all I know is he has an AR15...and some other ones.

Is there any advice you can give to a first time shooter?

Should I be leaning into the AR15 or shotgun?

Any advice would be appreciated.

thansk

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum.

My first suggestion is to relax, take your time, listen, and do exactly what you're told.

AR-15s have no significant recoil.

Shotguns require a stance that I cannot explain in words. Let's see if I can find a video or something....

This is a start and has a number of good links: http://www.skeetshootingtips.com/how-to ... oting.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The main thing that this video doesn't mention is finding the pocket in your shoulder. I hope the man that is teaching you can help with that. It really has to be done in person.

It helps to wear a stiff vest. They make special shotgunning vests with a piece of Kevlar in the shoulder area, but a regular denim vest should be fine for a young, healthy guy.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

Hello. I'm a big fan of guns and a HUGE fan of CHLs..

I am a 16 year old guy and I am going to go shooting for the first time on Saturday with a friend (old guy...know's guns...lol)

I am sure he will run me throught he safety procedures....and I understand the basics are obviously to : never point the gun at something you dont plan to shoot, keeping the finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire, and unloading the gun when not in use.


He has a couple of guns...all I know is he has an AR15...and some other ones.

Is there any advice you can give to a first time shooter?

Should I be leaning into the AR15 or shotgun?

Any advice would be appreciated.

thansk

Listen to the old guy. He didn't get old by being, or doing, stupid.

[USA1]

Ahhh ,What it is to be young again. Welcome to the forum !

Here's another video of a first time shotgun shooter.
Just don't point it in the general direction of people like this guy almost did .

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sbj_RyGBEq4[/youtube]

[seamusTX]

Here's another good page: http://www.hunter-ed.com/sc/course/ch3_ ... niques.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[CompVest]

Lean in to any long gun and keep it type against your shoulder. Keep your cheek tight against the gun as well.

I would suggest thaat you start with the smallest caliber your friend has to get the gun positioning down. Then work your way up to the larger calibers.

[Dan20703]

The best advice is to listen more than talk, be thankful for the opportunity and offer to buy ammo. You will get a repeat invite following these tips. Glad to see someone is helping you out. I was the first in my family to take an interest in guns, shooting, and hunting. I couldn't have done it without the help of my friend's fathers. Later in life you should offer to do the same for someone else.

[CompVest]

Ezcellent advice, Dan20703! One step farther, actually buy ammo. If your friend refuses to let you, make note of the ammo brands and types he brought and buy him some later as a thank you.

[seamusTX]

It is a bit difficult to buy ammo when you're 16 years old.

Other gift acknowledgments are boxes of clay targets (they're getting expensive), Birchwood-Casey Shoot'N'See targets, or cleaning supplies. Or detail the guy's vehicle for him.

- Jim

[Piney]

I'd like to recomend getting a confortable set of ear muffs. I like my Peltor electronic model- fairly light and let me hear conversations.

Some like the in-the-ear plugs. Personally, they're uncomfortable. I have not tried a custom molded set. I've been told those are much more comfortable.

[longtooth]

All of the above is excellent. Digest what is above, dont worry, Have fun, 1" groups will come in time.

[Abraham]

Also, when and if you shoot a high caliber rifle with a scope - be certain to get good training to prevent "Scope Eye".

[CompVest]

Gift certs are a good substitute or get parents to buy.

[NcongruNt]

As an additional video, I've got one of me firing some slugs out of my 870, with a side profile view.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnMlBbnb21s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As others have mentioned, the key is to keep the stock up tight in your shoulder. Shotguns in general have a natural hold to them for most folks, once they've gotten comfortable shooting with them. They are unique in my experience over handguns and rifles, in that you tend to retain your skill with them to a greater degree than you do with other firearms after long periods without practice.

Also, they can be some of the most fun, because the shooting sports most associated with shotguns (skeet, trap) involve reactive targets.

Anyhow, as for safety tips, I make all my new shooters memorize the 4 rules and recite them to me from memory before we do any shooting. Read them, know them, observe them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Coope ... rms_safety" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for your "leaning" question, I sense you're getting shot anticipation before you even start shooting! I'm sure you'll do fine under the guidance of your shooting friend. Stay relaxed, keep a firm grip and stance, ask as many questions as you want. Learn range etiquette and safety rules from your friend before you go out. Follow the 4 rules, and you'll have fun! Enjoy your range trip!

[roberts]

Be safe. Have fun.