Anyone experienced with firearms?

Jay -

As you can tell from the above there are a multitude of choices available.

First start with a competent instructor for the basics. Then go to a range that offers a variety of manufactures and calibers and start the elimination process.

You will have, or will develop, a personal peference for:
single shot revolver semi-auto
grip size
frame style
barrel lenght
trigger pull
sight set-up
weight
magazine capacity
caliber
and anything else you want to consider

It does not matter as to what I shoot - This one is for you

If you really want to work on your marksmanship skills, buy a target 22 rifle. Get enrolled in classes and enter some ISU or NRA sanctioned events. They are a lot of fun! A really good, top of the line, target 22 can cost almost $4000

Sorry to be jumping in late, but Bullet Trap has an introduction to guns course you can try out. It's a two hour class going over firearm use and safety. At the end of the course you try out a variety of different guns. For me it was a good way to find out what I liked and didn't like (I didn't like the .38 snub nose revolver).

Once you make your decision, consider joining a private club. Most of the public ranges will not allow rapid fire, drawing from concealment, or while in motion. If targets are all you want, they have great bullseye ranges and often hold classes conducted by certified NRA instructors.

Good Luck and Happy Shooting.

I know I am jumping into this a bit late, but here is my opinion.
For a realistic scenario for shooting, Elm Fork (Luna Rd and NW Hwy) has a great pistol area. The 9mm has really come around in the last few years. There are rounds for it that rival the power of a .40 (10mm). You have to make sure your gun can handle the extra power of the hotter loads. Anything from Smith & Wesson, Beretta (my personal favorite), Springfield Armoury, Glock are great. With a gun, price does make a difference. Pistols over $1000 are not going to be worth it until you are getting more comfortable with shooting and shooting a lot (500 - 1000 rounds).

Once you make your decision, consider joining a private club. Most of the public ranges will not allow rapid fire, drawing from concealment, or while in motion. If targets are all you want, they have great bullseye ranges and often hold classes conducted by certified NRA instructors.

Good Luck and Happy Shooting. Originally Posted by OldGrump

My problem has been finding a range that allows drawing/quick drawing. And if there is such a place locally, some training with a pro at this would be even better.

Any of you gents know if this is available? Any help would be much appreciated!

If you're going for cheap with stopping power, can't go wrong with .357Mag. It also fires .38, which is one of the cheaper ammos out there. I prefer the .38 revolver myself; it'll knock a fair hole in something and if it doesn't have the muscle of some other calibers, well, that's what the double-tap was invented for. It's a good beginner's gun.

That said, if I could have only one gun for the rest of my life I'd pick a Kimber 1911. YMMV.

I think this has been mentioned up-thread and if so, I'll second it. Go to a range and rent the different models to try them out, get a feel for which you like best.

Two things which must be mentioned:

- Any weapon you don't know how to use belongs to the other guy.

- No gun can be considered broken in until you've put a thousand rounds through it, minimum.

In other words, don't ever buy a gun, keep it in the closet in a shoebox and forget it. Take some NRA classes, shoot regularly, know how to handle and maintain your weapon.

Back to the OP's intent of just wanting to put holes in paper targets.

There are various types of .22 rounds and I agree it is a great way to get a feel for a firearm without a lot of investment. Getting a .22 that shoots anything from shorts to the .22 magnum may not be needed so keep that in mind. Also, if you think about it, once you buy a box of ammo and shoot it, pick up your spent brass and then sell it. That helps keep the total price of ammo down a small amount. You take a box of 50 rounds in, take the empty 50 rounds of brass out. It won't take long with the price of brass to buy a box from what you picked up and sold.

Couple points touched on but not really emphasized.

ANY range you rent a firearm from will require you use their ammo and that will get pricey fast. They don't want you buying re-loads from some one who uses brass too many times where it might screw up their firearm.

Whoever mentioned hitting a gun show is dead on. You can really find great deals out there once you know which firearm you prefer. Try to list your top 2-3 so you have a choice when shopping. You can also keep an eye on the local papers. I had a roomie fall into a a guy who was liquidating his gun collection because he was terminal with cancer and since the roomie was a SEAL, the roomie got an amazing deal on several high end hunting shotguns.

Depending on your living conditions, you say you don't want it for defense but never say never. You would hate to see the firearm stolen so preparing on how to secure it is something to think about. ALWAYS record the serial number and have that stored someplace in case it does get stolen for insurance and also to give to the police for tracking.

You didn't mention if you were looking at a .22 rifle or a .22 handgun. Any preference?

If you really want to have fun, there is a gun shop down off Mockingbird and I-35 if I'm not mistaken that will rent out an automatic weapon.

There are expensive ways to shoot and then there are more frugal. For example, buying paper targets one a time costs more than buying 10 or more. Check for deals.

Same for ammo. Shop it around. For a while it was near impossible to get .45 and even 9mm was in short supply but it seems to have corrected now.

Have fun and enjoy. I've been shotting since I was about 10 years old. Started at a camp with an old .22 rifle with lollipop sites!

Take some courses at a local gun club. I visited the place down on Mockingbird for handgun practice. They have beginners courses there. Glock is my preference for daily carry use.

For home security, a double barrel 12ga shotgun will get their attention. Had to encourage a late night visitor to leave a few years ago. Letting both barrels go really motivated their departure.

Out in the back country, I enjoy an AR-15 for playtime. Not the thing you can carry around town without getting some strange looks.

I don't know of any remaining LE who carries 9mm because that round would bounce off car windshields and things like that...not a lot of firepower. That's why they came out with the .40 - ease of recoil like the 9mm, but more knock-down closer to a .45.

As far as guns go, the glock is a fine gun, but I like to feel something in my hand with a little more substance so I prefer the Sig Sauer. Both are good reliable weapons.

As far as target shooting, I think you would have a great time with a .357 revolver. I say this because you can fire a few rounds and feel the power and then like EH said, you can switch to the substantially lighter .38 round for plinking. You get a lot of mileage this way because it's like 2 guns in one. Beware, though, it does not work the other way around....meaning do NOT try to fire .357s from a .38 pistol. I would suggest something with a 6" barrell as you will be more accurate if target shooting is what you're after.

You're going to like your P01. I have an earlier model CZ75 and love it. LE agencies are slaves to the salesmen and the 9mm isn't the slacker round that a lot of people make it out to be; just stick to +P ammo for defensive use. +P 9mms are between the .38 spl and .357 magnum in power, actually fairly close to the .357. For about $300, you can get a .22 conversion unit for you CZ that will let you practice on the cheap, with .22 ammo being about 1/5 the price of 9mm. The best ammo prices I've found are at www.grafs.com. You can also try www. ammunitiontogo.com and if you're going to buy in bulk, www.sgammo.com . There are all kinds of shooters forums (target, self defense, beginners, etc.) at www.gunandgame.com

Check out this little gem...laser sighting

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

Outdoor World has indoor target ranges.

I have a license to carry and my weapon of choice is a Walther ppks 380. It's very accurate, has a nice balance and fits my hand well. I am currently looking for a Sig p232. Both have a great feel and would be a good calibre for target shooting and personal protection.

The .22 is great for beginners but I prefer a 9mm, and it's (for me) just as easy to shoot, and I am no professional. If you are going to invest in a firearm, buy something that you would use in a self defense situation. Yes, the .22 is great to start with, the recoil is practically nothing, it's light, cheap, etc., but you don't want a .22 if you're looking for protection. Buy what is going to be protecting you and become one with it.
Originally Posted by Dannie

The gal makes some good points.