Firing range options

I'll be in California again in 3 weeks and will be going to a firing range. I've never fired a gun before.

So, advice please. What's best for a beginner? Some sort of machine-gun would be ideal, but maybe those are hard to handle and/or expensive. Would a handgun be better?

If you've never fired a gun before, I'd start with a handgun. Will you be going to the range with someone who's familiar with guns?

If you get to pick, I would say an old-school revolver (pistol).
Reasons? Safety - you can see actually see all the bullets at all all times (cept the one under the hammer). Also, ease + simplicity of use (user friendliness). Basically watch any Western - old school cowboy revolvers I guess is what I'm getting at. I grew up on these, so maybe I'm prejudiced, but they can't be beat.

Regardless, follow your friend's instructions to the letter. The most dangerous words in the English language are "I didn't think it was loaded".

Having had two family members (that I know of) shot, I will say it's not pretty to say the least. Other than that, have fun. I remember my first time shooting.....it really helps you connect with history (though I didn't think of that at the time - I was just having fun!)

I will have a friend going, but he has as little experience as me.

Is it generally possible to pick what you shoot at? e.g. I've seen pictures of OBL on firing ranges on TV.

If you've never fired anything before, I'd advice a bolt action .22 rifle. You can learn fundamentals, It is quiet and gentle, so it won't introduce bad habits, and a shoulder-fired long gun is harder to accidentally do something dangerous with.

Heck, even an AR-15/M-4 clone wouldn't be a bad choice and you'd probably enjoy it more than a .22. If you just want to make a lot of noise and big explosions, and definitely hit targets, see if you can find some place that will let you shoot a riot shotgun at paper targets.

And I respectfully disagree with Timmy. A handgun is the LAST thing I'd give to someone who's never fired a gun before.

Not at all meant to be offensive, but I would highly recommend some training and/or a class first. The fact that you thought a machine gun would be a good weapon indicates a dangerous lack of basic knowledge and understanding of anything gun related. You need to learn before you shoot. Just like you take a class before you start driving. Good luck.

Never? I just...don't even...never?!?

I'm gonna say shotgun. It's easier to hit the target with a handful of pellets.

How is this surprising given the differences in gun laws on both sides of the Atlantic?

And no, I'm not going to be going to training or a class. This is just something I'm going to do because I want to tick it off my "things you have to try" list. I'm not taking it up as a regular hobby or anything.

But probably not a machine-gun though...

^ Be careful, you might like it so much you might wind up a conservative gun nut.

If you're not willing to undergo the basic training required to use a lethal weapon, you shouldn't ever use a lethal weapon.

It isn't a game and you could seriously injure or kill someone. Your complete disregard of the best advice in this thread indicates to me that you don't take this seriously.

I would advise you to ask them for a private instructor or not go to the range.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited that you want to shoot and I want to encourage it. I will not, however, encourage it in an unsafe fashion. I'm not mad - I understand you grew up on the wrong side of the Atlantic (for this situation) and simply don't understand.

What you're talking about is unsafe. Run away. Not for your sake - for the sake of the person you'll kill.

I might get some instruction at the range if that's available. I'm not seeing any extreme risk though. I'll be careful.

You don't need a bunch of formal training just to manage the basic, safe operation of a firearm. A little supervision from someone who knows what they are doing the first couple of times is more than adequate for someone who just wants to shoot targets in a controlled setting. It's mostly common sense anyway.

It will be available. Get it. And it is common sense stuff, but it needs reinforcement.

That's what I assumed. Go to a place that rents weapons and shoot all you can afford. A suggestion, for our purposes, would be to ask what types we shoot so you could shoot them and see what we experience.

Have fun. And, if they have them and you can afford to rent a fully automatic weapon, who not? This may be the only opportunity you ever get to shoot one.

Thanks for the advice so far.

I'll probably be at a range somewhere in the vicinity of San Francisco. I won't be going to Las Vegas.

I figure you'll just go in, spend a couple of hours, and blast away. It's fun. You won't learn anything, but you're not out to do that. I differ from everyone else in that since this may be the only opportunity you get in your whole life to shoot, don't waste your time on a bleedin' .22.

I think they're assuming it will be like their trips to the range. You'll be there all day (many, many hours) and training and proficiency will be your focus. This isn't like that. I figure you'll just spend part of your day, maybe even a couple of hours, at the range. Maximize your fun, feel the kick, hear the boom, and smile a lot.

MWUHAHAHAHAHA!

If you know what range you're going to--or at least definitely when and where you'll be--let me know. I can arrange an AR-15 and a couple of interesting handguns.

Be aware: there are few indoor ranges in the Bay Area that permit high-powered rifles. Also, because of liability concerns, you'll almost certainly have to be shooting with someone else if you want to rent a gun. (Some places here won't rent them to single walk-ins because there have been a few instances of people selecting themselves out of the gene pool that way.)

I think it might be this place, most likely on the weekend of 23rd-24th April, although other local recommendations are welcome. I won't be on my own, so no worries with being taken for a kill-crazy nut!

(I'm staying with a friend in Santa Rosa for a couple of weeks. We might go over to Lake Tahoe direction for 2-3 days, but otherwise I'm not likely to be travelling that far afield.)

Aw, crap. The 23rd is when I'm off to Maui.

I haven't been to Bullseye, but I hear it's a great place. They don't allow high-powered rifles on their indoor range, so it's handguns or shotguns. They have a pretty good selection of rentals. You might try a Glock 9mm (handgun), the Remington 870 12 gauge (shotgun), or the H&K USC (carbine).

#1 Follow directions. Sounds simple but you'd be amazed how many can't.

#2 Wear eye and ear protection.

#3 Don't speed shoot. Take a shot, pause, then shoot again. If you try to let loose 16 rounds at the same time it's likely the range officer will be yelling at you. They don't like people shooting like that. (unless they allow it but most do not especially at indoor ranges)

#4 Don't just watch yourself but keep an eye on any others that are there. You may find yourself being covered by their barrels if they are sloppy.

Fully automatic weapons aren't difficult to handle - once you're used to shooting single shots. I agree with Elwood - if you can, do it. Pistols too.

I agree with Elwood. A .22 would be a waste. 9mm will be easily controllable for you and you should start there (talking about handguns of course). The rules are very simple. Be methodical and you won't have any accidents. If it's an indoor range, give yourself a couple of minutes to get used to the noise before you start handling a loaded weapon. I notice new shooters tend to be a bit jumpy with that unfamiliar assault on their senses. You get used to it quickly.

I guess there's a first time for everything. I'd never thrown a hand grenade before and then I did. Of course IIRC they had me and two trained guys watching me like a hawk in a concrete bunker.

I guess it's all a question of degree. If you're at a range that specifically caters to tourists, they probably have good safety measures in place to allow for that. Even so, at minimum, always keep in mind the four basic safety rules:
1) Treat every weapon as if it were loaded
2) Never point your weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot
3) Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to shoot
4) Keep your weapon on safe until you intend to shoot

If you do all four, it is impossible to accidentally shoot someone. Pretty much any one of the four will prevent a serious accident. The hardest one is #2. The controls are giving you problems, you have a jam, the magazine isn't engaging properly, something gets on your front sight or (god forbid) you drop it in the dirt. Is there dirt in the muzzle? Before you know it, you're pointing the thing in an unsafe direction.

You're not paying attention and point it at your foot. You're not paying attention and point it at someone else's foot. You're not paying attention and point it at someone else's head.

OK. Melodramatic worrying aside, Have fun.

It's very simple. You just hold the gun so that the end with the hole is pointed toward you and push the trigger.

Don't forget to wear this:

I was under the impression that trolling and flaming were not permitted in this forum...

Can anyone answer my other question? Are you generally able to put whatever you want on the target?

I have a lot of experience but not at actual formal ranges (other than military). Most has been in my backyard or out at a gravel pit or in the woods type of shooting.

Great advice about hearing protection! I can't believe I didn't mention it.
Speaking of hearing, never fire a weapon from inside your vehicle.
TV and the movies does not do that deafening painful bark justice.

I doubt you will ever need to know this, but then again, anything can happen in California. Also, car doors do not stop bullets.....get behind the engine area and return fire.

TAKE SOME PICS! Again, TAKE SOME PICS! I think it's great somebody gets to experience firing a weapon. I got to see kids in The Army who never got the chance until they joined. You are going to have a blast! (no pun intended).

QFT. I don't think safety can be stressed enough. Just always remember that any simple accident can destroy someone's life, and treat the weapon with respect and care. Don't kid around (range officers LOVE people who kid around with loaded guns! - you'll be out the door before you can take another breath), don't point it anywhere except downrange.

Not sure. They'll certainly have standard targets for you to use - bullseye or bad-guy silhouettes. I bring my own targets sometimes, but they're usually store-bought ones, never anything outlandish like a photo of my boss.