I want to learn firing guns without owning them

Can it be done? I don't want to deal with the hassle of owning guns. I want to rent one and use them in some secure facility under a supervisor/trainer, gave it back and that's all. Like a rental car lol. Once I am good at it, I may change my mind and considering owning one. I did fire a few rounds from a Makarov pistol when I was 10 or something. But that's all.

 

Every shooting range I've ever been to has rental firearms.

Show up, give them your ID and money. They give you a gun, ammo, targets, glasses and ear plugs. When you're done you give everything back but the ammo, targets and ear plugs.

 

Thanks. Do they also offer a quick tutorial to newbies?

 

Haha, found one close to where I live. This is my new hobby now. Once I am a Pro, I gotta have a gun with my 4Runner Saw some bullet thingies on the trails.

 

Most areas office a pistol safety class. My wife went through it before she started blasting with her Colt python.

 

Most classes are $100-$150. Its worth the money and it'll make you more comfortable handing guns.

 

Hate it when people leave their trash behind. Quick way to get a shooting spot shut down. Always clean up after you shoot.

 

Yeah it is really worth it. Thanks

 

Yeah I was thinking about it. It is just littering, simple as that. Similar to leaving trash behind like you said.

 

lol. those are spent shotgun shells. and yes, the shooter should have picked them up. its amazing how many people expect access to other peoples' property and then proceed to leave their trash lying around or destroy the trails.

 

Check groupon. I used to see firearm training courses all the time.

My retired mom and aunt took one together a few years back, they both ended up getting carry permits, haha.

 

If I'm seeing your license plate correctly, its a WA plate. I'm in WA also, not sure which side of the Cascades you're on but if you're on the Seattle side, check out Bullseye in Tacoma
http://bullseyeshooter.com/classes/

 

Get some basic firearm safety training before you even handle one!

 

Most gun ranges when you say it's your first time a ranger will show you the basics free of charge. And while you're shooting when you have a problem and put your hand up they will help you.

There is one range when it's your first time shooting there you have to watch a video of their gun safety and rules of the range.

Do you have any office mates who go for shooting. Mostly they would help you. Before pandemic I used to help many colleagues and friends for free.

Also you should know that if you are on visa some ranges will not let you shoot with some passports of countries that have problems (even I was a regular member of that range). That happened to my dad long ago when my country had a war against terrorists. I took him to a different gun range and their the country passport was not on blacklist. So don't be discouraged if you face it if you are on visa, try a different range.

Paid training classes are always a good thing but don't let it be a discouraging thing. It's not hard as you think. Just go to a good range and ask.

 

Intro pistol or CCW at a range that has rentals.

 

You can take formal courses for around 100 bucks.

If you let them know you're new, the range safety officer will help you out.

Every range has its own specific rules, but the four big ones are;

1. Treat all firearms if they are loaded.
Always imagine your gun is loaded. This will keep the mental mind set that the gun is ready to fire at all times.

2. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
Don't put your finger on the trigger until you intend to actually shoot. Once you've lined up your sights, have a good grip, and intend to actually shoot then put your finger on the trigger. This will avoid firing when you don't intend to.

3. Don't point the gun at anything you don't intend to shoot.
Keeping muzzle discipline will ensure you don't shoot anything you don't want to.

4. Know your target and what is beyond it
Ensure you know what you're actually shooting at. If you're shooting at paper at an indoor range you're typically good, but make sure your target at 5 yards isn't angled and shooting into the ceiling, floor, or other people's target behind yours.

Keep to those four rules and you'll be set. If at any time you're nervous, or don't understand what is going on, remember your safety rules, set the weapon down and ask for help.

 

When I was a Rifle/Pistol Instructor at MCAS Yuma, The Corps decided that, finally, all the WM's (Woman Marines) had to qualify like the men. Up till then, they were exempt.
So we had to run every WM on base, except the really pregnant ones, through the Rifle Range, at the very least. Did you realize that the female MP's, carting an issue .45, had NO training in it's use? Scary, aint it? Kinda funny though, watching some of the more dainty-handed WM's handle a .45 for the first time. The thing would barely fit. That's why the first time they would actually fire the weapon, after the safety and training lectures, and a couple days spent cleaning the weapons, learning to field strip and clean them PROPERLY, how to disassemble/reassemble in under 1 minute, snapping in and dry firing, etc, we'd give them ONE round, and stand well back. You'd be amazed how many of them had the weapon land on the ground behind them. We finally got to the point where we'd see if one of us could catch the weapon as it went up and over.
Anywho, we got them all qualed Rifle, and the Staff NCO's and Officers both rifle and pistol qualed. Many expert!

Point being, you want any advice on how to, gimme a holler! I'd be glad to help. By the bye, IMO, you shoot it, you clean it. MARINE clean, not just civvie clean!
Pat☺

 

What is the purpose?? Just experience? Or to actually be an experienced shooter? If you want to just get the experience, yeah, most shooting ranges have guns for you to shoot (and some probably won’t even charge you to use them….just the cost of ammo). Figure out what you are looking for and go from there.

I wouldn’t suggest a shotgun, lol. Super easy to shoot, but they kick. As “evil” as they are AR’s are a great rifle to learn on as they don’t kick much. Semi auto hand guns are fantastic as well.

Like other’s have mentioned, go to a range and tell them what you want to try. You will learn quickly what you want to try.

I had always wanted a Glock 43x. Shot it once and hated it. Most people LOVE them. I opted for the Glock 19. Zero complaints.

 

I want to learn and improve my aiming. I want to hunt a deer in future.

 

Also some ranges (least the ones in Ca) only rent if you have a partner. If you’re by yourself you need to show you’re a gun owner. Few too many suicides happening.

If you have friends that owns any, offer to by their rounds for them and ask if they’re willing to take you out to try out a few different options. Always good to have protection for the house. You never know when you may need it. You rather have it and not need it, vs needing it and not having it.

 

Perfect. Let them know that at the range. Ammo may cost you a bit, but a lot are willing to help!! You and I are in the same boat. Never have been deer hunting, but I want to start next year. You will have to let me know how it goes!!

 

Thanks. Sure. So I guess I will let them know that I want to learn firing rifles.

 

Once I am good at shooting, I will buy a nice rifle. Rifle that takes two bullets. Like a rifle strictly for hunting, with fancy aiming stuff and big bullets than are dead accurate at really far distances. That will be my hobby. 4Runner going after deer

 

You better come teach me!! I am great at shotgun and handgun!!!

 

What is the difference between a rifle and a shotgun? Maybe what I want is a shotgun. Big long gun with only one or two bullets. That's a shotgun, no?

 

Air guns are nice too. As a kid I watched guys hunting sparrows with them lol. BTW, sparrows taste AMAZING

 

What you want is a rifle.

Rifling is what makes the round (bullet) spin. If you look inside the barrel, you can see it. Basically a spiral grove in the barrel

 

Sorry, I’m lazy. This is my 19, but what you are looking for

 

We had a Makarov pistol and a long gun at home when I was a kid. The long gun's bullet was different. It was not like Makarov and AK47 bullet. Those two have sharp metal that come out and hit the target. Our long gun had one big bullet which was filled with something, little metal pieces or something I don't know. You fired it, and you took out the part left behind. While in AK and Makarov they themselves throw the back parts away. I am a layman when it comes to guns. So I remember that much.

 

Something like this. What a beauty. With fancy aiming thingy.