Shooting range first time

Why would you do such a thing?

Why not? I'm not really a "gun person", but I think it would be fun. Am I crazy for wanting to shoot a gun or for going to a range without any experience?

Crazy people . wrote:

Why would you do such a thing?

Go only early in the A.M. on a weekday since busy hours are full of wannabes and yahoos with no discipline or gun safety whatsoever. Most range operators don't manage a safe range nor do they no what gun safety is. Accidents are common. You know what happens when you get shot accidently? I think you do.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Do not aim your gun low.

Bullet the Blue Sky wrote:

Am I crazy for wanting to shoot a gun or for going to a range without any experience?

Not crazy. Every one who has ever fired a gun has at some point done it without any prior experience. You don't want to start out a Smith & Wesson 50 cal or anything, but presumably the owners of the range will know this.

Getting experience at a gun range.

Who would've thunk?

Be Careful wrote:

Go only early in the A.M. on a weekday since busy hours are full of wannabes and yahoos with no discipline or gun safety whatsoever. Most range operators don't manage a safe range nor do they no what gun safety is. Accidents are common. You know what happens when you get shot [accidentally]? I think you do.

Really solid advice here. If the A.M. on a weekday seems like a poor time for a date(!), try for early morning on a weekend--but be extra careful. Fire "safety" on some of these ranges is really frightening.

Bullet the Blue Sky wrote:

Why not? I'm not really a "gun person", but I think it would be fun. Am I crazy for wanting to shoot a gun or for going to a range without any experience?

Crazy? Not at all. Shooting is a lot of fun. But personally I would sign up for a class. Most ranges offer them. (NRA certification programs.) You'll learn proper terminology, range etiquette, how to aim, how to shoot, how to properly hold the weapon so as to not hurt yourself, and you'll get the opportunity to try out several different calibers and potentially different models. Good fun. Since classes run 6-8 sessions it may not be a single "date" thing but if it's a long-term relationship it could be fun to take the class together.

Well she's gonna sleep with you for sure when you wake her up early at 7am on Saturday so you can go watch a 20 min video on how to shoot a gun. It will feel like a Saturday make up exam. What a turn on.

I don't think you'll even be able hold a gun steady. Are you a skinnyfat distance runner by chance? If you don't even lift you're not going to impress her anyway. Still, just in case she is into guys she could probably beat up, I suggest taking her for a walk somewhere nice. You can talk and get to know each other, the different scenery provides conversation if you can't think of what to say.

Generally solid advice here.

I'll add that I've been to a dozen or so gun ranges in my life, and many of them were both staffed and patronized by generally "cranky" people. That's not to say they're bad people, just that some might find the environment at many gun ranges a little off-putting. On the other hand, some ranges are perfectly pleasant. But, I definitely would not recommend a gun range for a first date or even one of the first few dates with a person.

Some of the ranges around here are have lounges, pool tables, locker rooms, etc...almost like a country club...and even host "date night" events.

http://silvereaglegroup.com/event/date-night-hosted-seg-old-ox-brewery-register-10/

Shooting can be very entertaining. Whether it's a good place for a date probably depends on your date.

I assume you are talking about a range that will rent you a gun. If it's your first time you probably want to start out with a .22 - and the simpler the better - and get comfortable with the whole procedure and what you are shooting.

Also, the importance of understanding gun safety, the range's safety rules, what to do if there is a misfire, and so on cannot be over emphasized. Watch out for others because there are a lot of idiots out there.

Have a few drinks before hand to calm the nerves

How well do you know your date?

Many women will not take it well if you even talk about guns. Since you have no clue about guns, it's not like you are going to make a good impression.

Tip master wrote:

Have a few drinks before hand to calm the nerves

Shooting the gun in the air a few times helps with this too.

We know each other very well. I already asked if she might be interested. This is not really to impress her, just something fun & different to do. My question was more about the shooting aspects and not to make the date aspects. That was just for context that I wanted it to be fun & not something I was doing on my own.

&YGBUY(*sdflih wrote:

How well do you know your date?

Many women will not take it well if you even talk about guns. Since you have no clue about guns, it's not like you are going to make a good impression.

Be Careful wrote:

Go only early in the A.M. on a weekday since busy hours are full of wannabes and yahoos with no discipline or gun safety whatsoever. Most range operators don't manage a safe range nor do they no what gun safety is. Accidents are common. You know what happens when you get shot accidently? I think you do.

I second this. I love going to the range on a day off during the week. Much quieter. You can shoot the shit (pun intended) with the range master. You might even learn something from him/her.

Bullet the Blue Sky wrote:

I'm thinking of taking someone to the shooting range for a date. Neither of us has ever fired a hand gun before. I called and talked to someone who said they welcome people who have no firearms experience.

But I'm a little intimidated going without ever having done it before. The woman on the phone said there is a safety video and someone would help us with the basics. Is that good enough or will I be in over my head?

Yes, you will be in over your head if you've never handled a gun before. You should take a novice handgun class together. It will probably include shooting at the end of the class, so you'll still get to shoot.

You don't want to muzzle sweep someone and get yelled at by the range officer. In a class, you'll get to handle a dummy gun to learn proper safety protocols and how to aim.

I was at a laser range (real guns with a movie screen that reacts to show where the shot will impact) a while back and the woman beside me was missing everything. I asked if she would mind some coaching. She said she'd love it. I explained how to use the front and rear sights. She was immediately shooting a lot better. It's not intuitive. Nor is how to hold a gun when shooting it.