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From: jkh@jade.BERKELEY.EDU (Jordan K. Hubbard)
Newsgroups: mod.rec.guns
Subject: Re: A novice question
Message-ID: <888@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Fri, 20-Jun-86 19:23:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: jade.888
Posted: Fri Jun 20 19:23:51 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Jun-86 23:44:24 EDT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 81
Approved: jkh@ucbjade
Author: ucdavis!lll-crg!seismo!cmcl2!lanl!crs@ucbvax (Charlie Sorsby)

Article 6:20

> Article: 6:13
> 
>     I have done very little shooting.  Just .22 pistols and rifles
> with my friends at their farm when I was younger.  I enjoyed what
> little shooting I've done and am interested in finding out more 
> about it.  Here are a few questions:  Where can one shoot?

Since you didn't include your location that isn't an easy question to give
a *specific* answer to.  Try looking in your phone directory (try the
yellow pages under clubs).  Don't forget to try under "sportsmen's clubs"
as well as gun clubs and shooting ranges.

Better yet, visit local gun shops and sporting goods stores and get
acquainted with owners and/or sales persons (to say nothing of customers).
It has been my experience that all three categories will be friendly and,
often, helpful.

> Are
> shooting ranges usually full of crazed survivalists types or will 
> I find reasonable and friendly people there?

The only club I've belonged to, other than NRA, is the local Sportsmen's
Club and that hasn't been my experience.  My opinion, though you didn't ask
for it, is that the survivalist fad is bad for the shooting sports.  It
gives the idea that shooters are only interested in killing *people* and
the more people are who hold that view, the easier it will be for the
anti-gun/anti-hunting contingent to demand and get restrictive gun control
laws.

> Will I have to purchase
> a gun to use or will ranges provide guns?

It depends on the club and on what you want to do.

> What costs are involved?

Again, it depend on what you want to do.  If you shoot a lot or if you
would enjoy reloading, try it.  If you will shoot only occasionally, I
don't think it would be worthwhile.  If you shoot rimfire you can't (for
all practical purposes).

If you buy from a local shop you have somewhere to go if you have problems.
If you don't feel that this is worthwhile, some holders of FFL's will order
for you at a nominal surcharge over their cost (5 - 10%, for example).
Look at an issue of _Shotgun News_ for examples of dealer prices.

You don't say what kind of shooting you want to do, but I expect that you
can get started for a few hundred dollars if you buy all of your own
equipment.  DON'T FORGET HEARING PROTECTION AND EYE PROTECTION.  I like
industrial safety glasses with large plastic lenses.  If you read the
advertisements of many manufacturers of "shooting" glasses what they say
that their products will do for you is to "improve visibility of your
target."  Few have much to say about eye safety.

> What books should I read to learn more?

Join the National Rifle Association, as a start.  Ask them for a list of
books that they publish.  Pick a book that matches what you want to do.
TAKE A HUNTER SAFETY COURSE if available in your state/locality EVEN IF YOU
DON'T PLAN TO HUNT.

Try some magazines first.  With your NRA membership you will have a choice
of _American Rifleman_ or _American Hunter_.  Some others, in no particular
order, are:  Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Shotgun Sports,
Gun Dog, Skeet, Shooting Times?, Guns, and many others.  Check out a good
news stand.  Look also at the _Gun Digest_ and _Shooters' Bible_ series of
soft cover books (annuals) usually available at sporting goods of gun stores.
When you have decided what kind of shooting is of most interest to
you look at some of the specialty books and periodicals.

>     Any words of advice would be appreciated!

Most of the shooters that I know are good friendly folks and love to talk
about guns and shooting.  They comprise about the same cross-section of
types as you find in the population at large.  You will probably like some
and dislike others.  Find some and say hello.  Tell them you are interested
in getting started and see what happens.

Charlie