What is it like shooting a gun.

[BlackBeltKid]

What is it like shooting a gun. I have never shot a gun.

[Hitman]

Well, it's like with any other weapon- scarey as heck until you REALLY know what you are doing with it. Also, you want someone VERY knowledgable teaching you and making sure you don't get hurt- just like learning to use a Martial Arts weapon.

When I was younger, guns scared me- and not just because of the noise. I had heard all kinds of stories about how they would "kick" and hurt you. Well, I found out that they do kick, but not nearly as much as some stories I had heard. Well, there are some kinds that will hurt your shoulder with the kick, but they are generally older models. Anyway, after I started learning all about them, that fear turned into respect- ANY weapon is designed to HURT people, and you must treat that kind of item with respect. Just like a car- if you do not use it right, you may end up hurting yourself or someone else badly. Firing a gun can be really fun if you do it right though. It's awesome how much damage they can do at such a LONG distance.

[ShotokanKid]

The first time I shot a 9mm, it scared the living daylights out of me. It practically jumped out of my hand. It's difficult because you push down before you pull the trigger because you know the gun will jump and then you're off target. .22 pistols are pretty easy.

[marie curie]

It's tense as you pull the trigger the first time, because you don't know exactly when along the pulling motion it will actually fire, then, it kicks up and back and is loud. Then you smell the shot.

[Whitefeather]

I started with a .22 pistol, then, after 30 minuntes of that wimpiness, I tried a full frame Sig .45 (I believe the P220), then I tried a .45 1911 (a S&W 1911PD 4 1/4, to be precise ). It is the most fun and awesome thing I have ever done. It is intense. I have also done small-bore benchrest, which is not a quarter as fun as skeet shooting, which I have done also. Skeet shooting is like trying to hit your little sibling with a rubber band as they are running around you, except it is alot more fun and not quite so evil (even though it started as pigeons being let out of cages to be shot at). Shooting is an incredible fun sport that requires a lot of patience, control, and, if you want to be good, a lot of dedication. Basically, shooting absolutely rocks.

Dave

[Brandon Fisher]

Scary is right. I first learned to shoot with a .410 gauge shotgun and then a .20 gauge. The first pistol I shot and learned with was a Dan Wesson .357 that was real scary. But I have shot .22 rifles and pistols and also a .45 1911A. The .45 was my favorite though by far.

[lordtariel]

I found that some weapons were scarier than others. A bolt-action .22 is a good gun to start with, it has a minmal kick, not too loud, and is simple to use. Probably one of the least intimidating. I remember how nervous I was the first time I fired a shotgun. Unless you're super light or super fragile, there's going to be no problem. After that, I wasn't concerned about the recoil hurting anymore. Went out to an ROTC shooting range later and tried out an AR-15, that was a blast, though they didn't let me try it using full auto. Really, it's just a matter of going out and doing it. Make sure you're safe though. A shooting range is best, but if there's not one, go look for a steep embankment somewhere unpopulated to shoot into. You should always have someone go with you if you're out shooting in the sticks though. Also, I know some people will think this is lame, but make sure you use eye and ear protection as well. Guns can backfire, and can launch the empty shells with some force and the noise can be damaging to your hearing.

[Blackbeltblonde]

It honestly depends on the gun. I've shot a glock and a sig. Both amazingly sweet guns, but like everyone else said kinda scary. I had a great instructor (my uncle) and he showed me all kindsa things.. the first being how to take it apart and clean it.. and put it back together. Honestly that helped the whole fear of the gun.

~BBB

[niel0092]

Take a gun safety course before you even try it. Sure you CAN be safe without the class but it's really worth the time spent to learn things the right way.

I've shot .22's, a .357, a .308 auto, a 12 gauge, and use a .30-.30 for deer hunting. Not too much recoil on that one and perfect for the woods I hunt in.

[Spirit At Choice]

My mom relates this story from time to time:

She was 17 and her bf of the time took her shooting rifles. He showed her how to hold it, then he stood behind her really close so that is wouldn't knock her on her tushy.

Well, she told him he could just move right on back and not get so familliar, mister. And though he protested it was for her own good, she felt he was speaking down to her AND trying to cop a feel.

Needless to say, the bruise on her shoulder lasted nearly as long as the bruise on her butt.