The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Advice for bringing a first time shooter to the range

raimius · July 16, 2012, 10:38 PM

It depends on if you both follow the Four Rules without even thinking about them. If not, I'd recommend against it.

Learning to shoot is great fun, as is shooting with friends, but the risks associated with new shooters are increased exponentially when both the Safety Officer AND shooter are new.

If you do go together, I HIGHLY recommend only doing basic marksmanship fundamentals at a well-defined range. Don't get fancy and start doing speed reloads, malfunction drills, movement, multiple targets, etc. The more you are tempted to show off or practice the upper end of your skills, the more likely mistakes are to occur.

"Advanced" shooting is applying the basics at a higher level. Make sure your fundamentals (including safety) are rock solid, first.

July 16, 2012, 10:38 PM	#9
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	It depends on if you both follow the Four Rules without even thinking about them. If not, I'd recommend against it. Learning to shoot is great fun, as is shooting with friends, but the risks associated with new shooters are increased exponentially when both the Safety Officer AND shooter are new. If you do go together, I HIGHLY recommend only doing basic marksmanship fundamentals at a well-defined range. Don't get fancy and start doing speed reloads, malfunction drills, movement, multiple targets, etc. The more you are tempted to show off or practice the upper end of your skills, the more likely mistakes are to occur. "Advanced" shooting is applying the basics at a higher level. Make sure your fundamentals (including safety) are rock solid, first.