fallenangel

All right, here's the skinny. I'm female, i'm young, and for reasons i'm not quite sure why, I want to learn how to fire a handgun. I live in Vancouver and I'm not quite sure how best to do this. Can I take lessons? I mean, I can't exactly walk into a store and say "hi, I'd like a gun please". Do any of you have any starting advice on where I should go first? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

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solo2020

Start off with any decent shooting range and start off with the small caliber pistol. You can start off with a .22 (a pinch larger then a BB) and move up to .44 Magnum (hand cannon).

Most ranges would be glad to teach you the basic procedures of grip, aiming, reloading, and the basic mechanics of a gun.

If your looking at a getting a personal defense pistol, once again, ask the gun store. They will be able to provide you with the best pistol to suit your needs.

cuervo

There should be at least a couple of gun stores in a large city like Vancouver that have an indoor range attached and will rent handguns. For an additional fee, they'll provide some instruction or most have classes for small groups you could join.

Do you know anyone that shoots? I've never met a gun owner that wouldn't take someone out shooting if they were asked.

As Solo mentioned, start small. If you rent something, ask to handle several before picking one so that it fits your hand comfortably. If range time/rental is expensive there, it wouldn't hurt to start with a 9mm if you had to or if you think this is going to be a one-time event. Starting with a .22 will help your form if you decide to stick with it.

Keep us updated.

MrTuffPaws

Yeah, don't do it alone.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp

Go for the "Basic Pistol Course". It will teach you everything you need to know and how to do it safely.

Bill O'Rights

I'm not really sure about Canadian laws, and such, regarding firearms...so, I'm a little reluctant to offer advice other than, by all means, seek professional training. Even if you do not choose to "own" a handgun...it never hurts to know how to use one. Good luck, and if I might say...good choice.

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Kurtz

Get trained! Don't just go and rent a gun, make sure that you have AT LEAST basic saftey and gunhandling down before you even touch a gun. Don't be afraid to ask questions, you need to know what you're doing to be safe. There will almost always be an employ at the range who can take you aside and teach you what you need to know (this is especially true because you're a girl, guys are gonna want to show off). And I'd recomend doing a couple of searches on Google and learning the basics before you ever leave the house. Good luck.

DelayedReaction

I found that a basic safety course was invaluable when it came to firearms handling. The NRA offers 10 hours courses that will provide you with the fundamentals of safety. I'm not sure what they have in Canada, but I doubt you'd have any trouble finding similar classes. Check out your Friendly Local Gun Shop for people who will give you advice; almost every firearm enthusiast I've met was more than happy to talk.

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solo2020

Honestly (from a personal point of view) shooting a gun is much like driving. Sure you could hear some guy blab about this and that. But when it comes down to it, the only way you'll actually be able to do it would be to go out and rent guns.

The 1st time I ever shot a gun, when I was 9 years old. My father took me out to the pistol range. The employee instructed me on some basic procedures. He handed me a .45 with 300 rounds. By the 100th round, I understood the mechanics/saftey/dynamics/ and the recoil of the gun.

That's not to say, a 30 minute instruction wouldn't hurt. But I've always learned better with a hands on approach.

ShaniFaye

My first husband taught me to shoot and when he did we started at an indoor shooting range where I shot a 9 mm a .38 and a .457 so that I could understand the differences in each gun. He then took me to a friends property where we worked with different calibers of rifles so I could get a feel for those as well.

It was fun..and I learned a lot...one word of advice though...I made the mistake of wearing an open necked shirt when I went to the indoor range and when I first shot the 9 mm the casing came back and went down my shirt and got stuck in my bra and burned like a bitch....so be careful what you wear!!

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splck

There's no range or store that will rent out a handgun in the Vancouver area. Our laws up this way won't allow for that. You could contact a local shooting range and ask them if they offer a course and all that. PM me and I can give you some numbers if you would like.
If you cross the line into Bellingham you can rent a handgun at several ranges. It's no big deal if you're Canadian, they'll rent you one.

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nice line eh?

freeload

Found this amusing in some way - Just finished watching CSI Miami and they nailed a female suspect just like this... Been a bad girl lately?

ShaniFaye

oh yes its very amusing NOW....and it was real amusing to the guy at the range THEN hehehe probably because my boobs are so big I was ripping off my shirt to get my bra undone to let it fall out

side note: Im always a bad girl /side note

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

freeload

Hm... sounds like you where in need of some TLC...a shame I wasn't there to help you!

longbough

The majority of gun owners and many shooters never learned the proper way to use a gun in self defense.
The "defensive handgun" is taught by specialized schools that are designed for law enforcement agents and well-motivated citizens.
If you can afford it you should attend a school like www.frontsight.com, www.gunsite.com or http://www.thunderranchinc.com. These are 3 of the most reputable ones.
I attended Frontsight several times. I found the instructors very friendly and helpful - surprisingly free of any "gung-ho" mentality. Women are encouraged to attend.
They assume only a basic understanding of your weapon - which you can get at most gun ranges.
I'd strongly reccommend "defensive handgun" training to anyone.

2sheds

ditto what others have said about the basic nra class. if you can find it near you, it's a great intro.

also ditto what cuervo said - other shooters love to take new shooters to the range. if you've got friends or family that shoot, ask them if you can tag along next time.

personally, i have a standing policy that if any of my friends who don't shoot want to try it i will take them to the range, let them use my guns, pay their range fee and pay for the ammo if they want to give it a try.

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arawn

Indeed.
It's like a club. We feel the need to encourage membership/education.


B.

P.S.
On a separate note: FallenAngel, is your signature from an October Project song? It seems familiar to me.

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