Taking a Course on Gun Safety

December 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The first step a new gun owner should take once a gun is acquired is taking a safety course. Guns are dangerous and safety should be a key issue in ownership of one. Learning gun safety is a good idea not only for the owner but anyone that is around them. The course usually ranges from a couple of hours up to two days to complete. This course can be taken in a group or privately whichever you prefer.

All over the United States courses are offered from the National Rifle Association. There is a course eight hours in length that covers all the information needed about pistols. There is also a rifle course available that is 14 hours. A basic course covers information such as gun safety and shooting. This course will give a comphrensive overview of everything you need to know about guns and is taught by the National Rifle Association. The instructor is the one that will determine how much the class will cost. The price should not be a determining factor in whether to take the class. This is an important class for a gun owner to have. Be sure to check what you need to bring with you before the course .

There are instructors that travel across the country. These instructors not only teach you the basic safety of guns but will teach you what to do if you are threatened by someone with a gun. These classes can run up to $200 a day.

What type of firearm do you choose? Revolvers are owned by some pistol owners while others have a semiautomatic. If you want a rifle, what type do you want? Either way, you need to choose the caliber. You need to pick the one that feels comfortable to you and one that you are able to manage.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Competitive Shooting: How to Start in Action Pistol Shooting

November 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Schietsport, vrouwen met pistool / Sports, sho...
Image by Nationaal Archief via Flickr

After doing all the research and seeing what action pistol shooting is all about, you may have decided to get involved with it on a competitive scale. Starting in compeitions and action pistol shooting can be a bit nerve wrecking. Where does someone go to get started? What is needed to get starting in action pistol shooting?

Here is a quick guide that will outline how someone can get started in action pistol shooting.

To get started in action pistol shooting the first thing a person should do is consider attending the local shooting range’s practice. The practice will allow you to observe how action pistol shooting is done and what all is involved. It will also allow you to meet and get to know the local organization that runs the various events in your area.

There are hundreds of ammunition stores and gun supply stores that will list a number of items that you need for action pistol shooting. However, the beginner needs very little items. Usually a beginner will use what is known as an out of the box shooter or a revolver as those are easier to handle. If you are unsure of which type of gun you should consider using consider going to a gun store, occasionally they will allow you to try out the guns to see which you enjoy using the best. The only item that is recommended is that of a safe holster that allows you to withdraw the pistol quickly but keeps it secure to you when you are not shooting.

The next item besides the gun that is needed is that of the ammunition. There is a standard ammunition that needs to meet the requirements for action pistol shooting. Usually a 9mm ammunition is allowed but it is best to inquire with the action pistol league about which is the proper type of ammunition so you do not practice with the wrong one.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Games, Shooting, Sports Tagged With: , ,

The Weaver Pistol Shooting Stance

November 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When you shoot a gun or a pistol you usually begin to develop what is called a stance. A stance is simply the natural body position that you take when you go to shoot the gun. Most people develop a strong, secure stance that allows for the body to be prepared to absorb the impact that the gun will give when it is shot.

One of the popular stances that is usually used by police officers is that of the weaver pistol shooting stance. The reason that most police departments favor this type of shooting stance is because it minimized the amount of the body that is up to the target, making there less of a chance for a person to be able to shoot the police officer. At the same time this stance also offers an amount of support for the shooting arm so that a steady shot can be fired.

Here are some of the basic tips to performing the weaver pistol shooting stance.

Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Make sure that your knees are locked so that you are in a strong stance. The foot that is closer to the shooting arm should be slight back from the other one to make sure that it is a strong stance.

Extend your shooting arm all the way out so that it is completely extended with a slight bend to the arm. Take your other hand and put it on your shooting arm to stabalize it. Turn the body about 45 degrees away from the object that is shooting at you.

Remember to extend your arm out fully and to prepare for the recoil of the gun. Having this tips ready will allow you to be prepared for shooting the gun while you stand in a weaver pistol shooting stance.

The weaver pistol shooting stance is not usually favored by compitive shooters but some people do chose to try it out during events.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Games, Shooting, Sports Tagged With: , ,

A Beginner Shooting Stance: The Push-Pull Pistol Shooting Stance

November 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Although pistol shooting only requires that a person stand still and shoot a gun there is a lot of chance that a beginner pistol shooter can experience fatigue. There is a lot of mental and physical ability that goes into shooting that gun and it can really drain someone who is not used to it.

A very common beginner shooting stance is that of the Push-Pull Shooting Stance that allows the person to be able to shoot the pistol for the first time and eliminate some of the chance for fatigue. It is also one of the best stances that a shooter can take in order to help relieve some of the stress and pressure off a person. It teachers a beginner how to relax while shooting.

Here is a quick guide to learning how to do the Push-Pull Shooting Stance.

This stance begins a little bit differently then other shooting stances. When the gun is being removed from the holster the body relaxes and the pistol is moved upwards as the body straightens and relaxes. The pistol is then quickly pushed forward in front of the body while the hand supports the shooting hand.

The body should be facing the target straight on and the feet should be slightly apart. One foot should be directly in front of the other a little. This allows for more stability of the body and help when the recoil of the gun goes off.

While the pistol is straight in front of you when the supporting hand comes up and meets the shooting hand it is about time to shoot the gun. When the gun is discharge pull the arms back a little. Not too jerky of a motion but a very smooth swift motion is required for using this type of stance.

Things to remember are to not lock the elbows, pull the arms back smoothly and to not get nervous. These will help in your shooting.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Games, Shooting, Shooting Range, Sports Tagged With: , ,

The Challenge of Handgun Sports

September 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Vector Arms Mini Uzi SMG with Gemtech MK9k sup...
Image via Wikipedia
There is a thrill that comes with shooting along with confidence and pride of skill. When it comes to shooting and especially handgun shooting, the shooter must have patience, determination and excellent precision. Shooting requires concentration and the ability to take on anything. There are three main games that those who are skilled at handguns will participate in. They are Action shooting, Silhouette shooting and Precision shooting.

In action shooting the speed that the shooters can hit the targets are calculated. The competitor starts from a stage where the handgun is steadily secured. With action shooting the targets may still or moving. In the actual action matches there can be scored targets as well as falling targets in the same game.

Silhouette shooting is done with metallic targets that are a put at various measurements. It’s like a shooting range on a really big scale. To score this game, the shooter is simply calculated by how they hit the targets off the stand.

In precision shooting, the game is just as it sounds… precise! This is a very insistent and challenging sport and it is why most handgun shooters love it. With precision handgun shooting, the competitors can only use one hand to shoot. With other shooting sports, like rifle gun shooting, the shooter uses both hands. This is why handgun precision shooting is often considered the most trying.

The targets fly from 10 meters to 50 meters. It is very difficult, as only one hand is allowed for use. Precision shooting ranks as one of the most well-liked handgun sports now.

With all of these sports, there are newcomer programs for those that are just beginning. There are various guns to shoot with as well as games. Many shooting ranges will offer newbie competitions and programs at all levels.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Shooting, Shooting Range, Sports Tagged With: , ,

The Right to Bear Arms:Choosing the Right Gun for Home Defense

August 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A view of the break-action of a typical double...
Image via Wikipedia
The Right to Bear Arms: Choosing the Right Gun for Home Defense
As an American it is your right to own a gun to protect yourself and your property.  Before even considering a firearm purchase, however, it is crucial that you receive proper gun safety training.  You will also want training in the use of the specific firearm you plan on purchasing.  In the hands of a person who does not know how to properly use it a gun becomes a personal liability instead of a means of protection.
Other factors you should take into consideration when choosing a personal firearm are the laws concerning gun ownership where you live.  Finding the ideal weapon is not ideal if you are not legally allowed to have it.  Your social environment is another important thing to consider.  If you’re in an urban environment any shooting you do will likely be short-range, and you should choose your firearm accordingly.  Likewise, a person in a rural environment will want a weapon equipped for long-range accuracy.  Your personal level of experience with firearms is also important.  While handguns are popular they are also the most difficult firearm to use.  Now that the basics have been covered the logistics of actual weapons can be discussed.
The general consensus among the gun community is that the pump action shotgun is the top choice for home defense.  This weapon is incredibly easy to use and very hard to break.  At close range, and with the proper ammunition, it will prove to be an incredibly effective firearm. If the shotgun isn’t your style the second top recommendation is the revolver.  A revolver is the most simple and reliable of the handgun models and, unlike semi-automatic weapons, it is nearly impossible for a revolver to jam.  The one major drawback to the revolver is that a certain level of skill is required to properly and effectively use it. There are other firearm options available, but the pump action shotgun and revolver are the top choices for homeowners.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Safety Precautions, Shooting Tagged With: , ,

Airsoft Gun Basics–Gas Pistols

August 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The SKS is a semi-automatic Russian rifle
Image via Wikipedia

In airsoft, spring-powered guns are the weapon of choice, especially in recreational use. “professionals” tend to utilize high-powered AEGs (automatic electric guns), powered by serious battery packs. The middle of the road however, is gas-powered airsoft guns.

While there are as many types of gas guns as there are of any other kind of airsoft guns, this article focuses of handguns; pistols, powered by gas. The most common propellants used are CO2, carbon dioxide, and Green Gas (propane). Green Gas is favored in low-temperature climates, because it allows guns to cycle faster. Other propellants tend to bog down. CO2 is much easier to come by, and and cheaper. The cartridges are more manageable as well. Less commonly used is Red Gas, chlorodifluoromethane in reality., which is harder to find. The first airsoft guns made out of Japan in the 1980s utilized a liquid propellant, dichlorodifluoromethane, (commonly called R-12, or known by Freon-12, it’s brand name).

Even the lowest-end gas gun is more effective than the best spring rifle on the airsoft field. The WE 1911, a gas pistol using Green Gas, fires a bb at 320 feet per second. A top-grade spring sniper rifle fires at 400 FPS, just 80 FPS faster.

Gas powered pistols have two extras working in their favor on the playing field. One, gas guns are semi-automatic; unlike spring guns, they don’t have to be cocked for each shot. This makes for a much higher rate of fire. Two, they make a very audible noise when they are fired, especially if they are blowback guns (the slide recoils, the same as a real pistol), striking fear in opponents’ hearts. It’s one thing to hear the click of a spring gun firing a round off; quite another to hear the blam blam blam of a gas gun.

Games that feature players with spring, gas, or electric weapons tend to be decidedly unfair, but often do happen in amateur skirmishes. While victory still comes down to being a better shot than an opponent, stronger and faster guns can often take the day. It’s important to remember that airsoft is still an “on your honor” game, and that packing a stronger gun in a low-power game in unfriendly.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Shooting, Shooting Range Tagged With: , ,

Eclectic Guns–Part 1

August 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The history of firearms has yielded some interesting chapters. There is the usual progressing timeline: slings and stones became arrows, arrows became bolts, bolts became bullets, and now every army of the world equips its soldiers with the most modern weapons available. Along the way, however, came some interesting diversions in the gun development history.

Bergmann 1896
Created at the end of the 19th Century when the idea of an automatic pistol was a novel one, the Bergmann featured not only a bizarre shape (think Luger meets kitchen appliance), but also a lighter weight than it’s competitors at the time. The 1896 was also a step up from Bergmann’s previous models which ejected spent cartridges by having them ricocheting off the next round. It held five rounds in a box magazine that was part of the weapon.

The Liberator
Developed by the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, the Liberator was a handgun (using a very, very loose interpretation of the word) with a single shot. 1,000,000 were made within three months, due to the amazingly cheap and simplistic manufacturing of the gun. Meant to be distributed to resistance groups, the gun included 10 rounds of ammunition and a set of cartoonized instructions on how to work the gun.

Pancor Jackhammer
Looking decidedly like a space invader’s gun, the Jackhammer is a collection of all firearm anomalies: a bullpup configured, drum fed, automatic shotgun. The rotating cassette drum holds the 10 rounds that the Jackhammer can fire off up to 656 feet, at a rate of 240 rounds per minutes. Rounds are not ejected; they remain in the cassette. The Jackhammer stands unique in possessing a muzzle compensator.

Heckler and Kick G11
Used mainly by special forces, the G11 is part of the next generation of small arms. Boasting a 2200 round per minute firing rate, this gun can fire three bullets in a single recoil cycle. However, the true genius of the G11 is its ammunition. The bullets and percussion caps are built into blocks of propellant, dispensing with shells and eliminating the need for ejection and extraction of the spent shell. The G11 feeds from a horizontal magazine.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Shooting, Shooting Range Tagged With: , ,

Eclectic Guns–Part 2

August 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

As discussed in Eclectic Guns–Part 1, the history of firearms features some rather peculiar designs. From the impracticable to the pretentious, these weapons add flavor and diversity to the world of weaponry.

MBA Gyrojet
It is said that this pistol is really a rocket launcher. It fires 13mm “missiles”
composed of four thruster jets, a body full of propellant, and a head full of explosives. Since there is no shell to eject, the next round is immediately and painlessly chambered. The jet openings gave gyroscopic spin to the round, but the Gyrojet was still an inaccurate “pistol.” Only a few were made.

Calico M950
Another lost child of the gun world, the Calico is a mix between a pistol and a submachine. It is semi-automatic like a handgun, but built like a SMG. Meant to be held by the grip and also underneath the barrel, the M950 is fed rounds from a unique helical magazine mounted above the trigger. Owing to the longer barrel, rounds can be fired accurately up to almost 200 feet. Magazines come in 50- or 100-round quantities (the 50-round magazine is much more common.)

EM-2 Assault Rifle
The first weapon to utilize the “bull-pup” design (magazine and bolt system configured behind the trigger, to allow a lengthened barrel and thus, a heightened accuracy), the EM-2 had a short-lived life followed by an enormous legacy. It was dropped from service because it fired a 7mm round and the NATO standard became the well-known 7.62mm. The EM-2 was a fantastically accurate rifle, hitting targets over 1300 feet away. IT was capable of reaching a firing rate of 650 rounds a minutes.

FN P90 PDW
Meant as an generation leap in the submachine family, the P90 Personal Defense Weapon is an amoeba of a gun: the build of the gun is angular at times, rounded at others, and houses a plastic, transparent magazine mounted above the gun. Bullets sit at a 90 degree angle to the barrel, and are fed through a turntable to chamber them. It can be fired by right- or left-handed shooters, and it’s effective range is 656 feet.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Shooting, Shooting Range Tagged With: , ,