When I look back at my first time shooting a firearm, I cannot help but acknowledge what an energetic, educational, and rewarding experience it was. My experience allowed me to find a healthy outlet for my stress. Likewise, it helped me gain a new sense of confidence. I am extremely proud of every success and failure I have made along the way. However, in retrospect, if I had the opportunity to go back to the start of my shooting journey, here is everything I would do differently as a new shooter.
Retrospect of a New Shooter
1 – Learning from the Right People
When learning how to shoot firearms, you must learn from someone who has experience working with them. This person lays down the foundation for how you view firearms and handle them. In turn, this creates a rewarding and fun experience you will carry with you for a long time.
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If I could do things differently, I would take a CPL and safety class a lot sooner to set good habits, strengthen my knowledge about firearms, and mentally prepare myself to carry concealed.
I loved learning how to shoot from my significant other. However, at the end of the day, learning from a trained professional provided a more educational experience overall. Any questions I had were answered, and more importantly, I received instant feedback on how to improve my skills.
2 – Investing in a Dry Firing Kit
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In the sport of shooting, the smallest movement can make the biggest impact on your accuracy. This means that familiarizing yourself with your firearm and practicing regularly is key to improving your skills.
However, not everyone can head to the range every day or even weekly to get some much-needed training time. One way around this is by purchasing a dry firing system. I wish I had gotten within my first couple of months of shooting.
This type of practice is not only fun but beneficial. It is something I recommend that every new shooter invest their time and money in.
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3 – Gearing Up
Out of all the range necessities that a shooter requires, one apparel item that can be easily overlooked is shoes. This gear protects your feet from injury from hot brass casings, lead residue, and other debris on the ground.Additionally, since you are on your feet a lot while you shoot, the proper shoes can provide extra stability and comfort, resulting in a more comfortable shooting experience.
Once I realized just how important shoes were, I decided to own a designated pair of range-only shoes. I recommended every shooter do the same. Having a set of shoes that I would wear explicitly to the range allowed me not to care about them getting dirty. It also prevented contamination of lead particles in my home or car.
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4 – Incorrect Misconceptions
In a world that does not always have a favorable view of firearms, it can be easy to make misconceptions about them. One misconception I had when I first started shooting was that bigger guns were automatically “scarier” than their smaller counterparts.
This was not only wrong but also held me back from exploring different-sized handguns. I assumed they would be too powerful for me to manage them. It wasn’t until I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and experiment with standard-sized handguns that I realized that I was wrong.
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This size was not only comfortable to hold but also provided less felt recoil due to its increased mass. In turn, this opened the door for me to shoot different calibers and gain a better insight into these firearms. For anyone new to firearms, I highly recommend you avoid making assumptions about firearms and instead educate yourself about them.
5 – Kicking New Shooter Fears to the Curb
If there is one piece of advice I can give to a person who is nervous to be around firearms, it would be to ask yourself why you are scared. Then, figure out your next steps on how to calm your anxieties. An easy way I have found to overcome firearm fears is by simply taking the time to understand them. It helps to familiarize yourself with their benefits.
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The only thing holding you back is yourself. Yes, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can be nerve-racking. However, at the end of the day, it can also be extremely rewarding and a great confidence booster.
My Journey as a New Shooter in Retrospect
If I knew what I know now about firearms and my journey, there are plenty of things that I would have done differently. Taking a safety class, owning the right gear and training supplies, taking the time to educate myself properly, and not letting fear win are five things that I would have done a lot sooner. I recommend that every shooter follow these five steps to have a safe, enjoyable, and successful shooting experience.
