Were you as nervous as I was your first time shooting a gun?

[ninjachica]

Oh my goodness, I was shaking!

I did not grow up around guns. Actually, I was only ever around a gun once when my dad went out shooting with a friend, something he only did that one time that I know of.

Besides that I grew up with parents that taught us love and understanding with no real lessons on the evils of the world or how to protect ourselves from it.

Recently I had to make a very difficult decision and I decided it was time to take my personal and family security into my own hands and that the most effective way to do that was to arm myself.

I was so nervous driving to the range. I couldn't believe I was going to shoot a gun. A tool powerful enough to take someone's life in an instant. It was intense. Holding the gun in my hand I had to really focus on my breathing and staying calm. I just wanted to put it down and walk away, but I couldn't. I held it, trying to listen to everything my instructor was telling me about how to do it. When he was done explaining everything I knew it was time. My legs felt like they were shaking and I couldn't stop them! I kept focusing on my breathing and the reason why I was there.
It was so intense for me. I think the next time will be better, but I still get butterflies thinking about it.

I'm wondering what other people's first time was like. I'd love to hear it.

 

[shooterfan1974]

I hadn't fired a handgun since my Dad's .22 revolver as a child when I rented a G17 at a range back in February. I'd always been interested & decided I wasn't getting younger. I was so nervous. I now have 2 9mm Glocks, a Ruger 10-22 for my daughter, a Mossberg 500 12 ga, and an AR15 on layaway. Yeah, I kinda got hooked.

 

[misunderstood]

Ur first time shooting sounds like that girls first time voting for obama in the commercial. Lol. Congats. But dont look at it like a device that can take someones life. Look more like a tool can save yours. In more tgan one way. Welcome to the club. Next thing you know you will start using common sense and eating meat. Lol.

 

[ADJ423]

I was pretty nervous. My dad took me out when I was 5 to show me what they could do and teach me to never touch them unless he was taking me to shoot. He let me first shoot his .22 then his .357 mag. A .357 mag is a lot of gun for a 5 year old. I learned real fast not to touch them. I have been shooting ever since. Bought my first shotgun on at 18 and my first pistol on my 21st birthday. Now I carry one everywhere except for work and will always be a responsible armed citizen.

 

[Kalamity023]

To be honest, I cant remember the first time I fired a gun. I remember my dad taking me to a youth shooting day when I was very young maybe 4 or 5, but I don't remember if this was the first time or not I do know we used a .22 rifle, and I remember liking it. This is kind of odd as he created the enthusiast that I am today and he has not picked up a gun in almost 5 years when I took him to the range to try out my new AR.

My dad and I have only been shooting about 3 times in my life. I do remember the first time I shot a handgun. I went shooting with my Dad and a family friend. I was about 8 and I was relegated to a Beretta 92, 9mm, a Mac-10 style semi-auto, a .357 revolver and a .22. They let me shoot one round out of the a .45 S&W (for the life of me I cant remember what model it was). I remember thinking that the gun looked like the one Wesley Snipes used in the move "Demolition Man", so I was THRILLED! This was one of my favorite movies at the time. I remember them saying "Hold it tight" and my dad was there behind me with his hands out. When I squeezed the trigger the recoil almost knocked me over. If my dad was not there I would have fallen over. It was AWESOME! We then moved to the rifle range. They were shooting an AK, 30-06. I know now that I was not able to handle the recoil, however, at the time I was slightly disappointed. Then my dad squeezed off a shot with the 30-06, which had a trigger job. He did not intend to squeeze off the round and it left a nice scope bite above his eye (The scar is still there today). So it made for a good memorable time.

That positive experience with firearms when I was a kid has foster the love I have today. Once you PRACTICE, and make the firearm part of your every day life. You will realize that it is a tool like any other. It has a specific purpose. If you take care of it, it will take care of you when you need it. The more you practice with it, and the more knowledge you will seek about it will only help you to be more comfortable with it. Kind of like a nail gun, welder, or a chainsaw (all of which are dangerous if used improperly and can cause death) Many people when they begin to carry will carry the firearm unloaded on their person while in their home to become accustomed to it. Take whatever steps you need to, in order to become comfortable and proficient. Finally, NEVER be afraid to ask for advice/help if you run into trouble. The only dumb question is the one that you don't ask right before the ND.

 

[Walther_Fan]

Oh yeah, I was nervous. My first time was at the range in a beginner safety class. I was scared and the gun was way too big in my hands. It was also taught by a bully. The guy yelled at us and mocked almost all of us women in the class. The Glock they gave us to shoot was huge and when I asked if I could get a different gun, he teased me for 'whining'. Then they left us take a break for lunch (8 hour class) and as soon as I got in the car I cried. My hand was killing me and the shock of using it was hitting me. But I wasn't sure if it was the shock of firing a gun for the first time, or my jerk instructor, or both. So I decided to stick it out and go in and try again. I spoke to a different man working there before class started up again, asking for a different gun. He was helpful and picked out a Kahr that fit my hands much better. He even explained to my instructor that I had blisters and shouldn't be using the Glock. My instructor didn't get any sweeter, but when we moved back into the range, I shot that gun for the first time and didn't feel scared or shocked at all. I tried to prep my daughter for her first class, about the sounds and smells, just so it wouldn't be such a huge shock for her. And I won't let anyone I know train at the bully's facilities.

 

[lindab]

My first time shooting for self defense was in my front yard. I didn't like it because I didn't think I knew enough about shooting. The only shooting I had done was trying to kill snakes or run off skunks. I took a course with a good instructor and it made me feel a lot better. He taught gun safety and really impressed handling and not pointing at people or sweeping people when moving the gun. He went slowly when firing and then increased speed with the second day of training. I felt a lot better after doing the training. My problem now is finding a place to practice because I think you loose too much when not practicing.

 

[jg1967]

Admittedly I was nervous, too, there very first time I was operating a gun. I did not grow up around guns either.

 

[fstroupe]

To be honest, I couldn't tell you if I was nervous or not, as I was probably six or so, shooting my grandfather's .22 revolver, my dad's .38 special, and a muzzleloader that my uncle had built from scratch. I actually remember the day fairly clearly. I was shooting across a brand new barbed wire fence. I hit the bottom strand with a round from the muzzleloader and cut it in half....the fence was very tight....that's when I got nervous lol.

 

[skinnyb82]

Yup. Got started late in life. I shot some POS Ruger Mark something .22LR (those things jammed so easily) at the ROTC's indoor range when I was a junior in college. Every semester they have two target shooting events to raise money for charity. My hands were shaking and I think I hit one of the targets once in the corner (out of 6 rds or so) and missed everything on the other two. I went back when I was in grad school (and had been shooting for a long time) and shot quite a bit better heh.

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2

 

[Taconista]

No, I was more curious and excited. I squealed with delight with the first shot (inwardly still squeal happily every time). I had a ball tearing gaping holes in the targets that day.

 

[eagleeyes]

i didn't grow up around guns either but i was more curious and not even nervous just curious ....i don't like shooting them or cleaning guns after shooting them but i do because i made the decision to carry but i don't mind carrying one though and i would mind very much if the government were to take that right from us

 

[cdh718]

Nah. My first time shooting was in basic training. Best training U can get.

 

[JeanP]

Nope. Not nervous, but excited to be learning something. I was a young, single mother of 2 boys who wanted to learn how to hunt with their friends. So, I took the CA Hunter Safety Course. Really enjoyed it. Borrowed a 30.06 from a friend and took y boys deer hunting (with the friend). That being said, I didn't get my first handgun until age 66. Still enjoy shooting and the good feeling that I can protect myself if need be.

 

[Mary Coleman Reading]

Dad was sighting in a new scope and I wanted to shoot badly and he was sure. if you think you can.. So he had it in a sand bag across a pickup shooting in to a tobacco barn and I was out shooting him!.. the little girl who had major eye surgery, left eye dominate right hand shooter was out shooting her dad who shot often and an uncle that was a better shot then dad

I loved it it was something I could do and did very well and you know a 8 yr old out shooting her dad is always a good feeling! but he made me go back in the house LOL!

 

[Rhino]

To be honest, I cant remember the first time I fired a gun.

I can't either. My father was killed in Vietnam when I was 7 and my mother was afraid of guns so she gave away the 1911 that was sent back with his personal effects. I remember coming across it once in the attic when I was going through his stuff. I was probably in my early teens the first time I fired a gun. Many of my friends had them. I remember some of my friends didn't want me to shoot their rifles sometimes because I was a better shot than they were. That was a running joke for a few years. But guns weren't all that unusual when I grew up and where I grew up, so I guess the day I first fired a gun wasn't really a monumental occasion for me. Otherwise I'd probably remember it.

 

[aynot]

I was nervous! I inherited my grandfathers 357 , my father told me either learn how to shoot it or sell it, I planned on hanging it on the wall. Talking about it at work with some clients, telling them that I was going to learn how to shoot (im a hairdresser) A few men made comments that they would love to be there to see me fall on my butt the first time I shot that gun, I said I would shoot it with .38's and they still laughed, some other guy said be carefull you dont tear off your rotator cuff ?? Well a friend went with me , hes a police officer. I brought my gun and he brought a gun for my that he said would be easier to handle, a 9mm sig. As soon as I held the gun at the range I started trembling, all the comments from men at work were going through my head, I fired and although it wasnt nearly as bad as I thought, it was very nerve racking at first, all the shells bouncing off the wall and the range was quite busy so the noise! well after a bit I relaxed and he said I dont think you are ready for your revolver yet, I told him I want to shoot it, and it did, it is a heavier gun so there is no recoil snap and I loved it! this was two months ago and I am addicted! Since then I bought myself a full size 1911 in 9mm and I love that gun, have also used 357's in my revoler and recently shot a .45 1911 which is my next purchase! Im still not sure why those men said those things to make me so nervous. Even when I picked up my 1911 at the gun store, I was a nervous wreck ordering a gun online that I never tried out before and the guy at the store made jerky comment " dont you thinnk this is too much gun for you" and then he said out loud to a bunch of other guys " would love to see her try to field strip it hahahah" what a jerk ! I watched a video on you tube and it was a piece of cake taking it apart and putting it together

Oh my goodness, I was shaking!

I did not grow up around guns. Actually, I was only ever around a gun once when my dad went out shooting with a friend, something he only did that one time that I know of.

Besides that I grew up with parents that taught us love and understanding with no real lessons on the evils of the world or how to protect ourselves from it.

Recently I had to make a very difficult decision and I decided it was time to take my personal and family security into my own hands and that the most effective way to do that was to arm myself.

I was so nervous driving to the range. I couldn't believe I was going to shoot a gun. A tool powerful enough to take someone's life in an instant. It was intense. Holding the gun in my hand I had to really focus on my breathing and staying calm. I just wanted to put it down and walk away, but I couldn't. I held it, trying to listen to everything my instructor was telling me about how to do it. When he was done explaining everything I knew it was time. My legs felt like they were shaking and I couldn't stop them! I kept focusing on my breathing and the reason why I was there.
It was so intense for me. I think the next time will be better, but I still get butterflies thinking about it.

I'm wondering what other people's first time was like. I'd love to hear it.

 

[tricolordad]

I was in 6th grade. Our homeroom teacher took us to the range for perfect attendance. He had a muzzleloader, a few
.22s and a whole lotta daisy BB guns. (He was a Deputy and DNR warden so the school didn't object.). I was more interested in Amber than the guns lol. It's a fuzzy memory, but I do remember that he left the rod in the muzzle and i put the shot just high left of center at 25 yards and the rod was sticking into the ground just below the target and it knocked me off my seat. And that my arm was tired from pumping the BB gun all day. We were there something like 5 hours.

 

[Courtney.cj.chen]

My first time was in 4" wedges. My dad tried telling me that I'd be better off in flats. But I was 15 and being hard headed.

The gun we rented was a glock. My dad didnt know that he could bring his own- and this was his first time shooting a gun in the USA. I shot 15 rds without looking through the sights bc I was sweating so much. I didn't feel nervous. But I must have been sweating bc I was subconsciously nervous.

12 years later- and I still wear heels (they're 5" pumps now due to current fashion) half the time I'm at an indoor range. And I can shoot a 2-3 in spread from 25yds w. a pistol. I did not buy my own gun until last year due to my dad always letting me carry his pistol. But when I did make that first purchase... The inner shopping beast that only presents itself at my local Nordstroms , malls & countless online sources- Had found itself an entirely new home in places in the likes of my LGS. And then when I learned how online purchases & finding the FFL for online purchases worked--- it was like the "gun gods" had opened the gates to gun heaven... And showered me with wonderful goodies.

If I believed in the concept of being "born again" - then that's what happened to me in cabelas when I made my first purchase- S&W SD9VE - bc I was looking for a cheap pistol that could withstand heavy target practice. Today I own 5 pistols, one ar pistol, one ar, and building two ARs for my two sons (they're still in diapers so it will be some time) and I am gifting my M9 to my father as a thank you for awakening a passion.

 

[straxler]

Oh yeah, I was nervous. My first time was at the range in a beginner safety class. I was scared and the gun was way too big in my hands. It was also taught by a bully. The guy yelled at us and mocked almost all of us women in the class. The Glock they gave us to shoot was huge and when I asked if I could get a different gun, he teased me for 'whining'. Then they left us take a break for lunch (8 hour class) and as soon as I got in the car I cried. My hand was killing me and the shock of using it was hitting me. But I wasn't sure if it was the shock of firing a gun for the first time, or my jerk instructor, or both. So I decided to stick it out and go in and try again. I spoke to a different man working there before class started up again, asking for a different gun. He was helpful and picked out a Kahr that fit my hands much better. He even explained to my instructor that I had blisters and shouldn't be using the Glock. My instructor didn't get any sweeter, but when we moved back into the range, I shot that gun for the first time and didn't feel scared or shocked at all. I tried to prep my daughter for her first class, about the sounds and smells, just so it wouldn't be such a huge shock for her. And I won't let anyone I know train at the bully's facilities.

Your experience makes me furious. That instructor should not be allowed to teach shooters, especially beginners. There is no need to increase the anxiety first timers already feel by being a bully. He sounds like the type of macho jerk who thinks women should remain barefoot & pregnant. I applaud your grit for going back after the horrendous morning you had. I have been shooting all my life (hunting, the Army, target shooting) and have always let my weapon do the talking. Watching me outshoot my husband usually shuts up the skeptics (he doesn't mind, actually gets a kick out of how I do). Continue to stand your ground, and if there is any way to express your displeasure to the facility owner, do it. If they know you are actively discouraging customers, they may deal with the jerk.