Hello, New Forum Member Introduction

[GandalfTheGrey23]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and the experience of gun ownership and shooting entirely. After having entertained the idea for several years now, I’m finally obtaining my HQL. I want to gain as much practical experience as possible in being comfortable with shooting range activities. There are several reasons for this, but I have raised kids, and it was only after one made it into military service recently that I realized I probably need to keep up with any ability I might be able to develop for firearms handling and experience at the range. We never did this as a family when the kids were young. When he comes back on leave, I’d like to know where to go shooting together, for example, and be comfortable doing so. I need bragging rights, too, in other words.

I'm here to learn and hopefully find a resource to get my newbie questions answered.

I know many of you on this forum have years of experience in ownership & handling, and I'm grateful in advance for your willingness to share your knowledge with newcomers like me. I'm eager to learn as much as possible and look forward to learning from the discussions here.

Please feel free to point me in the right direction if I ask a question that has already been answered or if I need help figuring out where to start. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thanks,

GtG23

 

[Biggfoot44]

Welcome !

You'll get conversation here in the introduction subforum , but you can go ahead and start thread(s) in Recreational Shooting , Training & Safety , or Capital Region subforums as almost a toss up .

Obvious follow ups from " us " :

You mentioned your HQL . You mentioned your son joining the Military . At the basic level , he will primarily be shooting rifle .

At this juncture in your firearms journey , are you primarily focused on Handgun , Rifle , or a little of everything ?


Your profile shows Rockville . Are your geographic parameters actually IN Rockville , or within hour- ish of Rockville ?.

Are you at this point strictly looking for public / commercial , open to public for nominal hourly fee ? Is membership in an * actual * Club on your horizon ?

( Some commercial ranges will offer a " membership " that is just pre paid range access for a period of time . A " real " Club is a membership organization , operating as a mutual benefit for the members , usually organized as a nonprofit .)

 

[GandalfTheGrey23]

Welcome !

You'll get conversation here in the introduction subforum , but you can go ahead and start thread(s) in Recreational Shooting , Training & Safety , or Capital Region subforums as almost a toss up .

Obvious follow ups from " us " :

You mentioned your HQL . You mentioned your son joining the Military . At the basic level , he will primarily be shooting rifle .

At this juncture in your firearms journey , are you primarily focused on Handgun , Rifle , or a little of everything ?


Your profile shows Rockville . Are your geographic parameters actually IN Rockville , or within hour- ish of Rockville ?.

Are you at this point strictly looking for public / commercial , open to public for nominal hourly fee ? Is membership in an * actual * Club on your horizon ?

( Some commercial ranges will offer a " membership " that is just pre paid range access for a period of time . A " real " Club is a membership organization , operating as a mutual benefit for the members , usually organized as a nonprofit .)

Thank you Biggfoot44 for the reply.

I'm primarily focused on a handgun for now. But - I'm on the path and open to a little of everything. However, I've got a long way to go since I'm starting from scratch. Budgeting for the best-fit initial purchase, including proper storage in the home, for example, is on the list. I probably need a mentor of sorts. Firearms handling, training, etc.. It's all on the table.

I'm geographically very close to Rockville.

I'm interested in a 'real' club, operating as a mutual benefit for the members. I'm looking to get involved in a community.
Any tips on how to approach the whole thing are definitely welcome. What not to do, and things to avoid, are also helpful.
Doing things the right way is important to me, but starting small and developing best practices is my focus.

GtG23

 

[John from MD]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and the experience of gun ownership and shooting entirely. After having entertained the idea for several years now, I’m finally obtaining my HQL. I want to gain as much practical experience as possible in being comfortable with shooting range activities. There are several reasons for this, but I have raised kids, and it was only after one made it into military service recently that I realized I probably need to keep up with any ability I might be able to develop for firearms handling and experience at the range. We never did this as a family when the kids were young. When he comes back on leave, I’d like to know where to go shooting together, for example, and be comfortable doing so. I need bragging rights, too, in other words.

I'm here to learn and hopefully find a resource to get my newbie questions answered.

I know many of you on this forum have years of experience in ownership & handling, and I'm grateful in advance for your willingness to share your knowledge with newcomers like me. I'm eager to learn as much as possible and look forward to learning from the discussions here.

Please feel free to point me in the right direction if I ask a question that has already been answered or if I need help figuring out where to start. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thanks,

GtG23

Welcome from Davidsonville.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Cool !

An NRA Basic Pistol Marksmanship Class or equivalent is a good way to start . ( Before everyone chimes in , I'm reading this as basic shooting skills now , and W&C maybe later down the road .)

You will hear shortly from members of the 2 or 3 Izak Walton Clubs near you , several Full Service Clubs associated with AGC , and possibly a member from Thurmont .

 

[Mark75H]

Cool !

An NRA Basic Pistol Marksmanship Class or equivalent is a good way to start . ( Before everyone chimes in , I'm reading this as basic shooting skills now , and W&C maybe later down the road .)

You will hear shortly from members of the 2 or 3 Izak Walton Clubs near you , several Full Service Clubs associated with AGC , and possibly a member from Thurmont .

I second these suggestions.

Welcome to fun stuff

 

[Dave MP]

Welcome from PA!
Take a look at these helpful links – LOTS of amazing info!
FORUM RULES
Rules are written in the stone, Break the rules and you get no bones, all you get is ridicule, laughter, a shine box, and a trip to the house of pain.
Range Etiquette and Staying Safe
Admin News and Announcements
Gun Rights and Legislation
Industry Partners
MD Shooters Firearms Map
Acronym list

 

[LGood48]

Greetings.

 

[JohnnyE]

Hi ya, from about five miles north of you.

 

[Cool_Moo5e]

Welcome from Harford, got my HQL/W&C class on the 30th and 1st. I grew up on rifles primarily pump and lever actions and over covid bit the bullet and started buying what I had interest in, used the forum for some basic info till I said ok its time to join.