r/canadaguns • u/CombustionGFX • Aug 14 '26
Misc Firearm familiarity
Hey all,
Has anyone here had any experience with private firearm training?
I got my PAL last year and while I aced the written portion, I didn't do so well on the practical. A lot of the types of firearms I had never seen in person before, let alone handle. To be fair, I did sort of rush them and could have taken more time to learn about them.
I was thinking of buying a Ruger 10/22 in order to start my journey and to learn more about how to operate it safely. That being said, I live somewhere where it is illegal to plink on crown land so I would need to go to a range. It would be ideal to just take it out in the woods and learn on my own but alas. I obviously know the minimums of firearm safety but I wouldn't want to put anyone at risk if something went wrong at the range. I also don't wanna look like an idiot lol.
So with all that being said, has anyone here ever hired someone for training? Were they a range officer or just a buddy who knows that specific firearm?
What would you do in my situation?
Thanks
7
u/swift_gilford Aug 14 '26
What would you do in my situation?
Look at your ranges and see if they are offering courses. They are usually group courses, which i know can be intimidating if you're new to this, but this is why they have different levels (novice, advanced, etc).
Alternatively you could try to find those public ranges where you can be a walk on with supervised shoots. From there you could always ask if any of those people offer 1 on 1 training.
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u/StairwayHiker Aug 14 '26
Join a local range and then contact one of the directors... Someone will volunteer to help you out, I guarantee it.
Also, check out YouTube videos.
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u/BrotherLefthand Aug 14 '26
Second this.
If you've got a fancy range with Range Officers on staff, they'll be happy to help as well.
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u/No_Win_9797 Aug 14 '26
Practice at home!
When I was new I bought snap caps(practice bullets/duds) for every new firearm I got and practiced everything from loading/ unloading, trigger pull, working the action, safety on off until I was completely familiar with my new toy/tool and felt confident woth it. It goes a long way!
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u/TryInitial2042 Aug 14 '26
You are over thinking this problem. Buy a gun you like and learn it without ammo around. Manipulate the action take dryfire shots in the basement. Watch a few videos online.
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u/TheeJoCanadian Aug 14 '26
What kind of training are you looking for and where are you located?
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u/CombustionGFX Aug 14 '26
Really just how to operate it safely at a range, like if it jams or if you get a misfire or something along those lines
NS
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u/No-Today5207 Aug 14 '26
The basics are: always keep it downrange, if its a misfire wait 60 seconds incase its a hangfire, and then unload the firearm. Visually inspect barrel/bore to make sure its not a squib and then reload.
Jams it depends but 90% of the time just cycle the action and it should eject the jammed cartridges. Some firearms you may need to drop the mag out then rack the action, if its real bad keep the firearm downrange but you may need to use a plier etc to remove a jammed cartridge.
Failure to feed: tap magazine into firearm ( if applicable) cycle action then resume shooting.
Failure to extract (FTE)/double feed (FTF)- inspect chamber to determine which failure. Usually with these is a drop magazine out and cycle action.
It'll all become muscle memory after a few range trips if you have failures. If i was local to you i'd take you out but i'm much too far away. Best of luck someone in NS must offer training, or just ask folks at your local range. Most people in this hobby are friendly and willing to teach just dont do anything scary or else they will never shoot near/with you again.
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u/jayecal Aug 14 '26
If you're in the HRM or don't mind traveling to it (if you're not like too far outside of course). I've got a few different types of firearms that I could show you how to use if you want.
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u/Ok-Bowler-203 Aug 14 '26
My experience is that range staff are extremely helpful in these situations.
Just ask them nicely with any questions and check your ego at the door (I’ve seen situations like go badly for rude people!).
YouTube can also be a great source on how to handle, clean and shoot a firearm.
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u/Holiday_Equivalent15 Aug 15 '26
If you're in NS and are relatively close to or are able to get to Dartmouth, give Nova Tactical a shot. They've got a bunch of different packages that let you try several different firearms and calibres. It's a little pricey, as this sport tends to be, but in my experience, the staff has always been super friendly, accommodating and patient, and willing to answer any questions you have relating to firearms and their operation.
If you plan on buying a 10/22, get yourself some snap caps for dry firing and get a feel for your rifle and trigger weight. Don't feel embarrassed about training yourself in safe habits, like safe carrying in a confined space or barrel and trigger discipline. I guarantee you almost everyone here has LARP'ed in their basement at least once with their favourite toy, including proper carrying, cycling actions, and yes, pretend shootouts.
But really, the most important things are exactly what they taught you in the safety course: Don't point the barrel at anything other than your target, so keep the barrel skyward until you're at your lane; don't load the magazine or chamber a round until your target is set up, and once you're locked and loaded, don't touch the trigger until your barrel is on your target. Other than that, as with anything, practice, practice, practice.
Welcome to the sport, friend!
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u/floppy_breasteses Aug 14 '26
I did some minimal training working for an armed security company. The rest I learned on my own with YouTube videos and shooting on my range. I'm lucky enough to be able to shoot at home. Belleville area, by any chance?
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u/AnOblongBox Aug 14 '26
Get some snap caps and do loading drills operating the action and stuff. Set up your own "downrange" in your house.
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u/Rogan403 Aug 14 '26
IMO, like 85% of operational familiarity of a gun can be achieved before ever firing a live round out of it.
After I bought my first handgun, I first took it home and practiced taking it apart, reassembling it, manipulating the controls, and loading it and "firing" dummy rounds.
By the time I shot it for the first time 2 days later I could quickly dis and reassemble the gun then load the magazine and chamber a round while completely blindfolded.
So by the time you're at the range you should have fucked around with the gun enough that the only operating familiarity you're still lacking is with its recoil and addressing misfire.
1
u/weaksignals Aug 14 '26
Take a mapleseed course, it’s a great way to build familiarity and proficiency with a 10/22.
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u/Vituperate250 Aug 15 '26
Personally I think you have the right attitude, so hiring someone is likely unnecessary. Some thoughts:
First, a 10/22 is a great first gun. Semi-auto is fun, and the design is robust.
It will also teach you a lot about firearm controls and how to use them. Read the manual, it's worthwhile, and then get used to the controls. Do this at home before going to the range. The 10/22 has quirks, and those are valuable. They will teach you a lot about how firearms operate, what to look for, and where to find it.
The more familiar you are with handling the gun, even without outside help, the better you will be at the range. Ranges are, to be honest, somewhat stressful. Gunshots, to this day, generate a visceral "flight" reaction for me even though I've been shooting for ages, so the familiarity will help immensely if you feels similar stress. It is also worth saying that stress does go away after a while once you're at the range.
Second, most ranges have helpful members. I used to spend a lot of time at my local range as a safety officer, and a lot of my time was spent helping new members with how their guns work, what to watch for, what not to do, etc. Most of us want to help. Ask questions, be curious, and you'll find lots of good people.
Third, pass everything through your mental filter. There is a tonne of shitty, dumb, and outright dangerous advice out there. If it feels wrong, it probably is. If it smells bad, it's probably shit. Take your time, think about what you read and hear. There is no rush and it's worth getting all this as right as you can.
I hope this helps!
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u/Mochadon Aug 15 '26
Welcome to the sport! Join a club and look for classes and clubs. For example we have skills and drills which is great for fundamentals. I’ve taken club holster qualification courses, 3 gun courses, etc. You recognize what I learned the hard way after taking the PAL course- how do you get the practical experience and marksmanship skills? In addition to the club resources (and other disciplines like IPSC, IDPA, Multigun) I think there would be a lot of experienced folks willing to pass along knowledge and run a few drills. I was lucky to have the courses available and a buddy that could point me in the right direction
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u/MacintoshEddie Aug 15 '26
Sure. I've run a bunch of hands on demos and explanations and taken people to the range.
There are paid courses but often they're not really necessary unless you're planning to go into competition. Join a club or get a range membership and usually you can find people who are willing to help explain and give advice.
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u/TheSkrillanator Aug 15 '26
Just saying we all like guns enough to want to do it for free. Im sure theres someone near you who feels the same way.
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u/Previous_Search3122 Aug 15 '26
That was alot of typing for a simple, I need more guidance to ensure my safety, can anyone in * insert city * help me?
Seriously though, join a range and ask for help. 100% chance there are a couple old timers that will help you be safe.
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u/Ok-Programmer-2199 Aug 16 '26
My local range requires 6 safety classes before you receive your membership. It's a 1 on 1 with an instructor, while they teach you the rules and safety protocols, you shoot 25-50 rounds out of a .22 and if there's no major issues, you get the membership. If you go this route, just tell them on the first class that you don't have experience and they'll likely spend an extra hour teaching you. Besides that, watching YouTube videos on the guns you own, or breaking them down to clean and putting them back together can teach you a lot.
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u/SilenceOfTheBoreal Aug 17 '26
Checkout project mapleseed. Fantastic rifle training and geared towards beginners.
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u/AlternativeSharp3854 Aug 14 '26
Just do what I did, buy a gun of every type of action , and get a bunch of training rounds and shells.
You can practice in your bedroom because likely you’re a “learn by doing” type of person
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u/16gaugeguy16 Aug 14 '26
I respect your humility and that you recognize areas you need to improve on. You're already on the right track to being a safe firearms owner.