Firearm familiarity

[u/CombustionGFX]

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

[u/TheeJoCanadian]

What kind of training are you looking for and where are you located?

[u/CombustionGFX → u/TheeJoCanadian]

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

[u/No-Today5207 → u/CombustionGFX]

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.

[u/jayecal → u/CombustionGFX]

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. 

[u/Ok-Bowler-203 → u/CombustionGFX]

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.

[u/Holiday_Equivalent15 → u/CombustionGFX]

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!