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
1
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!