Ignorant newbie q's

[jbush]

I think you got some really good answers. I like my guns clean when I put them away, but I went to the range Friday and I'm going again tomorow so I didn't clean in between. I didn't put that many rounds through either on Friday. It becomes a personal thing, but I never put my guns away for any extended period without cleaning. Check out rimfirecentral.com, you'll get a lot of good advise. Have fun. I had the same problems with my 22/45 pistol, it just takes some practice to take it apart and put it back together. It's your gun the more you learn about it the better off you'll be. Good luck and good shooting

[CaliforniaLiberal]

For all you that don't clean after shooting, I'm sure this is only for your rimfire handguns/rifles? Not centerfire pistols like a 357/38 revolver or semi?

Welcome to CalGuns pdude!

One of the best things we humans can do for ourselves is to occasionally question all of things that we thought we were sure about.

[jshoebot]

For sight picture, and learning the fundamentals, I'd advise checking out an Appleseed shoot. They'll teach you how to properly apply the fundamentals to your shooting technique, and they also teach you how to zero your rifle and all of that. Check it out: www.appleseedinfo.org

[semperfidelis354]

I was going to suggest Appleseed as well. I haven't been to one yet but looks like a great place to learn the fundamentals. I clean my weapons after every shoot. Even if I go again the next day, it's a military thing that got drilled into me. Heck I clean my guns out of boredom sometimes... They get to be really clean...

[ThortheDog]

The only cleaning tip I have not seen mentioned: on the Mk III the loaded chamber indicator need to be kept clean or it will cause malfunctions. As stated above, Rimfire Central has lots of info on this.

[Paper Boy]

Cleaning. How often do people clean their guns? Is it really every time you shoot?

Depends on the rifle / pistol. I clean my 1911 every time I shoot it, my 38 revolver I clean every time I come home from the range even if I did not shoot it just to make sure my HD gun is in working order at all times, plus all the stuff is out any way. My .22 pistol I toss a bore snake through it after I shoot it and call it good untill it starts to have issues THEN I sit down and really clean it. Precision bolt action rifles every time, AR's I bore snake every time and really clean about every third. Like others have mentioned depends on the gun and the shooter.

With the mark III, it's so hard to take apart and put back together! I've already screwed it up once and had to take it back to the shop for them to sort out. Now I'm scared of mucking it up again.

Dont be, you will learn with practice. Watch some videos on on youtube, read the manual ask someone who has one next time your at the range. Most people are willing to help out. Plus you all ready know the shop can help you if you really get in trouble.

Sight pictures. Where can I learn what the site picture on my guns is supposed to be? And if it doesn't seem to be shooting there, do I assume that I'm pulling when I fire or is it reasonable to adjust my sight picture to compensate? Or is that normal on fixed sight guns?

Try dry fireing with someone watching you. There are also targets out there that can help you figure out if your pulling the shot. Do others shoot the same way with the gun or is it only you that is having the issue with the sights?

Scopes. I'm thinking that after I have some experience with the iron sights on my 10/22, I'm going to want to put a scope on it. I've figured out that this involves installing a base, finding a scope, and some rings, but aside from that I really don't understand what's involved or required. What about sighting in? As a newbie, I'm thinking I really want to either pay someone else to do it or watch someone else do it the first time or two. Is that reasonable

If you are not up to installing everything yourself you can have someone do it for you. If there are no directions for sighting it in the box with the scope youtube / the internet is your friend. some people have also already mentioned how they sight in in their posts.

If you want help mention what day your going to the range and where it is in the forums here and I am sure some CG'er will be happy to help you.


My thoughs

[jshoebot]

I was going to suggest Appleseed as well. I haven't been to one yet but looks like a great place to learn the fundamentals.

Appleseed events are definitely great places to learn the fundamentals. As a former Marine (I'd assume you're a Marine because of your username ), you'd recognize much of what they teach. It's basic Marine Corps marksmanship training, or Army marksmanship training from the 40's and 50's (when they still taught soldiers how to use a sling and be accurate out to 500m with iron sights). It's a great program, and I'd advise all new shooters (and even experienced shooters) to check out Appleseed!

Try this: post a 1 inch square target at 25 meters. Don't shoot from a benchrest, shoot from the prone or sitting position. If you can't hit it with every shot, come to an Appleseed and we'll teach you!

Here's the link again: www.appleseedinfo.org