Did you take classes before buying your first gun?

[Greg-Dawg]

Not from your daddy, not from weird uncle Joe who had a whole arsenal of Crossman BB guns, not from watching Boyz In Da Hood, not from playing Counter Strike, etc. but from a certified instructor?

Reason why I'm doing this poll is that I was at a gun shop yesterday picking up a holster for my Glock 23; and two guys were both buying Glock 19s...and had to share my encounters.

1st guy encounter:
Me: Nice Glock is it a 19 or a 23? (From where I was standing at I couldn't see it clearly)
Dude: It's a 9.
Me: 9 what?
Dude: Huh?
Me: What model is it?
Dude: Oh, I don't know...it's a 9. Now I need a laser.

2nd guy encounter:
Me: Nice Glock.
Dude: Thanks, cool holster.
Me: Yeah it's for my Glock 23. It could also fit into your Glock 19.
Dude: Nice, I need to get the hang of learning how to use the holster, shooting and stuff.
Me: Sounds like it's your first gun.
Dude: Yup, I hope I can learn how to use it. I've never shot a gun before.
Me: Before buying my first Glock, I took a class first.
Dude: I need to look into that.

So with these two encounters (and I'm sure it's very common) of guys purchasing their first gun, my thought is that responsibility should be the utmost importance when buying a gun. And when one guy doesn't even know the gun he buys or when another guy hasn't even fired a shot...I have a concern for the image of calgunners. Can anyone relate?

Hit the poll.

[rkt88edmo]

When turned 21 and immediately ran out to buy my first handgun, an autoloader, I had never shot any pistols but revolvers and was using an inderterminate focus method of keeping the front sight and target vaguely in focus.

As fewer people in CA shoot, and it remains a taboo subject in many households, and young men will always want to play with things that go BOOM!, I think your examples #1 and #2 will remain common.

[ghostwong]

When I got my Glock, I went to a range with a buddy. They taught me how to shoot. Now that I'm older, way older. They really didn't teach me how to shot. I should have gone to an instructor to learn. Somebody who can look, teach, correct, and teach. Well I'm still learning how to do things so I'm even safer and teach that aspect of firearms safety.

Bottom line - everybody thinks they know how to be safe and shoot, but everybody had to learn from somebody. Hopefully it was an instructor with good qualifications.

[johnny_22]

You bet: First Steps, then Basic Pistol before first buy

Did not know what to get and my friends were all over the map on recommendations. With hands-on experience, I learned that a .22 revolver was the best and least expensive way to start the hobby.

[Saigon1965]

No classes - Read a lot though. You have to understand one thing - There are folks that just want to own a gun - No interest in target, reloading, laws, ect.

[Patriot]

BSA Rifle and Shotgun MBs were the first classes I ever took (adult NRA certified instructors.)

Are you speaking generally or about handguns in particular?

[Beelzy]

RIF.........Reading Is Fundamental.

Classes are for those who desire to be taught. I desire the knowledge without
all the extra calories.

[RW Dunn]

Been shooting since me childhood,received Rifles as birthday and christmas presents since 10 yrs old at 21 ran out and bought a Sig p226 with my 1st credit card a year later received my PC832 level 2 which included Shooting course's,went to a couple of other tactical schools and a stint in the national guard.New shooters should read up and learn from other shooter if possible before buying a gun or at least sign up for lesson's before picking it up.Its mandatory i think now.

[savasyn]

I bought a 12ga as soon as I turned 18. I had no idea classes other than for hunter safety existed, so I never even thought about it. Pretty exciting firing a 12ga as a first shot, let me tell you

Once I discovered defensive shooting classes in my late 20s, I took them regularly for a number of years until our instructor retired. Now, years later, I've got my eye on another place but haven't gone yet. I have taken up Action Pistol and 3gun casually, though. I've learned a lot from being in the competitive environment and it's more fun, too.

[Two Shots]

No classes for handguns,as savasyn stated we only had the NRA Hunter Safety courses, Myself I started shooting and hunting when I was 8 as did many others. Started shooting 22 & 38's when I was 16 under leo's and family supervision. First handgun bought at 21 was a Colt 1911 prior to being 21, I had a 22H&R,38 llama which my Dad kept control of. IMO: for a beginner a 22cal revolver is better (cheaper ammo) You need atleast one in your collection. The two stooges sound like a accident waiting to happen.

[BamBam-31]

Was "shown the ropes" by a Sheriff before buying my G19 (many moons ago). He wasn't a Sheriff yet at the time, and he certainly wasn't an NRA certified instructor. Nevertheless, he did teach me some basics, and for that I'm still grateful. Could have done worse....

[AJAX22]

I shot high end pelet guns for years before getting a real firearm... same basic principles apply, except you have to deal with recoil.

first firearm was a .22 single shot bolt action rifle

[emc002]

No on long arms, but yes on handguns.
I actually I won my first handgun at a FNRA dinner and BEFORE I ever shot it, I trained for about 3 months with a friend of mine who was one of Chuck Taylor's and Gabe Suarez's instructors.
Lots of FTF/FTE drills with Snap Caps, presentation drills, stance, etc. Best thing I could have done.

[technique]

No, I grew up around firearms, and firearms safety. By the time I was old enough to buy one, I was already well informed.

[Black Majik]

Not from your daddy, not from weird uncle Joe

Nope. I learned from Uncle Joe. On a FA M16 in Indiana.