MoCo gun newbie

[HolmsterDan]

Hey everyone! I am new to the 2a community and firearms in general. I haven't had any experience with firearms and recently as I have gotten into the gun community via youtube and I wanna starting shooting and eventually get a ccw. I was hoping I could get some advice on what my next steps should be I am 20 years old and turning 21 in a few months. Thank you!

 

[Occam]

YouTube is rich with good and bad information. Really depends on what you seek and if you have the critical thinking chops to separate the wheat from the chaff. If you truly are unexposed to all of this other than watching videos, I’d start by taking some basic NRA-spec intro classes - you’ll learn some sound basics and get your hands on some actual shooting.

What to do next will depend on where your brain is after that first effort.

 

[308Scout]

Welcome aboard from Washington County. I agree with everything that Occam said above. Given that you haven't fired a gun, get some basic training and hands on time with various guns to find out if you actually enjoy shooting and then take if from there.

 

[John from MD]

Hey everyone! I am new to the 2a community and firearms in general. I haven't had any experience with firearms and recently as I have gotten into the gun community via youtube and I wanna starting shooting and eventually get a ccw. I was hoping I could get some advice on what my next steps should be I am 20 years old and turning 21 in a few months. Thank you!

Welcome from Davidsonville.

 

[River02]

Welcome to the forums from Frederick County. Concur with Occam-- and I'm sure a member or two from MoCo will be along shortly that can recommend some quality instructors/classes that will be/are available for you to take advantage of that aren't far from your domicile. Keep us posted of your progress--- happy shooting!

 

[308Scout]

OP - This seems like it might be a good starting point. Looks to be local to you. I cannot vouch for the range as never been there, but it appears to be local to you. There are also a good number of instructors on this forum, some of which may be in your area.

Beginner Package | A Shooting Lesson for Beginners

Try our shooting lesson for beginners at Gilbert Indoor Range in Rockville, MD. Contact us to learn about our packages.

gilbertindoorrange.com

 

[Mark75H]

Welcome

 

[Cal68]

Welcome to MDS Forum. I too was a complete newbie to firearms when I decided to dip my toes in the 2A waters a little over ten years ago, so I know exactly how you are feeling. My brother-in-law bought me a Sig Sauer P226 as a present but I had never handled a firearm and did not know the anything about how to use it. So as Occam has suggested above, the first thing I did was to take a couple of classes, one of them being the NRA Basic Pistols Course which included range time. That really helped me understand how to safely use a handgun and from there I continued to learn a lot on this Forum. I'm sure you will get a lot of good advice here as well.

I know that a lot of gun ranges in the area offer the basic pistols course, but you can search using the link shown below as well:

Age Verification - NRA

Welcome again to MDS and always remember to handle firearms with care and observe all safety rules and regulations.

Cal68

PS: I do not know why the link says "Age Verification" but when I click on it, it does take me to the page where one can search for training classes near you!

 

[Parry]

OP: As previously suggested, I also recommend starting with taking courses at your local range. I started with classes at Gilbert’s a few years ago and then ventured out to some other ranges in northern va which are excellent. They can help you start on the right path. Depending on where you are in MOCO and if you don’t mind driving a bit further, Heritage up in Frederick is another great place to learn. Continuously taking classes at your own pace and learning from the instructors will set you up towards more knowledge and proficiency which can be initially intimidating.

 

[KingClown]

Welcome from Washington Co\Baltimore. A good class to learn the basics as has been suggested is a good start. After that go to a range and rent different guns to shoot to see what you like and where you really want to start then take an intemediate class for those type of firearms.
No matter what you want to know how to safely handle and use your new hobby.

 

[LGood48]

Greetings.

 

[Bikebreath]

I was new to firearms in 2009 and I thought I should just jump in. Went to a range where they rented guns and talked to them about renting a gun to learn. They directed me to the NRA basic class. (There's a few and it might have been the Basic Pistol course). I didn't feel like they were trying to sell me one of the programs they offered. Looking back it was the right thing for me to do. There is lot to know, so jump in to a class. All the best to you and...WELCOME to MDShooters.

 

[JohnnyE]

Welcome Rockvillan from your MoCo cellie.

 

[Dave MP]

Welcome from PA!
Take a look at these helpful links – LOTS of amazing info!
FORUM RULES
Rules are written in the stone, Break the rules and you get no bones, all you get is ridicule, laughter, a shine box, and a trip to the house of pain.
Range Etiquette and Staying Safe
Admin News and Announcements
Gun Rights and Legislation
Industry Partners
MD Shooters Firearms Map
Acronym list

 

[Shanny]

welcome! I am old to the 2Acommunity and literally cut my teeth on the butt of my grandpas 12 gauge , despite my whole life of respecting and utilizing all kinds of firearms I too am using youtube to complete an AR build since dad never had one and he, my grandpa, and my husband are gone now, learning through trial and error, am currently returning a bunch of LWRC accessories that won’t attach to what i just realized is my MLOK rail, my best advice is find a good gun range, rub elbows with like minded individuals, and ask questions , see you round the forum!

 

[CitadelTraining]

Welcome from Southern Maryland!

 

[HolmsterDan]

Hello! I go to school in Southern Maryland and its where my girlfriend lives! Very cool to see someone from Southern MD!

 

[HolmsterDan]

welcome! I am old to the 2Acommunity and literally cut my teeth on the butt of my grandpas 12 gauge , despite my whole life of respecting and utilizing all kinds of firearms I too am using youtube to complete an AR build since dad never had one and he, my grandpa, and my husband are gone now, learning through trial and error, am currently returning a bunch of LWRC accessories that won’t attach to what i just realized is my MLOK rail, my best advice is find a good gun range, rub elbows with like minded individuals, and ask questions , see you round the forum!

Thank you for the reply! Good luck with the build! What are you building I always wanna learn more.

 

[HolmsterDan]

Welcome to MDS Forum. I too was a complete newbie to firearms when I decided to dip my toes in the 2A waters a little over ten years ago, so I know exactly how you are feeling. My brother-in-law bought me a Sig Sauer P226 as a present but I had never handled a firearm and did not know the anything about how to use it. So as Occam has suggested above, the first thing I did was to take a couple of classes, one of them being the NRA Basic Pistols Course which included range time. That really helped me understand how to safely use a handgun and from there I continued to learn a lot on this Forum. I'm sure you will get a lot of good advice here as well.

I know that a lot of gun ranges in the area offer the basic pistols course, but you can search using the link shown below as well:

Age Verification - NRA

Welcome again to MDS and always remember to handle firearms with care and observe all safety rules and regulations.

Cal68

PS: I do not know why the link says "Age Verification" but when I click on it, it does take me to the page where one can search for training classes near you!

Thank you for the information!

 

[eruby]

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