“First Shots”

	Today we are going to go over the things you should bring with you and how to make the most of your time at the range. It’s a good idea to have a bag like this one that is dedicated to your range gear. In it you should have things like a hat safety glasses and earmuffs, and your ammunition and magazines. You will also want to remember to wear comfortable clothing, avoid sleeveless tops and low cut shirts. It’s also a good idea to wear closed toed shoes to protect your feet.  If this is your first time shooting, you may be a bit nervous. It’s a good idea to visit your local range to become more familiar with their range procedures. Ask any questions, if you have them, and remember it is most important that you are safe at all times, but have fun.
	At the range make sure you are wearing your eye and ear protection at all times and set up your target and equipment on the line. You want to make sure the target is set at a reasonable distance for you. Avoid starting out with a very difficult shot at a far distance. Seven-to-ten yards is a good starting point and you can always move it back later to make the shots more challenging.
	You may want to start your session with a few dry-fire shots. Dry-fire means going through the motions without actually shooting. Sandy is here to help us demonstrate. Go ahead and stand with your feet at least shoulder width apart and go ahead and move your right foot slightly backwards. If you are left-handed you’ll want to do the opposite. Work on getting a good high grip on your handgun with your strong hand first, then add your support hand filling in all the empty spaces on the grip. Extend your arms to the target, being careful not to lock your elbows. Acquire the sights and center the front sight within the rear sight making the front sight your point of focus as you settle in the middle of the target. Slowly apply pressure to the trigger, straight to the rear, as you complete the dry-fire shot. If you are shooting a pistol, pull back the slide to reset the trigger, and repeat the process.  Dry-fire is an excellent way to calm any nervous tension that you may have. It’s also good to focus on these skills to help you shoot. Once you feel confident, go ahead and load your magazines. Take a couple of deep breaths and focus on the good shooting technique that you have been practicing. Now you are ready for live ammunition.
	Depending on how you feel, you may only want to start with a few rounds at first. This can help you get settled in and used to the recoil. Start out slowly and, as you become more comfortable, you can shoot more rounds. Stop every so often to check your target. If you find that your shots are high, you may be anticipating the shot. If they are low and to the left, you may be pulling down on the muzzle as a right handed shooter.  Remember those good techniques you’ve learned in dry-fire and apply them in live fire.
	Now that you know a bit more about shooting you will become more and more confident each time you fire. Remember safety first, and now you are ready to head to the range.  Click for printer-friendly version.