In an office full of people who handle guns all the time, we’d like to take a moment to discuss something many new shooters feel, and that’s range fear. It doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female; when you’re in a new environment, such as a gun range for the first time, it can be intimidating. That’s okay, and it’s normal. If you’ve never been to a range or maybe you don’t have any experience shooting, a professional range is a great place for you to be. You’ll generally find some pretty awesome folks who are waiting for you to walk in, so they can show you a few tricks to hitting the mark. So, here are a few tips on building shooting confidence and getting over your range fear as a new shooter.
Disclaimer: If you’ve never handled a firearm, you should first take a basic handling course on firearm safety. Anyone can pull the trigger; make sure you’re doing it safely.
Shooting Confidence Requires Practice
Getting out there and practicing your shots is the only way to overcome your fear—practice, practice, practice. And when you can’t get to the range, practice in other ways, such as through dry fire or pistol draws. Of course, as always, remember your weapon safety. For instance, if you’re working on drawing your pistol from your holster, do so with an unloaded weapon.
Side Note: If you happen to get approached by the “know it all,” don’t be intimidating by him. He’s likely nowhere near as good as he claims to be. In fact, he probably has a terrible technique and rarely follows the advice he’s giving you.
Build Shooting Confidence with Quality Target Training
Here’s the thing. Most of the people on the gun range are there to get better too. And even if they’re judging your shot placement, who cares? You’ll probably never see them again. Or, maybe they’ll have some tips for you. Either way, don’t let that stop you from getting out there and practicing.
The only way to get over your fear is to get better, and as I stated above, the only way you can do that is to practice. But, not all practice is the same. Get yourself a set of targets that can be fun and make you train on the basics. Shooting is more than pulling the trigger. And depending on what type of target you use, the “more” is what you can hone in on to help build your shooting confidence.
Check out some of our shooting targets; great for the most novice to the most advanced shooter.
Plan your Visit
If you’re feeling a bit queasy about getting to the range in the first place, one thing you can do is call and plan your visit.
If you’re nervous, call up a few ranges in your area and discuss your goals; tell them you’re a new shooter and you’re looking to get more confident with firearms. They’ll be eager to help. This is also a great opportunity to ask about private lessons or ask when the range’s least busy times are.
If you’re feeling a bit of stage fight, you can always go during the odd hours; at times there are fewer if any other shooters on the range.
Rang Safety Officer
Those fine folks hanging out by the firing line, they’re there to help keep things safe, and if you have questions related to safety, they should be able to help you out.
This is how we like to look at it. If you have questions about what you should and shouldn’t be doing with your firearm, then you might be doing something wrong. And if you’re doing something wrong, then you might violate a firearm safety rule. It’s better to ask than it is to pose a risk to others.
Especially in cases related to safety, those who actually work the range want you to ask questions. And they’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction, so you don’t shoot anything you don’t intend to shoot.
Go with a Friend
If you have a friend that shoots, take them with you. It’s a little less intimidating when you’re with someone you’re comfortable being around, especially if they know how to shoot and can help you improve your shot placement.
Attend Classes for New Shooters
Something else you can do is build your shooting confidence by attending classes meant for new shooters. Then you’re guaranteed to be on a range full of new shooters. No one is judging you because everyone is busy judging themselves.
The more classes you attend and the more trips you take to the range, the less fear you’ll have. You’ll start building confidence, and before you know it, you’ll be that guy or gal eager to help, just like you were helped on your first trip to the range.
Ask Questions
Listen, everyone is thinking it; you’ll just be the one brave enough to ask it. It’s better to ask now and feel silly than not to ask and then not know what to do when you’re on the firing line.
Find a Firearm you’re Comfortable Shooting, Carrying
If you’re not comfortable with a firearm, you’re unlikely to want to shoot it. And if you don’t want to shoot it, you probably aren’t going to a range anytime soon. But, to get more comfortable with anything, we have to practice. If you don’t know what you’re comfortable with, rent a firearm, or go with a friend that has a few you can test out.
Go to the Range
A shooting range is also a great place to go if you’re thinking about keeping a weapon in the house or carrying openly/concealed.
With the way things are going in the states, gun sales have skyrocketed. But, before you start using your gun for self-defense, you need to know how to shoot the weapon. And the best place to do that is at the shooting range. If you’re too uncomfortable to go practice at the range, you probably shouldn’t own a weapon. Why? Because you need to learn how to shoot, it’s a safety thing.
Test the Firearms Giving you Interest
If you’re completely new to firearms, meaning you’ve never handled one, the range is also a great place to test out what handguns work for you and take some basic firearm safety courses. There’s nothing like taking the advice of a friend; to find out that what worked for him or her doesn’t work for you. Many gun ranges have rental options so you can get first-hand experience before buying.
Personal story time: Glock is a pretty popular brand among new shooters, but not all brands or models feel the same. When I turned 21, I had a friend recommend a Glock 19. So, I went to the range, and I shot a Glock 19. Great gun, but it wasn’t for me. I have small hands, and that model didn’t feel comfortable for me. I shot a few guns until I found one comfortable in my hands before I decided to purchase my first handgun.
Build Shooting Confidence, Eliminate Range Fear
The above are all great reasons to head to the range. Here’s the thing, a lot of people just like you are going for the exact same reason. And you’re likely to meet some really great people while you’re there who want to help. And if you never go, you’ll never get over that fear.
Go to the range and ignore the “know it all” because he probably knows very little. Take some classes geared toward new shooters so you can learn the basics and get some good advice. Just get out there and practice, and use some quality shooting targets while you’re at it. The better your shooting, the more confident you’ll become. But if you don’t shoot, you’ll never get better, and if you never get better, range fear won’t go away.
Did we miss anything? Do you have further recommendations or advice? Please, comment below. We love hearing from our readers!
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