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Original poster

Have you ever shot a real gun?

108 replies

Soubriquet · 03/06/2021 08:33

I don’t agree with lax gun laws like they have in America, but I am intrigued by the gun ranges they have there

I would love the experience of using a gun at a range like that.

A quick google shows there are shooting ranges in the U.K. so one day I might give it a go

So have you ever shot a gun?

OP posts:
TailFeatherz · 03/06/2021 10:16

Yes, shotgun (clay pigeon shooting) air rifle and air pistol

Falifornia · 03/06/2021 10:21

Yep, a Glock at a gun range in the US. I'm super glad we have our gun laws in the UK but I must admit I found a hand gun WAY easier than a UK sporting rifle/shotgun )and I was a bloody good shot with it). All felt very safe and and super controlled. But I was in one of the more "European" minded East Coast states, not the Mid West.

someonesomewhere1 · 03/06/2021 10:21

Yes.

Shotgun in this country (clay pigeon shooting)

Pistol in Thailand at an outdoor range/target practice.

CrazyBaubles · 03/06/2021 10:26

Yes, in a gun range in America. Enjoyed it so much we went back a few days later - I used handguns only, DH used an automatic something or other that was terrifying.

As much as I enjoyed it - and everyone we met at the range was helpful and lovely - I'm glad our laws are so tight. I think it's terrifying that people carry them around there.

We were in bear country and I mentioned I was a bit worried about running into one and a local man said "don't worry, if you screamed we'd all come and help. I bet everyone here has a gun on them or in their truck" Shock - funnily enough that didn't make me feel any safer!

stuntfarter · 03/06/2021 10:28

Yes in the past I've done a lot of target shooting with various caliber rifles both at home in a private range and also with a gun club at a range and competitions, scarily accurate due to early training with my father.
I no longer have guns and no longer shoot

The problem with guns isn't the registered ones that are accountable for - yes sometimes they are misused or an accident could happen but more often the problem lies with unregistered guns that are sold on the black market and let's face it it's not that difficult to get illegal items if you ask around
My other real worry is the high powered air rifles and BB guns that anyone can walk in a shop and buy , these can do real damage and frequently do , there needs to be strong legislation on these
video games are making guns and shooting into something glorious and exciting not the deadly weapons they really are

theweebabydonkey · 03/06/2021 10:30

Yes. I went to a 'fun' gun range in Las Vegas and fired a few different guns.

What really stood out to me and shocked me was how loud it was. How it echoed around the room and my first thoughts were about how terrifying the sound must be in school shootings. Let alone seeing a gun being pointed at you, just hearing that huge echoey bang. Ugh. Gives me shivers thinking about it.

OldTinHat · 03/06/2021 10:35

Only air rifles and air pistols.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 03/06/2021 10:41

Yes, at gun ranges in texas and a few years later in Vegas. I'm actually anti-gun, but wanted the true American experience and I loved it!!

I found it a very powerful feeling and I'm very glad I don't live somewhere they are legal as I worry I'd become one of those gun owners.

I feel guilty about the Vegas trip to a shooting range actually. It was 2 days after the Vegas shooting in 2018 and we've told very few people about the fact we went, it was already booked and paid for and I hate wasting money!!

We shot a few different handguns, a semi automatic that I couldn't get to work, I just didn't have the hand strength. Someone at the range was using armour piercing ammunition, or some other huge massive gun as when it went off I could feel the boom in my chest. Fun, but I'm very glad to live in the uk where they aren't legal

IHaveBrilloHair · 03/06/2021 10:42

Yes, several different types, air pistols shotguns, smaller handgun thingies, here, in Thailand and Australia.

I shot a kangaroo in Australia once, we cooked the steaks from in on the barbecue.
It was a thrill but at the same time felt a bit wrong, not sure I'd do it again.

exLtEveDallas · 03/06/2021 10:42

Yes, lots, but I was in the Army for 24 years!

In the early 90s female soldiers didn’t spend very much time on the ranges, but the first time I went I managed a perfect score (marksman), then did it again when the Range Staff didn’t believe it! It lead to a really interesting job in Weapons intelligence which wasn’t really open to women at the time. It meant I got to go on range days firing weapons that had been found in caches or confiscated, rather than just the military weapons of the period. After that job it was the normal range stuff, rifles and pistols for the rest of my time.

I don’t believe that private citizens should be allowed weapons and certainly not assault rifles etc. I can understand and support farmers needing shotguns, and people in particular jobs needing PPW (handguns only). I think the UK has got it right, and the US very, very wrong.

BashfulClam · 03/06/2021 10:48

I was also an Air Cadet and used a .22 rifle. It is very safety controlled. You must show that all
Ammunition has been used and that you have unloaded the rifle several times to check. You do not touch it if you are not in position using it, you do not horse around and point it at people you would have your head in your hands to play with if you did! Remember on line of duty you saw them fire an empty gun into a bucket of sand to check all ammunition was discharged.

lljkk · 03/06/2021 10:49

yeah, in an open dirt space (?cliff, carpark?) in California. Boyfriend was a gun nut while I thought I should learn something about how to handle a gun since so common in my culture.

His weapon was an M1 semi-automatic rifle & surprisingly easy to use. :(

MrDarcysMa · 03/06/2021 11:03

Yes, I grew up hunting and shooting (uk)

Defender90 · 03/06/2021 11:14

Yes we went to a range in Vegas, I was only going to shoot the handgun but opted for a package with a hand gun and two sub machine guns, the place was really professional and all of the people working there were veterans. As a small town Scottish lassie it was kind of bewildering, but I'm really glad we did it. Also, I was a better shot than DH......

TwinMum35 · 03/06/2021 11:16

Yes and I was quite good at it too! Would enjoy pistol shooting as a hobby but it gets pretty expensive

I’ve fired

.22 pistol
Beretta
Magnum

Yellow85 · 03/06/2021 11:21

Yes, shooting range in Las Vegas. I was intrigued. Shot various different types and with the exception of the 9mm glock I was shocked at how easy they were to shoot. It’s rather frightening. They even have pink guns specific for women’s handbags.

The range had super stricken protocols it was very very regimented - no messing about. But as it was Nevada, the store was open for folk to purchase guns and ammo and casually leave with them.

BillyBearSpam · 03/06/2021 11:21

Grew up in the UK with revolvers, pistols and rifles, and then moved on to shotguns which I still have now and use for clay pigeon and game shooting.

Growing up with guns for me has made me have excellent safety skills around them and also respect, they aren't something to be played with or handled badly, if that makes sense!

alloalloallo · 03/06/2021 11:23

My dad has a couple of shotguns for clay pigeon shooting and I’ve been a few times.

I didn’t really like it, the recoil hurt

mbosnz · 03/06/2021 11:25

Only a .308 and a 22 rifle. I come from a rural background in NZ, so there was opportunity.

Pyewackect · 03/06/2021 11:27

Yep. Worked in the US for a few years and shot a single action Colt 45 revolver and my husband has a .303 Lee-Enfield SMLE rifle. I've shot that a few times at Bisley.

MrsApplepants · 03/06/2021 11:34

Yes, a variety of handguns at a gun range in Florida. Spent hours there and really enjoyed it. Also enjoyed chatting to the people that worked there about the US gun culture and hearing the different points of view. However, I am so, so glad handguns etc are banned in the U.K., it was totally crazy the ease with which, had we been American, we could have purchased the most awful weapons.

Auldspinster · 03/06/2021 11:36

I've done clay pigeon shooting and archery and was a fencer in all three weapons.

Timeforabiscuit · 03/06/2021 11:38

Yes, in air cadets with .22 rifles. All very strictly drilled and managed.

I was never very good at it, so stick to playing pool and darts.

Brahumbug · 03/06/2021 11:42

Yes, we shoot, targets and clay pigeon. We also have black powder guns which are fun, both pistols and muzzle loaders.

MsMillyMollyMandy · 03/06/2021 12:05

Gave my DP a gift certificate for clay pigeon shooting and ended up going as his +1 (had hoped one of our adult children would be available).The centre was well run but I was taken aback by the number of middle aged men in combat gear driving pick up trucks who were obviously regulars. Had the vibe of a Trump rally 😱

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