If you’ve been shooting 20 years or more, what advice do you wish someone told you early on?

If you've been shooting for 20+ years, what tips would you give new shooters? Let’s hear the wisdom from the veterans of the range.

Take time to go rent or borrow anything you might want before buying

Spend time learning how to tear down and rebuild your firearm and buy any specialized tools that may be required

Don’t try to, “compete with the Jones’” or get the newest wiz-bang you read about in Guns & Ammo. It’s really all about finding and PRACTICING with what you are comfortable with. As an instructor, I see people come to the range with 3 or 4 guns (or more) often of different calibers.
When you go to the range, have a plan, a focus for your training - trigger, grip, recoil, etc.
Red Dot sights are the new “Gotta Have” for your pistol. For target or competitive shooting it may make sense. However, for defensive shooting within 3 - 7 yards using iron sights and “flash sight picture” center mass shooting is faster and less complicated.

I also agree with Jeff on both points. Know your firearm. Disassemble, clean and properly maintain the gun is a must.

Jeff said:

Take time to go rent or borrow anything you might want before buying

Spend time learning how to tear down and rebuild your firearm and buy any specialized tools that may be required

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This is great advice, thanks Jeff

RFT said:

Don’t try to, “compete with the Jones’” or get the newest wiz-bang you read about in Guns & Ammo. It’s really all about finding and PRACTICING with what you are comfortable with. As an instructor, I see people come to the range with 3 or 4 guns (or more) often of different calibers.
When you go to the range, have a plan, a focus for your training - trigger, grip, recoil, etc.
Red Dot sights are the new “Gotta Have” for your pistol. For target or competitive shooting it may make sense. However, for defensive shooting within 3 - 7 yards using iron sights and “flash sight picture” center mass shooting is faster and less complicated.

I also agree with Jeff on both points. Know your firearm. Disassemble, clean and properly maintain the gun is a must.

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Yep, I totally agree, thanks for your input

Find a reliable mentor or coach to share the highs and lows of the shooting sport. That it's not about the latest fad or coolest gadget. Sometimes slow and steady is better.

chili said:

Find a reliable mentor or coach to share the highs and lows of the shooting sport. That it's not about the latest fad or coolest gadget. Sometimes slow and steady is better.

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Absolutely, having a mentor makes all the difference

Jeff said:

Take time to go rent or borrow anything you might want before buying

Spend time learning how to tear down and rebuild your firearm and buy any specialized tools that may be required

Click to expand...

Suggestions on where to rent a gun? The range I belong to has a few guns for rent, but none are things I'm interested in buying. Instead I generally do a ton of Internet research and then just take the gamble.

sgcardinal said:

Suggestions on where to rent a gun? The range I belong to has a few guns for rent, but none are things I'm interested in buying. Instead I generally do a ton of Internet research and then just take the gamble.

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I guess it depends on a few things. Id check other local ranges first and then ask around to see if anyone you know has whatever you're considering...internet research certainly is good, but nothing beats physically testing the thing out before dropping $500 or more

I agree with Jeff.
I would also ask myself several questions before looking at an actual firearm.
First: What is your category or plan for the gun. Carry [Personal Defense], Home Defense, Competition [USPSA, IPSC], Fun/Plinking?
Second: Decide what you want on the gun now, or in the future. Red-Dot, Light, laser, Magazine Capacity, etc. can it support these possible future add-on’s. I have several guns that cannot take a red-dot.
Third: Search for Independent (non-sponsored) resources on the internet/YouTube to see what they say. There are several as well as a bunch of nonsense.
Fourth: Ask your shooting buddies, friends, Training Resources, etc. for their thoughts.
Fifth: Call or stop by the range and discuss their thoughts with an experienced Rep. behind the counter and see what’s available to try out. You may find the gun you are considering behind the counter with a slightly older model available to shoot.
Sixth: Watch for sales or specials. Older model Guns will often go on clearance as the newest wiz-bang is being introduced by the manufacturer. Also Holiday sales or packages become available.

Good luck…