Hand Gun Education

[CatDaddy]

I recently inherited 10 hand guns, an over under shotgun, a 22 LR, and an HMR 17. Not being a knowledgeable gun guy, where do I take them in Fargo to become educated? Not looking to sell, just looking for as much info and lesson as I can get. Dad was a reloader and also has all the necessary tools to do so.....so much so that there are 10,000 various rounds for his hand guns ready to go. Is Bill's the place to go or is there somewhere else I should look? Thanks in advance for the help.

I also inherited the reloading equipment and have no idea where to start.....it was something he wanted me to learn this spring and we were set to do it. I'll also be looking to learn what he knew so I can at least become knowledgeable about why he loved it. He's got it all and had a system down, wish I'd have had the chance to learn what he already had.

 

[PrairieGhost]

Sorry to hear about your father. There are knowlegable people on here always willing to help someone. You may get more honest answers than you would from a business.

 

[2400]

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad.

I agree with Prairie Ghost, there are a lot of guys on here that would love to shoot with you.

There are also a bunch of handloaders on here too. http://nodakangler.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?108-Reloading

As for learning to shoot or getting better at it, start with one type of gun at a time. For example, a revolver, get comfortable with holding it, how it works, loading and unloading it and finally shooting and getting proficient with it. Then move on to a different type and so on.

 

[JayKay]

I applaud you for wishing to learn about things that made your dad happy. Good for you.

 

[Retired Educator]

Agree with the others on here about members of NDA. Another option, do you have friends who shoot or hunt? Visit with them if you do. At this time of year there are the majority of Hunter Safety classes occurring. How about signing up for one of them, explain to the instructors your reason for taking the class and I bet one of them would love to help you get started. The class is listed as Hunter Safety but a large portion of the class is Gun Safety and Gun Handling.

Reloading is really pretty easy if you can read a manual. A little guidance to begin with and you will catch on quickly. Making sure you don't overload is the biggest rule for reloading. More is not always better when you're talking powder in a shell. That and 55 grains of one powder is not the same as 55 grains of another. All that is available in the manuals and other publications. Even here someone frequently talks about the loads that work well in their new 6.5 Creedmoor or their 300 mag of the dozen or so 300 mag cartridges available. I'm not sure the reloading is the biggest thing to be concerned with now. Learn to shoot first and see how much you enjoy that and then you will know if reloading is really much of a benefit. Most reloaders shoot a lot so they are constantly looking for something better. At the beginning, factory loads will work just fine. Good Luck. I bet your dad would be so proud that you want to continue what gave him so much enjoyment.

I'm at the age where my kids are avid hunters and now I hunt with them, not them with me. My enjoyment comes from watching the grandkids developing their skills. Nothing better than a grandkid reminding grandpa that "I shot my limit of ducks with 12 shells, why did it take you 20?" I remind them that I always gave them the first shot, which isn't true but it's the only excuse I have.

 

[Huntin1]

Sorry about your Dad.

First I would start with Hunter Safety, lots of good info on safe gun handling. Bill's has beginner classes that will give you the basics on handguns, how they function and safe handling. While there are many knowledgable shooters out there who will help you, I've heard so much misinformation on public ranges from so called experts that I can't suggest you take advice from someone on a public range before you at least have a working knowledge of handguns and how they function. You need to be able to separate good info from BS.

Reloading for me was basically self taught by reading reloading manuals and applying the technics suggested. I've also learned quite a bit about reloading from Prairie Ghost, I consider myself as a journeyman reloader, he's an expert. He's also pretty good with both handguns and rifles.

 

[CatDaddy]

Thank you all for the advice! Dad did a good job teaching me gun safety, I'll start researching reloading and reach out when I need help!