If your dad didn't teach you to shoot , who did?

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

My old man walked out on me when I was 6, my first proper exposure to firearms was in Boy Scout Camp when I was 13. Fired the M-14 in BCT, first time I fired an M1911A1 was in combat. Typical Army, I received ZERO training on it, fortunately for me and my buddies I owned one and had learned to fieldstrip it with the help of my trusty copy of W.H.B. Smith's "Small Arms of the World". Pretty much a self starter when it came to firearms.

 

[SundownRider]

My dad wasn't into guns, growing up in Chicago like he did. I got into guns when I went to work for a shootist when I was 21. Been headfirst into them since.

 

[Tom M]

SFC George Fotias, USA, and I can't print here what he told me I looked like while trying to shoot in the prone position.

 

[SPC]

SFC Petroski, USA Drill Sgt. and Sniper. Through the entire course of BCT he never raised his voice. That made him a lot scarier than the others, but when he spoke we were very sure to listen.

 

[tomhenry]

Completely self taught. I learned back when there was no internet and I learned everything from reading Shooting Times and Guns and Ammo and American Handgunner.

Man that seems a long time ago.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, my dad and both grandfathers taught me about shotguns and bird hunting. Dad's dad got me started with rifles, but the Marine Corps provided the bulk of my rifle training. Pistols I've learned on my own, both from reading and trial and (mostly) error.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[gbrady]

My grandfather was my teacher, He took me along with him for a year and one half then gave me a .22 rifle and said "hunt on your own". that was in 1949

 

[Raider]

My mother and stepfather hated guns. I learned to shoot on the High School rifle team. Learned center fire rifle and pistol in the army. Been a shooter ever since.

Charlie

 

[jj2am44]

The first time I went shooting was with a friend in 1977-I was hooked. I shot a 4 inch Colt Trooper and the first shot was a bullseye. My dad taught me how to aim, but only on paper-I did the rest myself over the years.

 

[LTC]

Dad hasn't touched a gun since turning his in at the end of WWII. My first real exposure was at Boy Scout summer camp. One week a year for about 4 years. maybe 150 rounds total of .22lr.

Next was the USAF in '66. Fired maybe 200 rounds total. Qualified expert with 59 of 60 qualifing rounds on target during basic training. M16 .223. Fired about 100 rounds a year for the remaineder of my 4 year inlistment. So by the time I was 23 I had fired maybe 650 - 700 rounds total.

No other formal training other then that mentioned above. I returned to handguns and rifles in 2008, joined a local pistol club and go to the range once or twice a week ever since.

For the most part I consider myself to be self trained by reading and listening to others at the club.

LTC

 

[JamesArthur60]

Shot a BB gun as a kid, nothing special. Some unknown sergeant in AF basic training taught me to fire a M-16 and M-1 Carbine good enough to qualify expert. Then a police sergeant in the academy taught me to shoot a M10 revolver, good enough to qualify as an expert. I just listened, watched and practiced.

 

[enfield]

Uncle Sam. I was a good student - didn't have any bad habits to un-learn. Qualified Expert.

 

[dennis40x]

Scouting and USMC

 

[Forester]

My father taught me with a Marlin model 60. My Uncle (Mother's side) taught me on a 22 revolver. I don't recall what brand it was.

 

[BruceHMX]

My Dad taught me rifle/shotgun shooting. He had a couple handguns that we would plink with on occasion. Then when I was 12 I met SGT Lou Seigel of the Henrico County Police. I delivered the news paper to his house. He was the range officer for the local PD. He invited me and a couple of my friends to come to the range. It was close enough we could ride our bikes. He showed us around and then asked if we would like to try a revolver out. They were Model 64's. We took to it immediately. Out of the three of us two are getting ready to retire from law enforcement I chose the military. Most of the lessons he taught us I still use today. This was in the early 70's. Doubt many departments today would allow a couple of 12 yr olds to even watch on the range much less shoot. I lost track of Lou years ago. If someone on the forum knows him, how he's doing please shoot me some mail.

Thanks Lou!!

 

[cmort666]

I grew up in Apartheid Chicago and my mother wouldn't allow any guns in the house. She tried to make me stop reading about guns, but my paternal grandmother subverted her at every turn. I got my first "Small Arms of the World" between 7th and 8th grade.

In Catholic prep seminary, I usually had more gun books and magazines in my bag than school books.

I actually learned to shoot as a freshman in college. I took basic rifle and basic pistol for PE credit, then started helping out with the classes. I joined the small bore rifle team. Our ROTC SGM was the marksmanship instructor and team coach.

 

[H Richard]

Since my father passed away when I was small, (but my mother saved his guns for me), I learned from a fine gentleman who ran a Sat. evening American Legion gun club at age 12. I had had a BB gun, as well as having fired a few guns, and loved them. I haunted the Army Surplus store in town. This gentleman that taught me was former army, and wore WW2 army pants and boots to the range. He taught this program for over 50 years, and probably half the males who grew up here learned the fine points from him. I earned the 6th bar of the NRA marksmanship program before I discovered girls, and spent Sat. evenings doing other things. "Barney" instilled responsibility and leadership in us that stood us well for our entire lives. I went on to be involved in various shooting competitions over the years, bullseye, small bore rifle, High power rifle, IPSC, IHMSA, International Air Pistol, Trap and Skeet.

In the Reagan era, when they had the 1000 points of light, "Barney" was nominated and awarded a point of light. He deserved it. He is still with us, and at age 95 only last year had to quit shooting trap.

 

[scoutsdad]

Oh about 1964 an NRA instructor in my neighborhood, taught about a dozen youngsters the Safe Hunter Program. I got to shoot a 30.06 and a bunch of other guns. Then I was able to get an H&R .22 bolt action rifle. Had the Boy Scout marksman training a few years earlier, chipping clay pigeons with .22 birdshot at Scout camp.

 

[Sam McCord]

My firearms instruction was a group effort of sorts. My father was a gun guy and I recieved early instruction from him, heavy on safe handling and lighter on marksmanship. I received my first course of genuine marksmanship training from 1st Sgt Fairman of the MO National Guard. He covered positions and breathing, sight alignment/sight picture, and call and plot among other fundamentals in a shooting program I took part in as a youngster. The culmination of my training occured under the tutlage of PMI Sgt. Nava at Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, CA. I am very lucky to have received such a thorough education and I have enjoyed shooting and firearms all of my life.
Sam

 

[feralmerril]

scoutsdad, no water in that area? I see that cow at your feet didnt make it!