Newbie shooter, need some info...

katuah

katuah

Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2010
Location
Durham
So I just took a beginners' pistol class, never shot a gun before that but I will again now, it was fun. I know the best way to get better is to practice, so I need to find a good range that is newbie-friendly in the western Triangle area. I don't have a gun yet and want to shoot some different ones before I buy, so it would be great if the range had multiple guns they will rent. Where do folks recommend? Also, this may be a really dumb question, but are there ranges or clubs where you can rent a locker or something to keep your gun? My SO is totally gun-phobic and will not allow a gun in the house. Hopefully this will change over time but I'd like to have a better option for the interim (than sleeping in the car).
 
As far as ranges I have no idea but take your SO shooting. If you plan on owning a pistol or rifle she needs to know they are not dangerous killing machines. Just remember a gun locked away and unloaded does you no good when/if you need to use it.
 
Time for a new SO lol. But seriously teach her what you know and let her learn that guns are not bad they are fun and safe when used correctly. And like said an unloaded gun is useless!
 
best thing to do about SO is educate..

and if you ever bring handgun into home you better have a safe.. she will feel a little more comfortable :)
 
x2 a gun locked away at a range is useless. And teach your SO about them. Guarantee shell say something like well we dont need a gun cops have them. Yes cops do have them, but a gun to pack or keep in the home is a little easier than keeping a cop in your pocket. And a gun reacts a lot faster than the police. Glad to see someone beginning to be interested in guns after all this liberal BS about guns killing people and stuff.
 
Keep your fire extinguisher in the locker with the gun. The fire department has extinguishers.
 
what I was saying is if you bring a gun home and do not have a safe of some sort and SO is against guns and you hav enot talked about them or taught her about them you are gonna have a bad month if not more.. better to be safe and show SO you are safe and that you understand themand teach her to understand them
 
So you got a granola cruncher? Like was said before. Take them shooting. Take them to a class. Most people that are scared of guns are ill-educated or ignorant.
 
Some people just don't like guns and won't ever, that doesn't make them ignorant. Some people are deathly afraid of firearms and after going out and shooting a few .22's with a non-dumbass, will get over the fear. I pretty much only date "hippy" girls and they all end up enjoying shooting, just don't be the guy that lets them shoot the compact .45 or deagle first thing. Guess what, guns are dangerous and they do kill people--there is a reason people that have never been exposed are afraid.

Anyways, do you have any friends that would let you keep a pistol in their safe for a while?
 
I don't see alot of answers on the where to go. I don't know of many places in Raleigh/Durham proper, but I think Wake county has a nice indoor range (never been there). There is a place called personal defense I think in South Raleigh, and if you don't mind a 45 min ride, a great place in Burlington off hwy 49 called Handgunners. They have various courses, a nice indoor range and I believe they have a few rentals. You can probably find enough variety to rent/shoot to get an idea of what your after. The owner is an absolute hoot to listen tell stories too. Seriously, a real great guy and worth the ride.
 
I've shot at Personal Defense before. It's a small indoor range, and is a pretty good drive from Durham, but it's not bad. I do believe they have several rentals. The only place I know of in Durham is the Durham Pistol and Rifle Club, but I believe they have quite a waiting list.
 
Burlington might be easier for me to get to than south Raleigh, I'm just off 85. I guess my best bet is to go check out both. A waiting list? Wow. Maybe I better start trying now. lol.
I don't disagree that educating the SO is preferred, but it's gonna be a long road.
 
I used to be a member of DPRC. It's not in Durham by the way, it's about 8 miles or so south of Mebane. Not a whole lot closer than the Handgunners would be for the OP. Very different places. DPRC is a nice set up now, they have really built up their ranges in the last 3-5 years. Membership is dirt cheap (something like $150/year) but it may be awhile to get in. I dropped my membership last year, just wasn't using it at all. Handgunners will be a great place to take a ride out and visit, you won't be disappointed. Just the BS'ing and storytelling that goes on in the shop is worth the ride. Good stuff.
 
There is an outdoor range/club right outside Raleigh. I'll see if I can find the name. My dad is a member.
 
The Wake County Sherrif's Range is nice. I go there quite a bit after work and it's convenient because they are open at night. They have 2 50-yard ranges, and a 100-yard range. All indoor. You have to take a $15 mandatory class in order to shoot there and they offer those on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. Google 'Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center' and you'll get the skinny. Another place that is worth going is Drake's Landing in Fuquay. They have multiple pistol pits, rifle and handgun ranges, 5-stand, sporting clays, and a rifle range that lets you shoot at 200 yards. Personal Defense and Eagle One in Raleigh are both small, and you can run into quite a wait there on weekends. The Durham Wildlife club is located near Page Road and 54. It's mainly a Skeet/Trap setup, and they do have a 2 year waiting list for membership. If you like sporting clays, I shoot most weekends at Deep River down in Sanford. I'm a member there. If you (or anyone else) want to check it out just let me know and we'll meet up some weekend.

Regards,
Mark.
 
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