Q&A for How to Shoot a Handgun

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  • Question
    Is shooting a gun in the air illegal?
    Bryan Villella
    Lead Firearms Instructor
    Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. Bryan has nine years of professional experience and is an NRA and Florida State Certified “K” Instructor. He leads certified training courses necessary to get licensed through the state to work in the private security field. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely.
    Lead Firearms Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Yes, and it is also very reckless. This is extremely dangerous, because what goes up must come down, and you should always be accountable for every round that comes out of your gun.
  • Question
    For example, is there any way I can get hurt firing a revolver for the first time?
    Community Answer
    Keep your fingers away from the front of the cylinder, hot gasses escape around the forcing cone when the revolver is fired. Don't point the gun at yourself or anything else you're not willing to destroy. Don't shoot at anything that may become angry with you like a large animal.
  • Question
    How do I know which of my eyes is dominant?
    Community Answer
    Hold your hands out in front of you, facing away, and make a small triangle by placing one thumb on top of the other and one set of fingers over the other. Now, look at an object in the distance through that triangle. Close one eye. If you can still see the object, the eye that remains open is your dominant eye.
  • Question
    I'm 11 years old and I've always wanted to shoot a handgun, should I be allowed to?
    Community Answer
    It's entirely up to your parents, as you are a minor child under their care. Try looking for classes/training available to young people in your area, and ask your parents if you can take a safety class. This will show them you are serious and responsible enough to handle a weapon.
  • Question
    Do you have to cock the gun before every shot?
    Community Answer
    For a semi-automatic handgun, you only need to cock the gun if there isn't already a cartridge in the chamber. In most cases, this will only be right after you load a new magazine, as the firing action will put the next cartridge in the chamber for you.
  • Question
    If you have not had much practice shooting guns before, should you have a gun at all?
    Artsy : )
    Community Answer
    It's best to practice at a shooting range and get some practice before owning a gun. In most cases you will have to take a test to see if you can handle one before purchasing.
  • Question
    What is the proper way to fix a jammed hand gun (such as if the bullet gets caught in the chamber)?
    Community Answer
    Eject the magazine first, then pull back the rail/slide so the jammed round can come out. Doing it in that order prevents another round from getting chambered and causing more issues.
  • Question
    Can I use two fingers on the trigger?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it is highly advised against. While you might not have to pull as hard, you do reduce your ability to absorb recoil. If you must use two fingers to pull the trigger back all the way, then make sure that you have a tight grip and are extremely careful.
  • Question
    Anything else I need to know about revolvers?
    Community Answer
    Keep your fingers away from the back of the cylinder where the bullets are loaded whenever you are firing. Really hot gas escapes through the back of the cylinder. Watch your fingers, and do not interfere between the round and the hammer. If you cock the hammer and pull the trigger while your finger is in the way, it will hurt - a lot.
  • Question
    Will the stiffness of the slide ever loosen up and make the slide easier to use?
    Community Answer
    Yes, after a number of rounds have been fired through the weapon, the slide will become "broken in." It will become more reliable and easier to operate.
  • Question
    If you are 13 years old, are you allowed to carry around or just have a gun in America and Canada?
    Community Answer
    You cannot own or carry a handgun if you're under 18. In some states, you are allowed to have a long gun at any age.
  • Question
    How do I turn the safety on and off in a pistol or revolver?
    Community Answer
    The exact steps might be different from gun to gun, so you should do some research on your specific weapons to find out how to deal with the safety. Most revolvers will have an internal safety though.
  • Question
    After shooting a pistol, what is the sequence to clear the gun completely?
    Community Answer
    ACTS: Assume all firearms are loaded. Control the muzzle direction at all times. Trigger finger is off the trigger. See that the gun is safe. PROVE: Point the firearm in the safest possible direction. Remove all cartridges (remove magazine, pull slide back and lock open). Observe chamber and ensure there are no cartridges. Verify that there is nothing in the feeding path. Examine the bore (using ramrod).
  • Question
    If I'm right handed but my left eye is dominant, should the stock be on my left shoulder?
    Community Answer
    You will have a much better experience shooting right handed if that is your dominant hand. For a rifle, you can shave the stock so a proper cheek weld puts your left eye in the proper position, or you can mount your sighting system on a 45 degree offset which should align the sights with your left eye with a proper cheek weld. Shaving the stock should be handled by a gunsmith. As far as handguns, again use your right hand and position your left eye directly behind the sights.
  • Question
    At what range does the 9mm go?
    Community Answer
    The maximum effective range for a 9mm is approximately 1800 meters. Though, it also depends on what kind of 9mm you get.
  • Question
    I noticed when at the range the bullets are hitting to the left of the center of the target. I have a 9mm semi-automatic, what am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    This happens to most new shooters, it has something to do with trigger pull. It appears that you are pulling the trigger too aggressively. Practice by dry-firing.
  • Question
    Will the gun hit my head when fired?
    Community Answer
    In smaller calibers (9mm, 40s&w, .45acp, etc.), the recoil shouldn't be serious for even an inexperienced shooter. Once you get to the high pistol calibers ( .44, .50ae), then you might run that risk if you are inexperienced. This is also prevalent in new shooters who are trying out stronger shotguns (12 gauge) and high caliber assault rifles ( .308, 5.56, 7.62).
  • Question
    I'm right handed, but left-eye dominant. Will this be a problem?
    Community Answer
    Not at all. For firing rifles, you can have your stock shaved or use a 45 degree offset mount for your sighting system. For handguns, it's simply a matter of holding the firearm in directly in front of your dominant eye.
  • Question
    Is it always true that you align the front site level with the rear, keeping your target just above?
    Community Answer
    For shooting normal distances, yes. If you're shooting really far, you might have to compensate for bullet drop.
  • Question
    How do I clean up after firing on a target?
    MinimumRage
    Community Answer
    That depends on the firearm used and where you are shooting. Most ranges ask that you pick up your expelled casings; this is easy with a revolver, because the weapon does not expel casings.
  • Question
    Is it safe to aim at people without a safety?
    Community Answer
    No, it is NEVER safe to aim at anyone, even with a safety. Accidents happen and you don't want to injure or kill anyone.
  • Question
    My mom has a 9mm gun. Should I shoot someone if they break in?
    Community Answer
    No. You should immediately get out of the house and call the authorities. Trying to confront an intruder is dangerous. The things in your house are not worth your life.
  • Question
    1. Where does a semi-automatic pistol eject the used cartridge shell from? 2. Does a semi-automatic pistol have a safe like that of AK-47 that you open before you fire?
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    1. Most will eject the casing back and to the right, as most people are right-handed. 2. No. Most handguns will have a button-style safety.
  • Question
    If you're hunting, should you use a revolver or m1911?
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    If you're not accustomed to using a large semi-auto, I would recommend a revolver first. Colt 11's are fairly expensive; however, you can find ammo for them nearly everywhere, and they also work well as a concealed carry gun.
  • Question
    Is it legal to shoot someone for defense if they are robbing your home?
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    In most states in the United States, yes. However, expect to go through legal processes, especially if the incident is deadly. Elsewhere in the world the laws vary, so do your research to find out the law in your own area.
  • Question
    What if I mean to shoot the target but accidentally shoot someone? (Just to clarify this has not happened.)
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    Switch the safety to 'safe,' unload the gun, and place it in a safe place. Call emergency services. Render aid to the person you hit.
  • Question
    On a semi automatic gun, if you are pulling down the trigger, then you pull down the cock, will it shoot?
    Jordan Fire Star
    Community Answer
    If you pull the charging handle, one round will be ejected. However, if there are still rounds in the magazine, then the next shot will be loaded into the chamber and you will still be able to shoot.
  • Question
    Does loading the mag get easier? I find it a really hard time loading the mag.
    Jordan Fire Star
    Community Answer
    Some magazines springs require a "breaking in period", you can store rounds in the magazine to slightly weaken the spring however once it gets to a certain point it will not get any weaker. An alternative is to get a speedloader for your magazine.
  • Question
    Is the recoil of a revolver powerful?
    Community Answer
    Not really. The revolver is a six-chamber loaded; you shoot one, it turns. Just don't play Russian roulette.
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