Q&A for How to Shoot a Handgun

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

The maximum effective range for a 9mm is approximately 1800 meters. Though, it also depends on what kind of 9mm you get.

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.

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).

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.

For shooting normal distances, yes. If you're shooting really far, you might have to compensate for bullet drop.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Not really. The revolver is a six-chamber loaded; you shoot one, it turns. Just don't play Russian roulette.