New gun owner, always looking for more knowledge

[Sytar]

I am about 50 and work in IT, living in eastern Washington. Been looking at guns for a long time, but never felt that I wanted or needed them. I am new to owning firearms, I have been shooting only a few times over the past 10 years, but was lucky to have friends that had a wide variety of firearms that I could try and feel the differences of them all.

I was recently gifted pistols from a family member that can't shoot anymore and will be taking the safety courses and attempting to get my CPL in WA. I don't think I will carry much, but I would like the option if I feel it is warranted. One of the reason I started looking at getting a pistol was I do camping and going out in the wilderness. I feel that having one for my safety while out and about is important and gives the extra layer of comfort.

I am also looking to get into precision shooting. The two times I went out with friends that was the part that I enjoyed the most. The challenge of accuracy and precision, and getting further and further out. It is all a challenge and I love it.

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[washagonian]

Welcome to the forum.

You'll find LOTS of folks with LOTS of information about precision shooting, as well as anything else firearms related you might be interested in or have questions about.

Cheers.

 

[BMGMAN]

I am about 50 and work in IT, living in eastern Washington. Been looking at guns for a long time, but never felt that I wanted or needed them. I am new to owning firearms, I have been shooting only a few times over the past 10 years, but was lucky to have friends that had a wide variety of firearms that I could try and feel the differences of them all.

I was recently gifted pistols from a family member that can't shoot anymore and will be taking the safety courses and attempting to get my CPL in WA. I don't think I will carry much, but I would like the option if I feel it is warranted. One of the reason I started looking at getting a pistol was I do camping and going out in the wilderness. I feel that having one for my safety while out and about is important and gives the extra layer of comfort.

I am also looking to get into precision shooting. The two times I went out with friends that was the part that I enjoyed the most. The challenge of accuracy and precision, and getting further and further out. It is all a challenge and I love it.

Long range is an addiction! Just 1 more yard you're in the right group!

 

[64MercurysRule]

Welcome aboard . Enjoy the forum and all it offers . Much to see , learn and share here . Blessings .

 

[OrPackrat]

Welcome.

My caliber of choice for out in the woods is 10mm with a good deep penatrating cartridge. A full size handgun makes 10mm easier to handle, like shooting a spicy 9mm.

My favorite 10mm is a 1911 long slide 10mm, which should fit the mag limits in WA...

For inexpensive precision, I've been having fun with a Bull barrel Ruger American Rimfire 22lr and seeing how accurate I can be with cheap ammo...

 

[Certaindeaf]

I am about 50 and work in IT, living in eastern Washington. Been looking at guns for a long time, but never felt that I wanted or needed them. I am new to owning firearms, I have been shooting only a few times over the past 10 years, but was lucky to have friends that had a wide variety of firearms that I could try and feel the differences of them all.

I was recently gifted pistols from a family member that can't shoot anymore and will be taking the safety courses and attempting to get my CPL in WA. I don't think I will carry much, but I would like the option if I feel it is warranted. One of the reason I started looking at getting a pistol was I do camping and going out in the wilderness. I feel that having one for my safety while out and about is important and gives the extra layer of comfort.

I am also looking to get into precision shooting. The two times I went out with friends that was the part that I enjoyed the most. The challenge of accuracy and precision, and getting further and further out. It is all a challenge and I love it.

I find it interesting that you seem to say precision only applies to long guns. I say focus on what you have and hopefully will have when you actually need it.. the handgun.

 

[Sytar]

I find it interesting that you seem to say precision only applies to long guns. I say focus on what you have and hopefully will have when you actually need it.. the handgun.

I don't believe I said anything about it being only one type of gun. Sure there is short range, pistol, shooting with both accuracy and precision. But what I am interested in, is the long range. The challenge of 100-500-1000 range shooting. Short range shooting is something that can be fun, but to me, is not the same challenge, just a personal preference.

 

[monks]

I am about 50 and work in IT, living in eastern Washington. Been looking at guns for a long time, but never felt that I wanted or needed them. I am new to owning firearms, I have been shooting only a few times over the past 10 years, but was lucky to have friends that had a wide variety of firearms that I could try and feel the differences of them all.

I was recently gifted pistols from a family member that can't shoot anymore and will be taking the safety courses and attempting to get my CPL in WA. I don't think I will carry much, but I would like the option if I feel it is warranted. One of the reason I started looking at getting a pistol was I do camping and going out in the wilderness. I feel that having one for my safety while out and about is important and gives the extra layer of comfort.

I am also looking to get into precision shooting. The two times I went out with friends that was the part that I enjoyed the most. The challenge of accuracy and precision, and getting further and further out. It is all a challenge and I love it.

Welcome. There's a ton of tech jobs in my area but I'm not in tech. I suspect you probably work for one of the companies near me if it's not remote. There's a lot of good info here, just lookout for the keyboard commandos that pop up everywhere. It doesn't take long to figure out who knows what based on their posts.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I don't believe I said anything about it being only one type of gun. Sure there is short range, pistol, shooting with both accuracy and precision. But what I am interested in, is the long range. The challenge of 100-500-1000 range shooting. Short range shooting is something that can be fun, but to me, is not the same challenge, just a personal preference.

Right. Hopefully you'll be able to hit what you aim at on those special occasions when you're out camping. Very practical that way.

 

[ma96782]

Aloha, Mark

 

[DB is Here]

Welcome to NWFA, lots of folks here with a ton of experience and knowledge.

One of the things that kept me at NWFA was the the folks here were willing to share their knowledge.

Glad you found us.

 

[Member 24198]

Long range is an addiction! Just 1 more yard you're in the right group!

No, that's your neighbors target, and the grouping is from the other guy. Check your windage.

 

[Xaevian]

Welcome!

 

[Sytar]

Thanks guys. I will start looking at options for the rifle soon, so will have a number of questions.

 

[BMGMAN]

No, that's your neighbors target, and the grouping is from the other guy. Check your windage.

I hit exactly what I was aiming at. Just only felt like doing it once

 

[JuglansRegia]

Sounds like you are off to a good start, maybe a little later in life than most of us though.

 

[gryghin]

Welcome Aboard. Glad you found the forum.

This is the best place to hang out on the internet.

Check out the organized clean ups in Oregon and Washington. It's the best way to meet the community and learn where and how to use public lands responsibly.

If you really want to get involved in community action check out Trash No Land.

Home - Trash No Land

Bad Choices Wildcat 5-30-26 Fundraiser Event 2026About Trash No Land Who we are and what we do Map of places to shoot on Public Lands Care

www.trashnoland.org

 

[GHT05]

Welcome !

 

[fredball]

Welcome Aboard

 

[Sharkey]

Welcome. Hopefully one of the guns gifted to you makes a good edc gun. IF you can legally carry I would do so but realize edc is a lifestyle change and you dress around the preferred carry method. Everyone should own - a handgun, rifle, and shotgun. Many of us just went overboard on that idea.
Find credible youtube videos and start watching in your free time, take at least one gunfighting class, and find a friend that can mentor you on guns, tactics, and edc. Know the laws of your state enough to stay out of trouble.
Understand ammo, holsters, classes, etc. Cost money and take priority over buying another gun. Now if you are rich, disregard the last sentence.