New gun owner, always looking for more knowledge

[Sytar]

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.

All great info, and I agree completely on most parts. IF I decide to carry I think it is more for when I am traveling or going out in the wilderness. I know there are a lot of opinions here, but my feelings are in the 50 years I have been around I have never seen anyone pull a gun and only twice even seen open carry. So my thoughts are that the carry is a good option to have, but I don't feel it is a needed thing.

I live on YouTube, and have it running on the side most of the day while I work.I have dug into the different channels about guns, gear, and laws and responsibility. WA does have a lot of unique laws, but I did register for my CPL, and I do plan to take some classes and get as much experience as I can. I may find the two pistols I got aren't what I like, but it is a good start. I hadn't thought about gunfighting class, will have to look that up.

 

[nwslopoke]

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

I didn't start until well into my 40s. I think I made up for lost time. Like most addictions, the first one is free. Go easy. The best advice is, get what you want the first time (guns or gear), because eventually, you'll buy it anyway.

 

[zofoman]

Well, as they say, the cure is the disease. Long range or "precision" shooting is addictive and can be expensive, if you let it.
Just remember this....."6.5 Creedmoor"....hands down it is the long range favorite for going past 500yd, in my opinion.

Also, for some great competition under 500yd, seek out some CMP shoots in your area where the "real" rifles show up....ie: WWI & WWII weapons of great destruction. Those old weapons will command respect after a few rounds to the shoulder.

BTW....retired IT guy here.

 

[Sytar]

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

Yeah, came from a family where guns were never really a thing. Wasn't really for or against them, just not a thing. I only got interested because of some friends that had stuff and I figured I would at least make an effort to understand them. My kids are also older now (teens) and I don't have as much worry about having guns in the house, so I figured now is as good of a time as any with my outings in the woods.

 

[gunrnr]

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.

I agree, there is a lot of knowledge here, and quite a bit of humor. I love them both