The Journey of a Newbie

[Muzikal]

Muzical, I don't know where in BC you are, but I'm not far from Kamloops. If you're close by and want to get together, drop me a line.

Unfortunately, my local range is closed until we get wetter and cooler, but this heat can't last forever.


ps- I was one of those people who grew up with guns. There was never a time that there weren't guns in the house. Some of them were very interesting indeed.

I am about 5 hrs north of you. Thankfully our range is still open (I was out there for the first time yesterday - that write up is coming)!

But yes, If I ever plan a trip that side I will be sure to hit you up and put a face to the name. :-)

[stevebc]

I am about 5 hrs north of you. Thankfully our range is still open (I was out there for the first time yesterday - that write up is coming)!

But yes, If I ever plan a trip that side I will be sure to hit you up and put a face to the name. :-)

Sounds good.

[RangeBob]

^^^
It's bizarre that I can estimate the date of the video, by the length of his hair.

Hmm. I guessed August 2020, but it's October 2020.

[chickenwing]

Interesting to watch a newbie grow....I don't have kids so I'll just watch you....easy there lil fellah.... it'll be allright....there you go.....

Hahaha seriously, you'll find all kinds of help here. Best of luck to you!!

[Muzikal]

Entry Two - Getting set up

I decided to get that first rifle, but with a hesitant (yet gracious) wife and a house full of kids, I made a covenant that I was gonna do it right. So I went and did the PAL, learned about guns and safety and all that jazz. Next step was to get the house ready for the change. Off to Canadian tire (CT) I went and caught one of their sales on gun cabinets ($150):

20210707_211721.jpg

Yes, I know you guys are gonna say that I should have just gone for at least a 12-gun cabinet but in my mind, I was never gonna need that much space anyway. I will admit that I am already seeing that I may need to upgrade down the road though....no need to rub it in.

So with cabinet bought, assembled and installed, my next purchase was a run-of-the-mill gun case for transport. I treated that purchase like I was shopping for a lap-top bag: make sure it is padded and has compartments. Those basic criteria gave me quite a list to choose from so I just went on amazon, pointed and clicked ($36).

Next, was the big day! I went to work, finished my shift, then headed back to CT and picked up this little starter:

20210716_135414.jpg

...a Savage 64F semi-auto .22lr.

From my research, it came down to this and the 10/22. A lot of folks complained about the 64F jamming and not firing, very few had anything bad to say about the 10/22. I chose to roll the dice on the 64F because it was a hell of a lot cheaper ($170), there were some people who swore by it, I was new to the whole thing and would have just as much to learn if I bought a $2,000 piece, and the purchases were beginning to add up.

I picked up a 100 pack of cartridges the same time and headed home agrinning. That night I went online and purchased a range membership ($150), a cleaning kit from amazon ($30) and ear muffs/glasses ($30).

Having parted ways with just under $700 (taxes included), I was now ready for my first trip to the range, which I shall share on the next episode of this yet-to-be-titled documentary.

[Big-Boss-Man]

I am about 5 hrs north of you. Thankfully our range is still open (I was out there for the first time yesterday - that write up is coming)!

But yes, If I ever plan a trip that side I will be sure to hit you up and put a face to the name. :-)

I assume more Dawson Creek area? My sister lives in Grande Prairie and I am supposed to make my way up there sometime to go shooting with her and her friend, maybe we can work something out to get you trying pistols too.

...a Savage 64F semi-auto .22lr.

Good choice, I actually want to get a takedown version myself. I have the Winchester Wildcat and it is a lot of fun too.

I picked up a 100 pack of cartridges the same time and headed home agrinning. .

You could find that you can go through a hundred rounds of 22lr in about 30 mins LOL

One point about that cleaning kit- if it's got one of those aluminum sectional cleaning rods that you screw together- don't use it. They have a bad habit of breaking/jamming, and otherwise coming apart, leaving sections stuck in the barrel.

A one piece rod, such as a Dewey's, is the way to go.

Personally I use a bore snake for my guns instead of the rods. I find it easier.

[Muzikal]

I assume more Dawson Creek area? My sister lives in Grande Prairie and I am supposed to make my way up there sometime to go shooting with her and her friend, maybe we can work something out to get you trying pistols too.

I am close to PG so Dawson is a bit of a drive. In any event, let me know how things progress and we'll see how it goes.

The invite was top-notch man! I appreciate it.

[luckychingi]

Lucky you!!!

While I am waiting for my PAL, I am also researching gun ranges here in and around the Greater Toronto Area, there seems to be a wait list + signatures from existing members + probationary period.

Entry Two - Getting set up

I decided to get that first rifle, but with a hesitant (yet gracious) wife and a house full of kids, I made a covenant that I was gonna do it right. So I went and did the PAL, learned about guns and safety and all that jazz. Next step was to get the house ready for the change. Off to Canadian tire (CT) I went and caught one of their sales on gun cabinets ($150):

20210707_211721.jpg

Yes, I know you guys are gonna say that I should have just gone for at least a 12-gun cabinet but in my mind, I was never gonna need that much space anyway. I will admit that I am already seeing that I may need to upgrade down the road though....no need to rub it in.

So with cabinet bought, assembled and installed, my next purchase was a run-of-the-mill gun case for transport. I treated that purchase like I was shopping for a lap-top bag: make sure it is padded and has compartments. Those basic criteria gave me quite a list to choose from so I just went on amazon, pointed and clicked ($36).

Next, was the big day! I went to work, finished my shift, then headed back to CT and picked up this little starter:

20210716_135414.jpg

...a Savage 64F semi-auto .22lr.

From my research, it came down to this and the 10/22. A lot of folks complained about the 64F jamming and not firing, very few had anything bad to say about the 10/22. I chose to roll the dice on the 64F because it was a hell of a lot cheaper ($170), there were some people who swore by it, I was new to the whole thing and would have just as much to learn if I bought a $2,000 piece, and the purchases were beginning to add up.

I picked up a 100 pack of cartridges the same time and headed home agrinning. That night I went online and purchased a range membership ($150), a cleaning kit from amazon ($30) and ear muffs/glasses ($30).

Having parted ways with just under $700 (taxes included), I was now ready for my first trip to the range, which I shall share on the next episode of this yet-to-be-titled documentary.

[Big-Boss-Man]

Lucky you!!!

While I am waiting for my PAL, I am also researching gun ranges here in and around the Greater Toronto Area, there seems to be a wait list + signatures from existing members + probationary period.

Contact a range that you are interested in they may have in their bylaws that the board can sponsor new memberships, that is how I got into my range without knowing anyone.

[luckychingi]

Thanks for the tip.

Contact a range that you are interested in they may have in their bylaws that the board can sponsor new memberships, that is how I got into my range without knowing anyone.