The Positive Side of Shooting Firearms

Hello, I'm a firearms instructor.  I enjoy shooting as a hobby and for self protection.

Yes, the application of the word "shooting" means different things to many people just like "driving" for me brings images and memories of happy long drives but when you say drunk driver kills... then it changes the context.

I enjoy teaching the basic marksmanship skill level to the more intermediate level for those interested in carrying or having a firearm for self defense from pistol, rifles and to shotguns.

I'm very active on several firearm forums and share my knowledge of firearms.  I no longer actively teach as my free time has become very limited but I do actively share my knowledge online.

Check me out on www.Waguns.org my username is "oldkim."

If you have a firearm question please feel free to ask.

If you want to know where you can go shooting.  This is a map of locations in Washington State www.WaGuns.org/ranges

If you want to obtain your Concealed Pistol License (CPL) for Washington State here is the link to get you started.  http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconceal.html

My home range is Renton Fish and Game Club  www.rfgc.org

My Hobby: We almost all have hobbies we enjoy for many reasons that suite our individuality.  Like going golfing, boating, kite flying or enjoying music concerts and even knitting.  I find shooting is a great hobby that is a useful set of skills to have and I enjoy sharing and going shooting.

In long days past, shooting skills were essential for survival.  A good marksman would feed their family.  Now folks just go to their local grocery store or even their corner market.  Now instead of shooting to feed one's family... target shooters enjoy the ability to test themselves and to improve their skills as a marksman.

Like many people these days I work in a very stressful work environment with many demands professionally and personally.  When I go target shooting the attention needed to do it well focuses all my mental capacity to a fine point... washing away the stresses and tensions with any interruptions clearly visable on my target.

So if you have an interest but don't know where to start... don't know many folks that go shooting.  Let me know and I can get you started on the right path.

I grew up shooting for hunting and fun as a child.  I know that most folks these days have never hunted nor shot and as an adult want to learn now.

Starting out: So, if you have a firearm or not.  Go to a local indoor gun range.  Rent a lane, firearm and buy their ammo (right now they do have a limit on how much you can buy).  Project to pay around $15 for the lane, $17 for renting their firearm, about $30-$70 for the ammo and about $4-$7 in targets. Total: $65-$110.

So you bought a firearm.  Do you know how to use it well?  May I recommend getting lessons from an instructor and/or take a class.  Getting professional help early on will save you tons of money.  If you take the hard road of learning as you go... this can be a hard and long process and even unsafe.  You are trying by trial and error.  Most folks over years can become pretty good but you will most likely pick up some really bad habits which over that time period will waste ammo and cost you in time and money.  Learn to do it right from the start and you'll become better and only improve your skills early on rather than years of learning the hard way. Lots of free info is available (locally) at www.WaGuns.org

It's free to join and free to post questions.