Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with shooting

Biathlon for beginners

billtron — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:31:16 -0800

I live in East Thetford, Vermont. I've never shot a gun or cross-country skied. How do I become a biathlete? Does one take lessons?

How can I improve my in game basketball shooting?

ben5757 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:46:14 -0800

How can I improve my in game basketball shooting? I have a pretty good shot when I'm just shooting around, but it drastically falls off in in-game situations. How can I practice in-game shooting when I mostly practice by myself?

Did somebody shoot my car?

escabeche — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:52:59 -0800

Did somebody shoot my car? This morning in Tucson, AZ we came out of the house we were visiting to find the driver's window of our rental car shattered -- that is, the glass was cracked into tiny pieces but almost entirely still in the windowframe, apart from a small hole, about hand-sized, near the mirror. That part of the glass was scattered on the driver's seat. There was also a small hole in the driver's side door, a little above the handle; the door was still locked. There was nothing of value in the car, and the interior was, as far as we could tell, untouched. No marks on the trunk.

So what happened here? Attempted break-in? But then why not sweep all the glass out of the window? And why not try to force the trunk, when the car itself was visibly empty of valuables? The folks at the rental car agency said the hole in the door looked like a bullet hole. But do people randomly shoot at parked cars in the middle of the night? Would a bullet fired at a car penetrate the outside metal of the door but not enter the cabin? (There was no hole on the inside of the door, and no bullet inside.) And would shooting the door of a car shatter the driver's side window?

No enemies at the gates

nomad — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:19:12 -0800

Do ranges exist where you can rent and fire a sniper rifle? A friend and I bit the bullet and shot handguns at a local gun range (in Philadelphia) a few weeks ago. Neither of us had ever shot a real gun before and it was sort of a life-experience field trip. As we were planning/talking about it, the idea of taking the next step and shooting sniper rifles arose. Does the equivalent of an all-in-one gun range for sniper rifles exist? If so, is there one in the Philadelphia area? If not, what is the minimum amount of effort/money required to be able to fire a sniper rifle?

This is (not) a bird.

ddaavviidd — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:26:44 -0800

I am looking for a fake bird (obviously real-looking), and just can't seem to find what I am looking for! I am looking for a common, north american bird for a film shooting. Robin, lark, these commonly seen birds. Taxidermists won't do it here because you can't legally hunt them. I am looking for a fake one, perhaps with real feather, and I imagine there is such a thing somewhere online for film purposes (a props company for instance), but can't find any. Anyone has suggestions?

Help with name of Film

maxmix — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:34:18 -0800

Can anyone help me with the title of this film??? It's a 1970s US film where some Airmen are trapped in a bunker by a machine gun firing robot (I think). I thought it starred Richard Baseheart, but i've Googled him and I can't find any film he made that is similar!!!! Can anyone help, please.....(It's driving me mad)

Green BBs?

fiercecupcake — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:17:41 -0800

I'm asking for a BB gun this Winter Holiday, as a way to ease into learning to shoot. Since I'll be shooting on my land, I'm curious about the ecological implications of BBs hanging around. I assume I don't want the plastic BBs, but are steel ones also a bad thing to leave lying around on the ground? This is not arable land, it's scrubby cedar-and-post-oak, rocky-ground "forest." I am concerned about both immediate dangers to wildlife/waterways and what will happen to the ammo years from now.

Will they rust away? Could I conceivably pick them up with a giant magnet? Forgive my naïveté, I just don't want to do something I regret later and can't undo.

Is there any indemnity?

zap rowsdower — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:53:42 -0800

What happens when a bodyguard shoots and kills someone while protecting their client? A discussion over dim sum lead to the preceding question. Would the bodyguard be brought up on murder charges? Could it be considered acting in self-defense, even if he/she wasn't the primary target of the attackers attempt?

And yes I know lethal force is the last resort, and hopefully the situation would never come to it, but this is a "what if" scenario.

Handguns for Dummies

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:49:46 -0800

What are some good resources for a novice looking to purchase a handgun? I am considering purchasing a pistol for 1) home protection and 2) general target shooting. And I will probably only buy one (right now, I'm leaning toward Sig Sauer, but for strictly aesthetic reasons), and have it serve double duty (I don't want to be a "collector"). But I am fairly new to firearms. Where can I go to learn more? About guns in general, but also info on topics like; what makes a good gun for a particular use (not maker, but issues like caliber, stopping power, weight, etc.), price paid vs. overall quality, expert opinions, safety/etiquette, training, etc. Think "if you're a newb, you MUST read X". Even (especially?) if it's overly technical. Online info is good, but printed material is also welcome - as are your recommendations/advice.

Bulking up to shoot?

xetere — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:12:12 -0800

Why would someone who is competing in shooting in the Olympics need to dope up? While reading this CNN article about the Swedish Greco-Roman wrestler who threw his medal down and was disqualified, towards the end, it says;

"On Friday, North Korean shooter Kim Jong Su had his silver and bronze medals taken away after failing a doping test."

Not trying to diss the accuracy or skill involved in competitive shooting, but what kind of substances could he possibly have been using to gain an "edge? and why" Are the guns heavy so you need to bulk up? Is there a time limit so you have to be super-quick? I can see that in Skeet shooting but is it enough to tempt one to use performance-enhancing drugs? And what drugs would they be? Speed to make you more awake?

Who wrote a song about the Heath High School shooting?

unmake — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:36:51 -0800

Who sings this song (1.7MB mp3) about the 1997 Heath High School Shooting? Been digging though my box 'o tapes, and this haunting song is on one of them but recorded separately from any subsequent DJ set. Googling the lyrics turns up nothing, but the names dug up a tragedy.

The only other detail I can provide is that it was probably recorded at least 5, and probably eight years ago.. because the rest of the tape is WFMU dj's who reference east orange, and the playlists aren't searchable, a hallmark of pre-2001 shows.

How safe is a Glock?

Burhanistan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:54:07 -0800

PistolFilter. I know there are lots of gun related forums/resources on the web (and am looking at those also), but I'd like to query AskMe about Glocks. Specifically what are the practical advantages and disadvantages of the Glock safety trigger mechanism versus traditional safetys? I'm kicking around buying my first gun. I've had experience with handgun shooting before and am fairly competent with 9MMs. I'm just thinking of buying a gun as part of a broader package of survival/emergency gear so I'm not really looking for something that is high maintenance and can handle being stowed away for long periods. So, bonus points for gun recommendations. Thanks!

Deer hunting in New Mexico?

vorfeed — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:19:01 -0800

Deer hunting in New Mexico: your experiences or advice appreciated! I'm putting in for a deer tag (for deer taken by rifle; it will probably be a mule deer) here in New Mexico. I don't have any experience with deer hunting, so I'd like to hear from others who've hunted deer in NM. In particular, what's a good unit to put in for, and good areas within the unit to try? Does anyone have a lead on private-land hunting that doesn't involve outfitters and/or paying the landowner a ton of cash? I live in Espanola, but I'm willing to travel pretty much anywhere in the state. I haven't done this before, so general muley hunting advice is also welcome!

I'm not looking for a trophy... I just want to fill my freezer with venison, so I am not all that particular. I mainly want to maximize my chances of getting a tag/landowner's permission, and then have a decent chance of getting a deer. Thanks for any tips you can give me!

Has the world gone mad?

fogster — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:51:03 -0800

At least once a week, I read about a mall shooting or something similar. Today's story is about a 16 year old girl who murdered her parents and siblings. What gives? All of a sudden, these insane news stories have become weekly occurrences. My question: has the incidence of these things truly skyrocketed (as it seems), or have they just been getting more attention? And if the incidence has gone way up, can anyone offer credible evidence for why? Is this a uniquely American problem?

Small single-stack handgun with a DA/SA trigger?

vorfeed — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:47:18 -0800

I'm looking for an affordable single-stack pistol suitable for concealed carry, preferably in .40 S&W. The only problem is, I'd like something with DA/SA... This is sort of a followup to this question: are there any small single-stack handguns with a DA/SA trigger? I've got small hands, and I find the wide double-stack grip on Glocks and the like uncomfortable. The Kahr CW40 is a perfect fit for me, but it's double-action only, and I like the feel of a double action/single action trigger.

Can anyone recommend a gun shaped like the Kahr CW40 (i.e. single-stack magazine, 3.5" barrel), only with a DA/SA trigger? I'm looking to pay around $500, plus or minus $150 or so. Thanks!

Shooting ranges in New Jersey?

John Kenneth Fisher — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:44:24 -0800

Where in New Jersey (or just over the PA border) can an adult and a fifteen year old go, rent some rifles/pistols, and do some shooting? The kid has never shot before, so I'm looking for stationary targets, and I'm absolutely not looking for LIVING targets. I've used some weapons before in the Army, but am a bit out of practice, so I'd need a place that at the least will have someone experienced who is able to go over the basic rules and safety beforehand for the kid (and for me).

Variety of weaponry to try would be a plus. WOuld be nice to see my old friend, the M16/AR15 again, but that'd just be gravy. I'd also rather not bankrupt myself in the process.

Photo toning for beginners

dead_ — Tue, 29 May 2007 08:53:59 -0800

A (very) amateur photographer needs help with toning photos in Photoshop. I'm a very amateur photographer. I have a Canon 10D SLR, and I understand how to shoot photos. I understand the ideas behind shutter speed, aperture, white balancing, ISO speeds, etc.

I also have a beginner's understanding of photo toning. I've worked at a few different newspapers and during that time have picked up some tricks for quickly turning a mediocre photo into something much better.

I'd like to learn more, though. I don't want to read an entire book--as most of what would be in any digital photography book is probably more than I'll need. What I'd like to know how to do is take a photo through the a toning process that is consistent and reliable. I want to be able to turn my (admittedly) neophyte photos into sharp, contrasty gems that will make me proud to post to Flickr, and that I can replicate relatively easily.

I'm looking for online, step-by-step tutorials for this process. Currently I use a mix of curves, levels and unsharp mask to get my photos looking decent, but I feel like there's a lot more I could be doing. I'd like to find a five to fifteen minute process I can use for making my photos look as good as they can.

Help!

Shooting guns in NJ

XQUZYPHYR — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 14:53:57 -0800

I'd like to spend a nice New Jersey day shooting a rifle. Can I? A friend of mine who is learning to target shoot asked if I'd like to try shooting as well. We'll both be in Northern NJ for Christmas, and were thinking of going somewhere this Saturday. Is it actually possible- practically and legally- to find a place in NJ (or Upstate NY, PA, or anywhere within an acceptable drive's radius) to find a place where two newbies can pay to rent guns and, under safety and supervision, fire them off? We're looking either for standing target or skeet facilities, most preferably rifles as opposed to handguns.

For clarity, the issues at hand are:

1. We do not ourselves own real guns, nor are we licensed to own them. We are trying to figure out if it's legal to rent them for the day in a regulated, legal environment.

2. Though we both have experience with simulators and air rifles, we have never fired real guns. We are not members of a rifle club or the NRA, nor do we wish to join, which some places we've looked at require, nor are we certified for any use of real firearms.

3. We'd like to do this on Saturday, so if we need to fill out forms and wait, we're screwed.

4. Our utmost priority is safety, which is why we're not just paying a farmer to let us shoot behind his barn for two hours (it has been offered). We actively seek and respect the safety advice of any trained professionals who can assist.

5. We are aware this is a highly, HIGHLY unlikely situation, but I figured, what the hell, why not see if it's doable.

Thanks in advance for any tips from people who actually know what they're doing.

Value of a Miroku Model VII .38 special revolver?

vorfeed — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:47:55 -0800

Does anyone know the approximate value of and/or general information on a Miroku Model VII .38 Special revolver? Photos and more info inside. A friend of mine has a .38 special revolver he's looking to get rid of. It belonged to his parents, was probably bought in Texas in the late 1970s, and was probably fired only once or twice. I tried to Google the model and such, but didn't come up with much. The box and manual identify it as a Miroku Model VII .38 special. Here are some photos for reference. Stamped on the barrel is ".38 caliber special", stamped near the trigger is '"Miroku" Firearms Mfg. Co.', stamped on the bottom of the butt is a serial number and "Japan".

I will be taking this to a gun store to get their opinion, but in the meantime, does anyone know anything about this gun? In particular, is this a case of OH NOES DO NOT SHOOT THAT COLLECTOR'S ITEM, or can I take it to the range and enjoy it? I'm hopefully buying this in order to shoot it, but I'd like to know if I'm making a big mistake if use this thing instead of selling it. Is there the equivalent of a Kelly Blue Book for guns?

Bullets fired into the air - a health hazard?

Glow Bucket — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:53:35 -0800

Don't bullets fired into the air hurt or kill people when coming down? I haven often wondered what happens to those bullets that get fired into the air say, as a warning or in celebration of something by gun-toting folk. They must come down somewhere and even if they are not as fast coming down as being fired they must surely hurt if not kill, no?

Are there any accounts of people getting hurt or killed as a result of shots fired in the air, or am I getting this wrong and they simply bounce off of heads?

A good introductory handgun for someone with small hands?

vorfeed — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:38:44 -0800

What's the best beginning target shooting & self-defense handgun for someone with small hands? I'm looking into getting a handgun (a previous askme thread makes me think that a 9mm might be good for a beginner) for target shooting and home defense. I've hardly shot a handgun before, though I've shot plenty of rifles. I am not very big (110 pounds) and have really small hands (it's 6" from the base of my palm where it meets the wrist to the tip of my middle finger), so something that would fit a person with a small frame is ideal. I'd like something affordable, but of decent quality -- something I won't hate to use for now, and could trade in toward a more expensive model later. I'd be using it for target shooting at the indoor/outdoor range, and possibly in IDPA courses as well. I live in New Mexico, USA.

I'll be taking the NRA basic handgun course in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, any recommendations for an introductory handgun that would fit a small hand? General advice on starting out with a handgun would also be welcome.

Workplace shooting in Maryland

Ian A.T. — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 17:21:09 -0800

I'm looking for information concerning a recent workplace shooting in the Maryland or DC area, resulting in the death of a police officer. My mother just emailed about a former high school classmate who was apparently shot by estranged husband recently. Here's the information she gave me:

Jenny married a guy that turned out to have some obvious problems. She and her husband were living in the Maryland/D.C. area and she was trying to separate from him, apparently. He showed up at her job, where she had to get a police escort to her car. Her husband pulled a handgun and shot and killed the police officer, shot Jenny and ran into the woods and shot and killled himself. Last I heard, Jenny could say a couple of words and could wiggle her hands and feet. Pray for her if you think of it.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? I've been overseas and haven't kept up with national news as I should have, so it's possible this was a big deal when it happened.

Here's some more information:

-My mom heard about it two weeks ago, and she forgot to tell me about it in our weekly phone call. (Nice!) But it's entirely possible that it took place longer ago, and just took awhile to move through the church/Kiwanis/grocery store circles.

-Jenny's last name in school was the same as this guy's. (I'm being coy here because it's entirely possible that my mom has the whole story wrong, and if so I'd hate for my poor classmate to find this discussion on Google.) However, that's her maiden name. She has from the Charleston WV area.

-Finally, knowing my mom, it's possible (if not likely) that any or all of the details in her description may be wrong. Frankly, I was just happy to get an email from her that didn't start with "Fwd: FWD: fwd: FWD: Fwd:".

Thank you for your help!

games like GTA

signal — Thu, 25 May 2006 14:33:19 -0800

My wife really, really likes the Grand Theft Auto series. She doesn't play the story line or missions, just likes to walk/ride around shooting people, cars, helicopters, etc. She uses cheats constantly. Like I said, it's not about completing or competing, just shooting stuff. What other game could she have a good time in?

just don't shoot me

luriete — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 23:03:08 -0800

can anyone suggest a relatively inexpensive, decent, higher capacity (as opposed to the 5-round magazines that many seem to have) .22 caliber target pistol good for a beginning shooter? ease of assembly & disassembly, longer barrel, general sturdiness are all big pluses. as for capacity, i realize that here in California laws restrict the number of rounds, but constantly reloading the clip is a pain so the most that are legally allowed would be great. i'm not sure what kind of optics i need on something like this, so the ability to mount different types of sights would be ideal as well.

I want to take this flattened world and pour it into my skull

lalochezia — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 17:55:01 -0800

WeirdSkillsFilter: Where can I learn more exotic/unusual skills cheaply while traveling? You can learn SCUBA in Roatan, Spanish in Guatemala or cooking in Oaxaca. All of these courses are cheaper than their US counterparts.

What and where can you learn more unusual skills cheaply ?

Criteria: Instruction in english (or at a pinch, spanglish/poorly spoken english!) - topic and location away from the humdrum. I'm particularly interested in south/central america but anywhere in the world with a cheap plane ticket from NYC. The course must be cheap!

Example: Learn combat/shooting skills in nicuaragua/el salvador from ex-mercenaries. Ride a horse in Argentina - from gauchos? Learn to drive racecars in the far east? Martial arts in China? Wilderness survival somewhere in the jungle/desert? Sleight of hand? Other james-bond esque stuff?

Don't limit yourself to the Bond-ian: ANY UNUSUAL SKILLS : wild and wacky (but truthful!) answers appreciated.

The US is a great place to learn stuff: it's just too expensive. Globalisation should help me dammit!