Why New Shooters Should Join a Range

Joining fellow shooters at a range can help you hone your skills and have fun safely.

posted on June 16, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

So you've purchased a firearm. Now what? One of the first things you should do is find a local gun range. Doing so will likely encourage you to train more and enable you to meet fellow gun owners, as well as find qualified instructors. Quality instruction is important for safety and proficiency. And once you are more comfortable with your skills, you may even want to engage in friendly competitive shooting matches offered at your range. This is a great way to find a training buddy to make practice even more fun.

Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor range is up to you; they each have their pros and cons. In "Joining a Range," one of the latest videos in the Smith & Wesson GUNSMARTS Series 2 collection, Ken Scott, a Smith & Wesson ambassador and former law enforcement officer, explains how to figure out which is right for you. If it's your first time shooting at a gun range, be sure to read up on range etiquette before your first session.

And be sure to check out the entire library of informative videos at smith-wesson.com/gunsmarts, which were created to make proficiency with a firearm more accessible to new gun owners.

Latest

GTM Avenue Large Satchel Concealed Carry Bag GTM Image
GTM Avenue Large Satchel Concealed Carry Bag GTM Image

New Gear 2026: GTM Original Expands The Avenue Collection

The satchels are crafted from USA top-grain cowhide and distressed buffalo leather, offering a refined blend of fashion, function and personality.

SLG2, Inc. and Walk The Talk America Unite to Advance Firearm Safety

The partnership will provide practical resources that encourage safe firearm handling, secure storage and meaningful conversations surrounding mental health.

The Armed Citizen® Reload June 26, 2026

The law was on a woman's side quite literally all the time, which didn't end well for her ex-cop boyfriend.

Henry Repeating Arms’ America's 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition Collection

Now shipping to dealers, the trio of collector-grade lever-action rifles mark the nation's 250th anniversary of independence.

Savage 220 Harvester Woodland Slug Gun Review

If you live in a state that limits your deer-hunting firearm options, the Savage 220 Harvester Woodland could be your answer to finding a shotgun that fits well, manages recoil, and offers the adjustability needed for comfort and confidence.

A Real-Life Situational Awareness Example

The author recently had to practice what she preaches when an ordinary night turned into a Condition Orange situation.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.