Shooting range and handgun/riffle ownership

tramoreman77

I've always had an interest in shooting and I'd love to take it up again as a hobby ,I used to shoot a lot on ranges the army used outdoor and indoor,but it's been a fair few years now .could anyone tell me the route to getting membership to a firing range and buying a firearm .thanks

Cass

Welcome to the shooting forum.

Excuse the following post if any of it seems "newbie" but as i don't know your previous history, if any, i'm trying to cover all bases.

First thing you need to do is choose which type of shooting you'd like to do. Are you interested in:

• Benchrest rimfire/centrefire
• Gallery rifle
• Pistol
• Long range shooting
• Sporting rifle
• etc

Once you know what type of shooting you'd like to do you need to pick a range. Based on where you live you need to determine not only the closest range to you, but the one that best serves your needs/wants. So even though range A is closest does it allow you to shoot the discipline. If not then you need to look at range B, C, etc.

Ring the range and make an appointment to go and visit it. They will gladly show you around, tell you all you need to know and walk you through the membership process, etc.

Here is a list of all rifle/pistol ranges.

Now you have the type of shooting you want to do and the range that best suits your needs picked out you need to choose a gun. I always advise most people to start out with a .22lr rimfire rifle. They are tons of fun, practical, can be used or hunting and target shooting, are cheap to run, cheap to buy, and the kind of gun you can always keep in the safe.

Here is a post describing the types of gun and why a .22lr is best as a starter.

You can of course go for any caliber and you may need to go for a higher caliber depending on the type of shooting you decide to do. Go to various ranges and gun dealers and look at as many as you can. Bring someone with you if you're not 100% on the types, makes, or models. When you have a gun you want you pay a deposit, and only a deposit (do not pay for the gun entirely upfront). You then take the letter the dealer gives you and have to apply for the gun.

To apply for a firearm you need to fill in an FCA1 firearm application form. This post details all the specifics you'll need to cover as well as the security measures you will need in place before getting the gun. This post then goes into a little more detail with regard to the reasons you may give for wanting the firearm as this is a legal requirement.

After all this is done you wait. Once the application is granted you'll be sent a grant letter. This confirms the application was successful. The letter must then be taken to the post office where you pay your €80 license fee. Within 3-5 days you'll receive your actual license and then you may go and collect your gun.


A few tips:

• If you apply for the gun for shooting on a range you must be a member of that range beforehand.
• Any security measures must be in place before you apply as you must declare you have satisfied the minimum requirements on your FCA1.
• NEVER pay more than a deposit (10% or so) on a gun. Also make sure that this deposit is refundable should you be refused the license as some dealrs will simply keep your money. Its for this reason you never pay for the gun upfront. Also a dealer will not return any money for change of mind.
• Always take someone with you even if you think you know all you need. A second set of eyes can provide helpful information and temper any "new buyers" excitement as sometimes we see things through rose tinted glasses when we want it.
• lastly don't be afraid to ask questions. Here, on a range, at the dealers, etc. Ask, ask and ask some more. Be 100% sure what you want and that you know what you need before committing to anything.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

tramoreman77

Thank you for your help il be following your advice

Cass

No hassle. Feel free to ask about anything.