What do i need to get setup, complete beginner waiting for his PAL

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Cmaiden39

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Hi folks,

Im new to the sport and just wondering since i sent my PAL on dec 16th, i got a while to wait. i havent found a thread yet, but what would one need to get setup for success for learning, proper care/cleaning, storage, were and what to buy (id like to support local).

Asking for suggestions to answer things like, do i really need a 'best' gun vice? or can i be okay with regular tipton gun vice? a mat? a multi cleaning kit? do i use CLP or solvent? Which ones do i get?

Should i contact and visit some of the local ranges to see what they offer? Im in the lower mainland BC and hearing lots of waitlists happening right now. I havent seen any much of updated info for crownland spots.

I inherited a 18gun safe for storage. So im covered there.

Any books i should get to learn? how to mount a scope? how to dial it in with the rifle?

I havent looked much into hunting, but work with alot of them, ive been invited out so im curious what the process is to obtain a hunting license but also the process IF i do say get a deer, whats the next step?

If it helps, of course i want a SKS lol

Youtube has been great for learning how to clean and reviews. Just wondering if anyone has a rough idea what has helped them get started :)
 
Shot about 10,000 rounds of .22 and then decide what you want.

Putting your first 2000 rounds in on an sks is a waste of.money.
 
You don't need a gun vise, but they can be handy. To be honest, if I were you, knowing what I know now, I would just start small and move slowly from there. When I first got into firearms, I acquired a lot of stuff impulsively and ended up feeling almost overwhelmed. Don't think too much, just start slow and move forward naturally.

So my advice, decide what you want for your first firearm and then go from there based on needs. I recommend a .22lr rifle based solely on the cost factor alone. Anyway, so once you got your rifle selected, what else do you need? Well, you need somewhere to store it (which you got covered) and some way to clean it. So you need cleaning products. You won't find a "right" answer on which products are best, mostly just personal preference past a certain point. Just do some online research of your own to decide what fits your needs (reviews are always helpful).

As I said, most things are just personal preference. Do you want a cleaning mat to keep your surfaces tidy? Personally, on my work desk, I don't care. Do you want a gun vise to help give you an extra hand to hold the gun when cleaning or doing other things? Personally, I prefer to work on my firearms with as little extra help as possible, so that if the circumstances arise where I absolutely need to be able to (SHTF scenario), I could do it on autopilot.

As for the ranges and crown land, good luck finding a suitable spot in the Lower Mainland; most folk aren't willing to share theirs. You are pretty much forced to use a range unless you're willing to make the journey past the shooting restrictions (better to get on a waitlist now then later) East Harrison Lake is where I hear most folk go now. If you do go there, do everyone in the firearms community a favour and clean up some of garbage the inconsiderate ones leave behind, else the end result will be more closures like we saw a few years back.
 
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As others have said get a 22 and some ammo and a place to shoot. Learn to shoot properly. Maybe a cleaning kit, sandbag to rest the gun for shooting. I made a rest from an old butterfly jack.

Most other information can be found online with google.

If you get a deer next step is cleaning it then getting it out of the woods and then butchering it, lot's of videos on how to do it.
 
time4t said:
Welcome to the sport. Having formally trained many new shooters- a couple of suggestions. Disregard anyone who says that you should start with a centerfire, and the sks for a rookie will only teach you poor habits from the onset. A decent quality bolt action 22 rimfire is arguably the best starting point. Buy a couple of benchrest sandbags, a modest cleaning kit and decent eye and ear protection. As you live in the LML, visit a couple of reputable shops like reliable or wanstalls and chat up the fellows who will help to steer you in the right direction. Try a few rifles for fit, check for your dominant eye, then look up some internet shooting basics tutorials that will outline the basics and give you a sense of the routine. Take small steps, focus on safety, and have fun....regards t4t
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Thank you for your reply! i live closest to wanstalls and pocomilitary. ill be sure to go check them out!
 
btabin said:
You don't need a gun vise, but they can be handy. To be honest, if I were you, knowing what I know now, I would just start small and move slowly from there. When I first got into firearms, I acquired a lot of stuff impulsively and ended up feeling almost overwhelmed. Don't think too much, just start slow and move forward naturally.

So my advice, decide what you want for your first firearm and then go from there based on needs. I recommend a .22lr rifle based solely on the cost factor alone. Anyway, so once you got your rifle selected, what else do you need? Well, you need somewhere to store it (which you got covered) and some way to clean it. So you need cleaning products. You won't find a "right" answer on which products are best, mostly just personal preference past a certain point. Just do some online research of your own to decide what fits your needs (reviews are always helpful).

As I said, most things are just personal preference. Do you want a cleaning mat to keep your surfaces tidy? Personally, on my work desk, I don't care. Do you want a gun vise to help give you an extra hand to hold the gun when cleaning or doing other things? Personally, I prefer to work on my firearms with as little extra help as possible, so that if the circumstances arise where I absolutely need to be able to (SHTF scenario), I could do it on autopilot.

As for the ranges and crown land, good luck finding a suitable spot in the Lower Mainland; most folk aren't willing to share theirs. You are pretty much forced to use a range unless you're willing to make the journey past the shooting restrictions (better to get on a waitlist now then later) East Harrison Lake is where I hear most folk go now. If you do go there, do everyone in the firearms community a favour and clean up some of garbage the inconsiderate ones leave behind, else the end result will be more closures like we saw a few years back.
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Thanks for your reply, very helpful! Ill be sure to bring extra garbage bags if i get the opportunity!
 
cz457 would be an excellent rifle that you wouldnt ever feel the need to move on from.
Get a cheap cleaning kit that's for multiple calibers and as the plastic pieces break, replace them with brass, most are fine being plastic.
I have a few gun vices etc but still use simple cleaning mats like a tekmat 90% of the time.
 
My advice is:

Buy once, cry once.

Most firearms and accessories can be pretty expensive and like tools, you get what you pay for. I will use optics as an example, if you are looking to get a 4-16x40 scope for your rifle you should save your beans and get something decent as compared to an el-cheapo model (aka NC Star).

The SKS is a super fun rifle, cheap to own, and cheap to shoot. The biggest problem is all the time it takes to clean it after shooting some surplus ammo.

The CZ457 is a sweet rifle that you cant go wrong with.
 
+1 on the .22

Never gets old. Still enjoy shooting my 30 year old 10/22 not to mention it is my go to grouse gun. Lost count of number of rounds fired, would guess 5000+ on it.

Bought my son a CZ457 for his 16th b-day this April and the CZ goes to the range every time with him regardless what else we bring. The CZ has probably 2000+ rounds through it already.

Good thing about .22 at the range, you can shoot it one round after another and the barrel never gets hot.

https://ibb.co/94ZkBnq

Here is what the CZ457 with a Vortex Crossfire 4x12 can do at 100 yards (CCI SV). 3 shots before adjustment.
 
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The Range in Langley is popular but suggest a la carte to begin as membership is expensive. Membership a lot cheaper at DVC in Poco but shorter range suitable only for handguns. I'm a member of Langley R&G but haven't been back since stepson #2 threw one into the roof.

As others have mentioned, Crown Land difficult now as too many yahoos left brass and garbage when they left. Still looking myself for a decent legal spot.
 
ReverendX said:
My advice is:

Buy once, cry once.

Most firearms and accessories can be pretty expensive and like tools, you get what you pay for. I will use optics as an example, if you are looking to get a 4-16x40 scope for your rifle you should save your beans and get something decent as compared to an el-cheapo model (aka NC Star).

The SKS is a super fun rifle, cheap to own, and cheap to shoot. The biggest problem is all the time it takes to clean it after shooting some surplus ammo.

The CZ457 is a sweet rifle that you cant go wrong with.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info :) ive always told myself rhat too, i want to buy rifles that will last! And dont cheap out on scopes... Hence i got a friend holding onto a cz457 for me until i can legally posses it. Picked up a vortex diamondback for it too!

I feel sks are great to learn from in many ways. Dis/rereassemble and clean
Shooting a bigger calibre, learning about its history.

Doesnt hurt the bank if want to turn into a project and bubba it up too!
 
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