Important newbie question - Where to shoot.

[fathamburger]

I'm in Tempe, (close to baseline and hardy) and am looking for a recommendation as to a safe private place to shoot, preferably commonly used so locals and authorities at least know of it as a common "practice range" or whatever. At this point I'm a dabbler, so please help me do this right

I've searched quite a bit, "newbie" , "where to shoot", "shooting range". I'm surprised this hasn't popped up, recommending what someone should do after they get their gun (besides safety precautions). I'm not going to be running outside at all until I've checked and confirmed a safe place.Ideally I'd like to test hitting power, safe ranges, accuracy, different strengths of targets (planning on cans and bottles (empty and full), pillows, cardboard etc). A full blown firing range is overkill imo, I'd like to set my own targets and bring my own ammo etc, just need the space.

Its not a matter of waiting for a game or anything, i'd like to know some basics of how to handle my weapon before I even take that step.

Anyhow this is what I've ordered for my newb equipment

http://www.airsoft128.com/xcart/custome ... t=0&page=1 - 10 dollar 100 FPS pistol. Was looking for the weakest gun to practice indoors with that I could still use as a functional sidearm. I'll be sticking with this until I find a place I can shoot outdoors.

http://www.hotspotairsoft.com/hsastore/ ... cts_id/473 - CSI AUG, my true newbie weapon once I find somewhere to practice with it

[Cheeze_IZ_G00d]

Hell, get a trap target and shoot it in the house if that is what you have going so far. Other than that, you could probably let your neighbors know what you are doing and shoot in your backyard without any sort of problem. However, if you don't want trouble, just let them know what is up so they don't freak out and call the cops.

[Ganef]

The sucky part about living in tempe is that there realy is not any unused land close by that you can run to. If you are in a house then shooting in your backyard is the only thing you can do (and even do that with great caution). If you are in apartments, then make yourself an indoor range or load up your gear and go to the nearest patch of empty desert. Living in Tempe myself, the closest and safest place to shoot without any risk is one of the ATV exits off of the beeline (either 4peaks or north of the highway). I have heard of kids from awatukee playing on south mountain but I have not looked into it myself.  

Oh, and aobut your newbie weapons... they realy wont be making much of a dent in what you are shooting at. And springers do not make good sidearms.

[fathamburger]

Oh the 10 dollar is a springer? saw the word "electric". Guess that might mean just for the blowback. DOH!

Anyway, I'm in an apartment complex, fairly big one too. Once I was thinking of going out back by the dumpsters, but decided not to since it's still technically shared space and not owned by me.

Basically my apt itself isn't all that big, avg shooting distance would be 10-20 ft so these would be perfect. Ive seen videos of similarly powered guns on shortyUSA and Im thinking not much of a dent either (barely plink a can as is), but better to start out small and be safe than sorry.

There are actually some patches of unused land on baseline that I can think of, the problem is that they are on baseline and not exactly out of the way Thanks for the beeline suggestion, any others?

[Ganef]

Stay out of the alleyway. I just saw 10 bucks and thought it must be a springer, but what you are getting is not that much better. If you intend on joining real games then you are going to need something more than what you have ordered. 20ft realy is not that far when normal airsoft engagements are around 40-100ft, you will be agrivated that you are getting outranged by everyone, then discouraged and you will either drop the cash for a better gun or quit alltogether. you can practice CQB in your apartment as long as roomies are ok with bbs getting everywhere.

[fathamburger]

LOL is that what newbies mostly do? buy crap guns and go to a real game expecting to compete and get owned? not me. I bought both of these actually as disposables for the learning experience.  I'd like to keep my 50 dollar AUG as a backup SMG type if possible, but come real game time I thnk I'd probably have to spring for a quality MP5 anyway.

My first step is small, finding a place to shoot, seeing if I even have time to get out to real games regularly, find enough people to play with etc to make the investment. Once I think I'll be making a full commitment, its full tac gear time, and go for replacing my whole set up I was specifically looking for something low FPS, small ft for my first handgun. Don't want to welt anyone yet, I've seen a video where some guy gets smacked at 5-10 ft at 250+ FPS and even thats not pretty.

This is getting off topic, I'm still looking for locations!. Specifically to fire my AUG next week.

[Ganef]

You have no idea how many guys come on here and say how they just bought some crapy disposeable rifle and thing they are GTG for games. I would suggest an M4 or AK variant, mp5s are pretty, but a base rifle with a longer barrel will get you around at games much better. You seen intelligent in comming on the boards and feeling out the scene before dropping mad cash, i just hope games do not dissapoint.

I have been hit at pretty close range with higher velocities and as long as you have BDUs on and some gear you wil be fine. The worst shot I had was a close range sniper shot to my forehead that took off some skin, I am still looking for that rat bastard. Keep your gun stock and you will not have to worry.  

As per legit legal locations in tempe, like I said above there are none.