Resources to learn about firearms?Why no firearms?Where can I learn more about 1700 era boating?Can firearms...
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Resources to learn about firearms?
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Resources to learn about firearms?
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$begingroup$
I want to learn about firearms, how to handle them, how to use them and how to talk about them without sounding like a moron for my worldbuilding and writing projects. I've considered options like talking to a professional, for example a hunter, policeman or soldier or going to a shooting range but these are to much effort in the beginning and would most likely be more beneficial once I got the basics down.
So what are great online sources (websites, YouTube channels) for learning about firearms and stuff surrounding them (like tactics, handling of guns,...)? I wouldn't mind books, but free sources would be preferable.
EDIT1: Optimally the sources should be understandable for an uninformed person. Yet if they lead to some higher level discussions of the subject I could read later to gain deeper insights this would be even better.
warfare military worldbuilding-resources firearms
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
$endgroup$
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I want to learn about firearms, how to handle them, how to use them and how to talk about them without sounding like a moron for my worldbuilding and writing projects. I've considered options like talking to a professional, for example a hunter, policeman or soldier or going to a shooting range but these are to much effort in the beginning and would most likely be more beneficial once I got the basics down.
So what are great online sources (websites, YouTube channels) for learning about firearms and stuff surrounding them (like tactics, handling of guns,...)? I wouldn't mind books, but free sources would be preferable.
EDIT1: Optimally the sources should be understandable for an uninformed person. Yet if they lead to some higher level discussions of the subject I could read later to gain deeper insights this would be even better.
warfare military worldbuilding-resources firearms
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
@MorrisTheCat Actually asking for resources is a perfectly acceptable form of questions. Hence the worldbuilding-resources tag
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
I honestly recommend an hour or two at the shooting range, with instructor. "understandable for an uninformed person" is exactly what you would get there if you will tell them it's your first time.
$endgroup$
– Mołot
13 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
Best way - get into guns, at least go to a range and shoot some, to learn how does it feel, and see for yourself how diferrent they are from Hollywood ones. Also, I recommend Forgotten Weapons channel to find some cool, outlandish weapons for use in your stories. Ah, I see you live in Germany - I recommend taking a trip to Poland, gun ranges here are much cooler than in Germany I believe. You can get chance to shoot full auto guns, and you don't actually need to be in a sport club for it.
$endgroup$
– Mranderson
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@TheDyingOfLight, shooting clubs in Germany are allowed to let non-members practice (with a supervisor, unless the visitor is certified). Look for a club which offers IPSC to their members, even if they won't allow a newbie to try that.
$endgroup$
– o.m.
13 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
As for talking about firearms, one thing I would recommend early, understand the difference between: clip/magazine, automatic/semiautomatic, assault weapon/assault rifle. Just from talking with people who appreciate firearms, those three particular terms seem to act as a sort of test for newbies. You can get a lot of leeway on your other mistakes if you keep those 3 pairs straight. If you get those right, you can also get bonus points for calling a can a "suppressor" rather than the colloquial "silencer."
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
12 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I want to learn about firearms, how to handle them, how to use them and how to talk about them without sounding like a moron for my worldbuilding and writing projects. I've considered options like talking to a professional, for example a hunter, policeman or soldier or going to a shooting range but these are to much effort in the beginning and would most likely be more beneficial once I got the basics down.
So what are great online sources (websites, YouTube channels) for learning about firearms and stuff surrounding them (like tactics, handling of guns,...)? I wouldn't mind books, but free sources would be preferable.
EDIT1: Optimally the sources should be understandable for an uninformed person. Yet if they lead to some higher level discussions of the subject I could read later to gain deeper insights this would be even better.
warfare military worldbuilding-resources firearms
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I want to learn about firearms, how to handle them, how to use them and how to talk about them without sounding like a moron for my worldbuilding and writing projects. I've considered options like talking to a professional, for example a hunter, policeman or soldier or going to a shooting range but these are to much effort in the beginning and would most likely be more beneficial once I got the basics down.
So what are great online sources (websites, YouTube channels) for learning about firearms and stuff surrounding them (like tactics, handling of guns,...)? I wouldn't mind books, but free sources would be preferable.
EDIT1: Optimally the sources should be understandable for an uninformed person. Yet if they lead to some higher level discussions of the subject I could read later to gain deeper insights this would be even better.
warfare military worldbuilding-resources firearms
warfare military worldbuilding-resources firearms
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
James♦
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
25.5k12 gold badges99 silver badges186 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
asked 14 hours ago
TheDyingOfLightTheDyingOfLight
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
4,5961 gold badge13 silver badges41 bronze badges
2
$begingroup$
@MorrisTheCat Actually asking for resources is a perfectly acceptable form of questions. Hence the worldbuilding-resources tag
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
I honestly recommend an hour or two at the shooting range, with instructor. "understandable for an uninformed person" is exactly what you would get there if you will tell them it's your first time.
$endgroup$
– Mołot
13 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
Best way - get into guns, at least go to a range and shoot some, to learn how does it feel, and see for yourself how diferrent they are from Hollywood ones. Also, I recommend Forgotten Weapons channel to find some cool, outlandish weapons for use in your stories. Ah, I see you live in Germany - I recommend taking a trip to Poland, gun ranges here are much cooler than in Germany I believe. You can get chance to shoot full auto guns, and you don't actually need to be in a sport club for it.
$endgroup$
– Mranderson
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@TheDyingOfLight, shooting clubs in Germany are allowed to let non-members practice (with a supervisor, unless the visitor is certified). Look for a club which offers IPSC to their members, even if they won't allow a newbie to try that.
$endgroup$
– o.m.
13 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
As for talking about firearms, one thing I would recommend early, understand the difference between: clip/magazine, automatic/semiautomatic, assault weapon/assault rifle. Just from talking with people who appreciate firearms, those three particular terms seem to act as a sort of test for newbies. You can get a lot of leeway on your other mistakes if you keep those 3 pairs straight. If you get those right, you can also get bonus points for calling a can a "suppressor" rather than the colloquial "silencer."
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
12 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
2
$begingroup$
@MorrisTheCat Actually asking for resources is a perfectly acceptable form of questions. Hence the worldbuilding-resources tag
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
I honestly recommend an hour or two at the shooting range, with instructor. "understandable for an uninformed person" is exactly what you would get there if you will tell them it's your first time.
$endgroup$
– Mołot
13 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
Best way - get into guns, at least go to a range and shoot some, to learn how does it feel, and see for yourself how diferrent they are from Hollywood ones. Also, I recommend Forgotten Weapons channel to find some cool, outlandish weapons for use in your stories. Ah, I see you live in Germany - I recommend taking a trip to Poland, gun ranges here are much cooler than in Germany I believe. You can get chance to shoot full auto guns, and you don't actually need to be in a sport club for it.
$endgroup$
– Mranderson
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@TheDyingOfLight, shooting clubs in Germany are allowed to let non-members practice (with a supervisor, unless the visitor is certified). Look for a club which offers IPSC to their members, even if they won't allow a newbie to try that.
$endgroup$
– o.m.
13 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
As for talking about firearms, one thing I would recommend early, understand the difference between: clip/magazine, automatic/semiautomatic, assault weapon/assault rifle. Just from talking with people who appreciate firearms, those three particular terms seem to act as a sort of test for newbies. You can get a lot of leeway on your other mistakes if you keep those 3 pairs straight. If you get those right, you can also get bonus points for calling a can a "suppressor" rather than the colloquial "silencer."
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
12 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
@MorrisTheCat Actually asking for resources is a perfectly acceptable form of questions. Hence the worldbuilding-resources tag
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
$begingroup$
@MorrisTheCat Actually asking for resources is a perfectly acceptable form of questions. Hence the worldbuilding-resources tag
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
I honestly recommend an hour or two at the shooting range, with instructor. "understandable for an uninformed person" is exactly what you would get there if you will tell them it's your first time.
$endgroup$
– Mołot
13 hours ago
$begingroup$
I honestly recommend an hour or two at the shooting range, with instructor. "understandable for an uninformed person" is exactly what you would get there if you will tell them it's your first time.
$endgroup$
– Mołot
13 hours ago
3
3
$begingroup$
Best way - get into guns, at least go to a range and shoot some, to learn how does it feel, and see for yourself how diferrent they are from Hollywood ones. Also, I recommend Forgotten Weapons channel to find some cool, outlandish weapons for use in your stories. Ah, I see you live in Germany - I recommend taking a trip to Poland, gun ranges here are much cooler than in Germany I believe. You can get chance to shoot full auto guns, and you don't actually need to be in a sport club for it.
$endgroup$
– Mranderson
13 hours ago
$begingroup$
Best way - get into guns, at least go to a range and shoot some, to learn how does it feel, and see for yourself how diferrent they are from Hollywood ones. Also, I recommend Forgotten Weapons channel to find some cool, outlandish weapons for use in your stories. Ah, I see you live in Germany - I recommend taking a trip to Poland, gun ranges here are much cooler than in Germany I believe. You can get chance to shoot full auto guns, and you don't actually need to be in a sport club for it.
$endgroup$
– Mranderson
13 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
@TheDyingOfLight, shooting clubs in Germany are allowed to let non-members practice (with a supervisor, unless the visitor is certified). Look for a club which offers IPSC to their members, even if they won't allow a newbie to try that.
$endgroup$
– o.m.
13 hours ago
$begingroup$
@TheDyingOfLight, shooting clubs in Germany are allowed to let non-members practice (with a supervisor, unless the visitor is certified). Look for a club which offers IPSC to their members, even if they won't allow a newbie to try that.
$endgroup$
– o.m.
13 hours ago
4
4
$begingroup$
As for talking about firearms, one thing I would recommend early, understand the difference between: clip/magazine, automatic/semiautomatic, assault weapon/assault rifle. Just from talking with people who appreciate firearms, those three particular terms seem to act as a sort of test for newbies. You can get a lot of leeway on your other mistakes if you keep those 3 pairs straight. If you get those right, you can also get bonus points for calling a can a "suppressor" rather than the colloquial "silencer."
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
12 hours ago
$begingroup$
As for talking about firearms, one thing I would recommend early, understand the difference between: clip/magazine, automatic/semiautomatic, assault weapon/assault rifle. Just from talking with people who appreciate firearms, those three particular terms seem to act as a sort of test for newbies. You can get a lot of leeway on your other mistakes if you keep those 3 pairs straight. If you get those right, you can also get bonus points for calling a can a "suppressor" rather than the colloquial "silencer."
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
12 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Tvtropes has an excellent article in their Useful notes section called "Gun Safety" as well as a write up of every military in the world, usually making an alliterative pun or historical joke in the title, allusion to a trademark weapon, or rhyming (the entry for the U.S. is called "Yanks with Tanks" while the UK's is "Brit's with Battleships").
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/GunSafety
Almost all their discussions on warfare and gun handling in fiction do discuss the good or bad aspects of porting to real life.
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Forgotten Weapons, run by Ian McCollum, is both a website and youtube channel. He offers apolitical discussion on a huge variety of firearms, often talking about the history, variations, and mechanics of said guns. He is still active, and has done videos ranging from two-shot muskets to anti-aircraft cannon.
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The best possible source is a knowledgeable person. A visit to a range, joining a shooting club, or perhaps going on a hunting trip with a skilled hunter will allow you to see first hand what is being done, and allow you to ask questions right on the spot.
These sorts of people can also direct you to other sources of information, such as books, websites, other groups and so on. Oddly enough, there are lots of military training films on YouTube. If you are looking for historical information, such as how a German infantry squad worked and moved in battle, then study these films. Since they are training films, and not for entertainment, you will lose most of the bizarre stuff that Hollywood movies are notorious for adding.
Finally, in most jurisdictions people who wish to purchase firearms need to take some sort of firearms safety course in order to apply for a licence or permit (depending on the jurisdiction), so you should sign up and get some hands on training with a firearm.
Of course, military weapons like fully automatic assault rifles or belt fed machine guns are not going to be available to you, unless you join the military as an infantryman (most other branches do use automatic rifles, but machine guns, grenade launchers and other weaponry of that nature is most commonly used by infantry soldiers). If you choose to go that route, I'll applaud your dedication to your craft, but point out there won't actually be much time to sit down and write...
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's one, with a free 45-page guide to writing guns in fiction
https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-write-about-guns-the-art-of-firearms-in-fiction
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Tvtropes has an excellent article in their Useful notes section called "Gun Safety" as well as a write up of every military in the world, usually making an alliterative pun or historical joke in the title, allusion to a trademark weapon, or rhyming (the entry for the U.S. is called "Yanks with Tanks" while the UK's is "Brit's with Battleships").
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/GunSafety
Almost all their discussions on warfare and gun handling in fiction do discuss the good or bad aspects of porting to real life.
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Tvtropes has an excellent article in their Useful notes section called "Gun Safety" as well as a write up of every military in the world, usually making an alliterative pun or historical joke in the title, allusion to a trademark weapon, or rhyming (the entry for the U.S. is called "Yanks with Tanks" while the UK's is "Brit's with Battleships").
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/GunSafety
Almost all their discussions on warfare and gun handling in fiction do discuss the good or bad aspects of porting to real life.
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Tvtropes has an excellent article in their Useful notes section called "Gun Safety" as well as a write up of every military in the world, usually making an alliterative pun or historical joke in the title, allusion to a trademark weapon, or rhyming (the entry for the U.S. is called "Yanks with Tanks" while the UK's is "Brit's with Battleships").
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/GunSafety
Almost all their discussions on warfare and gun handling in fiction do discuss the good or bad aspects of porting to real life.
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Tvtropes has an excellent article in their Useful notes section called "Gun Safety" as well as a write up of every military in the world, usually making an alliterative pun or historical joke in the title, allusion to a trademark weapon, or rhyming (the entry for the U.S. is called "Yanks with Tanks" while the UK's is "Brit's with Battleships").
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/GunSafety
Almost all their discussions on warfare and gun handling in fiction do discuss the good or bad aspects of porting to real life.
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
edited 13 hours ago
Morris The Cat
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
8,4711 gold badge24 silver badges45 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
answered 13 hours ago
hszmvhszmv
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
6,0906 silver badges17 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Forgotten Weapons, run by Ian McCollum, is both a website and youtube channel. He offers apolitical discussion on a huge variety of firearms, often talking about the history, variations, and mechanics of said guns. He is still active, and has done videos ranging from two-shot muskets to anti-aircraft cannon.
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Forgotten Weapons, run by Ian McCollum, is both a website and youtube channel. He offers apolitical discussion on a huge variety of firearms, often talking about the history, variations, and mechanics of said guns. He is still active, and has done videos ranging from two-shot muskets to anti-aircraft cannon.
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Forgotten Weapons, run by Ian McCollum, is both a website and youtube channel. He offers apolitical discussion on a huge variety of firearms, often talking about the history, variations, and mechanics of said guns. He is still active, and has done videos ranging from two-shot muskets to anti-aircraft cannon.
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Forgotten Weapons, run by Ian McCollum, is both a website and youtube channel. He offers apolitical discussion on a huge variety of firearms, often talking about the history, variations, and mechanics of said guns. He is still active, and has done videos ranging from two-shot muskets to anti-aircraft cannon.
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
answered 12 hours ago
Joe PJoe P
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
1,1445 silver badges19 bronze badges
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
$begingroup$
I love Forgotten Weapons, but Ian's videos can go quite in depth in the mechanics of guns; possibly too deep for a beginner. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about firearms and he loses me sometimes. Ian was a mechanical engineer before he started FW and I think it really shows. This could be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
12 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
$begingroup$
He also did some videos on just the different types of actions for guns.
$endgroup$
– Joe P
12 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The best possible source is a knowledgeable person. A visit to a range, joining a shooting club, or perhaps going on a hunting trip with a skilled hunter will allow you to see first hand what is being done, and allow you to ask questions right on the spot.
These sorts of people can also direct you to other sources of information, such as books, websites, other groups and so on. Oddly enough, there are lots of military training films on YouTube. If you are looking for historical information, such as how a German infantry squad worked and moved in battle, then study these films. Since they are training films, and not for entertainment, you will lose most of the bizarre stuff that Hollywood movies are notorious for adding.
Finally, in most jurisdictions people who wish to purchase firearms need to take some sort of firearms safety course in order to apply for a licence or permit (depending on the jurisdiction), so you should sign up and get some hands on training with a firearm.
Of course, military weapons like fully automatic assault rifles or belt fed machine guns are not going to be available to you, unless you join the military as an infantryman (most other branches do use automatic rifles, but machine guns, grenade launchers and other weaponry of that nature is most commonly used by infantry soldiers). If you choose to go that route, I'll applaud your dedication to your craft, but point out there won't actually be much time to sit down and write...
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The best possible source is a knowledgeable person. A visit to a range, joining a shooting club, or perhaps going on a hunting trip with a skilled hunter will allow you to see first hand what is being done, and allow you to ask questions right on the spot.
These sorts of people can also direct you to other sources of information, such as books, websites, other groups and so on. Oddly enough, there are lots of military training films on YouTube. If you are looking for historical information, such as how a German infantry squad worked and moved in battle, then study these films. Since they are training films, and not for entertainment, you will lose most of the bizarre stuff that Hollywood movies are notorious for adding.
Finally, in most jurisdictions people who wish to purchase firearms need to take some sort of firearms safety course in order to apply for a licence or permit (depending on the jurisdiction), so you should sign up and get some hands on training with a firearm.
Of course, military weapons like fully automatic assault rifles or belt fed machine guns are not going to be available to you, unless you join the military as an infantryman (most other branches do use automatic rifles, but machine guns, grenade launchers and other weaponry of that nature is most commonly used by infantry soldiers). If you choose to go that route, I'll applaud your dedication to your craft, but point out there won't actually be much time to sit down and write...
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The best possible source is a knowledgeable person. A visit to a range, joining a shooting club, or perhaps going on a hunting trip with a skilled hunter will allow you to see first hand what is being done, and allow you to ask questions right on the spot.
These sorts of people can also direct you to other sources of information, such as books, websites, other groups and so on. Oddly enough, there are lots of military training films on YouTube. If you are looking for historical information, such as how a German infantry squad worked and moved in battle, then study these films. Since they are training films, and not for entertainment, you will lose most of the bizarre stuff that Hollywood movies are notorious for adding.
Finally, in most jurisdictions people who wish to purchase firearms need to take some sort of firearms safety course in order to apply for a licence or permit (depending on the jurisdiction), so you should sign up and get some hands on training with a firearm.
Of course, military weapons like fully automatic assault rifles or belt fed machine guns are not going to be available to you, unless you join the military as an infantryman (most other branches do use automatic rifles, but machine guns, grenade launchers and other weaponry of that nature is most commonly used by infantry soldiers). If you choose to go that route, I'll applaud your dedication to your craft, but point out there won't actually be much time to sit down and write...
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
$endgroup$
The best possible source is a knowledgeable person. A visit to a range, joining a shooting club, or perhaps going on a hunting trip with a skilled hunter will allow you to see first hand what is being done, and allow you to ask questions right on the spot.
These sorts of people can also direct you to other sources of information, such as books, websites, other groups and so on. Oddly enough, there are lots of military training films on YouTube. If you are looking for historical information, such as how a German infantry squad worked and moved in battle, then study these films. Since they are training films, and not for entertainment, you will lose most of the bizarre stuff that Hollywood movies are notorious for adding.
Finally, in most jurisdictions people who wish to purchase firearms need to take some sort of firearms safety course in order to apply for a licence or permit (depending on the jurisdiction), so you should sign up and get some hands on training with a firearm.
Of course, military weapons like fully automatic assault rifles or belt fed machine guns are not going to be available to you, unless you join the military as an infantryman (most other branches do use automatic rifles, but machine guns, grenade launchers and other weaponry of that nature is most commonly used by infantry soldiers). If you choose to go that route, I'll applaud your dedication to your craft, but point out there won't actually be much time to sit down and write...
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
ThucydidesThucydides
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
85.1k7 gold badges81 silver badges263 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Two quick points: If OP is in the US, most states don't have any licensing or permits required for rifles or shotguns. You do an electronic background check, which takes two minutes, and then you get your gun. Second, there are many ranges in the US that let you rent machine guns and assault rifles for use on their range. There's even one in Las Vegas that lets you try a rocket propelled grenade launcher. There's another range that lets you fire a machine gun out the side of a moving helicopter.
$endgroup$
– Ryan_L
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's one, with a free 45-page guide to writing guns in fiction
https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-write-about-guns-the-art-of-firearms-in-fiction
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's one, with a free 45-page guide to writing guns in fiction
https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-write-about-guns-the-art-of-firearms-in-fiction
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's one, with a free 45-page guide to writing guns in fiction
https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-write-about-guns-the-art-of-firearms-in-fiction
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Here's one, with a free 45-page guide to writing guns in fiction
https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-write-about-guns-the-art-of-firearms-in-fiction
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
answered 14 hours ago
David HamblingDavid Hambling
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
6281 gold badge1 silver badge6 bronze badges
2
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
$begingroup$
David answers that rely on just a link will generally get closed. On a resource question like this its a bit different but you should at least give a brief overview of topics covered and why its a good resource.
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
@MorrisTheCat Actually asking for resources is a perfectly acceptable form of questions. Hence the worldbuilding-resources tag
$endgroup$
– James♦
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
I honestly recommend an hour or two at the shooting range, with instructor. "understandable for an uninformed person" is exactly what you would get there if you will tell them it's your first time.
$endgroup$
– Mołot
13 hours ago
3
$begingroup$
Best way - get into guns, at least go to a range and shoot some, to learn how does it feel, and see for yourself how diferrent they are from Hollywood ones. Also, I recommend Forgotten Weapons channel to find some cool, outlandish weapons for use in your stories. Ah, I see you live in Germany - I recommend taking a trip to Poland, gun ranges here are much cooler than in Germany I believe. You can get chance to shoot full auto guns, and you don't actually need to be in a sport club for it.
$endgroup$
– Mranderson
13 hours ago
2
$begingroup$
@TheDyingOfLight, shooting clubs in Germany are allowed to let non-members practice (with a supervisor, unless the visitor is certified). Look for a club which offers IPSC to their members, even if they won't allow a newbie to try that.
$endgroup$
– o.m.
13 hours ago
4
$begingroup$
As for talking about firearms, one thing I would recommend early, understand the difference between: clip/magazine, automatic/semiautomatic, assault weapon/assault rifle. Just from talking with people who appreciate firearms, those three particular terms seem to act as a sort of test for newbies. You can get a lot of leeway on your other mistakes if you keep those 3 pairs straight. If you get those right, you can also get bonus points for calling a can a "suppressor" rather than the colloquial "silencer."
$endgroup$
– Cort Ammon
12 hours ago