For gun enthusiasts, there are a variety of hobbies to enjoy. The hobby possibilities are endless, from shooting competitions and collecting to hunting and gunsmithing. With so many options available, narrowing down your choices can be difficult. To help, here are five great hobbies for gun enthusiasts to pursue in their spare time. Whether you’re looking to hone your shooting skills or simply want to take your passion for guns to the next level, these five great hobbies are sure to provide a fun and rewarding experience.
Shooting competitions
Many shooting competitions are open to all levels of shooters, from the novice to the expert. For example, many local shooting clubs host Beginner’s Nights, where new shooters are encouraged to participate. Local gun shops and shooting ranges also hold competitions, such as IDPA and bull’s-eye competitions, as well as various 3-gun shooting competitions. Another popular shooting competition is trap shooting. This is a challenging and fun sport in which participants shoot at clay targets launched by an automatic trap machine. Trap shooting can be practiced almost anywhere, as long as there is a place to shoot the clay targets and a trap machine. Some shooting ranges even offer trap shooting as a daily activity.
Collecting
Collecting is an excellent hobby for gun enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. From vintage firearms to replicas of historical weapons, there are endless options available for gun enthusiasts interested in collecting. When it comes to purchasing and collecting vintage firearms, it’s essential to be mindful of the regulations in your state and the laws of the state where the gun was manufactured. For example, if you’re collecting firearms in California, you must be a certified Firearm Safety Certificate to purchase them. If you’re interested in collecting replica firearms, many options are available as long as they meet specific requirements. Replica firearms cannot be manufactured to fire real ammunition and must have a barrel, breech, and receiver that are all made of one piece of metal.
Hunting
Hunting is an excellent hobby for gun enthusiasts who enjoy the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. If you’ve ever dreamt of hunting for big game, you’re in luck. Many states have rules and regulations for both big-game and small-game hunting. While many regulations vary from state to state, hunters generally must be at least 16 years old to participate in big-game hunting in the U.S., while the age limit for small-game hunting can vary from state to state. When selecting the type of gun you’ll use for hunting, various options are available, such as rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Each type is used for specific hunting, such as shooting birds with a shotgun or hunting larger animals, such as deer, with a rifle.
Gunsmithing
For gun enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about the inner workings of guns, gunsmithing might be a great hobby to pursue. For those interested in learning how to work on and repair guns, gunsmithing courses are available, such as the Gunsmithing course offered by the NRA. Most gunsmithing courses last about 12 weeks, each week focusing on a different type of gun; for example, if you want to know how does airsoft gun work, you can learn this alongside your gunsmithing course. After taking the course, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to repair your own firearms, as well as the ability to earn a living as a gunsmith.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s something for everyone regarding hobbies for gun enthusiasts. All levels of gun enthusiasts can enjoy shooting competitions, collecting, hunting, gunsmithing, and other hobbies. Whether you enjoy shooting competitions, hunting, collecting, or gunsmithing, these hobbies are sure to provide a fun and rewarding experience for any level of gun enthusiast.