we may be holed up here for awhile so...

[svo44]

For some of us who dont have acres in the backyard  it may be a bit before we get out to do what we do. I am curious, with all the expertise and experience here what is the single most important thing you have learned in your years of shooting, reloading, aiming, everything and anything. 
Im new to this and having the time of my life. so far, the most important thing i have learned is to ask when i dont understand something.. i have learned so much just by admitting i have no clue and asking for help- one person in particular, fermin, has been so helpful to keep me headed on the right track. Thank you all, i hope to learn more from this

[45MAN]

svo44: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK, THERE ARE A LOT OF HELPFUL GUYS HERE.

[flyingzebra]

Recoil is temporary.

[bullseye]

As a firearms enthusiast, the MOST important thing that I've learned...& The hard way...is the power that a firearm & its bearer possess. I have been shot. AND, It most definitely teaches you a whole new respect for firearms.

[Encore64]

I've always been different and don't mind admitting it.

Shooting and even more so, reloading is my passion.

I'm very none competitive. I refuse to make my hobby a competition.

I like to go out shooting on one of my two ranges and just perfect a load. My self satisfaction of learning something and mastering another area means more to me than winning even a friendly match.

Winning a shoot last until the next match. Learning something new last a lifetime.

[bushog]

Read, read, read!

You'll learn about things you might not ever do and some day be amazed how they shed light on what you do.

The search function on this Forum is excellent!

Hey! I passed 5000 posts without saying Boom once!

[mike454]

Boom! there, I said it for you.

My 2 cents: shooting should be fun! and this is from someone who really got in to shooting after being in a gunfight while I had no gun. If you keep it fun you'll stick with it, and you'll need to to become skilled with a handgun.

[bigbrowndog]

The Recoil effect is temporary but it’s affects can be much longer lasting if you over do it.

The admitting you don’t know can be the most difficult thing to admit, but it can save you sooooo much time and heart ache.

I am unaware of anyone in this forum that is not willing to help, Although some may help you lose money from your wallet.

Trapr

[eliminator]

I have, essentially, two hobbies. One of those, aviation, has enabled me to make a living. I enjoy it so much it almost feels as if I haven't worked a day in the last twenty five years. It has enabled me to enjoy my other hobby, shooting and reloading. In both endeavors I have learned to value the advice of my mentors and peers. Comradery in both hobbies counts a bunch toward enjoyment for me as well.
The biggest new discovery for me in the last year has been red dot sights. I'm in my early 50's and I've had to start wearing corrective lenses in the last couple of years. This has resulted in both front and rear sights, and the target, being a bit blurry. The red dot technology has really restored my shooting enjoyment by enabling me to have a sharp focus on the target and putting the dot on it. Took a few sessions to retrain my brain but it was a fun and worthwhile challenge. It's good stuff but a have not put one on a revolver or levergun...yet. 😀

[x101airborne]

I used to train people struggling with firearms qualification for TCLEOSE licensing.
One thing I taught them, and it didn't get taught on the firing line; "you are going to die one day", there is SOMETHING in charge of your life whether you recognize it or not, and that weapon is GOING to recoil when you pull the trigger. The folks that absorbed that small amount of truth became immensely better shooters in about 5 minutes. Those that did not, never achieved qualification. When you break things down to absolute truths, people seem to be less scared of them.

[Big Bore]

The most important thing I've learned is knowing when the perfect moment is to discuss my next handgun purchase with my wife. Timing is everything in life. Well, timing and revolvers.

[junebug]

Slow down and enjoy the ride. Go for a walk ,watch a sunrise, watch a sunset,go for a walk in the rain, just for the pure joy of it. Do the things that interest you,not because your friends or acquaintances do, but because YOU want to. We only go around once so enjoy it. Don't be afraid to ask, Don't be afraid to try, never say I can't, DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL, You will never know if you don't try.

[gregs]

Buy components when they are cheap or available and stack it deep.

[jamesautry]

Handgun shooting is all about grip and trigger control. All most all misses are a result of grip and/or trigger pull issues.

[svo44]

These are great- please keep them coming