Trebor
August 13, 2003, 03:15 AM
Over the weekend my wife and I took her best friend and her friend's husband to the range. They don't own any guns and, other then his service in the Army about 10-15 years ago, the only other time they've shot was with us about a year ago. They had a good time then but it's taken this long to coordinate our schedules for a second trip.
To start with, I reviewed the basic safety procedures, our range-specific rules, and the basics of grip, sight alignment and trigger squeeze. After that, I set her up to shoot a Ruger Mk. II from the bench. She shot until her concentration started to wane, so then we switched out for her husband to shoot. We then alternated shooters for the rest of the afternoon, with my wife or myself taking one turn out of every four or five. We figured we can shoot pretty much anytime but it's a bigger deal for them.
The day went well. She liked the Ruger, he prefered the CZ-75 with the .22 Kadet conversion kit. They both liked the Winchester Model 1906 .22 rifle I inherited from my grandfather. My wife and I and the husband also tried out my new USGI M-1 Carbine, which we all liked.
They both shot pretty well for newbies, but would occasionally get a little frustrated when their shots weren't in the bullseye. I tried to explain that the guns were sighted in for my wife (the Ruger) or me (the CZ) and that what they should do is just hold the same sight picture each shot and judge their effort by how close the shots were to each other. They kind of understand, but still kept chasing the bullseye by trying to hold off, etc.
I really didn't want to adjust the sights, but promised them that if they ever bought their own pistols, I'd take them to the range and teach them to sight them in for themselves. They said they don't want a gun in the house because they have two young kids. I respected that but added that if they ever changed their minds I could teach them several NRA approved safe-storage methods that could work for them. I left it at that because I didn't want them to think I was pressuring them.
All-in-all, I think it was a good day. We don't have the next range date planned yet, but they are interested in doing it again some time.
To start with, I reviewed the basic safety procedures, our range-specific rules, and the basics of grip, sight alignment and trigger squeeze. After that, I set her up to shoot a Ruger Mk. II from the bench. She shot until her concentration started to wane, so then we switched out for her husband to shoot. We then alternated shooters for the rest of the afternoon, with my wife or myself taking one turn out of every four or five. We figured we can shoot pretty much anytime but it's a bigger deal for them.
The day went well. She liked the Ruger, he prefered the CZ-75 with the .22 Kadet conversion kit. They both liked the Winchester Model 1906 .22 rifle I inherited from my grandfather. My wife and I and the husband also tried out my new USGI M-1 Carbine, which we all liked.
They both shot pretty well for newbies, but would occasionally get a little frustrated when their shots weren't in the bullseye. I tried to explain that the guns were sighted in for my wife (the Ruger) or me (the CZ) and that what they should do is just hold the same sight picture each shot and judge their effort by how close the shots were to each other. They kind of understand, but still kept chasing the bullseye by trying to hold off, etc.
I really didn't want to adjust the sights, but promised them that if they ever bought their own pistols, I'd take them to the range and teach them to sight them in for themselves. They said they don't want a gun in the house because they have two young kids. I respected that but added that if they ever changed their minds I could teach them several NRA approved safe-storage methods that could work for them. I left it at that because I didn't want them to think I was pressuring them.
All-in-all, I think it was a good day. We don't have the next range date planned yet, but they are interested in doing it again some time.