Taking a girl out shooting

I am taking a girl out shooting this week. It will be an indoor pistol range, my first time taking someone shooting. Basically do you start with the safety rules and then go from there?

She seemed excited so it should go over well.

safety rules, how the gun operates, double up the hearing protection, glasses, and let her have a time w/ your 22 rimfire.

good luck!

Pretty much.

Remembering when I was single.....

Make sure that you go through the proper techiques for mussle safety. Show how everything works and how to do it safely. When you get ready to show her how to shoot, use the biggest gun that you can get the most accuracy out of. Show off a few big rounds and then let her shoot your 22. Im not a firearms instructor but Im just trying to help you get some playtime in return for your range time.

Don't forget the pictures at the range.... I'm sure she'll have a huge smile on her face...

You should go over the basic safety rules, etc., before you take the lady to the range. I keep Pachmayr and/or A-Zoom dummy shells for each caliber of handgun I have so I can take someone through all the steps, except live fire, ahead of time. I even have .22 long rifle snap caps. There are still some things that have to be done at the range, but the advance work leaves more time for shooting the guns!

Even without the dummy rounds, you can cover safe handling of a firearm, loading, unloading, engaging and disengaging the safety, keeping the finger off the trigger until ready to fire, etc.

This way, your friend can be familiar with the gun (or guns) before she has to become familiar with actually firing the weapon.

I did this with my wife, who used to be very much against guns, and now she is a good shot, handles the gun in a safe manner, and owns two pistols of her own.

Good idea on the dummy rounds.

safety rules, how the gun operates,

Pay extra attention to these aspects. For first time shooters, there's a bit of sensory overload with the noise, recoil, (sometimes) flash and the other guns going off. Her heart rate will increase, adrenaline will flow, and she may momentarily forget the safety rules. Unfortunately, it only takes once to turn what should be a fun experience into a tragedy.

Muzzle control is paramount. Drill it hard. Once you're sure it's ingrained, have a good time.

gotta be indoor range? no chance at an outdoor one?

in my experience, when shooting with people new or new'ish to shooting, being in an outdoor range compared to an indoor range is like night & day. i think there are a couple main reasons for this: 1) noise and confined spaces -- even when you double up on ear protection, the concussion can be startling to even experienced shooters, everything's not only louder but you feel it more. 2) shooting outside on a beautiful day is communing with nature! i've had more "good days" at the range when it's been nice outdoors, even when my target groupings were rather poor, compared to days at a good indoor range when my target groups were impressive.

point being, there's a lot more than you might imagine to the experience that can be had, especially with a new shooter, from being in a nice environment.

I use the .38 and .357 rounds myself to practice with speed loaders. Jerry Miculek isn't going to lose any sleep over my speed, but I have gotten much faster, and smoother.

The Pachmayr .22 Snap Caps allow dry firing any .22 rimfire gun without endangering the firing pin. They function with every .22 we have, from the Walther P22 to the Henry rifle.

With new shooters, I always start off with an overview of the safety rules, followed by a demonstration ("See? It won't rip your arm off"), then I let them shoot. I start them with a .22 pistol (I use either a Ruger MkIII or a Sig Mosquito), and I hand them a magazine with one round.

Why one round? Because, more than once, the first time someone shoots, they get so excited over hitting the target that the muzzle goes wild. I catch them before it gets beyond 45 degrees, but still...

After a few magazines of 1 round each, you can step up to full magazines - by then, the initial "wow" factor has worn off, and they're slightly embarassed about breaking one of the safety rules you JUST went over.

One shooter was extremely freaked out about it (forgetting muzzle control), and started getting upset ("My God, I could have killed somebody!"). I simply explained to them that that's why we started out with single rounds - and that I would never let them do anything unsafe. That really calmed them down, and the rest of the session proceeded well, with no more safety infractions.

Also, repeat the drill as you move up to larger calibers. The shock of the additional recoil from a .22LR to, say a 9mm, is still apt to rattle a new shooter.

cover safety and basic firearm manipulation before you get to the range, maybe even the day before.

Personally, I also agree with the philosophy of teaching the basic safety information and gun handling techniques outside of the range environment. Let her handle a gun, and show her how to do so safely, before you ever step into the range.

An indoor shooting range is often loud, and doesn't make for the most comfortable environment in which to try to teach someone how to handle the weapon safely. At least with some advance instruction she'll be a bit more prepared when it comes time to go "live" with the gun... Then you can work on honing shooting skills and providing helpful reminders at the range, rather than trying to explain why she shouldn't point the gun at another person while playing with the trigger :)

At the range I also recommend that you keep a close eye on her until she shows an understanding of the basics. I also agree with the others in saying that you should start with loading one round in the gun initially, until she gets the hang of how a gun feels under recoil, etc.

Way too much information, you guys are taking all the fun out of it.

Cover the basic safety rules before you go and just let her shoot! You will be the one keeping her and everyone else safe!!!!!!! After she has had her fill of just blowing away some ammo then if she asks for help you can start with sight alignment and grip maybe stance.

While the above advice is good it’s not how the majority adults learn a skill, which shooting is, a skill.

Have you ever taken a golf lesson? There is so much on stance, grip, alignment, swing, follow-through, club selection that the lesson takes all the fun out of it; just like guns the list is endless. How do new golfers learn? They go out and "hack" awhile and if they have a real interest they will take lessons.


Better yet, ASK HER what she wants to get out of it. Does she just want to shoot a gun to see what it’s like? Or does she plan to become a regular shooter? Besides women like being asked what they want even if they never tell you.

I suspect I'll get hammered about safety for these comments. If you truly believe explaining all the safety rules to a new shooter will make them any safer the first time one the range, boy do you have something coming.

NRA pistol instructor, RO
IDPA SO, SSP MA

Keep the distance to target short, the greater the feeling of accomplishment, the better. Don't worry about getting your shooting in, concentrate on her being safe and having fun.

I usually do a little "PMI" at the house before we go to the range. I go through the basic firing procedures, mechanisms, proper stance, and field strip the weapon to show the basics of operations. Its also a way to demistify the weapon, "oh guns will just jump off the table and kill people" showing that hey all it is is some plastic and hunks of metal that cost a lot of money, that is all. It is a tool. And don't forget to teach her the four rules, if you do nothing else, teach her the four rules!!!

Here is my procedure for any new shooter.

Teach safety and firearms handling/operation in a quiet, relaxed environment with no live ammo involved. When you get to the range, do a very brief review of the 4 rules and give instructions to just set the gun down regardless of condition if they hear the words "stop", "cease fire", etc. The very first time on the trigger of a new gun is dry fire, so the shooter knows what to expect. After that is one live round. Then 5. If the shooter has the arm strength/stamina for shooting full magazines, then they can move up to that.

I am behind them over their strong side shoulder, watching like a hawk for safety issues which are most often trigger discipline, muzzle discipline, and improper grip that sets them up for broken thumb or slide bite. I do NOT give any advice or hands-on "here's how you hold it" touchy feely date crap. It is a distraction for the shooter when they should be focusing on other things, and if they want help or advice they know to ask for it.

Miscellaneous advice for the OP: bring .22's and maybe something tame like a heavy .38 revolver or 9mm. Forget bringing out your .44 Mag so you can show off a little before handing her the .22. She is still going to perceive the muzzle blast and concussion from that thing and learn to start flinching even before you put a gun in her hands. In fact, I think it's better that you don't shoot at all, or at least wait until she is ready for a break before you start.


In summary:
1. Safety safety safety
2. Fun fun fun
3. You are not an instructor. Make sure she is following 1 and 2 above, in that order.

Demonstrate Safety.
Demonstrate Firing.
Bring target way in.
Teach her to pick up brass.

A couple of more things.

1.if there's an RO tell him/her that your with a Brand NEW shooter.
2. You don't get to pick up a gun while she's shooting.
If you're shooting you can't be supervising or teaching.

Have a great time

AFS

Just a reminder, as I've run across this once or twice. :D

Make sure she doesn't wear a low cut shirt. Hot brass will turn her off to shooting.

lots of rule talk, handling, demonstrating, before range.



i still have to do this for my babe and she has been my wife and shooting for ten years. but you know the #1 rule--saftey first -- really honey i just couldnt live with myself if something happened to you. :p

have loads of fun and train her well.

Four rules, explain the gun, show her an easy stance, close target. nothing is more discouraging to a new shooter than not even hitting the paper. 1 round first, for safety. Then if she is comfortable let her just shoot away before you give her any advice or correction. It's about fun the first time. Technique can always come later.

Needless to say she is addicted now.

Panda, I don't really see anything wrong with her stance...

Birdmang, is she definitely a new shooter? An episode of Andy Griffith comes to mind.
Around here there are lots of females that are very familiar with how to operate a firearm and that whatever it is pointing at is in pretty serious danger, but that's, a lot of times, about as much as they know on the safety. So just because she has shot before doesn't necessarily mean she is a safe shooter either.
Make sure you show her the range rules as soon as you get there, most people just ignore them.

That looks like the best stance.


For sure she has never handled a gun and I don't think she has ever seen a real one in personal reach.

Panda, I can't say anything more as this is the highroad and if my wife saw this thread I'd already be knockin on death's door. I don't want to have to knock twice.

Birdmang, in that case everything everyone else said is the best advice. Don't forget to point out the range rules though and read them yourself too so she gets that no matter how many times you go over the rules one more time can't hurt.

Your range is like mine, its a wander there is still a roof on the joint. How the heck do people get so many bullet holes up in those baffles.

Pretty much.

Remembering when I was single.....

Hahhaha

It might not be such a bad idea to have her over a day or so before going shooting and teaching her how to handle your unloaded firearm first. And for the record, that butt thrust is um. . . . . . I would like to see more women adopt such a fantastic stance.

Dummy rounds and dry fire a bunch at home.

That is what I do with my GF.

Were still talking guns right?

My DH is the one who took me shooting for my first time & I was lucky becuase he had a outdoor range at his house so things were very peaceful & beautiful which made learning that much more enjoyable.I think if u are going to take her to an indoor range then u should go over safety before u arrive there.Then when u get there just let her have fun.My DH gave me the basics & then handed me a full size 1911 A1 .45 & told me to go to town which I did.I loved the 1911 so much that when I decided to buy my first gun there was no question it was going to be a full size 1911 A1 .45.Give her a variety of weapons to choose from but make sure a .22 is one of them.Also make sure that the target is close because she will have much more fun if she is actually hitting the target & even better if she is hitting the center.Make the day all about her & if u feel the need at the end when she is done then u could show off for her but I wouldn't do it before.

Good advice on doubling the hearing protection. When I took my girlfriend the first time, she had a blast and she learned and got very good very fast, but afterwards she said she had an annoying "water in the ear" kind of feeling for a few days afterward. Get some foam ear plugs, make sure she puts them in right, and put earmuffs on top of those.

I would make sure to go over safety before you leave for the range, because its going to be hard to communicate things with gunfire going on and double layers of hearing protection.

"Teach her to pick up brass."

:):):)

I have some muffs and the orange ones that you roll up and squeeze in, so I can give the lady those for sure. The last time I went to an indoor range the guy next to me was shooting a .50AE and I jumped every time he fired...hopefully that doesn't happen this time haha!

Some pre and post gun training will ensue.

This weekend I got to take out my wife for the first time for her to shoot rifles. Since we had shot pistols before the safety rules and good range manners were already covered, leaving us more trigger-time. And she got to dump a mag in full-auto which was pretty fun, yet she put 3/4 of the rounds into 100 m upper body sized target. Well done I think.

"Teach her to pick up brass." Depends on the firearm used, this one is famous for flinging the spent cases some good 12 meters. :)

I have an airsoft pistol I use at home to teach them safety. I use it to show the the idea of operating a safety lever, to keep the finger OUT of the trigger guard entirely until ready to shoot, how to aim, etc. I'll let them fire a few airsoft bbs at a target to show them the basics of trigger pull.

Once they understand what they're doing, range time. I let them start with a .22.....if they don't freak out, they can try my 9mm.

I will be starting with a 9mm unless I can stop and borrow my grandpas High Standard.

Enroll her in an NRA approved safety course, give her several books to read, a couple of DVD's, get the 4 rules tattooed on her arm, make sure she understands how to field strip and clean the gun. Go over the tap, rack, bang drill until it is second nature. Discuss isoceles v. Weaver grip until she cries. You know, just have fun. Do this if your never want to see her again.
OTOH, you could take her SHOOTING. Show her how to hold it to keep the slide from kicking her "hand". Show her the safety and let her shoot. Good idea about the one round for first shot so she doesn't spin around jumping up and down with glee and excitement.
I recently took an old flame SHOOTING. She was one who was scared to death of anything about a gun except shooting it. Didn't want to hold it, load it, work the slide, clear it, whatever. She loved shooting 'em. Get the gun ready, point her at the target, hand it to her and she was a happy camper. And she was safe too. Worked for us.

Some good advice and some great advice.

Go over the safety rules in a quiet relaxed setting. Point out that things are safe if the gun isn't pointed at anything other than the target and that the booger hook stays off the bang switch until you want the big BOOM. Cover what to do in the event the gun doesn't fire (put it down pointed at the target).

Outdoor range if possible.

Plugs and Muffs. Safety glasses. Cap with bill to cover the top of the glasses. Turtle neck or buttoned up shirt to keep brass out. Not only does hot brass down the shirt or behind the glasses hurt, it causes people to dance around with poor muzzle discipline.

Target close in to reinforce the fun.

One round to start for about 3 shots to make sure that the new shooter isn't going to turn with the gun in their hand and plug you in their excitement having put one in the bull's eye. I then use 3 rounds for a couple of turns so they get the feel of firing the gun without having to stop and reload every round. Once they demonstrate they can be trusted fill the mag and have them just burn a mag and then get back to more sedate shooting.

Wash up after since no one enjoys smearing GSR on their clothes.

Same rules for male or female, young or old.

Try to find out what points naturally for them so they'll have better accuracy and comfort. Start with a .22 while going slow then work your way up the calibers.

start with a 22 LR too.... gradually build up recoil

"Teach her to pick up brass."
Depends on the firearm used, this one is famous for flinging the spent cases some good 12 meters.
Superglue a small bag over your ejection port ;)

But yea, I've introduced a few friends to the range, both male and female. Usually I just go over basic safety rules, such as where to point the muzzle, where the safety is (always on unless you're looking through the sights downrange) and such... On a .22 rifle. Make sure they are good, and following safe practices before I start dooing any shooting myself.

And outdoor ranges tend to be more newcomer-friendly, its just a nicer setting and the noise is less of an issue. I did have one guy who couldnt handle me firing my .270 on the bench next to him, so I had to warn him before each shot so he could cover his ears :p and yes, he had foam earplugs too lol.

But like several people have said, going over the mechanics and small details really turns alot of people off to shooting. Better to just get them set in basic safety, and then let them shoot on their own. :)

When using a semi auto, I always insert an empty magazine and pull the slide back to lock it in place. Then I hand it over and explain that, after each shot the slide will come back like that, very fast. So don't put your thumb, face, web of hand etc in the way.


(I always laugh at some of the Tintin books where he is firing an automatic within inches of his face).

Then I remove the magazine (I have a model where the slide stop is on the mag), and have the student work on proper slide racking technique.

Lots of good advice here. I would just add one thing; I taught my wife to shoot using a S&W 1006 will full power 10mm rounds. She loved it. I told her to expect recoil, explained what it is and what happens, and let her shoot.

I taught my 19 year old cousin to shoot with a Ruger P345. Again, she loved the experience.

Both tried, but neither cared for, shooting my Blackhawk in .45 Colt with handloads. No biggie, there.

Point is, not everyone needs to start out with a .22 LR. Now, I would not suggest a 4 inch Scandium .44 Mag for the first time out, but some of the other larger calibers are not as scary for new folks as you might think.

Better post some pictures, or we will claim it never happened!

Don't get uptight, let her have some fun. Don't hover over her, give her some space. It will pay off later if she enjoys the experience.

As opposed to taking a guy out shooting for the first time or just a person going shooting for the first time? Just saying, other than the girl being much cuter than the guy, a new shooter is a new shooter.

Most of what I would say has been said (safety first, start with a light caliber), but I learned a teaching technique from frontsight that I found very helpful. Get them on the line with a single round chambered with good stance and posture. Have them line up the sights, but keep their finger strait. While they focus on the front sight, you pull the trigger. Getting that first shot dead center is a big moral booster and they can't anticipate the bang.

Great first post inbox485!!!

Always good to see someone come in here on their first post and criticize us.

Great first post inbox485!!!

Always good to see someone come in here on their first post and criticize us.
And my post count is relevant how? You're making assumptions and getting worked up over nothing.

Worked up, LOL not a chance. I was Just wondering if all your posts will be as good as your first one. Seems like I have my answer.

Assumptions, I looked at your post count and it said "1", not an assumption a fact.

Now if you have been banned or something, and are coming back under another handle, I can see how that might be the case of this not being your first post. But as far as the inbox485 handle goes I was correct, and I don't know how you learned of my second, non stated assumption, but I am sure you can probably guess at that one.:neener:

I went through everything with my girlfriend and all the stuff above, but what I remember for sure, is telling her at least 20 times, "It's stronger than it looks in the movies, please hold on tight and don't drop my gun, it's prettier than you"

...we only went on one more date after that.

EDIT: Oh BTW I let her start with my 45ACP. She can either handle, or she can't. She only fired two shots before she sat the pistol down on the range bench (pointing down range as I taught her.) and said she didn't want to shoot anymore. Pitty as the next thing I had in line was my 3" magnum 00 Buckshot shells in my folding stock 12 gauge (......what? ...it's the only ammo I had!)

Worked up, LOL not a chance. I was Just wondering if all your posts will be as good as your first one. Seems like I have my answer.

Assumptions, I looked at your post count and it said "1", not an assumption a fact.

Now if you have been banned or something, and are coming back under another handle, I can see how that might be the case of this not being your first post. But as far as the inbox485 handle goes I was correct, and I don't know how you learned of my second, non stated assumption, but I am sure you can probably guess at that one.:neener:
I wanted to change my username to align with the name I use on other forums. I was never banned. Assuming a post count of a username is the persons total number of posts is an assumption, not a fact. Your other assumption was that I intended to criticize. I was merely pointing out that their is little difference between genders in terms of learning to shoot. If you took that as criticism, that is your deal.

You still haven't explained the relevance of my post count to what I posted. If I were selling something, or claiming something outlandish, I could see questioning a person's reputation based on their post count. But since I was stating an opinion and offering a tip on a take it or leave it basis, I fail to see any relevance to the number of posts I have made previously.

Last edited by Art Eatman; Yesterday at 12:25 PM. Reason: Excessive photo size.

NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

That was an awesome pic, and removed before I could save it on my home pc.... :)

<Enroll her in an NRA approved safety course, give her several books to read, a couple of DVD's, get the 4 rules tattooed on her arm, make sure she understands how to field strip and clean the gun. Go over the tap, rack, bang drill until it is second nature. Discuss isoceles v. Weaver grip until she cries. >unquote...

He is just taking "a girl" out to the shooting range... Did he say he's gonna marry her? Just asking...

My wife had never even touched a fire arm before we met. I started her with a .22 Hi Standard Sport King and she worked up from there. She turned out to be a natural shot. I bought her a Browning HiPower for her 30th birthday.

One night at the range, there was a guy who made some comments about the "little lady trying to shoot a man's gun" when she was shooting my Ruger Super Blackhawk. I asked the fool how much cash he had on hand, and bet that my wife could hit a quarter with her Browning at fifty feet within three shots.

We used the money to buy a bottle of the good wine the next time we went we went out to dinner.

As others have said...basics before you go. Show her with an unloaded, cleared gun at home and let her try it. It will also make people at your range more comfortable if she knows how to safely handle a firearm.

4 basic rules, practice unloaded at home, and go. And give her a .22.


Dont over do things so that she doesnt have fun.

Hey guys.


We went shooting on thursday night and she had a blast. We started at 25 feet with a smaller sized shoot and see target. The first three shots the pvc target holder was shot off, after that I explained the sights again and how they worked. She had all her shots touching at 25 feet by the end of the night. It was a CZ75B 9mm shooting remington UMC. As for safety I just told her to only point the gun down range and if hot brass falls on her she should safety the gun and set it down pointing down range. All went well and was safe. It lead to a great weekend as well.

my wife had never shot a handgun before i got mine either........ she shot the model 13 s&w 4" with .357 magnum loads right off..... she says she has never shot a .22 cal. gun of any kind..... she really enjoys shooting the colt det spl .38 she got from her father before he passed away.......... the main thing is be safe and have fun!!

LIFE IS SHORT.....

Superglue a small bag over your ejection port


That sounds like it might hurt. The gun of course....

Sounds like it went okay for Birdmang, but I skimmed this entire thread and I might have missed it, but didn't see any advice to tell her to wear a ball cap and a high-necked, close fitting shirt. Don't need to have her catch brass the wrong way.:)

My nephews wife asked to learn to shoot, he was (is) marine but has no guns now. We went over basics,safety and familiarity at my house before shooting (indoors) at the range. I started her with a human outline target at about 10 feet. Her first shot (.22) hit the target right where the leg silouettes come together! I pulled the target and gave it to her to treasure, after her husband I and those watching, stopped laughing. Yes, it was a nervous kind of laugh. :D

Shortly after pcs'ing to Ft Hood, it became clear to me that some means of personal protection were necessary for my wife. I discussed the possibility of her getting a firearm for cc and she was pretty skeptical at first. After teaching her how to safely handle a weapon while unloaded, I taught her how to dissasemble, re-assemble and perform a functions check. Then we went to the range. I started her out on a sig mosquito, after a few good groupings she was hooked. Now she is the proud owner of a Taurus PT 111 Pro and loves it.

The Pachmayr .22 Snap Caps allow dry firing any .22 rimfire gun without endangering the firing pin. They function with every .22 we have, from the Walther P22 to the Henry rifle.

Rimfire shooter's secret: #4 plastic drywall anchors will work as .22 snap caps and they're a whole lot cheaper. I buy them from True Value hardware at $4.50 for 100 (4.5 cents each). The Pachmayrs break down to anywhere from 30 to 50 cents each, depending on where you buy them. The trick with the drywall anchors is to find a store that sells them without the screws. In my experience, Lowe's didn't but True Value did.