Nate1778
Member
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.
Taking a girl out shooting
- Thread starter Birdmang
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Schofield3
Member
Hahhaha
Demitrios
Member
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.
NMGonzo
Member
Dummy rounds and dry fire a bunch at home.
That is what I do with my GF.
That is what I do with my GF.
Nate1778
Member
Were still talking guns right?
Firemedic21
Member
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.
RevolvingGarbage
Member
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.
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.
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.
Some pre and post gun training will ensue.
Medusa
Member
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.
Depends on the firearm used, this one is famous for flinging the spent cases some good 12 meters.
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mustang_steve
Member
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.
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.
nitetrane98
Member
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
hammerklavier
Member
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.
(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.
Darkness
Member
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.
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.
Acera
Member
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.
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.
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.
Acera
Member
Great first post inbox485!!!
Always good to see someone come in here on their first post and criticize us.
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.
Acera
Member
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.
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.
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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!)
...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!)
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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.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.
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.
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