Introducing others to shooting for the first time(share some stories!)

flatlander937 · Apr 27, 2012

This last weekend was my sister's wedding, and since her now-husband didn't have any real plans for a bachelor party, I brought along my 1911 and 22/45 to take him(Chad) and his brother(Jason) shooting the day of the wedding(the night before wasn't going to happen... range closed too early).

We were in VA Beach and went to Lynnhaven A+P Arms. Their rules were a bit different than the ones I'm used to at my local range, but they seemed very concerned about safety which is great. They have a short list of rules that you need to know, and they gave the entire group a short verbal "safety quiz" to make sure everyone knows what they're doing.

Before we went to the range, when I showed them my guns, I also went over the "4 rules" with them as well and made sure they were aware of them at all times.

Anyways, I let them warm up first with my 22/45, which they were both really good with at 21ft... then moved them up to shooting the rented Ruger SR9... which they both really liked as well.

We had 2 lanes so we were able to jump between the two of them and I could keep an eye on them to give Chad an occasional "finger off the trigger!" which took just a couple reminders to drill it into his head

The range was really nice as well because they let us exchange the rented gun for any other 9mm as much as we wanted without charging more... Chad was really eager to try out the Glock 19... so he shot it some and decided he didn't like it... it malfunctioned like 3 times, all stovepipes so I got to at least teach them how to clear a jam.

I thought Glocks didn't malfunction? :evil:

I kid I kid... I know it was more likely than not a super worn out range gun and if I liked the way it felt, I would still consider getting one. I just disliked the trigger and grip angle and blockiness-personal preference.

Jason was itching to shoot my 1911(Colt 1991 Commander)... which he liked a lot... he is big into American history so knew a few facts about them and did really well with it overall... he was shooting 5" groups at 30ft(albeit 6" low because my front sight needs filed down

) Chad also got a really stupid grin after shooting a magazine through it

At some point they took the G19 back for a Beretta 92 in 9mm... this was the one that they both shot the best with... it had a smoother trigger than the Glock, and a bit less "stacking" than the SR9 had. This was the gun they consistently shot the best groups with(approx 4" at 30ft).

After finishing up the 9mm ammo and the rest of my .45 ammo, we resorted back to the 22/45 at multiple small targets to see who could do get the best scores... this went back and forth until it starting failing to fire due to light strikes from being so incredibly gunked up with ~300rds of WWB crap Walmart ammo going through it without a cleaning

All in all it was a super good time, and now Jason is trying to convince his wife to buy a handgun... I think Chad will be too, but I'm sure other things are on his mind since he's on the honeymoon now

I told them both to just go back to the range and rent anything and everything they can before deciding.... something I'm glad I did myself before buying mine.

Anyone else have some stories of introducing others to shooting?

Hunterdad · Apr 27, 2012

We rented a cabin in the middle of no where 2 summers ago and my sister and her husband came with us. My sister has never fired a gun before, so we started her off with an S&W k-frame with a 6" barrel and some powder puff .38 loads. She was hitting a gallon milk jug at about 12 yards consistently. I was shocked she was doing so good, so I lined her up with the 12ga and let 6 clays fly. She hit 5/6. I was one proud brother.

P.s. my brother-in-law couldn't hit water if he was standing in a boat.

Steve CT · Apr 27, 2012

I have taken new shooters out for their first time several times. After safety instruction and Range Protocol, we shoot .22 lr in a 4" DA revolver, then .22 lr in a Buckmark. Next is.38 Spl, then .357, also in a 4" DA and 9mm in a DA/SA, followed by a 1911 Gov't model. Usually about 5 min (20-30 rounds) with each gun, then they get to pick whatever they want to shoot, the "free shoot" time is on Bad Guy silhouette targets.

Surprising how many people want to shoot, once they find out you're a shooter

Agsalaska · Apr 28, 2012

I took this girl i knew to shoot an xd9 she bought and had no experience with guns at all. But she had a bad ex boyfriend and she knew that I knew a thing or two about guns. So she talked me into it. So after a pretty lengthy dont be stupid lecture which she did pay close attention to, we walked down to the range. I loaded the magazine with 1 round, chambered it, and handed her the gun. She doesnt know it only has one round but I wanted to see her reaction. Sure enough, as soon as she fires it, she turns it sideways aiming it at the poor fella to the left of us. I scolded her but she swore it was because the slide stayed back. I said ok so I loaded it with two or three. And of course, she fires it once and immediately does the exact same thing. I am sitting there the entire time talking about not ever, ever, ever aiming it at anyone. We almost left but I finally got her attention. The gun kept jamming in one way or another for her. I would empty it with no problem. I figured out it was a weak wrist and grip, fixed it, and she shot maybe 50 rounds with no issues. I kept looking at the gun thinking it was looking back cursing at me for putting it thru this.

Anyway I learned a lesson that day. I should have brought a 22 so she could get the feel of it. I should have taken her to the woods or hit the range empty. She could have very easily shot that guy next to us. Younger days is all I can blame it on.

Skribs · Apr 28, 2012

I have a couple, which ironically goes against the "start them off with a .22" rule people keep suggesting. I took my friend and his sister out shooting with my XDm .40 and my Benelli Supernova, and they both handled the .40 just fine and had a blast shooting 3.5" shells out of the shotgun.

Took my sister and brother-in-law (bro has shot before, sister is new) out, and my sister was afraid to shoot the shotgun with the low-recoil 2.75" shells. After we started using the 3.5", she taps me on the shoulder and says "I'll try it if you put the wimpy ones back in."

Took my friend's mom and my Mom shooting (my Mom is a shooter, my friend's mom is new) with my Dad's .22, and it wasn't for my friend's Mom. However, she is more comfortable with my friend having a gun after being exposed to them.

sawdeanz · Apr 28, 2012

I took my gf and let her shoot a ruger mkIII. I was kind of jealous when she started shooting better than me. I let her get a shot of a 9mm but it scared her. Next range visit I convinced her (or maybe she convinced herself) to try the 9 again and did great with that as well.

dacotah · Apr 28, 2012

Took a friend from work out to the range. She's never fired anything before, but wanted to try it out.

After starting her out with a .22 rifle, we moved on to the .22 pistol, .38 k-frame revolver, my wife's XD and my 1911. She did great -- safely handled the everything with only the occasional reminder about her finger on the trigger.

Her favorites? The .38 revolver and the 1911!

loneviking · Apr 28, 2012

I have a target stand made of steel with two hollow uprights for two pieces of wood to slide into. The targets are then stpled to the uprights. Took my 12 y/old son out shooting with the Mod.19, .357 loaded with 38 specials and 158 gr. Hardcasts. He had a good time but managed to put one round into the steel upright. Smashed the side of the upright in, broke the wood post in it and pretty much ended the day. It sure made an impression on him as to how much damage a bullet can do!

Introducing others to shooting for the first time(share some stories!)

flatlander937

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Hunterdad

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Steve CT

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Agsalaska

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Skribs

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sawdeanz

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dacotah

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loneviking

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