At the range with my wife!

[Nightwing]

Just got home! Had a great time. It was a little expensive becasue they wouldn't let me use the 22 ammo I brought with me in the rental gun. So I had to buy the same ammo I had with me one more time to use on their gun. Plus 2 people's range fees. Plus paper. Plus the gun. Ehh.... whatever.
We're just a little broke right now so it was hard to find a way to swing almost 50 bucks there.
But I had all my own 9mm ammo ,and it was cheep for me.
So......

She had a good time. We were both hungry, so she was done after about 45 minutes. I said "OK!" Emptied my last magazine and we packed up and headed out.
It was a good experience and she had a good time. She actually listened to my advice and it was an overall pretty safe experience, and she had fun.
Put the paper at like 8 yards for her. Nice and close. She hit the paper a lot. Worked out to 15 yards.
She did good. I asked her if she wanted to fire my 9mm. She said sure!
First shot scared her a little. I told her "NO MATTER WHAT....DO NOT LET GO OF THE GUN ONCE YOU"VE FIRED! JUST HOLD ON AND YOU'LL BE OK! IF YOU FEEL OUT OF CONTROL, GET YOUR FINGER OFF THAT TRIGGER AND JUST HOLD ON!!!". After that she used my 9mm a few times. She didn't have as good of luck as the .22 but the point is that she had fun, and she did really good!
Ad for me....well... it is the 3rd time firing a handgun in my life... With my 9mm I was able to hit the chest of the 25yd NRA target with the paper at 50 yards. I was so proud.
Now that I know of a place I can go for cheep and bring my own ammo, that's indoors!!!!! I will be going a lot more!
It was lots of fun.
Thanks for the advice guys. I also learned a little bit! :wink:

 

[CountGlockula]

Great job! And her grip looks excellent! I don't see her weak thumb behind the slide, like most first timers!!!!

Next time, bring your own .22 firearm, targets and other stuff so you don't have to pay an arm and leg.

Keep up the good work!

If I were you, I'd give her a bouquet of roses for spending such a special time with you today. Go right now!!! ...you lucky dog.

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

Way to go. I am glad that your wife had a good time. Is she planning a return trip, or was this the only time?

When my wife and I started dating many years ago, she was scared to death of handguns. Then I took her shooting. I at least wanted her to know how to operate safely and know how to load/unload. Started out with .22 revolver. Before the trip was over, she was shooting 6" .357 with magnum loads and 2" .357 with .38s. Now she shoots .45 colt, .45 acp, & .44 mag. She even shot 2 rounds with the .500 S&W. As far as shooting goes, she can take it or leave it, but at least she can do it and doesn't fuss when I go shooting or come home with another stray gun that followed me.

 

[Soybomb]

Glad you guys had fun, maybe soon you can take a class together or something since it seems like you have a hobby you both enjoy.

 

[Nightwing]

Great job! And her grip looks excellent! I don't see her weak thumb behind the slide, like most first timers!!!!

Next time, bring your own .22 firearm, targets and other stuff so you don't have to pay an arm and leg.

Yeah. I made sure to cover the grip with her very well. The only scary thing was the first few times she ALMOST turned around with her finger on the trigger. So it took a few times to say "Don't put your finger on the trigger, unless you're wanting to shoot at something".
She got it! No more mistakes.
I told her "I'm not repeating that to embarrass you. I'm doing it so you don't get in the habit of doing something very dangerous. I love you and want to make sure that nothing happens". Then I assured her that before the day was over there we'd see someone act like a fool
Sure enough. 10 minutes later these 3 guys come in with one of their girlfriends. She's never fired a gun. They start her with a .45 glock. Oh God....
She fires one shot, and is like "WHOOOOOAHHHHHH" and spins around to show us all the look of surprise on her face....with the gun pointed at us with her finger on the trigger. Immediately me and 2 of her friends blade sideways and grab for her wrist. hahaha.
It was great. She learned really fast to not do that.
She was really a goofy girl, but....I don't think anyone told her any better.
My wife was glad to not look like that. She was happy for the info and safety talk.
We had fun. But she was hungry... so we left. and all was good.

We don't own anything but a .22 rifle. I had a walther p22 and hated it. had to send it to S&W 2 times and never got it fixed. sold it.
Would love to get a little reuger. that was a nice simple target gun.
Anyone got an extra you wanna give me? hehe

 

[Wolfgang2000]

You did GOOD!!! It sounds like a good start.

If she really likes and wants to get involved, I agree with the others spring for a professional class. Not because you don't know how, but because it's really hard for a husband to train his wife. Let her go by herself. That will take a lot of pressure off of her.

 

[CountGlockula]

They start her with a .45 glock. Oh God....with the gun pointed at us with her finger on the trigger. Immediately me and 2 of her friends blade sideways and grab for her wrist. hahaha.

That's definitely one way to stop her from going to the range again.

Honestly, there are some folks that shouldn't be at range.

Nightwing, you and your wife belong in the range. Now go pick up a Ruger .22!

 

[h0ss]

Nightwing, i didnt even see who the OP of this post was but i just started reading it.. "same ol' 'went to the range today' thread, blah blah" and then i saw your username and that you were talking about your wife!

I could not believe this was the same woman i remember reading about who was so anti-gun! The last thread i remember reading from you was the one where your wife was followed to work. Did i miss something? You've already got her to the range? Did that incident change her mind? Congratulations!

I know you said you were a little tight with money, but seriously... Like stated above, get that girl some roses!

 

[Seminole]

Congratulations--sounds like a fun date!

 

[mainebear]

Nightwing: Well it looks like you've snagged another shooter to add to the rest of us. Good for you. My wife and I shoot and hunt together every chance we get. its healthy for each of you and for your relationship. Congratulations.

 

[scrat]

Nice job.

 

[Pete409]

Nightwing,

Congrats on getting your wife to go to the range with you. I'm glad she enjoyed it.

As for the problem with newbies turning around with a loaded gun after shooting a shot, there is a very simple cure for that. Just load one round in the gun at a time.

Once they've shot a sufficient number of rounds and demonstrated that they know to keep the muzzle pointed down range at all time, then trust them with TWO rounds in the gun. Slowly work up to a full magazine as they demonstrate proficiency in handling the gun safely.

 

[jamz]

Man, I wish I could get MY wife to the range. Ain't gonna happen though. Glad for ya!

 

[Khornet]

Jamz,

I sympathize. I could never get my wife to the range, though I've offered many times. To be fair, I think she sees it as a 'Boys Club' sort of thing, where wives would be intrusive, and she wants me to have fun. But I so wish she could be a shooting buddy, or at least become competent with a handgun so she could defend herself. Maybe someday. But I've known her for 32 years now.

OTOH, I'll take her as she is. You can't do better than my gal.

 

[whitetiger7654]

If it's a big range and you think you can get away with it. Next time bring your own .22 ammo and don't tell them. Rent the gun and buy a couple boxes of their ammo and stick it in your range bag with your ammo. They probably won't notice. Then you can shoot more for cheaper.

Personally, though I'm friends with the range people here. If I want to rent a gun I just tell them I brought my own ammo but I'll buy a box of yours.