FWIW, my experience is that many people are initially a little more comfortable with revolvers because they don't move "on their own." The idea of the slide reciprocating, fast, and forcefully enough to injure them if they get a body part in the way, is pretty frightening for someone who literally has no idea what a gun going off feels like. Is it going to try to jump into a position where the slide will hurt me? Is it tough to hang on to the gun with all that movement? Is it like holding a snake????
I find starting with a .22lr semi-auto, where the forces are obviously and apparently lower, helps a lot. As does demonstrating shooting one-handed weak-handed - not because you are going to get THEM to shoot that way (certainly not in the first session), but because it assures them that the forces involved and dexterity required can't be THAT big a deal.
My usual progression for new shooters with handguns is .22lr semi-auto, a revolver with .38 wadcutters or semi-wadcutters loaded at low velocity, then a duty-sized 9mm loaded with lightly-loaded target ammo.
I find starting with a .22lr semi-auto, where the forces are obviously and apparently lower, helps a lot. As does demonstrating shooting one-handed weak-handed - not because you are going to get THEM to shoot that way (certainly not in the first session), but because it assures them that the forces involved and dexterity required can't be THAT big a deal.
My usual progression for new shooters with handguns is .22lr semi-auto, a revolver with .38 wadcutters or semi-wadcutters loaded at low velocity, then a duty-sized 9mm loaded with lightly-loaded target ammo.
