Good idea at my local indoor range

[InkEd]

I was reading the monthly e-newsletter from my local indoor range and stumbled across a new service that I thought was rather smart.

They are now offering "Women's Handgun Consultations." Basically, for $60 one of the female instructors will meet with a lady that is interested in owning a handgun, go over all the basics, let them try as many rental guns they want (ammo IS included), show them basic form, over the pros/cons of different models, talk about signing up for ccw class, help them decide what would work well, etc...)

We ALL know it's "best to let her pick" anyway. We ALL know how much "fun" it is to shop. This way she will be helped by a professional, less intimidated because it's a female (some women don't care about this BUT some prefer it), made to try the guns and make a well informed decision about what would be the best option.

I think it's kind of cool. It's like a "wardrobe style consulant" for something that could save her life.

 

[doc540]

excellent idea

 

[M-Cameron]

yeah, i know there are a few clubs/ ranges that offer a "ladie's night"......they offer basic firearms training, and range time all for about $20-50.....

 

[A.H. Fox]

I was reading the monthly e-newsletter from my local indoor range and stumbled across a new service that I thought was rather smart.

They are now offering "Women's Handgun Consultations." Basically, for $60 one of the female instructors will meet with a lady that is interested in owning a handgun, go over all the basics, let them try as many rental guns they want (ammo IS included), show them basic form, over the pros/cons of different models, talk about signing up for ccw class, help them decide what would work well, etc...)

We ALL know it's "best to let her pick" anyway. We ALL know how much "fun" it is to shop. This way she will be helped by a professional, less intimidated because it's a female (some women don't care about this BUT some prefer it), made to try the guns and make a well informed decision about what would be the best option.

I think it's kind of cool. It's like a "wardrobe style consulant" for something that could save her life.

...AND, we all KNOW that black goes with just about everything in her wardrobe....

 

[Claude Clay]

in another form it is now in its 3rd year---Women On Target.
our classroom holds 80 people and each year the ladies over fill it.
as an Instructor, i am proud to have helped out all 3 years.
this year the club is thinking of 2 sessions, as the June class is half sold out already.

we also do once a month Sat 6pm to 11, open shoot. non-members and anyone can come and try the buffet of guns the instructors have brought.
all we ask is $10 cover and buy your own bullets. draws 15-25 new people on average. and more than a few returnies.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

An incredibly fantastic idea!

 

[ZCORR Jay]

That is a really good idea. At first when reading I thought, whoa sixty bucks to meet with someone but then I saw it includes firing rental guns and includes ammo. Sounds like a great program.

 

[danprkr]

Where? I would pay 60 for my wife to do this in a heartbeat.

 

[GCBurner]

Our club has an annual "Ladies Field Day", where the range is open to women only, and women who have never fired a gun before get instruction and practice with both rifles and pistols. There was a real good turnout this year, and it got a lot of positive coverage on the local TV news. Not having a bunch of macho know-it-all guys standing around making comments and offering unwanted advice seems to encourage participation.

 

[John Wayne]

If $60 included ammo, rentals, and female instruction, I might sign up!

Generally speaking though, if gun shops hired more, competent women it would be a good thing too.

 

[medalguy]

Fantastic idea. I wish something like that had been available when my daughter decided she wanted a carry gun. We went through my guns (mostly larger caliber) and went to several gun shows where she was able to handle a number of different pistols before deciding she wanted a Colt Commander. We could have done all that in one evening and saved a lot of time that could have been better spent shooting her new pistol.

 

[TrakHack]

I agree, great idea. It sounds like the Football 101 that is done here every year for ladies tired of being "football widows" every Saturday.

As a new female shooter, my experience (although still very limited) has been excellent working with older males. I'm in my 30s, so I'm talking about guys in their 50s-60s. My basic handgun instructor is an older guy, and has the patience required to be a really good teacher. I've found the older guys working at the big-box gun store are easier to approach and just nicer to work with in general; I literally look for who has grey hair when I need someone to help me. The older guys are also the nicest at the range.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Good idea. When I saw $60 at first I didn't think so, but with unlimited rentals and ammo included, I would do it in a heartbeat for my lady.

 

[AKPastor]

I would spend more than that if the option was available. My wife and I have been shopping for about 6 months now. The shops we frequent are very helpful and allow us all the time we want, etc - but more than a few of the men behind the counter are condescending without really knowing it.

The process has taken so long after a friend went with us 5 months ago and confused her by treating her first like a fella at the range and then by getting real condescending when she was ignorant of certain things.

 

[KJS]

Sounds like a great idea. Women vote and 2A is most secure when women find shooting fun instead of viewing guns as something to fear.

A local indoor range has an instructor who seems to work largely with women. I think he does well with women having a very grandfatherly look, since he actually is a grandfather.