Took my son, his wife, and a friend of his and spouse to the indoor pistol range to familiarize both girls with pistols. Brought with me a Ruger SR-22, Springfield-Armory XDs 9MM, Springfireld Armory Trophy Match .45. My son brought his new XDs .45 and his friend brought a .357 revolver.
The girls had never shot pistols before. Told them my goal was for them to go from nervous to comfortable with respect for safety.
Started them off with safety, loading, and grip with a target at 7 yards with the .22 to develop sight picture and comfort with the bang. After a couple of cycles, I gave them each one round of a 9MM and then the .45 to realize that they need not be intimidated by bigness.
As the 2 hour session progressed we went to longer distances as they gained accuracy and ease with the .22 DA long pull first round and short stroke SA following rounds.
Late in the session we pulled them to the front of the range, 7 yards from two IDPA targets. With a 10 round magazine, told them to shoot two to the body on the left, two to the body on the right. Repeat. Then one to the head, left and right. They liked the reality of it and felt accomplished at the accuracy they had developed.
We spent the rest of the day doing whatever they wanted. By the end of the day they had increased target distance to 25 feet, become more comfortable shooting IDPA targets, and trying different caliber guns.
They left with smiles.
And so did I.
The girls had never shot pistols before. Told them my goal was for them to go from nervous to comfortable with respect for safety.
Started them off with safety, loading, and grip with a target at 7 yards with the .22 to develop sight picture and comfort with the bang. After a couple of cycles, I gave them each one round of a 9MM and then the .45 to realize that they need not be intimidated by bigness.
As the 2 hour session progressed we went to longer distances as they gained accuracy and ease with the .22 DA long pull first round and short stroke SA following rounds.
Late in the session we pulled them to the front of the range, 7 yards from two IDPA targets. With a 10 round magazine, told them to shoot two to the body on the left, two to the body on the right. Repeat. Then one to the head, left and right. They liked the reality of it and felt accomplished at the accuracy they had developed.
We spent the rest of the day doing whatever they wanted. By the end of the day they had increased target distance to 25 feet, become more comfortable shooting IDPA targets, and trying different caliber guns.
They left with smiles.
And so did I.
Last edited:
