Guiding (Training) a Newbie from Scratch

[Craig_AR]

Based on my own experience, and over a decade of activity in THR, I've been thinking how I would approach helping a new shooter build up familiarity, skill, and comfort with firearms. I am not an instructor, but I realize taking a newbie friend to the range is a form of training we should embrace. So, here is a general outline of how I would like to proceed, given the time and interest level of the friend. Please add your own ideas and suggestions.

1. Safety: In a living room, den, or at the picnic table in the back yard, start with the Four Rules. Use the newer "Always..." form of the rules instead of the older "Never..." wording. Move into eye and ear protection. Bring ear plugs, muffs, and safety glasses for the friend to try on and learn the how and why.
2. Gun parts and handling: In the same sort of location as #1, lay out each of the guns, unloaded and no ammunition in the area, that will be used in later sessions at the range. Show safe handling as you point out the major parts of each gun, and have the friend handle each gun and review the parts. Repeat and emphasize the Four Rules throughout the handling sessions. If possible, combine this with #1 in a single event. As an option, only cover the guns that will be used at the upcoming range session, holding a separate handling and safety session prior to each trip to the range.

Range events. Select a sequence of specific guns, based on the interest of the friend and availability of specific firearms. Always start the sequence with rimfire 22LR guns, moving to centerfire calibers as the friend's comfort level progresses. If possible, I'd start with long guns, moving to handguns within each caliber level. If the friend is only interested in handguns, simply leave out the long guns below from the sequence. Try to schedule range trips, using no more than two different guns per event.

Order of guns to shoot. My personal collection does not have all of these, but this is my idea of an optimum sequence for developing a new shooter. I'd use what I have and what I could borrow or rent.

1. Single shot bolt action .22LR rifle.
2. Semi-automatic .22LR rifle.
3. SA .22LR revolver, or SA/DA .22LR revolver, but fire only SA in first event.
4. Semi-automatic .22LR handgun.
5. DA firing .22LR revolver.
6. Single shot bolt action centerfire rifle.
7. Semi-automatic centerfire rifle, preferably a ranch rifle form rather than an AR/AK design.
8. SA/DA centerfire revolver, full size, no lightweight, to assist with recoil feel I'd use a .357 loaded only with .38SP for the first experience.
9. Centerfire full size semi-automatic pistol. Based on interest of the friend, this might be a 1911 in either .45ACP or 9mm, or a striker fired polymer in either of those calibers.

Encourage the friend to return to the range for multiple sessions after each new-gun intro session, before moving to the next gun intro.

I realize the above calls for many sessions, and some of your "interested" friends may not be up for so much time in the development. How would you proceed if the friend insists on only one pre-range event and one trip to the range?

 

[patmccoy]

Start with your item 1, but include lead abatement (no eating, smoking, drinking while shooting) and washing up afterwards before the eating/drinking).

Limit item 2 to ONE firearm (preferably .22 that can be operated as a single shot), so as not to confuse the new shooter. Stay with that firearm until they demonstrate comfort with handling and shooting it. Can be done at the range.

Add variety at other sessions IF they ask about variety. Go through the step two items with the newly added firearm.

If others are at the range, have the new shooter watch them and ask you questions about the equipment, technique, etc of the others.

Repeat as desired, if they are interested AND have shown responsible safety.

 

[sparkyv]

I like your plan as-is, Craig_VA. It can be custom-tailored with firearm selection if need be. I've introduced 5 or 6 noobies to shooting using a similar protocol.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

In general I think your approach is fine.

In particular, I added pictures to show what a proper sight picture looks like for a center hold and a six o’clock hold and discussed why you might use one or the other.

I also introduced snap caps so new shooters could learn how to load, aim, fire, unload, and show safe/clear a few varieties of firearms from SA revolver, DA revolver, SA pistol, DA/SA pistol, striker-fired pistol. This also included grip and stance instruction.

Shooting handguns always started close and slow, with big targets at three to five yards, beginning with the SA .22 revolver. I modeled safe handling and shooting, often narrating each step as I did so, firing one loaded round before unloading, showing the revolver was safe and clear, then setting it back on the bench for the student. I pretty much did this with each of the other types of firearms, too, as we progressed.

Come to think of it, I also produced short pdf documents describing and illustrating each basic process to cover the range of learning modalities.

Those things said, first range trips with new shooters were all about them, their safety, their education, their enjoyment. I brought more ammo than anyone has yet to shoot to be sure they could get their fill, and I brought splatter targets so they’d have a souvenir to show off and talk about.

As to your last question, “How would you proceed if the friend insists on only one pre-range event and one trip to the range,” I usually asked what they wanted to shoot and proceeded from there in much the same manner as described above. One student liked old timey revolvers, so we stuck to the SA .22 and a .45 Long Colt. Another was interested in 9mm semi-autos, so we tried DA/SA and striker-fired guns. Others still wanted to try everything…

In the end, it was always about safety, education, fun.

Also, the NRA offers instructor training if you want official documentation and guidance.

 

[crazydaysorg]

It wasn't said or addressed, but when taking someone to the range, I often do not even shoot more than a shot or two. The event is about them, not me. I can shoot any time I want. As one of the fellows above mentioned, start at short ranges so they can experience some success (and less chance of going over the berm). Watch the new shooter, not the target. The new shooter doesn't need perfect form or perfect trigger presses or to be directed on everything. They need to be safe first and foremost. Then they need to have fun. Once the first two priorities are handled work on helping them improve without being overbearing.

 

[lostchild]

I hope this ok here, what are the legal issues with training a novice without being an instructor? Thanks lost...

 

[Craig_AR]

I hope this ok here, what are the legal issues with training a novice without being an instructor?

I'll kick this one off, as the OP.
#1, IANAL .. actual lawyers in THR may choose to opine her, too.
#2, the core rule is that anyone can sue anybody for anything.

Yes, it is possible that helping a friend learn could be followed by being sued by that friend in the case of mishap or injury, or be sued by someone else that the friend harmed in some way.
Personally, I would not take a stranger though any of the above steps; I would only do it with a trustworthy friend or family member.
Also, given the reality of #2, I don't spend my life being worried about how every thing I do could put me at risk for civil suit.

 

[lostchild]

I'm more concerened with the laws than civil (or uncivil) action. Does instructing with firearms require a license or cirtificate? I live in NC if that matters. Thanks again lost...