Heart Warming Experience at the Range Today

[Solomonson]

A Glock is somewhat less complicated than a can opener.
It is used just like a revolver.
Once loaded, all you do is draw or pick it up, aim, and pull the trigger.

Just curious, what does the lady with the .410 pump DO with it? How much instruction, how much practice, how much study to establish how to get around her house without knocking lamps over, etc.?

Thanks for your comment. The notion that a revolver is somehow superior for home defense than a G19 is laughable. Quite the opposite is true. Further, should this woman choose to conceal carry down the road, the G19 will serve her well in that role as well, where a shotgun would not.

 

[Mn Fats]

I wonder how this turned into a "which gun is better" thread. I think the proper response to op should be "awesome job" regardless of what gun they chose to learn on.

 

[Jim Watson]

we told her to stay in her room behind the bed with the cell phone not to act like a soldier in combat going from room to room clearing them.

I'd be right there with her, shotgun or carbine leveled at the door if I heard a door or window crash in.
But who amongst us has not investigated a "bump in the night" with flashlight and pistol? I sure have.

 

[denton]

Good job! It is incumbent on all of us to help the beginners have a great experience.

 

[Jim Watson]

Works both ways, an attentive beginner is a treat for the enthusiast, too.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Good job Solomonson!

 

[larryh1108]

It was AMAZING how well they shot. Their attitude was great -- a combination of steely seriousness and the joy of a brand new experience.

I believe this was due to the time and effort you put in to help them get comfortable and to give them confidence.
Well done, sir.

 

[Solomonson]

Owning and shooting guns is sorta like computers used to be or amateur radio. If someone is brand new to firearms, they need someone (they're called "elmers" in amateur radio) who will get them started on the right track.

Even worse than not knowing would have been a BAD introduction to shooting.

 

[Wisco]

why would a woman who knows nothing about firearms buy a semi auto pistol just for home defense? makes no sense when a revolver would be much better if she was fixated on a stupid handgun. My friend who is out of town for months asked me what to get for his wife and we got her a mossberg 410 pump with slugs and she loves it

If she knows nothing about firearms, how was she supposed to know not to buy a "stupid handgun" and buy a 410 pump instead?

What makes no sense is your advice that a 410 pump is a better choice than a G19.

 

[Solomonson]

Works both ways, an attentive beginner is a treat for the enthusiast, too.

That's very true. They were eager to learn and very determined. They were also very thankful.

 

[Hardtarget]

So...you went to the range to shoot...but...spent your time teaching the new shooters ! ? You showed true friendship there even though you admittedly knew them only marginally! What a generous gift you made to them! They were lucky . You were kind.

Thank you.

Mark

 

[test drive]

Great job my friend. You have started them down the right road .

 

[salt&battery]

"...females are easier to teach than the male of the species..." By far. Speculation has it it's because they don't have John Wayne or Hoppy to live up to. None of 'em ever think they're "natural shots" or run a woman who gets mad when her husband/boyfriend shoots better than they do either.

I have found what you said many times

 

[salt&battery]

If she knows nothing about firearms, how was she supposed to know not to buy a "stupid handgun" and buy a 410 pump instead?

What makes no sense is your advice that a 410 pump is a better choice than a G19.

it is easy to rile the pistol fanatics. almost every one knows about shotguns. you can have your pistol I take a shotgun for HD any day. it is to easy to miss with a pistol under fear and strain. the 410 is perfect for her with buckshot and slugs. it barely recoils

 

[salt&battery]

I'd be right there with her, shotgun or carbine leveled at the door if I heard a door or window crash in.
But who amongst us has not investigated a "bump in the night" with flashlight and pistol? I sure have.

curiosity killed the cat while there might be certain females that could go from room to room she is not one of them. I always figured to let them come to me rather then me going to them

 

[Ryanxia]

That's great! Helping new shooters is always rewarding to me, its double rewarding when its a Church/family member or close friend. So far I haven't had anyone walk away with a negative experience after taking them on their first trip to the range.

 

[Louca]

Kudos Solomonson. Great example to us all. You indeed have invested in the things that moth and rust cannot destroy!

 

[hdwhit]

Wonderful story!

I gave her a basic cleaning kit I had lying around. She was pleased. She said she's going to get a Buck Mark.

Now look what you've done! You've infected her with gun lust. It's incurable.

 

[340PD]

OP: Job well done. As a RSO/instructor I have done the same dozens and dozens of times. I keep a Volquartsen Ruger MKIII and a few hundred rounds in my range bag for just such opportunities. At our indoor range we want to insure everyone has a safe, enjoyable time and the few dollars in ammo it cost us to do that is paid back in smiles and a targets that go home with the shooter.

Indulge me a bit here with a story about one of my greatest days at work.

One night we had a call from a church leader that gathered eight French foreign exchange students for one of their final nights stay in the USA. Some of them said they wanted to shoot a gun so the church leader bought 500 rounds of 22, grabbed his old Colt Woodsman, and they all showed up at our range. Most spoke limited English so we were watching them carefully as they each got a chance to shoot a mag or two from the Colt. One or our RSO's asked the leader if any of they wanted to try something else. They all quickly nodded approval.
That opened the floodgates and every one of our handguns and a few carbines were laid out on the table and we proceeded from there. These young people shot up all our ammo and the crowning moment was when they asked if they could all pose under the enormous US flag hanging from one end or our range. I can't imagine how many pictures of that evening are still flying around France.They left our building that night chanting USA,USA.
Now that's how foreign diplomacy should be done.

 

[Solomonson]

OP: Job well done. As a RSO/instructor I have done the same dozens and dozens of times. I keep a Volquartsen Ruger MKIII and a few hundred rounds in my range bag for just such opportunities. At our indoor range we want to insure everyone has a safe, enjoyable time and the few dollars in ammo it cost us to do that is paid back in smiles and a targets that go home with the shooter.

Indulge me a bit here with a story about one of my greatest days at work.

One night we had a call from a church leader that gathered eight French foreign exchange students for one of their final nights stay in the USA. Some of them said they wanted to shoot a gun so the church leader bought 500 rounds of 22, grabbed his old Colt Woodsman, and they all showed up at our range. Most spoke limited English so we were watching them carefully as they each got a chance to shoot a mag or two from the Colt. One or our RSO's asked the leader if any of they wanted to try something else. They all quickly nodded approval.
That opened the floodgates and every one of our handguns and a few carbines were laid out on the table and we proceeded from there. These young people shot up all our ammo and the crowning moment was when they asked if they could all pose under the enormous US flag hanging from one end or our range. I can't imagine how many pictures of that evening are still flying around France.They left our building that night chanting USA,USA.
Now that's how foreign diplomacy should be done.

Good for you guys! We get a lot of tourists here on the coast of California. Many, many years back I allowed a young German couple to shoot the .22 rifle and pistol I had with me. He had some limited experience, but it was enough. I lent them the firearms when I heard them trying to rent some, which is not something the range I go to does. They did however go buy their own brick which they also blasted through.

In retrospect I think both were blown away at being able to shoot guns so openly and freely.

 

[JTHunter]

Solomonson and 340PD - a "well done" to both of you.

About 15 years ago, I had to teach my mother to shoot (something her father had tried for years) when she realized her husband wasn't going to be able to help out in a home invasion situation. We started with my Ruger Single Six .22 LR and she quickly got comfortable with that. Then I switched cylinders and put in the .22 Mag to see if she flinched.
She did, but adjusted quickly.
Then we tried my .380 and, while she could shoot it well, her arm strength wasn't sufficient to rack the slide. We went looking at several LGSs and ended up at one about 50 miles away as it was on the way to our old hometown. They had a used SP-101 in .38 Special that they were willing to let her fire in their backlot test range. At about 7 yds., her first shot was in the 10-ring and her second was in the bull.
Because of Illinois' 3-day wait for handguns, I had to make a second trip to bring it home to her.

 

[Davek1977]

''others can do what they want every one has a different method''....but yet, it was you who decided arbitrarily that she had the wrong gun and would be better served doing things your way.....pot, meet kettle LOL

 

[salt&battery]

''others can do what they want every one has a different method''....but yet, it was you who decided arbitrarily that she had the wrong gun and would be better served doing things your way.....pot, meet kettle LOL

yes the wrong gun as far as I was concerned. she can do what she wants as anybody else can. she was steered into buying that from the guy behind the counter who might have been a pistol fanatic. people inject heroin as their choice if I said there are better choices would I be wrong?

 

[boatdoc173]

great job. it is so rewarding to help new shooters. They appreciate it. you made sure they were safe and taught them how to do things the right way.

you made 2 new friends

we all win

 

[badkarmamib]

yes the wrong gun as far as I was concerned. she can do what she wants as anybody else can. she was steered into buying that from the guy behind the counter who might have been a pistol fanatic. people inject heroin as their choice if I said there are better choices would I be wrong?

Sorry, I missed that part. Where was it said who told her what gun to buy?

OP, glad to hear that you did your best to help a new shooter's confidence and abilities. Truly High Road.