I Finally Got a Convert Today!!!

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NewShooter78

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Today has got to be my best day as being a gun owner. I finally broke my girlfriend of her misconceptions of owning guns and especially CCW. We were just shooting the breeze, and I decided to put on the new set of grips I got for my Colt 1911. She had never handled a handgun before, and so she asked if she could. So after I got the new grips on, I field stripped it and showed her how it worked first. Then after re-assembly, I let her grip it (unloaded). She then proceded to sweep me with the barrel, and I then gave her the talk (4 rules). After that everything was cool.

So later on we went to a movie, and then in the car ride home we started talking about my fancy for shooting. I started to let her know some info about why people carry. Then I let her know about the SC ruling about why the police aren't abliged to protect people. Then she started realizing how vulnerable she is when she's out and about by herself. After that little epiphany she said that she definetly wants me to teach her to shoot. I did warn her that there was much more to just learning how to shoot to effectivly protect herself with a hangun, and I think that she might actually take a professional class after I teach her the basics.

I have to say that today was fantastic.

ps- lots of details left out for reading time sake. :D
 
Congrats, man!
I think I'm getting close with my wife. She has agreed to go to the range with me at some point, and has finally admitted that she is very nervous about holding a handgun.
So, I'm getting her a .22
 
The next thing I've got to do is get a .22 for her to start out on. Once I get my tax return I'll be doing some shopping for that.

When the light went on in her head, I could actually see it in her expression. It was pretty amazing, plus we did actually have a lengthy, intelligent conversation.
 
A similar thing happened with my wife a few years back.

I think the key is not to push the pro-gun issue on them. Rather, give valuable information, statistics, theories, what ifs, etc. and let them slowly warm up to the idea.

My wife grew up on the reservation and never really had much contact with guns but there was considerable violence there; mainly with young Indians and alcohol and some of that involved murder or assault with firearms.

Still she didn't form a negative opinion about guns, in general, and I was able to let my enthusiasm for guns and shooting be absorbed by her over time.

She often shot with me but it was more benign than anything else but during that time she learned my devotion to acting within the law, safety for myself and others and proper gun maintenance. In short I think she realized far, far more gun owners are responsible people rather than the idiots we and she sees and hear about.

Then one day, out of the clear blue sky, she said she wanted a pistol of her own for concealled carry. Now she's a believer of self, family and other protection.

She'll admit that one of the things that got her to thinking was we would discuss and go through scenarios about home and personal defense situations. We talked about each others' roles and responsibilities in a crisis.

One day we talked about what I thought she should do if we ever got separated (because, at the time, she still wasn't a carrier or expereinced user). Her eyes widened and she flatly asked me how she was to defend herself if we got separated.

I looked back at her and told her to pray. It was then, I think, she decided she did not want to become a statistic without putting up a fight. The rest, as they say, is history.

NewShooter, congrats on your situation. I know you'll lead and teach her well.
 
Don't waste the opportunity.... don't send her to a pro class after teaching her the basics... teach her the basics then go to a pro class with her.

OK... maybe not the best idea, unless you can arrange to be in the same course at the same time, but in a different class group. This way you could 'share' the experience without any performance pressure generated by your presence...
 
The only reason that I would want her to go to a "pro" class is that there are lots of things that I can't teach her. I've been showing her lots of little self defence things over the last few months because I grew up in a military family and she knows that I know that I can handle myself. But, I don't want to take any chance in screwing something up by trying to teach her handgun self defence myself.

It really helps that she's the "one". If it weren't for that I doubt that she'd ever have really seen the realistic side to CCW. It's funny how someone's mindset can change when they realize they are in love with a shooting enthusiast. She really never thought about a lot of things, and was literally shocked when I told her about how police are not responsible for protecting society. I think the whole anectdote about the SCOTUS ruling on the matter really brought her around.

The other thing is that here in LA, there was a serial killer, now on trial, that ran loose for many months, and if only one of the 8 confirmed victims would have been trained to CCW, he would have gotten the justice he deserves.

Now I just have to decide what to start her off with. I'm trying to decide between getting a 22lr rifle, semi-auto pistol, or wheel gun. And knowing her, it's going to cost me lots in ammo and gun purchaces. But the upside is her father will love me, because he's a gun nut too, and has never been able to get her interested in it. :D
 
For a first, all around fun and practical gun, I'm a big fan of a 22 pistol. I adore the stainless 22/45, but the P22 is not a bad little unit. Either will let her get lots of good practice for not much money. In a pinch, they can even be carried. 10 rounds of 22 may not be much, but it sure beats a sharp stick!
 
First, Congrats!!

Second, DEFINITELY get a .22LR..

Shoot.. I need to write up my page about how to take a woman shooting.... I have so many lessons and tips!

I have to tell you though, I recommend AGAINST the Ruger MarkII's. Why? Because the mag release is in the wrong place. I love that gun but I ended up with a 22/45 instead, so when you move her to a centerfire, she will be familiar with the control locations.

DOUBLE UP ON THE HEARING PROTECTION.

worth repeating again.

DOUBLE UP ON THE HEARING PROTECTION. That means plugs AND muffs.. This has got to be the single biggest thing to ease her fears and fight flinching.

Also, when you take her to the range, make sure you tell the range master (if it's indoors) that she's a new shooter, and don't put you next to the guy shooting his .44Mag.

WOW.. I have so many things to say about this subject!! Let me get writing on the list...

Congrats again!!
 
First of all, congratulations on finding a good woman. They're rare, indeed.

As to weapon choice, a .22lr is the norm for a reason. I would start out with a nice rifle as the weight really cuts recoil. There are no laws that mandate only one type of gun can be owned, so you can buy a pistol later.

For pistols, I like the Ruger MkII. Yea, the mag release is in the "wrong" place, but you know that going in. There are a lot of guns that have different mag releases (like the HK USP v. Colt 1911) so I don't really see this as a genuine concern. A speed reload isn't likely to be needed when you're plinking, so what difference does the mag release position make? I seriously doubt this would lead to confusion when you move up to defensive handguns......at least, it never bothered me.

By the same logic, you should only buy a .22lr pistol that exactly mimics your carry weapon of choice; a good example would be the Marvel conversion unit for a 1911.

If possible, reactive targets should be used for immediate sensory feedback. There's something about watching a baloon pop or a disc spin that is very enjoyable. Steel spinners are available at most shooting stores and ranges, and they are rather inexpensive.

Most of all, don't hover over her when she's shooting. Watch her to make sure she's safe, but leave her alone enough to allow her the room to experience the experience. Does that make sense?

And a school is a good idea. Personally, I'd take her to a CCW course for the first school because they are short and not too expensive. If there's a better option available locally, I'd try that, too.
 
Bringing your lady around

Congrats!

I think outdoors is better than indoors for starts, if you have the choice;
and a target that DOES something is better than paper.

For my (then) wife, the key moment was when we were driving around with our newborn baby, talking about how protective we felt - I think many women are much more attuned to protecting others than to protecting themselves.

Unless you have a lady who already wants to hunt, I also think that handguns are a better bet than rifles - more personal, less mechanical (in girlthink).

FWIW...
 
Congratulations!

I feel pretty fortunate that my wife will go to the range me with me on rare occasions. I wish it would happen more often but at least she knows how to get the gun out of the safe and make good hits if she has to.

I have friends who's wives don't want anything to do with guns.
 
Don't buy her gun for her

Women love to shop.

Plus, they will feel more "involved" if they help in the decision.

Take her shooting, and take her shopping, but don't dictate what she should get. Yes, start with .22, but let her decide whether the 22/45 fits better, or the revolver is easier to work, etc.

I expected my wife to want a longer barrel for extra stability and accuracy. But she wanted the lighter weight more, so she got a short barrel.

Who knows, maybe she's always wanted a .500 S&W Magnum and was just too embarassed to tell you!! :uhoh:
 
She won't be paying for it because she's still in college and can't afford to drop down $200 + on a 22lr pistol or rifle. But I think that I will take her with me to shop around. I hadn't even thought of that. And I had already planned on buying some quality hearing protection for her. I hate range equipment.

I think that a couple of her friends might come around to the idea once she really falls in love with it.

TwoBlink:

Good little article there. I had thought of a some of those things, but a lot of it was really good advice that I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks.
 
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