[little rant] Dudes that push high recoil guns on their wives bug me.

[Zaydok Allen]

I want people to experience hitting what they are aiming at.

I think that's key. With the few people I've taught to shoot, once they started hitting where they wanted, they wanted to shoot more and more, and practice makes perfect. So by making it easy off the bat, you get them addicted.

Just like a drug dealer, make the first one free so you get them hooked.

Anyone who has successfully taught someone to shoot knows that grin of initial victory.

 

[GEM]

Giving folks guns that they are unprepared to shoot can be deadly. I can think of several incidents.

In Bastrop, TX a little boy was given a 452 Casull - the barrel recoiled and hit him in the head - and killed him.

Remember the little girl with the full auto that came up and killed the 'instructor'

A women was given a 44 mag, it startled her and she squeezed a round into the boy friend - dead.

A guy rented a Desert Eagle 50 AE at a range. Fired it once and went back and told an employee he was done. Said you can shoot the rest of the box. The employee took one shot and on recoil put another into his head, which disappeared.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Remember the little girl with the full auto that came up and killed the 'instructor'

I remember that one. 4 or 5 years ago wasn't it? Tragic and totally preventable.

 

[whughett]

There’s a reason the lowly 22 is the training round of choice. Get the fundamentals down, learn the basics, develop a style. Anticipation to recoil is a hard response to overcome.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

The only things I'd add is that I don't really think there's anything gender specific about the benefits of starting with low recoil guns/ammo. The difference is that women will say they don't like the recoil and blast. Men will "like" it and then blink before every shot and shove things low and left because they're determined to overpower the recoil. Insisting that someone else shoot something with more "power" is probably male-correlated.

I start all new shooters with .22lr's... and now my teach-'em .22 has a red-dot on it. I want it to be as easy as possible. I want people to experience hitting what they are aiming at. Start easy, add challenges.

Lotta truth right here.

I use service sized 9mm because our rental 22's are unreliable.

I'd like them to be able to focus on shooting and not on clearing jams.

now, a one on one session at the ranch (friends and such) it's a 22.

 

[film495]

always start with a .22, always JMHO

 

[JeeperCreeper]

My dad always taught me... "When you deal with people, you deal with problems".

So far, it's always true haha

 

[Caplock]

I bought a Ruger MK11 22lr to start my wife, then gf on. Then moved on to a Ruger P85. Big heavy for a 9mm gun. She's done a shot'em all up to my 500 Smith & Wesson.

 

[RA40]

The instructor that taught the Mrs. started her with a 4" .38 spl for the first 25 rounds. She shot the center out at 5-7 yards. He moved her to the 9mm Browning HP and she did it again. After her lesson he had booked 3 other females. That type of gradual exposure builds confidence which is the desired result in my mind.

 

[Spats McGee]

I can't disagree with the grumbling in this thread. It's a pet peeve of mine, too. It's bad enough that men ask their wives & girlfriends to shoot guns that they're not ready for, but the thing that really hacks me off is when it's done for amusement. The "funny" videos on the net of new shooters getting knocked in the head on recoil really annoy the crap out of me. I can't imagine a scenario in which watching Mrs. McGee conk herself in the head with a piece of steel is all that funny.

 

[George P]

Is Kathy's Cornered Cat still available since she retired? I always said every woman AND her hubby/boyfriend should read it BEFORE the macho man decides what gun is right for her.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I can't disagree with the grumbling in this thread. It's a pet peeve of mine, too. It's bad enough that men ask their wives & girlfriends to shoot guns that they're not ready for, but the thing that really hacks me off is when it's done for amusement. The "funny" videos on the net of new shooters getting knocked in the head on recoil really annoy the crap out of me. I can't imagine a scenario in which watching Mrs. McGee conk herself in the head with a piece of steel is all that funny.

Can't stand that kind of stuff.

 

[Roamin_Wade]

I don’t know how many couples came into the store where I used to work. Especially these Glock guys. They try to steer their better halves into a semi-auto Glock. Well, I always throw it out there that many women carry wheelguns because of their simplicity and reliability. I’ve even had a guy tell me that his Glock was as reliable as a J frame S&W. I say, “on the second shot too”?
Your topic holds true. This happens a bunch.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I don’t know how many couples came into the store where I used to work. Especially these Glock guys. They try to steer their better halves into a semi-auto Glock. Well, I always throw it out there that many women carry wheelguns because of their simplicity and reliability. I’ve even had a guy tell me that his Glock was as reliable as a J frame S&W. I say, “on the second shot too”?
Your topic holds true. This happens a bunch.

Not saying a disagree, but there is another internet pet-peeve of everyone recommending a revolver to every new female shooter.

You'll hear the "Boomer fudd" comments regarding that.

Having said that, revolver manual of arms is so simple and almost fool-proof. But most semi-autos shoot easier.

Basically, let them decide. My wife went with a CZ75 compact.

 

[Steve S.]

Any gentleman would be rankled.

 

[Roamin_Wade]

Not saying a disagree, but there is another internet pet-peeve of everyone recommending a revolver to every new female shooter.

You'll hear the "Boomer fudd" comments regarding that.

Having said that, revolver manual of arms is so simple and almost fool-proof. But most semi-autos shoot easier.

Basically, let them decide. My wife went with a CZ75 compact.

You know, I’ve thought about that and it may very well be another opposite phenomenon but my thoughts are on how little a typical, non-trained (like a cop), woman would have to do to defend herself. Just squeeze that trigger and that is it. Even the cheapest revolvers are not may-pops. Even if a girls legs freeze up at danger, her mind will know that all she has to do is squeeze that little trigger. That’s my take on the dynamic.

 

[drk1]

Saw a woman kill herself that way. Just can't remember if it was a .454 or .45-70 BFR.

 

[Old Dog]

As one who gets to do initial firearms training with folks coming into the law enforcement community, I can say that it's often better to have a lot of females in the academy classes because they typically have far fewer bad habits to unlearn or bad experiences to get over. It's unbelievable how many females I've seen start to enjoy shooting when they have positive experiences, and the 9mm caliber in full-size pistols is to thank for that.

I'm totally onboard with what the OP is saying. A lot of men are why a lot of women don't get into the shooting sports.

Strange though, my younger daughter has decided that .45 ACP in a 1911 is the best thing since sliced bread ...

 

[Insignificant bill]

My wife flat out tells me don't be buying her, guns that she hasn't tried out. I told her no problem.

 

[George P]

My wife flat out tells me don't be buying guns that she hasn't tried out. I told her no problem.

Not saying a disagree, but there is another internet pet-peeve of everyone recommending a revolver to every new female shooter.

You'll hear the "Boomer fudd" comments regarding that.

Having said that, revolver manual of arms is so simple and almost fool-proof. But most semi-autos shoot easier.

Basically, let them decide. My wife went with a CZ75 compact.

A DA revolver is one of the worst guns to shoot well, even for proficient folks, let alone new shooters

 

[Spats McGee]

....
Strange though, my younger daughter has decided that .45 ACP in a 1911 is the best thing since sliced bread ...

I wonder where she could possibly have gotten that idea .....

 

[SteadyD]

I also think it’s a good idea for new shooters to double up with plugs and muffs. Low recoil and less noise made a big difference for my wife.

 

[skeeterfogger]

Guns are like tires. Right one fits right model.

 

[Ignition Override]

Where are so many guys' common sense and possible understanding of human nature?

Do such dummies Also teach their wives that a bad guy who is a 'visible threat' (with a visible handgun) will probably shoot the woman if she Then reaches for a weapon?. Having common survival sense is many times more critical than a gun's caliber.
It has happened to women here in the Memphis area-even in a generally 'safe' suburb.

 

[LiveLife]

I also think it’s a good idea for new shooters to double up with plugs and muffs. Low recoil and less noise made a big difference for my wife.

Good point.

If new shooters are not properly prepared, extremely loud muzzle blast and felt concussion could really shock the shooter in addition to pistol recoil.