New shooter: My wonderful wife!

Over the past couple of years my wife has accompanied me to the range on a number of occasions. She has always enjoyed it but never enough to make it a priority to go back again "real soon".

During this period of time I've attempted to provide some education concerning the pros/cons of autoloaders vs. revolvers, DA, SA, DA/SA etc. Also caliber considerations and safety concerns, the 4 rules, range etiquette, etc.

She has always listened politely but I could tell that her level of interest in the "details" was not all that high and at the first indication of wandering attention I've changed subject to something of a more mutual interest.

I've been more than happy with her level of involvement as it was as I figured I was one up on many for whom their spouse does not support their shooting activity. She will often say "You haven't been to the range in a while, why don't you go blow off some steam".

Ok, I realize that this is often shorthand for saying "Why don't you go do something so I can go do something with my daughter/friend/etc." but for the most part I think she is sincere and realizes I enjoy shooting.

Well that's all very nice you say but ....

Ok, here's the gist of it: This last weekend it is like a switch went off in her mind. All of a sudden the questions/comments started popping out. "Why am I less accurate with the revolver than the Browning HP?", "Wow, the S&W 60LS has so much more recoil than the 686!", "Why can't they all have single action triggers because I can shoot them so much better?". "Can I get a revolver with a trigger like the Hi Power?". "How come the trigger on this Kahr has to be pulled so far?".

And the questions haven't stopped since then.

Then on the way home she wanted to go to a gun store. Well alrighty! Don't need to ask me twice!

We went to several and by the end of the day she had decided that she wanted a S&W 442 Crimson Trace.

Ask and ye shall receive: By the end of the weekend I had found her a nice local lightly used 442 with Crimson Trace grips.

Now I may have created a monster.

She already has made plans to:
1. Convert my individual range membership into a family membership.
2. Take a concealed carry class.
3. Get her concealed weapons permit.
4. Wants to know if we are going to go to the range this weekend.

Wow!

 

Isn't it awesome when the women come around?

My wife was "no guns in the house" for a few years... All of the sudden, it looks like a certain candidate was going to win a certain election, and it was "on like donkey kong"

She now has her own 9mm Autoloader and 12ga shotgun, got her CCW, and loves to go to the range

Edit: the reason behind her "no guns" rule wasn't an Anti stance, but our young daughter...

 

I think its great that she's more interested in guns now. I have to admit though that I'm very curious about the "switch" that suddenly got flipped. I wonder what happened that suddenly put her over the edge.

 

Hi Poker,

Perhaps I'm reading to much into your comment but I'm pretty sure there is not any negative situation going (ie. stalker) on that she feels she needs to be ready to deal with.

Some more wife info:
She has a history of not paying any attention to a given issue or activity or whatever the case may be.

Then, when for whatever reason, she starts to pay more attention to it, and then shortly thereafter it's full steam ahead.

After that it's add it to the list of things she is passionate about.

For example: A number of years ago she decided she wanted to take a woodworking class. Within 6 months we had: A table saw, a cut-off saw, circular saw, planer, jointer, drill press, band saw! I kid you not.

That scenario has replayed itself several times: Spanish lessons, Water color painting, motorcycle, skiing.

It is actually a lot of fun to just sit back and vicariously experience her passion.

Thanks!

 

ddc.... I think our wives are a lot alike in that regard.

She is swaying on the edge from being supportive of my hobbies and having her own AR. Some days she wants to get her CCW and the next its on the back burner. I thought I had her when she insisted I buy another handgun for her when she was home alone.

I think she did come to my side for a bit, but went back on the fence after she bought a 442 for her gun. She is a bit recoil shy and didnt like the gun after one cylinder. I get her there again one day and now she has a 3 inch SP101 that kicks far far less.

 

C-grunt,

I'm worried about how she'll react to the 442 also.

The recoil of a S&W 60LS with 130grn ball doesn't seem to bother her but the 442 is quite a bit lighter. I was surprised when I first picked it up as I had never held one of S&W's lightweight revolvers before.

Maybe I should start another thread in the revolver forum asking what .38 Special loads are the softest.

 

Great! But I see terrible financial difficulties in your future...you now have to buy 2 of everything! At least that's what I had to do once my wife got her CCW. It's a beautiful thing. A family that shoots together, always has backup.

 

ddc.... They do have a brisk recoil, but the main thing is the exposed backstap. That thing is painfull. I think the CT grips are fully enclosed in the back correct? If so it will be A LOT better. It does kick good, but it wont fly out of your hand or anything like that. I will eventually buy another one for myself and get a better grip.

 

Lucky you. Still waiting for my wife to come around.
She shoots and says she wants to get a CHP but it is all talk right now. I usually make the first move in order to get her going in the right direction. I'm planning on buying her a NAA revolver like the PUG or the Black Widow simply because I can't stand her being unarmed everyday and she works evenings and gets home late. I figure that if I buy her a gun that she can easily carry, then pay for the class, she'll actually do it and maybe, just maybe she'll see the importance of it all.

I've researched that very question because my Mom hates her 642. My dad and I handload the .38 and are trying to find a good soft load. She also needs a .22wrm revolver IMO. Cowboy action rounds are probably the softest recoiling you'll find. The problem is that the difference in recoil is that great and they aren't what she should be protecting herself with.

 

C-grunt,

Yes the CT grips wrap around the backstrap. I wasn't all that thrilled with the way they felt in my hand but perhaps something was sacrificed in the name of laser science?


CoRoMo,

Several others have suggested cowboy loads as well, thanks!

I was checking specs on several commercial loads

Federal/AmericanEagle 130grn FMJ is at 810 fps and 189 ft-lbs.
Winchester equivalent 800/185.

Federal/AmericanEagle 158 LWC is 690 fps/ 156 ft-lbs.

Winchester 158 cowboy 800 fps/225 ft-lbs

 

I hear the wadcutters are fairly light kicking. That flat front would also do more damage than a FMJ but might limit penetration. I think the SWC would also be a good choice. Same sharp edge to cut instead of push aside, but also has a pointed front for better penetration.

 

My fiancee has been asking me questions about guns for some time in hopes to better her understanding of the mechanics inolved, whats good whats bad etc. She has shown an increasing intrest over time. Just recently though she asked me if I'd get her a 1911 for her 21st birthday and asked me if i thought it was a good carry weapon.

that about made my day.

 

Sorry ddc, I didn't mean to imply that. I'm just curious about what triggered the interest. I'm actually a lot like your wife. When I find a hobby I often jump in with both feet. <g> For me I got into guns after finding out a couple different friends had guns and then reading an article that said something like there were 9 guns for every 10 people in the US. I decided I was missing out on too much fun and found a Women on Target event to get me started. <g> There was nothing even remotely negative about it for me, just a set of synchronicities that happened in a short period of time.

 

Hi Poker,

I like that quote, I'm going to steal it from you!