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!
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!
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