Taking 49 Year Old Novice Shooter to Range:Need Advice

[Waitone]

What I do with noobies is pretty much summarized in several places in the thread. Two points of interest. I think muscle memory is a key to safe handling firearms. That is why I give plenty of time to "fondle" a firearm before making it go bang. Familiarity with the mechanics of using a firearm will go a long way is stopping unpleasantness when it goes bang. Give the noob time to feel comfortable holding the gun.

Second point. Until the noobie is comfortable with the handling, recoil, reloading, and noise of a firearm in action, I station myself just behind and slightly to the outside of the shooters strong side. Before the noise starts I explain to them that IF they are about to do something dangerous I will put my hand on their shoulder. When that occurs they are to freeze. Reason for the hand routine is hearing is muffled, noise is loud, and attention is directed downrange. All elements of unpleasantness should something bad happen.

 

[Winchester 73]

Thank you for all the additional advice since I replied to Wayne 7 hours ago at 10:30 A.M.
I have had the most remarkable day.At 11:00 my co-worker called asking me if we could go to the range this afternoon instead of tomorrow night.His 46 year old wife and 20 year old daughter were anxious to learn to shoot also and the daughter works nights after college classes.
Well this threw me a little.I explained I only had eye and ear protection for 2 and we'd have to rent equipment and the snubby factor,etc,etc.He told me no problem, his friendly neighbor,retired Marine Gunny Sgt. had already loaned him everything needed,had gone over most of what I am now reading in El Tejon's drill and please come up.(Thank,you USMC).
One novice is one thing,but 3?I've known these folks for 19 years,they are very responsible so I decided to go for it and play it by ear.
During the 30 minute drive to their home, I remembered the many pieces of advice from THR.I went over the range safety rules,had a copy of Jeff Cooper's 4 basics,we spent 1 hour going over everyhing,handling the unloaded guns,dry firing, etc. and Gunny was there chipping in.
I had brought along my S&W 340PD,little monster 12 oz,2 incher for my own amusement
Off to the range.They declined to rent the .22's.I didn't argue.It was amazing.We rented 2 lanes.I started them all off with the Ruger GP100.357 with .38 Special, 130 grain FMJ and Hornady 125 JHP,almost 100 rounds.All three were naturals,hitting the man sized target at 7 yards without ever missing the paper.
Now they wanted the snubby.I cautioned them about recoil.No problem with the 125 and 130 grainers at all.Then back to the.357 where they all wanted to fire the 158 LRN .38 Special!
By now,I'm so astonished and they're having so much fun ,I figured let them go for it.They wanted the target a little further out so it was put at 10 yards.
Over 100 more rounds,only a couple of flyers and the 20 year daughter(who is a college athlete)put me to shame by finishing with 5 out 6 heart shots.
I just arrived home,exhausted but very happy,delighted at this almost impossible display.
As I was leaving they were proudly hanging all three of their targets on the rafters of their garage,right behind the American flag.
Three new shooters have joined our ranks and I cannot thank all of you enough for your wonderful encouragement.
Their last question?
When are we going again!
It doesn't get much better than this!

P.S. to Blackbeard.I've been after him for years to become a shooter.Why at this late date,he himself can't explain.
Just a happy epiphany,I suppose.
One other thing.Their range discipline was wonderful,no muzzle sweeping,no fingers on the trigger until gun on target.Fast learners.
My 340PD is a wonder.With 135+P Speer it's a killer at close range and recoil is manageable.Only 10 rounds of 125 grain .357,thank you.

 

[Coyote Blue]

You certainly had quite a range trip.
For new shooters to perform that well is very unusual,certainly with a snub nosed revolver.
Glad it all worked out well and congratulations on getting new people enthused about shooting and self defense.

 

[sm]

Winchester 73

Well you just made my day!
Thank you!

You had students with a willingness to learn, and had earned their trust going in to all this.
These are huge factors in regard to assisting new shooters.

Gunny deserves credit, no doubt as does our own esteemed TileCrawler- El Tejon.
You sir, you done good, and you did us all proud.

*gratitude-n-thanks*

Steve

 

[Winchester 73]

Well you just made my day!
Thank you!

Steve,you and all the other guys helped me so much to make this such a fine day.It's what THR is all about at its core.Helping out with problems and questions of all sorts.
Hope I can get to sleep now.Have a 8 A.M. meeting back at the salt mines tomorrow.This good feeling will stay with me for a long time.
And aside from the newcomers, its just so enjoyable for me to shoot my guns.
But all of us here feel that way,don't we?
Thank you,Steve and everyone,again.

 

[sixgunner455]

That's great! If I'm not out doing this myself, I like reading about others doing it.

 

[sm]

Winchester 73,

It is I that thanks you.
I ain't nobody.


Related.

Re: Novice.

Little lady put all her shots into playing cards from 5 yds to 50 yards using a Model 29 and Model 19.
She is 7 years old.

Surprised??

Yeah so were some others, and we may have forgotten to mention to others these were primer only cases and the playing cards shot beforehand...still the young lady really likes these revolvers, being assisted and got a real big kick out of surprising folks.

We do stuff different in da South...*grin*

With assistance especially with the Model 29, and using mild .44 spl loads, she actually does very well.

"I want to shoot another playing card" she said.
"Babe, you have only fired once, how come you want to shoot another card or target?"

"Cause I hit it and don't want to mess up". *lol*

She got a new playing card, as she center punched the first card, and I / we don't blame her for not messing that card up.

Wildchild with a .44 is stepping up to the line...make a hole or she will. *grin*