Taking an old out-of-practice shooter out

[ColinthePilot]

This isn't a scheduled event, but something I got thinking about tonight.
Next time my folks come to visit, I really want to go shooting with my dad. He was (is?) a Marine, and an Expert Marksman by their standard. But that was 30+ years ago. He has never owned guns, and has only shot a handful of times since then. He qualified in the Marines on the M-14. I've only shot with him once, 6 years ago when I inherited my grandparents' guns (mom's side) and we went and put some lead downrange with one of the new acquisitions.
My dad still knows about gun safety. Even when I was growing up, with no real guns in the house, I was taught not to point my toy guns at anything I wasn't willing to destroy, not to pull a gun if I wasn't willing to use it to kill, and to always check the chamber when I picked up a gun(I must've looked like a pro checking the chamber on my toy rifle at 5yo).
So how should I treat this? Do I treat dad like a new shooter with a .22? Do I let him decide what we shoot? Do I need to have the sit-down safety briefing? Anyone taken a prodigal shooter out after this much time off the trigger?

 

[Majic]

30 years ago he was an expert marksman. 6 years ago he was shooting with you. He was the one who taught you all about gun safety. I think Pops knows what he can handle and give him a few rounds to blow off the dust and you might find yourself struggling to match him shot for shot. Some things taught and how they were taught are never forgotten. Marines don't just teach but burn the lessons in your brain cells. One of the reasons for once a Marine always a Marine. You never forget how to be one.

 

[Mickstix]

Yea, I wouldnt treat the ol' dog with kid gloves if I was you.. Might get your butt chewed!! I'd play it by ear and see how it goes.. Let him decide what he wants to shoot.. Have a good time and enjoy the company with your pop!

 

[Huckle2]

It's not all about the shooting but play it by ear and be safe. Take Pop out and make some memories. You'll probably find you are not through learning and he's not through teaching. Enjoy! Life is short!

 

[sprithitler]

It is your dad you are taling about, you must expect him to know what he can and cannot do, show him the workings of each rifle and let him choose. Maybe put a M1A in his hands?
The bible teaches us to respect our parents, show him that you respect him by trusting him to know what he can and want.

 

[Wedge]

Here's what I would do since I hope to be in a similar situation next year (I didn't get a chance to take my dad out this year for various reasons).

My dad taught me gun safety, he was a rangemaster for Cub and Boy Scouts, he set up the pellet range in the basement for my brother and I, but he hasn't shot anything but a 22 in at least 15 years if not longer, but he was always an excellent shot (both rifle and bow).

He can choose what he wants to shoot. He knows the rules. Other than showing him proper operation if he is not familiar with the firearm we'll just go out and have a good safe time.

Knowing my father, he would choose the .22 over a shoulder buster any day of the week, but if he wants to shoot the M44 he will be more than welcome.

 

[Mr_Rogers]

Let's see. Father was expert marksman 30 years ago. Possibly around 25 at the time. That would make him 55, perhaps 60, now.

Unless he has a medical problem I would be worried about getting my backside kicked by my father. At 60 you could not put my father down with a pick-axe handle.

 

[keano44]

Take him out... Why would you want to take him out???

Oh! Never mind.

 

[scrat]

Dosent matter. do whats right.


here is the deal. a friend of mine his father was in the service as well. Army drafted and served in vietnam. he also had a 9mm. he had never shot it. it was brand new. he got it from his brother as he owed him money and told him to keep it.

So about 4 months ago. i talk my freind into going shooting and he asked his father to go. I took a huge collection of guns from 30-30, a bunch of .22lr a 12 guage. all sorts When we got to the range he filled out the paperwork just like any other. We set up targets short range. and gave him a quick rundown on shooting and then let him go at it. He was like a little kid. We ended up shooting there for almost 4 hours. he shot every gun i had. We all shot his 9mm. we must have shot 6 boxes through the 9. for my 30-30 i had sand bags and had it pretty much dialed in to where you just had to sit behind it and pull the trigger. he got behind it. Pulled the trigger and was shooting steel at 100 yards. all in all when we were done we went to his fathers house to clean the guns. He was just thrilled. This was the first time he fired a gun since he was in the service. Now we make it an attempt to go shooting every other month. and he is always there.


so ya you really need to give him a chance. i bet he is going to love it and will come back for more.

 

[PCFlorida]

I wish I'd taken my Dad shooting more often. He was in the SeaBee's in WWII, assigned weapon was a BAR. I shot with him a couple times when I was younger but moved away when I graduated college and we didn't have time like that to spend together.

I miss that man.

Yes, take him shooting, and have fun. Make some memories.

 

[NotSoFast]

I agree with sprithitler. Talk with your dad before you go out and settle which guns to take. That way you're not overwhelming him but are going out for a good day of father/son enjoyment. And on the way find a way to chat about how you appreciate what he did to instill safety in you as a child and how that has stayed with you all these years. Just that will be a reminder of safety but will still honor him as your father. Then go enjoy your time together regardless of who outshoots who.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Bring a .22 and bigger stuff too and let him choose. He might surprise you. Last Thanksgiving my grandpa (90 y/o, He qualified expert also. ) came over and we were shooting pistols, so we got him to shoot a 1911. Couldn't remember the last time he shot a handgun but his groups put the rest of ours to shame! Put a big smile on his face too.

 

[Taylorowen]

hey everyone does anyonw know if my polish tantal is capable of having its top fore grip replaced? thanks

 

[ColinthePilot]

Maybe put a M1A in his hands?

no M1A in my armory. Got a Garand. I think that'll do.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Its pretty much what I was thinking. Dad's a big boy, he can choose. I'm thinkin .22LR, M1 Garand, Mosin M38 (one of my favorites, always comes out) and my Sig P6, which is usually on my hip.
Like I said, I don't have this scheduled. I live a time-zone away from my folks, so I go home for the holidays, and they visit once or twice a year wherever the Air Force has me at that point. Now I gotta figure out what to do with Mom while Dad and I are at the range. Maybe I can get her interested in coming too.

 

[Starship1st]

Enjoy the quality time with your dad.

 

[7mmsavage]

I had a very similar experience with my dad a couple years ago. He served in the Army from 65-69 and hunted for years before that, but basically gave it up shrtly after when my older brother was born. I invited him to go shooting one July 4th, and he said it was the first time he'd shot anything other than a .22 pistol in about 30 years. Other than just showing him basic functions of some of my rifles, there was no teaching on my part. Dad looked over my Garand and talked a little about how he trained with one, before being issued an M14. He then proceded to load it, wrap his arm hasty sling style, and fire away. Since that day we have been shooting several times it, and even attended an Appleseed together. Hope you and your father have as good a time!