I finally offer to take my sister to the range. She never shoot or hold a gun ever in her life. She is the type of girl who is afraid of bug and what not. So gun is something that is not in her realm of interest. But she took the offer and going to go to the range with me tomorrow. The only gun i have in my stock in a Springfield XD-9 and a AR15. So i am kinda worry that the two guns i have might be little too much for her. My question is what should i go over with her before we get down to business. Any shooting tip or suggestion is greatly appreciated.
taking sister to the range
- Thread starter Willy M38
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ralphie98
Member
When I'm working on a new shooter, I like to go over the 4 rules first. Pound those rules into her head so she doesn't make any big mistakes at the range. Next, make sure you go over the operation of each of the firearms in a place where she can concentrate. If the range you're going to is a busy one, try to go over the operation before heading out to the range so the noise doesn't distract her. I've also found that it makes newbies more comfortable if you run through a magazine or two yourself first, before handing the gun over to them. Women take instruction a lot better than guys do and I've found it pretty easy to teach ladies.
That usually covers it... make sure you bring a lot of ammo.
That usually covers it... make sure you bring a lot of ammo.
Acheron
Member
Well, handguns of any caliber larger than .22LR can be intimidating for a first-timer, so I would avoid the XD-9 until she's a little more comfortable around firearms in general.
As for the AR, I think it would good to begin with. Generally light recoil and sound, relatively light weight and easy handling. Start her off slow, with only single rounds in the magazine. After she's gotten used to that move her up to two rounds, then three, five, ten and from there on full mags. Keep in mind that this might take multiple trips to the range.
Make sure to talk to her about the Four Rules and make her repeat them back to you to show that she knows them. Tell her what to expect at the range, general procedure and whatnot (I don't know what your range is like). Once you've cleared up any ground rules it's off to the range!
Hope all goes well. Let us know how it goes.
As for the AR, I think it would good to begin with. Generally light recoil and sound, relatively light weight and easy handling. Start her off slow, with only single rounds in the magazine. After she's gotten used to that move her up to two rounds, then three, five, ten and from there on full mags. Keep in mind that this might take multiple trips to the range.
Make sure to talk to her about the Four Rules and make her repeat them back to you to show that she knows them. Tell her what to expect at the range, general procedure and whatnot (I don't know what your range is like). Once you've cleared up any ground rules it's off to the range!
Hope all goes well. Let us know how it goes.
PotatoJudge
Member
2 of the 4 rules- muzzle and trigger control. You are in charge of the other two for now. This normally simplifies things so the shooter can relax, have a good time, and focus on learning the manual of arms. Reactive targets at short ranges, softball and hot loads- just in case they become recoil junkies.
Most importantly, make it fun.
Most importantly, make it fun.
Tribal
Member
If you're taking a sister to the range then good habits are especially important. She'll want something where she can comfortably conceal yet easily present when needed, be it at choir practice, morning Mass, feeding the sick and orphaned, or teaching. Printing at Confession is a big no-no in some cloisters.
Kind of Blued
Member
Can you rent handguns at this range?
Obviously, if you can rent a .22, that would be ideal.
Obviously, if you can rent a .22, that would be ideal.
newsmonster
Member
I have taken my sister and her friends shooting as well and what I've seen is the following:
1. They are nervous about how the gun functions and they fear any recoil.
2. After the first shot they are relieved that they have not been thrown backwards like in the movies, and they want to show\tell their friends that its not bad at all...so they forget about muzzle control ;p
3. Tell them that if the gun jams or stops shooting > finger of trigger and keep it pointed downrange. If something unexpected happens they tend to want to bring the gun to you. Muzzle control.
mekender, good idea on telling them to let the gun fall. Never thought of that one.
1. They are nervous about how the gun functions and they fear any recoil.
2. After the first shot they are relieved that they have not been thrown backwards like in the movies, and they want to show\tell their friends that its not bad at all...so they forget about muzzle control ;p
3. Tell them that if the gun jams or stops shooting > finger of trigger and keep it pointed downrange. If something unexpected happens they tend to want to bring the gun to you. Muzzle control.
mekender, good idea on telling them to let the gun fall. Never thought of that one.
Baba Louie
Member
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Double up her hearing protection too please. Earplugs and muffs if you can. Have her wear safety glasses too.
Sounds like a good reason for you (and everyone) to have at least 1 - .22lr handgun and 1 - 22lr. rifle... introducing newbies to firearms (not to mention cheaper fun for yourself).
Also, you might want to load a single round in the magazine for the first couple of shots. Keep the targets in close for her at first.
Have fun. Hope she enjoys shooting as much as the rest of us.
Sounds like a good reason for you (and everyone) to have at least 1 - .22lr handgun and 1 - 22lr. rifle... introducing newbies to firearms (not to mention cheaper fun for yourself).
Also, you might want to load a single round in the magazine for the first couple of shots. Keep the targets in close for her at first.
Have fun. Hope she enjoys shooting as much as the rest of us.
Blackbeard
Member
Get a .22LR, preferably bolt- or lever-action and take that to the range. Rifles are easier to keep pointed downrange. Manual actions are less intimidating than semi-autos, and .22LR is the perfect starter round. I bought a Marlin 925 recently for just this purpose.
Plus, it gives you an excuse to get a new gun!
Plus, it gives you an excuse to get a new gun!
Having taken a few female friends who are first time shooters to the range, I've found that snap-caps or other dummy rounds are a good idea. Spend some time familiarizing her with HOW the gun works and how you operate it. Societal conditioning tends to make younger females uncomfortable around mechanical things, a little time spent overcoming this pays off big.
Then do the single round, then 5 rounds, then full mag. Again, many females tend to adopt that stance where they hold the gun as far away as possible. It isn't because they are afraid of the bang, it's because their smaller skeletal structure and lesser upper body strength lead them to adopt this stance in response to the weight of the pistol at arm's length. The ideal solution is a good workout program, but reducing the pistol weight helps.
Then do the single round, then 5 rounds, then full mag. Again, many females tend to adopt that stance where they hold the gun as far away as possible. It isn't because they are afraid of the bang, it's because their smaller skeletal structure and lesser upper body strength lead them to adopt this stance in response to the weight of the pistol at arm's length. The ideal solution is a good workout program, but reducing the pistol weight helps.
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