Took a Berkeley girl shooting today!

[Riomouse911]

Well done!

I take it she no longer actually lives in Berkeley? I hear that place has gotten as bad or worse than So Cal.

She went to college at Long Beach State, where one nice block is next to a crummy one, then moved back to Berkeley after graduation.

The homeless and nutcase factor is worse. North and West Berkeley, and along Telegraph near the campus, went to seed a while ago. I moved away to college in 1986 and it was fading fast back then.

Stay safe.

 

[Riomouse911]

Well done @Riomouse911 .
I have a similar task ahead of me. My new D-n-L wants a pistol.
I may steal your teaching plan.

The red gun, or real looking airsoft with no CO2/bbs around, is a great kitchen table starter. No fear of any accidents puts teacher and pupil more at ease.

Stay safe.

 

[JTHunter]

In the end he purchased an SP101.
IMHO, having 22's and then 32's to shoot first is very helpful.

Many years ago, I was in a similar situation but with a retired teacher, my Mother. We started off with a Ruger Single Six which she did quite well. Then I switched cylinders and let her shoot the .22 Mag. She was startled by the extra noise and kick but was OK by the end of the second cylinder.
Then we shot my .380. Unfortunately, we found that she no longer had the strength to rack the slide.
Some time later, we stopped at a small gun store we pass on our way to our original home in Southern Illinois. She handled several guns and found two she liked that fit her small hands. One was new but the other was a used SP-101 in .38 Special. This store had a small outdoor range in back and they let her fire that SP-101. I (wisely) let them advise her there and, with some trepidation, she fired two shots at the target ~25 feet away. Amazingly, her first shot was in the 10-ring with the second being in the bullseye!
She turned to the store employee (with a grin on her face) and said "I'll take it !"
That gun now graces my bedside and pairs with a GP-100 and Marlin 1894.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

That’s why I never recommend J frames to occasional shooters.

I carry a 638. Also have a model 36 and a slightly larger Colt Detective Special. Agree 110%, they are not for the occassional shooter, and even an experienced shooter needs to maintain their skills with these small frame revolvers.

 

[Savage30L]

That’s why I never recommend J frames to occasional shooters.

I love my 642; on the rare occasions when I carry, that's the gun in my pocket holster. I'll have to say, though, that mine has the 3" barrel; I do not like J-frames with 2" barrels....wouldn't have one. I certainly understand why you don't recommend J-frames to occasional shooters.

 

[Southerner up North]

Great job teaching her properly. Congratulations to your niece for realizing society is not as safe as a lot think and put out.

 

[lightman]

Good on you for taking the time with this lady! It sounds like you did a good job.