Took my sister shooting for the first time, and....

[Zaydok Allen]

I learned something.

I brought a variety of handguns with me to shoot so she could get the full experience. The first thing we did was go over safety and range rules, then proper firearm handling, then getting a good sight picture, then trigger squeeze. All went well in those regards. She couldn't hit much, but the first time to me is more about getting comfortable with handling and firing guns in general. It's worth the wasted ammo and you have to start somewhere.

I would have started her out on a .22, but I no longer have one. So I thought ok, lets go to the standard pressure 38 specials. She was firing a Ruger SP101 with a 3" bbl. She did ok. She squeezed off a .357 too, just to feel the difference.

Next up was a S&W full size E series 1911. Learning a semiauto was a bit challenging for her, but she enjoyed the 3 dot sights and greater ease of hitting the target with a longer bbl. She handled the recoil like a champ too. Then I let her shoot some .45 colt out of a S&W 460V. She did ok with that too, but the gun was a bit heavy for her. I let her watch me pop off a few .454 Casulls and a few 460's. I asked her if she wanted to try it, and the answer was "NO!" as expected. I did not press her on this at all as I don't think you should ever pressure a new shooter to do something they are uncomfortable with. It just ruins the experience. I've seen way to many youtube videos of jerks telling their girlfriend to shoot a Dessert Eagle or a X frame and they end up smacking themselves in the head. That's just mean.

We ran out of time to try any other guns, but we all had fun. When I asked her what she liked best, she told me the 1911 was her favorite. She said the sights were much easier for her too pick up and as I stated, I think the longer bbl helped her hit the target more too, so that added to her like of it.

So what did I learn? When you are teaching someone to shoot for the first time it is important to think about the ease that a guns shoots with, the ease of the sight aquisition, the ease of the trigger pull (obviously a single action 1911 is pretty light), AND the cartridge. The least punishing cartridge is not necessarily the most important part. The ease of use of the platform is just as important.

I'm always glad to teach a new shooter.

 

[ATLDave]

I've taken a number of people shooting for the first time. Consistently, they like my .22 Buckmark the best, but right after that my 10mm Witness Elite Match, which has a crisp SA trigger, a big solid frame, and a fiber optic front sight. They like it better than the various striker and DA/SA 9mm's, and better than the .38/.357 revolver. I give them very light 10mm loads (more like mid-range .40), and they don't usually want to shoot more than 1-2 magazines' worth, but they enjoy it a lot.

In short, I generally agree with your conclusions. I'd only add that a big metal frame helps to soak up recoil, and that's a good thing.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'd only add that a big metal frame helps to soak up recoil, and that's a good thing.

I agree 100% with this. I think that added to the ease of shooting. I was going to have her shoot my FNP-45 too, but she was enjoying the 1911 so much, I didn't want to muck things up with polymer.

 

[beatledog7]

The most recent experience I had coaching a new shooter was similar.

Among a .45ACP Baby Eagle, a short-barreled Security Six, a 642, and a CZ-75B in 9mm, he liked most and shot best with the CZ. I'm convinced that new shooters fare best with relatively heavy guns (those that offset the round's recoil to a great degree) with easy to use sights and a relatively long sight radius. The exact cartridge doesn't seem to make or break.

 

[ATLDave]

I'm convinced that new shooters fare best with relatively heavy guns (those that offset the round's recoil to a great degree) with easy to use sights and a relatively long sight radius.

LOL! I think that's true for most old/experienced shooters, too!

 

[beatledog7]

ATLDave,

I agree with you, all else being equal. But all else is never equal.

I shoot my 642 and my G22 best out of all my handguns, and that's not explained by the above. I shoot them more and rely on them more than any of my others, and I think for experienced shooters, that is a bigger factor.

 

[ATLDave]

beatledog,

Of course, extensive familiarity can alter things completely and override other factors.

 

[tekarra]

Well done kodiak. Will she go shooting again?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Thanks.

Yes I believe she will go again. She and her husband are interested in getting a handgun for home protection since they live in a big city, and for open carry in the woods. There are a lot of black bears where they vacation, and a lot of lunatics where they live. Unfortunately their finances will not allow them to move, but they may allow for a gun.

This was a good way for her to see that a gun is nothing to fear and that when handled properly, they are very useful and a lot of fun. Now I doubt either of them will ever CC. That is a little much for them.

It's funny. They always say "Well there are a lot of dangerous animals where you live so we understand why you carry a gun." And there are. The cats are mighty thick here. But I always point out that living in a city is far more dangerous than living in the country. People are a lot more frightening than animals in my mind.