Took the wife shooting for the first time

[Glockfan.45]

Took the wife shooting for the first time yesterday, well not the first time as she has shot my 10/22 once. Sadly I have either lost my Kimber or need to buy another one. I go to the range every Wednesday but this time she wanted to tag along and shoot a handgun for the first time (I suspect she really wanted to see what I really spent on my hobby ). Anyway I thought since all I have for handguns are a G21, G30, and a Kimber Custom II target I would rent something smaller with less recoil for her small hands, and so as not to intimidate her with the kick of a 45. We looked at what they had in the rental counter and after pondering on either a Walther PPK or a G26 she decided to shoot the G26. I fired one mag through it to show her how its done then left her to dispose of the other 90 rounds of Winchester White Box 9mm for herself. After her first target I was able to see where here handicap was (low left) and once that issue was addressed she really suprised me with her abilities. After she shot up the 9mm I dug out the Kimber and unloaded a few mags before offering it to her. Well what a bad idea that was she loved it. You fellas have to bear in mind she was afraid of handguns up till this point (her parents are both flaming liberal antis). I have not seen her smile that big in a long time. On the drive home she told me she wanted her own F.O.I.D card and her own 45. Guess I know what to buy for her this Chirstmas (thinking Kimber ultra carry for her small hands). One more fence setter has seen the light guys.

 

[StexFJR]

Great Story Glockfan!!! Same thing happened to me, though it only cost me a Springfield XD 9 SC. Hey at least it makes it easier to know what to buy them for Christmas and birthdays!!!

 

[pax]

Excellent.

pax

 

[springmom]

WOO HOO!!!!!!!! Tell her congratulations from me, and also welcome to the addiction!

I certainly love my Kimber Ultra Carry II. Since you know she likes the Kimber grip and ergonomics, you're probably on safe ground going from your full size to the UC II. (Of course, if you can think of a way to get her to "try it on" at a gun store before you surprise her with it, that would be better). Body shapes on women present different concealment issues...is there a shop in your area where she can also try on holsters and see what works? That would even be better (then you can give her the whole package on Christmas!)

Way to go. You get the Good Hubster Award for piquing her interest, taking her shooting and then "setting the hook". Cheers to you both!

Springmom

 

[mete]

A helpful hint -- do not compete against her ,and don't get warped out of shape if she shoots better than you. Too often I've seen a wife shart to shoot, do batter than her husband then quit because he had problems with it !!

 

[Glockfan.45]

Yes I had just as good of a time watching her shoot as I do shooting myself. She still is a little timid around the AK, AR, and 870 but I figure after shooting handguns for awhile she may become curious about the "big guns" as she calls them . Much thanks to you Pax I followed much of the advice on your site with positive results. I have no sons but two daughters to educate in a few years and IMO nothing looks better than a woman/girl with a gun.

Edit to add:

Body shapes on women present different concealment issues

Too bad this isnt a factor for me as I live in the faschist state of Illinois.

 

[hso]

Well done!

 

[M2 Carbine]

That's great Glockfan45.

When my Wife first started shooting (1960 before we were married) I told Her if She ever beat me in a shooting match I'd give Her the gun and buy her a trophy.
At the end of most every shooting outing (gavel pit/dump) the shooters would have a sudden death match, shooting at whatever was available.
After some time my Wife beat me (darn I was proud). She treasured that trophy.

I used to get a kick out of Her bruising the inflated ego of the kind of insecure men that mete is talking about.

 

[Pilgrim]

A helpful hint -- do not compete against her ,and don't get warped out of shape if she shoots better than you.

Yes, take pride in the fact you are a better teacher than shooter.

Pilgrim

 

[Maui19]

My wife started shooting enough that I had to get her a gun of her own.

 

[Ed Ames]

I've said it before, I'll probably end up saying it again... let a wife/girlfriend shoot your .45, you better expect to kiss that .45 goodbye... or to buy another one. I've seen it happen.

Overall, a very fair trade though.

 

[Waitone]

I've said it before, I'll probably end up saying it again... let a wife/girlfriend shoot your .45, you better expect to kiss that .45 goodbye... or to buy another one. I've seen it happen.

Yup!

 

[redloki]

Just wait till your gun budget gets cut in half or gets cut off till she get her next gun. I was told I could not have anymore till she got a carbine.

 

[Chipperman]

thinking Kimber ultra carry for her small hands

Keep in mind that the Ultra Carry will have a much snappier recoil than what she shot with yours. She may like the longer barrel better. See if you can have her shoot a shotr one before you buy it.

 

[Old Fud]

I was thinking the same thing Chipper.

My daughter prefers the .45 1911 to any one of my 9mms because it doesn't pound her hand so much, and she prefers the full-size to the commander.

She has fat palms and stubby fingers so "small" grip fits her, but the single-stack 1911 design works well for smaller hands. You won't get a SMALLER grip --- you might get a shorter one that has less meat to hold onto. If you want "smaller", ask a short trigger be installed.

That 5" design cycles so much more smoothly than any other variant I've seen. Furthermore, the spring is easier to work with (clearing blockages and the like) than the shorter/smaller ones.

If the lady isn't trying to carry concealed, but just to enjoy her shooting at the range, I'd say the LAST thing you want to do is ask her to pay the price in comfort and ease-of-use of a small item intended for concealed carry.

My .02 FWIW
Fud

 

[ProguninTN]

Glockfan

Congratulations.

 

[idaho_brian]

FOID card? Sounds like you need to really do something nice for her and get her out of Illinois Just kidding, no offense meant. Congrats and thanks for getting a new woman hooked.

Bri

 

[Glockfan.45]

Well I guess things worked out well. She wants to go back this week and try out some more rentals to get a feel for what she likes. Sent out her F.O.I.D application the other day so by the time her card arrives she may have her first purchase picked out . The bad thing is she is still set on a Kimber Custom Carry. Bad because she will get a idea of what I paid for my Kimber . Oh well I will just have to use the old fall back "Well honey it was on sale".

 

[springmom]

Yay, Glockfan!!!!! You are a good husband for being ready to buy her a Kimber! Stars in your crown.

Tell her congratulations!

Springmom

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Congrats Glockfan !

What is an F.O.I.D. card ? Is that so she can carry it in her car or something?

 

[Glockfan.45]

No a F.O.I.D or firearms owners identification card is required by any Illinois resident to be able to posess, or purchase firearms or ammunition. You cant even pick up a gun in a store to look at it without one (or being with somebody who has one) . We have had them here since 1968.

 

[ARperson]

Know where you are coming from Glockfan.45. My wife got a Pro CDP II for valentines day of all things!!

"A helpful hint -- do not compete against her ,and don't get warped out of shape if she shoots better than you. Too often I've seen a wife shart to shoot, do batter than her husband then quit because he had problems with it !!"


I agree with this to an extent. Lots of times we will setup a little impromptu competition. (We are pretty close in skill, with her being a little bit better) Whoever shoots the smallest group has to buy lunch. ....... Come to think of it, I buy a lot of lunches

By the way, don't try to tinker with your wife's AR sights while you think she is not looking. She proceded to return the sight the same number of clicks , then I got one of these -> , and still I bought lunch.

Oh, and if your wife is anything like mine, prepare to be flat out embarassed (and proud) on the shotgun line. It doesn't matter how hard, soft, high or low I throw 'em. She'll hit em. Makes for a lot of fun.

Arperson's hubbie.

 

[sm]

Okay congrats on taking the wife shooting, being a good hubby and all that stuff.
I am cracking up - again - at a lady snagging a 1911.

Don't mind me, I am just a tacky Southern Gentleman, just LMAO.

Gun shops and this "little lady needs a little gun" and a lady shows a C&L full size 1911. Gun shop owner looking stupid and especially when they share all they carry is a P 3AT .

I like the comments such as "big holes!" , "big holes are easier to see without bifocals", "buying hubby a Reloader to reload me more ammo to shoot in his 1911 I stole from him"

My advice - just grin , deal with , accept the fact you lost a gun, will lose more ammo, she will outshoot you, and that $20 bill in the cookie jar, is gone,as will the replacement $20 bills she takes to buy lunch at the range with the gals.

Upside is your cooking skills and house cleaning skills are going to improve. You do a good job being a house husband, and she might give you shooting lessons.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

What's the running ratio on THR for "took X shooting and they loved it" vs "took X shooting and they didn't like it" ?

I'm seeing something like 10:1 here. Ditto for UT campus range, maybe even 30:1 there.

If you take them shooting, odds are they will like it. Take your nieces, take your paperboy, take the kid who hands you your cappucino every morning.

-MV

 

[erict]

Same thing happened to me when I met my wife. She wasn't anti by any means but her family is somewhat.

Now she absolutely loves it!

The only negative outcome to all of this is; I lost a Sig 239 in 9mm to her.