Two girls on the shooting range

[Dunkelheit]

Tomorrow i´ll introduce two girls into basic shooting and gun safety. Both of them never fired a gun before but they are very interessted in shooting.
I already taught them the 4 Cooper rules but i´m not sure about the stance. I personally prefer the modified Weaver stance, but the Isoceles seems easier for beginners. What do you think? How do you feel about that?

 

[Jackal]

I wouldnt baffle them with the technicalities. I would just make sure that they have a good, safe first trip out. If they volunteer to go again, then that's when the teaching stops and the training begins.

 

[Red Cent]

The isoceles is more popular for serious speed shooters (or not serious) but the Weaver or Modified Weaver will allow better support for someone without some upper body strength. If either does not aspire to be another Jesse Abbate, then the Weaver stance.

 

[Dunkelheit]

would baffle them with the technicalities. I would just make sure that they have a good, safe first trip out. If they volunteer to go again, then that's when the teaching stops and the training begins.

good point

 

[NavyLCDR]

The only thing I would really stress to them during the first trip out is arms fully extended with elbows locked. I don't know why, but new shooters tend to like to bring the pistol close to their face with their elbows bent and it's a real hard habit to break once they start shooting that way. My 14 year old step-daughter who has been shooting with me for a year is an excellent marksman when she wants to be, but it's still a tough time getting her to push the gun out in front of her.

Other than that, stress safety and having a good time!

 

[LKB3rd]

Safety and fun. And if they have trouble getting a good grip, have them use the "push-pull" which gets the abdomen involved instead of hand/arm strength.

 

[KBintheSLC]

For first timers, the key is to make sure they have a good time and stay safe. As mentioned in post 2, don't get too concerned with technicalities. There is time for that later... if they come back. The key to making them come back is to make shooting safe and fun.

What types of guns are you starting them on?

 

[kragluver]

For first time shooters, I spend about a half hour on safety and describing very basically how a gun works. This helps remove some of the fear and mystery. I also always start with a .22 until they get comfortable. Don't try and hand someone a heavy recoiling gun first time out or you'll never have them come back.

 

[Dunkelheit]

What types of guns are you starting them on?

I will start with a .22 Beretta 87 so the can get a feeling for shooting.
If they get along well and still feel comfortable the next step would be a Glock 17.
For the last run i selected a Kimber 1911.
The .45 Auto will be the limit at this day, everything more powerful beyond that would only scare them needless in my opinion.

 

[BullRunBear]

When I introduce youngsters to shooting I like to have some kind of rest along. Maybe just sandbags or a rolled up coat. It lets them concentrate on the sight picture without worrying about stance. Just a thought. I also keep an old, light weight 22 rifle, single shot, as a teaching tool to go with the 22 handguns. I like the added safety a single shot offers.

My wife and I enjoy introducing folks to shooting. Hope you and the girls have a fun time. Please let us know how the session goes.

Jeff

 

[wishin]

First time shooters have a tendancy to seriously flinch in anticipation of the unaccustomed boom. I recommend the first few shots (2-4) be made without regard to proper form. Stress safety of course.

 

[kragluver]

I personally would not introduce them to the .45 or 9mm unless they really want to try it. Not that these are "hard recoiling" pistols, its just that the noise and recoil often surprises new shooters and you may end up scaring them from returning, dropping the gun, or whatever. I've even seen one foolish video on Youtube of the boyfriend standing behind his short girlfriend who is shooting his 1911 for the first time. Recoil catches her by surprise and the muzzle ends up right beneath boyfriend's chin with her finger on the trigger. Some idiot thought this was funny and put it on youtube.

 

[Ledgehammer]

Actually you want to lock your wrist not necessarily the elbows. But like someone else said safety and fun first. I started my wife on a heritage .22 and she loves shooting it. She's shot my .38 snub lcr and hated it, my glock 19 she was ok with, still prefers .22 at this point but I'm easing her on up the ladder.

Funny thing was she went directly into an isosceles stance without any instruction. She shoots good groups and has a blast keeping up with me or beating me somedays. Lol

 

[bigfatdave]

Take more .22 guns, take a .22 rifle too.

Don't worry about the fine points of stance beyond getting them to lean forward ... new shooters (of all plumbing types) seem to want to lean back, which opens up all kinds of crappy stance issues. Leaning forward a bit will cause them to naturally discover a somewhat proper stance, leaving nothing but fine points for the next trip.

Take some nice targets in various sizes they can put on the fridge, or take pictures of.

Take double hearing protection for them, too ... a number of the ladies are put off more from the noise than the recoil, plugs & muffs helps.

If you haven't read corneredcat's "new shooter" pages you should ... that's for anyone taking a new shooter to the range, regardless of gender.
http://www.corneredcat.com/Teaching/newshooter.aspx

 

[TriTone]

I shoot modified weaver and when i took my fiance out to the range and taught her how to shoot pistols for the first time in June i went over the various stances. Just make it quick and clear and let them model the different stances with an unloaded and cleared gun on the firing line. They will pick one that feels more comfortable for them initially. My fiance immediately gravitated towards the isosceles triangle.

 

[TrakHack]

I just started shooting recently. My first lesson took place at my teacher's martial arts studio and was all about safe handling and the seven steps when you shoot (I came prepared with the four rules memorized). There were mirrors on the walls so you could see your stance and where your hands and arms were. My homework was to practice loading and unloading with snap-caps and dry fire to get comfortable with the gun.

A week later, he took me to the range. He had me load and unload the snap-caps and dry fire (I'm glad I practiced, because I was a little nervous). Then we loaded up with live ammo and began shooting. I think I shot 78 rounds that day, .38 special out of a snubnose revolver. Towards the end I was not shooting well at all, to the point that he thought there was something wrong with the gun. I asked him to shoot it and he hit the bullseye, so it was clearly my fatigue that was the problem. He had a rest that we tried, but it wasn't working for me.

The #1 focus of that first day at the range was safety. He put me in the lane on the far left, and if I remember correctly it was to reduce the chances that I would sweep someone inadvertently. He also kept an eye on me when cease fires were called, and I did get one shout of "Hands off the gun!" even with it lying on the bench with the action open. I'm a quick learner, so he didn't have to remind me again.

Keep the session safe, short, and fun. Hopefully they'll want to do it again!

 

[bigalexe]

I am pretty weak and prefer a Weaver stance (yay Google taught me something!). I prefer this stance because it allows me to support the gun with my offhand and my offhand arm is not fully extended when doing so. I don't own a pistol but the one I shoot is a .40S&W, recently converted to 9mm which is much to my liking. In either case controlling the recoil isn't near as bad a problem as actually holding up the gun long enough to get through a mag without my arms getting tired. I have shot .45ACP but fired one round and said "Ok I did it." That had too much recoil for me to aim well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The Isosceles is the stance most naturally adopted by unschooled shooters who have no background in shooting or the martial arts. It is just a matter of facing the target and pushing your arms out. The only thing you need to remind folks of is to bend their knees and lean forward...actually, if you bend your knees, you have to lean forward.

The modified Weaver is easier to teach and brings more muscles to bear on the gun, but is less flexible, harder to shoot well from...unequal pressure on the gun...batters the shooter more than needed.

Bending your knees in the Isosceles, overcomes the weight at the end of the arms feeling for most shooters

 

[kayak-man]

I'd have them start with isosceles: I imagine it is easier to teach and for them to remember.

I think the trick to getting new people into shooting is to start with .22 hand guns, and a bit larger rifle/shotgun, but it all depends on the student. .22 rocks because it doesn't scare them, and having something a bit bigger is great for the cool factor (with some students)

Best of luck, let us all know how it goes.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[CornCod]

I think that within the bounds of safety and common sense, it's important to keep a first trip to the range a fun and light-hearted experience. You are probably right about the isoceles stance being good for beginners.

 

[Curator]

BullRunBear's advice is spot-on. First time handgun shooters should shoot from some kind of a rest. A sturdy bench, comfortable chair and a couple of sandbags to rest their hands/gun will allow them to hit something and build confidence. Starting form the standing position is the most difficult. Sort of like teaching to ride a bicycle by starting with a unicycle. Start with the simple fundamentals and slowly increase the degree of dificulty as they build skill.

 

[IncredibleGord]

Don't forget to make sure they wear appropriate clothing, tight fitting long sleeves. They hate when casings go down the shirt, or arms. Goodluck

 

[danprkr]

Fun is the word of the day. A nice relaxing time. Shooting something that won't intimidate them, I recommend a good Semi pistol such as a Ruger Mark II, Browning Buckmark, etc or a 10/22. Then a nice lunch. Then if they get interested you get into which stance, etc.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Easy does it

Safety first..

Basic technique second - slow and smooth repetition.

Speed in not on the menu today.

Stick with the .22's totally. Forget what you like.

No more than one hour and 50 rounds unless they really ask for more. There is a lot to learn and do. Rotate them - let them shoot one at the time. Mental and physical overload come quickly to new shooters. Make the targets close and large. Quit while it is still fun. Everyone is a winner today. Compliments compliments! Resist the temptation to show them how much better you are than they.

When it's over go have a nice time somewhere else and be open to a different subject.

Best wishes!

 

[lizziedog1]

This is just my opinion. I don't like taking new shooters to a "formal" range. I prefer a safe plinking area. I find that to be a more relaxing and friendly environment. I call it a plinking and picnic outing.