I'd say bring the 4" 9mm and some NON +P 125ish or 147ish grain ammo if you can find it, but if she has the option to get her hands on a .22, that would be ideal. I would recommend against using the Sig. When I was a kid, the only access to handguns that I had was what my dad bought with the intention of carrying. So guess what guns I got to learn on? at 12 years old, I shot my first handgun, a Bersa .380... and then when I was 16 my dad bought an Air-weight J-Frame. I can personally attest to all the negative points about the snubbby revolvers, they suck to learn on. It can be done, but its probably not ideal.
Anyway, anyone with a petite wife, girlfriend, sister, etc, what caliber/gun did they shoot for the first time?
So, I have a wacky idea, with its pro's and cons. Any chance you or a trusted friend can take your girlfriend to the range prior to class?
I've taught 2 women to shoot, and they both were tiny. The approach that I've found to work is that I use a progression. Start them off with a .22 rifle, then move up to the AR and AK, and then switch to handguns. .22, 9mm, maybe the .45.
I'm thinking if you had the chance to get her some range time:
-She's going to feel more at ease going into the class
-She won't be distracted during the classroom portion because she's worried about the range time
-She'll have a better idea what to expect during the range portion, and if she does have to shoot the 9mm instead of a .22, its no big deal, because she knows its within her capabilities
The 2 main cons that would come about from this are
1 - And this is NOTHING against you, more a general statement, but a lot of times, guys don't do a great job of teaching, especially when its a girlfriend, and may have the tendency to posture or try to impress the girl. I'm not saying this is going to be true for you, just that, if you do take her to the range, its something that you should be aware of.
2A - if she takes to it like a Marine to the stock market* she might not be as open minded going into the class. Again, not saying it will happen, just that its something she needs to be aware of.
2B - More likely, if she enjoys it, she may spend the classroom portion thinking "iwannagetontherangeiwannagetontherangeiwannagetontherangeiwannagetontherangeineedtoshootsomethingineedtoshootsomethingineedtoshootsomethingineedtoshootsomething"
Again, I don't know you guys, but I think its always prudent to know the pro's and cons when going into something. Also, I'd try to make sure that she's has comfortable earmuffs (not just plugs) and good safety glasses that won't fog up or be uncomfortable with the muffs.
I know tone doesn't carry well over the internet, so if it sounds like I'm talking down to you, my bad dude.
*- In BLINK Malcom Gladwell talks about a psychology experiment where the researchers took a group of Marines (I want to say they were from an Expeditionary unit) to a stock broker on wall street after hours, and ran them through a stock trading simulation. Naturally, the Marines excelled, since they are trained to evaluate information quickly and act accordingly. The fun part? The researchers took stockbrokers from that firm back to a military installation, and put them through various combat exercises, including, IIRC, small arms combat simulations and tank warfare. The stockbroker's performance was exceptional. (Hope you're seeing this LARRY)
Stay safe guys,
Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
-Now available as a Paramedic Student with Lifelike Hair and Kung-Fu Grip!!!
