What should I start my wife on???

[doseyclwn]

So my nervous neutral wife has finally consented to go shooting with me. I'm taking her to the range tomorrow. I have a .357 snubby and an S&W model 39 (9mm). Are either of those okay to start her out on? I realize probably putting the .357 in her hand loaded with .357 silvertip hollowpoint is probably a bad idea, but I was thinking maybe the 9mm would be okay. Or should I start her out by renting a .22? I've never tried to start a female shooting before.

 

[Carlos]

Depends on her. Why not let her start out by shooting the .357. Tone down the round a little.

Buy her a nice set of in-the-ear plugs and muffs, to take away the sound of course, and a good set of glasses.

9mm should not be a problem.

Don't be surprised if she's a natural. Take it slow and don't exceed her comfort level.

Good luck, and we expect a range report.

 

[pax]

Rent a .22 if you can -- not because she's female, but because she's a newbie. It is easier to avoid a flinch from the very beginning than it is to cure one later.

In addition to covering the safety rules, make sure to tell her the "secret" of good shooting: that she should be pressing the trigger so smoothly and thinking so much about keeping the front sight lined up, that she is surprised when the gun goes off. That one little trick has helped more beginners that I have worked with than any other.

Moving this to handguns. Hope you get lots of good help.

pax

 

[wun_8_seven]

prozac. 187

 

[CZF]

Buy a CZ in 9mm, and the Kadet KIt. She can shoot .22 all day long.
When she wants to progress to 9mm. You can fight over the gun

Really, a .22 is best to start with. Even a 9mm can be too much for
some new shooters.

 

[P95Carry]

Some weeks back i got my dear wife out for the first real - proper range session.

Much time was spent running thru safety, handling etc .... and she did very well with single six as a kick off. By end of session she had fired AK and many others but ... her fave at end was M66 .357 .... using target 38's ... 38 spl pretty much.

She loves the handling of that gun (4" tube BTW) ... and to all intents ... it is pretty much now her house gun!

 

[Alan Smithiee]

get the .22. best way to get someone started with firearms, no kick, no loud noise, get a good quality one so they have a good chance to hit the target, and use a reactive target, something that clangs or falls over.. it's much more exciting and satisfying having something fall over or do something as opposed to just making a little hole in the paper that may be hard to see. that comes later (grin)

 

[Waitone]

Some women have an initial aversion to recoil regardless of the type. Later on they can deal with it but if your wife is of the kind who hates recoil, she may never get past it to larger caliber.

Since you are in untested territory I suggest going with ballistic grade glasses, ear plugs of NRR 30 AND ear muffs of NRR 30. Noise is a large percentage of the fear of recoil. Doubling up will eliminate the bang as a component to recoil.

I suggest renting a .22LR sized to fit her hand and of a larger frame. That way even the .22 recoil is absorbed.

I went through this with my daughter, fear of recoil and all. She overcame the fear and now regularly shoots a .380 and 9 mm but actually prefers a full house load .45 acp in a full size 1911. The recoil is fun by her estimation.

Never would have happened if I started out big.

And don't forget the safety lecture.

 

[priv8ter]

The first time

The first time I took my wife shooting, the only gun I owned was a H&K USPf in .40 S&W. She enjoyed it, but had no problems when I said I wanted to spend $250 to get a .22 for her to learn with also.

The 9mm should be okay, and if your snubby is not an Airlight then, you might think of throwing some .38's in it. but, if rental is an option, it's hard to go wrong starting with a .22.

 

[Chupacabra]

First time I took my girlfriend to the range I suggested we start with a .22 and that we could move on to something bigger if she felt comfortable. She had a fear of guns so I didn't want to overwhelm her at first. We shot a little S&W revolver for the first hour and then she wanted to try my .45!

Once she got over the initial "guns are scary," she did really well and had a lot of fun.

 

[10-Ring]

Start her off w/ a 22 & teach her some basics. Once she shows an understanding of those basics, transition to the 9mm or shoot 38's from the revo

 

[CasualShooter]

Rent the .22 Especially since she's a nervous neutral newbe as you will likely have only one chance to do it right. A Ruger MK II would be good, or a good revolver.

Revolvers are simpler and may be easier to learn for a beginner. After she becomes comfortable with a .22 revolver, it would be easier for her to move to .38 Spl wadcutters in the .357.

Emphasize safety, take it slow and be patient with her. Do it right and she'll likely be hooked for life.

Let us know how she does.

 

[Coot]

Are you considering getting her something for personal defense, or do you expect she'll just occasionally do some plinking?

If the former, .38's are not a bad way to start- mild recoil (and less $).

My own preference would be to keep her away from the 9mm Parabellum until she has some experience.

 

[themic]

i start most females on a 22 rifle or 22 pistol, but have them move up for at least one magazine during the first outing.

i'ts like skiing. it's good to learn to not be afraid of falling on the bunny slopes, but if you don't get her out to the real slope at least once, even if it's a little hard and/or painful, it just isn't as much fun

my sister in law was taken for her first time, and was shooting a 22 pistol... at the end of the day she shot 1 round out of a glock in .40. she said, ow, and walked away, then paused, turned around, and saw a huge hole (compared to .22!) in the 8 ring.

sure enough, she picked that gun right back up and emptied the mag.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Dosey,

I URGE you to do what it takes to start her with a .22.

There are lots of gun snobs that will tell you differently, but I bought a Phoenix HP22 used for $75.00 a year or so ago, and have probably put 2000 rounds through it since with ZERO trouble. Oh, and I cleaned it for the first time last week!

I started my wife on that gun.
She shot ONE magazine through it (had good eye and EAR protection), laid it down, and said "this is lame. Give me my new P32. I wanna try it."
She was a natural!
I had her try my Ruger snub loaded with .38 specials during that same range session. Again, it was about 3 shots before she handed it back, and said "give me back my P32. It's just right".
(MORAL: women will tend to find their OWN comfort level, you just provide the platform)

Debate about one-shot stops aside, she is VERY accurate now with her P32, and knows that if ever the SHTF, she's going to empty all 9 rounds and bug out. (one in the pipe, 8 in the mag using the +1 extension). She always has it with her, and we're both confident that if she does her part, it will do its part.

Good on ya, Dosey! Let us know how it goes.
FM

 

[Sean Smith]

I've never tried to start a female shooting before.

Have you started anybody shooting? Same rules apply, except women's hands are smaller on average. Let her try different stuff, provide good basic guidance (no .454's or Jennings to start...), and don't be a patronizing twink. With good technique, you can work many tiny women up to at least .45 ACP or 10mm in an afternoon.

 

[MrAcheson]

Start her on the 9mm or .38sp in the 357. They aren't so recoilful that she won't be able to handle them. I'd stay away from 357 until she learns some technique.

One of my coworkers has started shooting with her fiancee. He started her on a 9mm beretta and it was a little too big for her hands. The last trip she switched to a ladysmith and was much happier because the gun fit better. Meanwhile her fiance switched to a .50AE Deagle.

Let the wife pick which one. If she tries both and likes neither then think suggesting a rental that might work better.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Female shooter here -- I hate snubbies, the recoil hurts like Hell...

My choice would be the Beretta 9mm or a Ruger Mark II for a .22 caliber.

 

[usnavymasterchief]

DOSEY, That S&W mod 39 is one sweet pistol, start her out on that. Everytime I read about someone having a 39, I want to kick myself in the butt for selling mine. Keep it forever but if you ever decide to sell it, drop me an e-mail. Love them Model 39's John W.