What Women Want!

[Bobhwry]

Took my two daughter's ( ages 36 & 38 ) and my 17 year old grand daughter to the range last weekend. First time for the daughters but have taken the grand daughter a couple of times. I was curious what they would enjoy to shoot the most. Started out with the Ruger Mark III and Single Six. After a few boxes of 22's they wanted to move up to something more powerful. Got out the Sig P226 X-five and it was by far their favorite to shoot, which is not surprising because it is the most expensive gun I own and they inherited their appreciation of quality from their Mom! All three shot very well with the Sig and I was very proud.
The second favorite was the Ruger Gp 100 357 magnum. I was surprised that the recoil did not deter them at all, they handled it very well. Finally we shot two 1911's which they enjoyed but were not thrilled with them. I think the 1911's just didn't fit them well.
Anyway, just wanted to share my day out with my girls.

 

[tegemu]

Read what the expert on women and guns (PAX) has to say in her website, www.corneredcat.com . She will probably address all of your concerns.

 

[pax]

tegemu ~

I don't think he was asking a question, just bragging on a day out with his girls!

Sounds like a good day, Bob.

pax

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Day Out With The Girls

There is little that will pop the buttons off your chest quite like seeing your girls punch out the center of their first target.

Well done, Bob.

 

[Bob F.]

tegemu: Concern? Sounds like a shameless plug for Pax's excellent site.

Bob to Bob: I'm jealous! Don't get much chance to take others shooting, let alone my daughter, she lives too far away, w grandkids. Sounds like a great day and job well done.

I have noticed (in my limited experience) that women often like the 1911 .45.

Stay safe.
Bob

 

[sm]

...which is not surprising because it is the most expensive gun I own and they inherited their appreciation of quality from their Mom!

ROFL

I laugh not at the stereotype, just it is funny how some kids ( male or female) will ask "Is that one expensive? Can I shoot it?"

I got tickled at some kids once that were curious about appetizers at a nice restaurant and saw escargot . Normally they want cheese sticks or something but that piqued curiosity seeing another table get an order.
"Well you know what they are don't you?" said one of the parents.
"No" - replied the kids.
"Snails" - replied the parents - just knowing this would turn off the kids.

"Are they expensive? asked one of the younger kids. Elder kid showed the prices and confirmed they were.

"Okay we want escargot" the kids all agreed for this special occasion .

They went nuts! They really liked them and in fact are what they want if offered on a menu.

Same reason these kids each got a Dangerous Game shell ( forget what caliber). One of the grandpas made mention of this caliber, and how these were like $15 each per ctg. He then spoke of DG and Safaris and "We want one!" the kids said.

So, grandma said, since grandpa opened mouth and inserted foot plumb up to his knee to go buy some. Which he did and passed out to these kids.

No gun to shoot it out of - which is fine, just having this expensive ctg in their collection with others with information all about is all they wanted.

I tried to get a kid to eat some food they did not like by telling them "it was expensive".
"Nuh -uh you are just trying to fool me, you cannot do that , because I am a kid and kids are smarter than adults".

*Somewhere* is a lady really working on her husband for a 9x23 in 1911 platform. Seems *someone* let her shoot one.

"Is it expensive to have a gun built and the ammo and ....and..." - this 42 year old mom asked.

She has a plan, sell the boy that takes after daddy and use the money to get this gun, reloading set up and all for her and the daughter that takes after her.
Daddy/Hubby gets to reload, and they get to shoot.
"Pretty sure that is in our Wedding Contract"

Daddy still has not "recovered" from the two 28 ga shotguns a certain *someone* had a hand in.

I do not visit with this dad/husband much, seems he has a "No Tresspassing" sign with my picture on it.
kidding

 

[Bobhwry]

Pax,
You nailed it as I expected. I was mostly bragging about a great day, giving the girls a new experience and spending some quality time with them. However I have a few observations that I hope you comment on.
Although I think starting them with a 22 was the right decision, they soon lost interest in the rimfires. They really liked the 9mm, because it was accurate and recoil friendly and hitting the center ring consistently builds confidence. They also liked the GP 100, 357 mag which was somewhat surprising, but they handled the recoil well and I think they liked the revolver's simplicity.
Their least favorite was the 1911 platform. They had difficulty racking the slide and the grips were too big for their hands.
Next time we are going to shoot clays on the shotgun range. Any suggestions? I respect your opinion.

 

[pax]

Bob ~

I'm definitely not the one to ask about shotguns -- I can run a shotgun pretty well, but I don't have much affinity for them.

The two bits of tried-and-true advice I can give you are

1) start with light loads, a 20 gauge if possible (sm will say 28-gauge but I bet you don't have one of those just lying around),

and

2) use a shotgun with a youth stock if your daughters and granddaughter are at all small-statured. Gun fit is absolutely everything with shotguns, and many a woman thinks she dislikes shotguns simply because she's never shot one that really fit her frame. It's difficult or impossible to hold a too-large shotgun correctly, and a shotgun held incorrectly is just no fun to shoot.

Oh, one more bit of advice: Heraean Shield. Google that, buy one for each of them. If that's not in the cards, at least warn them not to wear a bra that has any hardware on the front of the shoulder straps. Long guns and front-strap hardware make an uncomfortable combination.

pax

 

[sm]

Re: Shotguns

My ears were burning.

pax did a great job on giving advice in regard to shotguns...
...to which I will reiterate and add...

1. Stick of beef jerky makes one a better shooter, including shotguns.

2. Shot-shell pouches hold a lot of chocolate when not being used for shot shells.

3. Shotgunning : The Art and Science by Bob Brister is a must read for any shotgunner be they new or seasoned shooter.

3b. Take note of Brister using a BB gun to teach a new shooter.

4. Shoes are very important. One needs a bit of "forward lift" such as tennis shoes afford. Assists in getting into gun , cracking weak knee , and other correct basic fundamentals in regard to stance, swing, follow through...

5. Shoot a pattern board. This "visually explains" what is going to happen.

6. Gun Fit is a huge part of shotguns.

7. Have fun, keep it simple and simply have a seriously fun , safe experience.

8. Yes, no doubt the 28 gauge is the shotgun to teach and learn on. Especially a 1100 28 ga being gas operated.
Gun fit is critical, still a 28 gauge that will fit them, no matter if semi, pump, O/U or SxS will make a world of difference.

9. Shooting glasses Need to ride high on the brow. This prevents the top of frame obstructing view and raising head.
"Look up - see a miss".

10. Once the gun fit is found, correct basic fundamentals learned, do 10 correct repetitions of mounting gun to face, work up to 25. This builds stamina as well as ingraining muscle memory and correct basic fundamentals.

11. Wooden down about shoulder wide with a cord that touches floor when held at shoulder height.
Roll up - roll down - Repeat.
Not just for shotguns, any shooting. Builds strength and stamina.



For The Daughters Repeat after me and practice.

Daddy, isn't this 28 gauge gun I got to shoot really beautiful!
<bat eyes, do that head tilt thingie>
Did you see how well I shoot it?
I really really want a 28 gauge like this!



Steve.

Founder of the Blame Steve Foundation.