My mother in law, a fervent anti-gunner, asked me yesterday if I would take her to the range... I am hesitant to even try since I'm not sure what her reaction will be. I have two .40S&W (an HK USPc and a Sig P239). I was thinking about renting her a Ruger .22 and after 50 rounds, letting her shoot one of mine for a few rounds. I will start her out with a complete safety/handgun handling overview (1 hour complete review)... What else do you recommend. Little bit nervous. What do you think?
Fervent anti-gunner wants to go shooting...
- Thread starter Curuzer
- Start date
The specialist
New member
Hell yes, take her. I would deffinately rent a .22 to start her with. My wife was not very interested in guns when I first met her. I took her to the range and started her off with my Ruger MK II. Now she shoots my USP .40 compact, and my P239 in .357sig and my 9mm Ruger P89. She if 5'2" and 110 lbs. Now she loves shooting. I would think about renting a .38 alsoand using some light target loads. After she starts using the .22 for a little while, have her take a break. Then you put a few rounds through the .38 and let her see it in action. Then let her decide if she is ready to move up the power band. This way you don't scare her. She will know when she is ready to try somethhing a little more powerful. Then do the same with the other guns good luck.
Ahem....YES, START WITH THE .22!
Also start at about 5-10 FEET if you can. She should hit the target with her first shot, ideally. If she wants to keep going, just move it back till she misses--then she's hooked.
Do NOT start her off with a .40. DO take her--if you tell her no, you not only lose the opportunity but you never know--she might go without you and then where will she be?
Also start at about 5-10 FEET if you can. She should hit the target with her first shot, ideally. If she wants to keep going, just move it back till she misses--then she's hooked.
Do NOT start her off with a .40. DO take her--if you tell her no, you not only lose the opportunity but you never know--she might go without you and then where will she be?
Ditto on using a .22. That makes all the difference for someone just starting out. One other suggestion. If you can, shoot outdoors for the first time so the noise and gasses aren't such a problem. And if you do have to go to an indoor range, try not to be inside while some hero is practicing rapid fire with his Desert Eagle or something. Good luck. This is the only way some antis will ever come around.
I'm in complete agreement with Don Gwinn. That's the way I got my wife interested. Eventually she's getting used to my .38 and my 9mm, but her favorite by far is the .22.
Your MOL will tell you when it's time to move her up to the .40. BTW, everyone should have a nice accurate .22 pistol in their collection.
Regards,
Ledbetter
Your MOL will tell you when it's time to move her up to the .40. BTW, everyone should have a nice accurate .22 pistol in their collection.
Regards,
Ledbetter
Chipperman
New member
Not to detract from this opportunity, but why do you think she wants to go?
Is this a sudden thing that she asked out of the blue?
I would try to talk to her a little about her motivation before the event. That way you can try to tailor the experience to her, and possibly avoid any pitfalls. You don't want her to be saying, "I told you so" afterward.
Is this a sudden thing that she asked out of the blue?
I would try to talk to her a little about her motivation before the event. That way you can try to tailor the experience to her, and possibly avoid any pitfalls. You don't want her to be saying, "I told you so" afterward.
traitorjack
New member
I'd also load just one round first, then stepping back and discussing things after that first one, safe in the knowledge that whatever her reaction there's no possibility of another discharge until you're both ready.
Heck yes!
In teaching new shooters, I have found that it is most effective to start with a .22, move to something a bit bigger like a 9mm, and then go back to the .22.
After dealing with the unfamiliar kick and boom of the 9mm, the new shooter usually has a great time with the "tame" .22 and ends his/her first range session with some decent marksmanship skills and the desire to go back.
Another thing... don't use a humanoid target or any target at all. Just a nice blank piece of paper is good enough and will help the new shooter concentrate on the front sight, not the target.
[This message has been edited by Poplin (edited September 17, 2000).]
In teaching new shooters, I have found that it is most effective to start with a .22, move to something a bit bigger like a 9mm, and then go back to the .22.
After dealing with the unfamiliar kick and boom of the 9mm, the new shooter usually has a great time with the "tame" .22 and ends his/her first range session with some decent marksmanship skills and the desire to go back.
Another thing... don't use a humanoid target or any target at all. Just a nice blank piece of paper is good enough and will help the new shooter concentrate on the front sight, not the target.
[This message has been edited by Poplin (edited September 17, 2000).]
racegunner
New member
a .22 revolver if you can find one. No destracting brass flying around.
OkieGentleman
New member
I took a friend and his wife shooting for the first time a few years ago and started her with a .22 single action that had an extra .22 Mag cylinder. I gradually worked up to 357 mag loads and then went back to .38 wad cutters. They both loved it and I did not scare the heck out of her with heavy recoil right off the bat. Go with the .22 and then work your way up. Rent two or three guns if necessary to work up to the heavy stuff. Just my 2 cents worth. 