Taking a n00b to the range for the 1st time.

I do this all the time in the summer,,,

I work at a University computer lab,,,
Over the years I've taken dozens of young people to the range,,,
I take them on a handgun tour using some of the .22/centerfire pairs I have.

When we get into my car for the drive I give them a 3.5 x 5 card,,,
On it is printed the 4 Rules of Gun Safety and we talk about them on the drive.

When we get there I set up paper plates at 25, 15, and 7 yards,,,
Close enough to hit but not so close as to appear too easy.

The first handgun we use is a single-action Colt Frontier Scout in .22 LR,,,
I use this one to let them discover what single-action means.

Then I haul out the double-action S&W Model 18 in .22 LR,,,
Now they can experience using a more modern revolver.

Next I load up my Ruger 22/45 in .22 LR,,,
It demonstrates single-action in a semi-auto.

Finally I load up the CZ-75B Kadet in .22 LR,,,
This allows them to experience a double-action semi-auto pistol.

In case you are wondering,,,
The Model 18 is invariably the favorite,,,
With the Colt Frontier Scout coming in second.

By the time we have gone through these four pistols,,,
A hundred or so rounds of .22 LR have gone downrange.

If they want to try some centerfire rounds,,,
I have a SAA clone in .357,,,
A Model 15 in .38 Special,,,
and a CZ-75B in 9mm.

Later on, if their confidence seems to warrant it,,,
I'll unlimber the Model 629 for some .44 Magnum experience

All in all it's been a very pleasant thing for me to do,,,
I know for a fact that several young ladies have gotten their carry permits.

I invite both male and female students,,,
Surprisingly, many more females take my offer than males.

One young lady told me she had her father's 9mm pistol,,,
She asked if it would be okay to bring and shoot it,,,
Turned out it was a pristine WW-II Luger,,,
Her great grandfather brought it back.

Possibly the most satisfying thing to do with my guns,,,
Is to introduce a new shooter to the fold.

Aarond
 
Yeah, the .40 is not a round you want to start someone on. Look at this as an excuse to buy a Ruger .22lr.
Click to expand...

That's the caliber I started with! lol.

But I agree, go with something light and build from there. You can teach someone to handle a .40 much better if you start them out with a .22lr. That way, they pick up good habits first without worrying about recoil.
 
When I taught my daughters to shoot, we always started with .22LR. With both of them, we started at an indoor range where they could easily see the connection between sight picture and the holes in the paper. Both girls hated shooting indoors because of the contained noise from other shooters. After one or two trips indoors, we headed for an outdoor range with reactive targets. Especially for my older daughter, any hole not in the bullseye on paper felt like failure, but any shot that produced sound or movement outdoors was total victory.

From this experience, I offer you this advice:
  • Double up on hearing protection. Plugs and muffs help, but it will still suck if someone is shooting big guns at the range.
  • .22 lets new shooters concentrate on fundamentals without fear of what the gun does. It helps build good skills and habits. Buy, borrow or rent one if you can. Failing that, try to round up a steel .38 (bigger than J frame, if possible), and load it with wad cutter target loads
  • Be attentive to what your new shooter regards as good or not good performance. Maybe take some time ahead of the range trip to set expectations.
  • Take time away from the range ahead of time to teach fundamentals and let her get familiar with the guns. It is hard to ask and answer questions with two layers of ear protection.

Good luck!
Tom Lynch
 
Last edited:
I've been shooting guns since I was in the boy scouts... 20 years ago or so?

I am not trying to turn her into an expert marksman, the purpose of the trip is to introduce her to shooting guns and let her get a feel for what kind she wants without injuring herself. Hopefully get a little practice in for myself ;)
 
I certainly don't know everything, I found this forum looking for more info.

Next I need to find a good CCW instructor/class. I've heard really good things about John Ross, maybe I should start a thread in tactics/training.
 
I certainly don't know everything, I found this forum looking for more info.

Next I need to find a good CCW instructor/class. I've heard really good things about John Ross, maybe I should start a thread in tactics/training.
Click to expand...

I guess my point is, to not teach her bad habits, like a lot of people (including me) to her. I've been spanked a few times at the range for safety reasons. Just practice safety, that's just common sense, easy enough.
 
Clearly a lot of non-instructors love to talk about teaching firearms safety & operation.

1. Find an NRA certified instructor and buy an hour of his/her time. It's worth it.

2. If you insist on doing it yourself, start her with one (1) round at a time.

Shoot that one, then give her another. Repeat until she has the safety steps down and is comfortable with the act of shooting, such that she won't sweep the line or fire a 2nd errant shot.

In this manner, you don't have to worry about caliber, recoil, or a bunch of other crap that people think actually matters when they shoot.
 
Successful range trip! I think we got a new shooter :D

We started out with a full size DAO .22 revolver.

"are these blanks?"

-no it's just a .22

After half a box I asked her if she wanted to try the HK .40 (I had some low recoil 135gr ammo)

"whoa!"

She actually shot better with the HK in SA Mode - seems like the heavy trigger of the revolver caused her to pull her shots high? By the end of the night she was getting much better at both.

She had a great time and can't wait to go gun shopping for her own.

There was some SWAT dudes there lighting it up with a full auto MP5... I thought it might freak her out but she wanted to shoot it :p (I did too...)
 
FYI:
One does not have to be a professional instructor to be able to teach someone how to safely use a firearm. Learning from a license instructor is nice but not always necessary.


HK,
Do not let your sister shoot a 1911, she will want one.
 
Lot's of preparation on your part, and she has got to be able to repeat the safety considerations by memory.
Eye & ear protection are a given!

Use one gun station/position for all shooters and take turns;

Barrel points downrange at all times (loaded or unloaded);
Fingers never overlap a revolver's cylinder, or a gun barrel.
(Women and men have been careless on these last two points!)

Familiarization happens after:
Gun is unloaded with cylinder open, slide back, mag out, etc.
Review of safety or operation should be performed unloaded until understood.

During shooting practice-if question(s) arise:
--gun goes on the rug or pad & answer follows-without gun in hand.

Above is a short list of suggestions. You've got to add the rest for a safe time.
 
I still want a 1911 :)

She is looking for a CC gun, I was thinking a sig p238 but I don't know how much she wants to spend.
 
Isn't a Sig P238 SAO like a 1911? Carry cocked & locked?
I have been carrying for a few years and have not completely felt comfortable with ammo chambered and cocked or partially cocked firing system concealed around my waist.
 
Isn't a Sig P238 SAO like a 1911? Carry cocked & locked?
I have been carrying for a few years and have not completely felt comfortable with ammo chambered and cocked or partially cocked firing system concealed around my waist.
Click to expand...

Yeah it is. We briefly went over the different action types - not sure how much of that stuck since I was trying to reinforce safety 1st.

When we go to the gun store we can get more into cocked & locked vs. hammer down vs. DAO striker fired.

I personally like the options of a DA/SA with a de-cocker. For a concealed carry gun though I would say less is more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top