Taking my lil sis to the range this weekend - her first time - need help

F

Futo Inu

New member
After giving "The Best Defense" book to her mother (my step-mom) she picked it up, read it, and now is asking me to go shooting! Outstanding.

First off, I've modified NRA's 3 basic rules of firearm safety into "my" 4 basic rules, as follows:

DJS’S FOUR BASIC RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY
FOR ADULTS

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, and NEVER point a gun at anything you don’t intend to kill or destroy.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. Always treat every gun as if it were loaded.
When someone hands you a gun or you pick up a gun:
(a) Immediately engage the safety device if possible. Then, if the gun has a magazine, remove it BEFORE opening the action and looking into the chamber. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber, leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
(b) After opening the action, always visually inspect AND physically feel inside the chamber with your finger before handling, to make sure the chamber is clear of ammunition, REGARDLESS of what you are told about the gun’s condition.

3. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger or even put your finger inside the trigger guard.

4. Be sure of your target and what’s behind it before firing.
Always take into account what would happen if you miss the target. Avoid the possibility of ricochets off hard objects or water, or hitting people or property beyond the target.

[[[For reference, here is the exact text of NRA's 3 basic rules, as found at NRA.org :

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.]]]

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What I would like some computer-savvy TFLer to hopefully help me with is to find a graphic of a proper SIGHT PICTURE and post it here so that I may cut and paste it to the basic rules page. I find that a picture of the sight picture, properly formed, is a useful pedagological (sp?) tool to teaching the sight picture.

Also, any other basic points to remember when teaching someone to shoot for the first time, other than start her on a .22, which I plan to do? Thanks in advance.

[This message has been edited by Futo Inu (edited May 18, 2000).]
 
There are many experts here (better than this amateur) but I would start with:

- Know your student! How much explanation, how much repetition, etc. is right for *this* student. (They're all different.)
- ensure understanding of all rules, your leadership and need for immediate compliance with your instructions - even if they don't understand "why" at the time.
- adequate explanation of the firearm to be used.
- adequate explanation of body position, grip (remember the off-hand thumb position!), breathing, sight picture. (Isosceles seems to work best with newbies.)
- eye & ear protection, even for dry fire.
- dry fire and follow-through
- live fire: one shot at a time. (Watch and guide student.)
- Big targets, close, newbie enjoys success (work for smaller groups)
- Quit before it becomes boring or "work".

Review and answer questions.

Show student how to care for gun (first-hand knowledge works best! :D).

Good luck! Congratulations! And thanks for bringing another shooter into our community.

[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited May 18, 2000).]
 
First timer??.... make sure it is fun!!!

Yes Safety is very important & must be covered first, but don't bore her to tears with lectures.

#2) easy to operate, low or no recoil accurate firearm. Yes, a good 22 fits the bill just right.

#3) make sure the target is very easy to hit & cheer her on everytime she hits anywhere near the target.

and finally work on the basics and move her along skill wise at a slow but smooth rate.
Nothing is more exciting to a new shooter than seeing their own improvement.

Keep it short, safe, & fun.
 
Only bout a month ago beemerb and I took a first time, female, young shooter to the range. The safety and handling were thoroughly covered, and when she was handling a gun there was a person at the ready to prevent any inadvertant sweep.

Bob had brought a Ruger MK1 and a couple boxes of ammo, luckily I had also brought a few boxes. We started with close and large target, the learning curve was steep and the fun factor amazing, the more she shot, the better her shooting and the bigger the grin.

Clearing the gun, clearing malfunctions, stuffing the magazine etc all became a natural part of putting the rounds where desired. The target became smaller and further away.

Then moved up to 6" mod 19 and soft loads, then 4" mod 19, then then 686 2.5", then J 2", I think even a few through SIG 220.

About 250 rounds of .22, +/- 200 soft .38 and a few .357. She was grinnin harder than ever, and safely handling wheel guns and autoloaders.

A new shooting enthusiast was born.

Safety first and always. Then watch carefully to insure that the session does not last longer than the fun.

Drew sight pictures then demonstrated them on target cause we also couldn't find pre printed ones.

You might try putting one in the bull and one toward each corner, then draw little sight pictures, appropriate for each hole, on that target; then keep that target for reference.

Hope you both have a ball.

Sam
 
Unless it is absolutely impossible, ALWAYS start a new shooter on a .22LR, whether rifle or handgun. Get the fundamentals down with lots of practice before going to the heavier caliber firearms. You'll never be sorry, and you'll create a new shooter who will be safe, and enjoy shooting.

J.B.
 
Great! Thanks guys. I'll keep it short and fun, and be "hearty in my approbation and lavish in my praise", to quote "How to Win Friends..." We'll start off with the 10/22, then move to pistols and maybe the SKS. Starting off with a rifle will help prevent accidental "sweeps", I imagine, compared to a handgun. I've got one reactive target I'll be sure to take.
 
Futo Inu
No suggestions, looks like you have that pretty well covered.
I just wanted to wish you luck, and I know that you and your sister will have a blast (pun intended) :) :)

------------------
"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
Introduce her to the really good natured and fun guys at the gun shop and range. Keep her away from the know it alls and adam henrys. We don't want any bad experiences.
Arrell
 
Futo Inu - One additional suggestion - maybe take her out to lunch or dinner after the range trip.

It'll give you both a chance to relax, you'll probably both be hungry, and a pleasant atmosphere will be present (unless you're going to McDonalds or some other synthetic food emporium) that will encourage you both to discuss the lessons learned.

The wife and I prefer Mexican food after our range trips. :)

Cliff
 
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