The wifes first Handgun class today.

chud333 · #1 10-22-2016, 08:07 PM

Well my wife Shirley has recently decided she would like to be able to take a more hands on approach for her own protection.
Last week i bought her a Ruger SP101 revolver that i was able to get a heckuva good deal on. I talked with her and decided this would be a nice handgun to get her started with. She likes the looks of it and when i explained she could shoot .38's and .357's, we decided to make it her first gun. It's not an ideal carry gun but will serve her well as a home defense handgun. It's got some heft to it and will absorb recoil well. I had a box of Remington factory 130 grain SWC .38's and i fixed her up with some Peltor ear muffs and some shooting glasses and she was ready. Her first handgun training class was today and she
was nervous (i could tell) but she was also excited.
I could have taken the approach of teaching her myself as i have been shooting handguns, rifles, shotguns, since my early teens but i wanted her to start fresh and learn from someone who is unbiased and might have a few pointers i have forgotten thru the years.
She was taught basic firearm safety and handling today and Jody the instructor walked her thru sight alignment, feet and hand positioning, loading and unloading the weapon and trigger control. When he was comfortable with her handling the gun
unloaded he proceeded to take her thru the motions of loading the weapon and directing fire with live rounds.
I could tell she was nervous and a little shaky but with encouragement from us both she was shooting the center
of a silhouette with regularity.
It's very cool to see someone shoot for the first time then look at you and get that mile wide smile.
She loved it.
After she had shot about 5 cylinders of .38's Jody decided he was happy with her progress and we called it a session.
An hour and a half was just about perfect for her first range session.
We both again told her she did well and offered praise and encouragement.
It couldn't have been a better day.
So proud of her to take this leap in deciding to take the responsibility of her own safety and well being.
Now i have another shooting buddy as well as my life's
Love.

Chuck

Nevada Ed · #2 10-22-2016, 08:32 PM

Way to go....
Great weapon with weight to calm the loads.
You did well.

Enjoy

bigwheelzip · #3 10-22-2016, 08:33 PM

Woo hooo, you go girl!

walkin jack · #4 10-22-2016, 11:04 PM

I have that same revolver. Very nice revolver smooth trigger in DA or SA. Good on both of you.

shouldazagged · #5 10-22-2016, 11:29 PM

Good for Shirley! I'm glad for both of you.

The SP101 is a good gun for home defense, but it's also carryable. after a while she may be ready for a lighter carry gun, but there are a number of ways she can pack the SP.

Cyrano · #6 10-23-2016, 01:22 AM

Way to go, girl. Now you qualify as someone very dangerous to attack with a knife.

two-bit cowboy · #7 10-23-2016, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chud333

It's very cool to see someone shoot for the first time then look at you and get that mile wide smile.
She loved it.[/IMG][/URL]

Ah, yes, that's what it's all about. Kudos to Shirley and you.

gman51 · #8 10-23-2016, 02:22 AM

Now get her into reloading and you got it made.

Texas Star · #9 10-23-2016, 04:11 AM

The gun's weight will be welcome when she touches off her first .357 Magnum load.

Let us know how that goes...

But I bought a three-inch SP-101 partly to have a small gun with .357 ability when really wanted. I think it'll prove to be quite versatile. I'm glad that your wife likes hers. I certainly treasure mine.

joeintexas · #10 10-23-2016, 08:38 AM

Good choice on the SP101. The wife and I both have the 2 1/4 inch model, light recoil and pretty accurate too. Easy to carry. You did good.

the ringo kid · #11 10-23-2016, 01:23 PM

Nice. Your wife will NOT be a victim.

walkin jack · #12 10-23-2016, 01:46 PM

I was a little rushed for time yesterday but I have a couple of pics of my SP-101 and a couple more comments.
The Pics:
First pic shows it with the great new Hoage grips. If Shirley's still has the plastic grips on it you might want to change the out for the Hoages. They soften the recoil considerably and are easier to hold on to.
The second pic that's it on the left in the OWB rig. It rides and hides just fine on a belt or she could carry it in a purse or fanny pack. I think it is an excellent carry piece. It is comfortable and ready to get busy if it should become necessary.

If she doesn't like the magnum loads but want's a little more power I strongly recommend Rememgton +P hollow points. They don't produce quite the kick of the magnum but do provide more oomph.

Again, congratulations and Happy Shooting.

chud333 · #13 10-24-2016, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

The gun's weight will be welcome when she touches off her first .357 Magnum load.

Let us know how that goes...

But I bought a three-inch SP-101 partly to have a small gun with .357 ability when really wanted. I think it'll prove to be quite versatile. I'm glad that your wife likes hers. I certainly treasure mine.

I'll probably keep her shooting .38's for awhile longer
then maybe move her up to some plus P's.
She loves the gun and had a blast her first class when
she did some shooting.
I would encourage all to take your loved one to the range
with you. They may just enjoy it as much as you do.

Chuck

walkin jack · #14 10-24-2016, 03:05 PM

When I got my Glock 17 back in '04 I took Miss Pam to the range. Her experience with hand guns or guns of any kind for that matter, to that point was maybe 20 rounds and none of that was recent and all of that was with a revolver.

I have been shooting for for about 65 years but with the exception of my son and 2 or 3 friends over the years I have no real experience or discernible skills as an instructor.

Still, She wanted me to give her a few pointers. Before we went on the firing line we had a little chalk & talk about safety and some of the particulars about the gun. We set up on a firing lane and ran the target out. Now with the gun loaded and in her hands I cautioned her about keeping the muzzle pointed down range. I helped her with her stance and grip. She looked ready to fire. I explained the "sight picture" and she said she was good to go.

I kept my eyes sweeping her feet and hands but I didn't notice when she raised her right thumb and held it against the slide just before she fired. When she fired I was delighted to see that she had scored a bulls eye from about 25'. Then I notice that she had set the pistol down and was sucking on her right thumb. When she fired the slide came back and took off about 1/3 of her thumb nail.

I asked her if she was ok. My answer came in the form of silence. I suggested she try again and focus on the where abouts of her right thumb. Reluctantly she picked up the pistol and started to take aim. I began making suggestions and she gave me the look.

Alright then. I stood in hopeful silence as she put one more in the bulls eye and this time with out any injuries. She then set the pistol down and turned around and headed for the door mumbling something about waiting for me in the car.

I decided not to bring it up again. Let sleeping dogs lie....lest you get bit.

Some years later, when I got the SP-101 she wanted to try it. She was done with the Glocks but not in shooting all together. She had a llittle trouble with DA until she got used to where the trigger breaks but finally dialed it in. SA she was deadly.

Anytime I start runnin' my mouth recklessly I try to stop and remember all those bulls eyes. I sleep a lot better knowin' I'm on her good side.

Bish1309 · #15 10-24-2016, 03:11 PM

Very cool. Wish I could get my wife to obtain some interest in firearms. She doesn't like having guns in the house.

I told her point blank, "Guns have been in the house over 30 years and they haven't shot anyone yet." She didn't like my sense of humor much.