I taught a basic handgun class today for a college student and his dad. Dad had done some handgun stuff years ago in the USAF. Missileer. Rocket Man. Much the same same as my older brother.
Anyway, they wanted an in-depth basic class in handguns. Dad for a refresher, and junior as a basis for understanding the guns, ammo, and basic shooting. You instructors will likely recognize what happened next. The first two guns I brought out were a S&W 686+ 4" and a Glock 19. Need I say more. The college student son hadn't shot before, he was all over the target paper, sometimes not on the paper. I brought him back to basics, and he improved rapidly. Dad did "okay" with the Glock. Suddenly, junior "got it", and he was all over the 10/X ring.
Dad still struggled with the G19. So...switched guns, Dad was all over the 10/X rings with the 686, and junior was still nailing the centers. Now, they're fighting over the 686. (I've seen this before...) Now, college boy is making large holes in the centers, Dad want's the 686 back. The Glock will shoot groups. The 686 will shoot cloverleafs.
Junior wants to move back, (we already moved the targets back as far as we could from the firing line.) I went with 9" steel plates at 15 yds. Junior is stringing slightly vertically but staying on the plates. Junior has never shot before...
Later, we moved to a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail, they both rocked with that, now they're thinking about what to buy. Keep in mind, they don't even own a gun yet! I think I've created a monster.
Oh, and the .22 suppressed was a big hit. M&P22 with a can. Fun, good old plain fun.
I can't believe they actually paid me for the class. A tip, too. I'm sure I had more fun than they did.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Isn't it great when you see that "grin" spread over someone's face when shooting for the first time?

And thanks again for teaching my Granddaughter to qualify for her CCW. Now her younger sister is going to college in Greely, but is just 19 now, so give her a couple years. (She's been shooting and does pretty well.)

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I was at my local range one day and heard a few "kabooms" a couple of lanes over. I eased over to see what was being shot. There were 3 beautiful old blued 29s laid out, an older gentleman and his granddaughter. I over heard him tell her, "Just think, the first gun you ever shot was a 44 magnum".
Warm fuzzy feeling!!

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Wonderful job you're doing!

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S&W Accumulator

HRichard, thank you so much. It was an extreme pleasure, believe me.
Excellent student!

Jeff

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Thank you for sharing the story! I love it!

Monsters, eh? I have been shooting a long time and in those years I don't recall anyone who didn't enjoy learning to shoot when properly introduced to it. Sounds like you made good impressions.

I love showing newbies how to shoot. Let's keep doing it. It helps educate those who might turn out to be an anti-gun person.

During my intro class at a local range, I was able to use anything in the range rental case. After trying several brands and calibers and not liking any, I tried a 4" 686 and stopped searching. It was what I took the CC range test with and was my first handgun purchase.

It's always brought out if I introduce anyone to firearms, and everyone shoots it well.

I have a Mod 63 and Mod 34, and are usually my go to guns for an introduction to shooting. My granddaughters have both used them and progressed to 38's and 9mm. Neither one wanted to try the 1911's yet.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

You'd better keep that pre-War I-frame you've been working on hidden from that 19 year old... my youngest niece got hold of my 30-1 and now it's hers. Her hubby is a Marine with some duties as a range officer and he proudly admits she shoots better than he does (with that gun, at least!). Our little girls have a way of getting under our defenses, don't they?

Froggie

At the local range, I show up on training days with extra guns to help out the students find diversity. Besides a 22 LR semi-auto pistol and revolver, I bring something "big" and light target loads.

The L-frames are ok with 357 mags, but the M629 is fired with target loads. Yes it's a 44 magnum gun and brass but you don't have to tell fill-in-the-blank you shot a light load, "You shot a 44 Magnum! " There is always a big grin.

I'll fire a couple of rounds of real 44 mag ammo, and ask if anyone want to shoot "real bullets". 75% of the students want to try just once. I emphasize proper grip and squeeze the trigger. Works every time. Big eyes, big grin, and big "WOW" , but only if the shooter wants to fire 'factory' ammo.

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S&WHF 366