I will be married to my wife for 45 years next week and I have asked her to go to the Range with me umpteen times over our marriage - she never seemed interested & never went. Yesterday, she expressed an interest in going with us this morning and I was shocked (but happy about it) to say the least.

I never met her Dad as he passed away a decade before I even met my wife. He was a WWll Paratrooper who served in the 82nd Airborne and was part of the D-Day Invasion. I do sort of know something about him through the hundreds of WWll photo's, family photo's, stories from my wife, etc. I regret never meeting him because we would have gotten along very well! Anyway, in 1964 he purchased a brand new 3", square butt, bull barrel, blued 38 spl. Chief's Special. The local gun store that he frequented held the gun for many many years until I came along and became its new owner. After his death, my MIL asked the gun store to hold it as she did not hold a NYC pistol permit.

Before we went to the Range this morning I gave my wife safety instruction, operating instructions and the Range rules. Before letting her shoot the Chief's Special, I let her put 50 rounds of 22LR through my M41 just so she got the feel of firing a real gun. She did OK, not a natural Marksman, but she started feeling more comfortable after 30 or 40 rounds and started improving. After we shot 100 rounds of 22, I took her Dad's gun out, showed her how that operates, etc. and let her shoot 30 rounds through that. She shot the Chief's Spl better than the M41 which was very surprising to say the least, especially with its short fixed rear sight. She seemed to have a great time shooting, had a nostalgic connection with her Dad and enjoyed the whole experience. I was happy to see the 158 grain 38 special recoil did not seem to phase her.

Anyway, I will see if today's journey was a one shot deal or if she is interested in getting into the hobby. She said to me on the way back, "well now that I went to the Range with you, will you join me at Bingo night?" I just gave her the look!

At least she didn’t say “how about going to the fabric store with me”.

You made good progress. When my wife and I got together 30 years ago I and my 10 year old son introduced her to shooting. First trip to the range was the last for 25 years. The short story, my son was behind my wife and I about 20-25 yards. My wife was shooting my M28 with factory lead round nose 38’s. She was shooting at an old rusted steel helmet when one bounced back and hit my son in the stomach. Fortunately he only got a bruise above his navel but it freaked my wife out so bad she didn’t shoot for 25 years.

When I turned 70, I thought a Henry 22 Lever gun would be fun so she bought a sweet little carbine for me. On my birthday I requested she go with me to the range and after I shot a few rounds I said she should give it a try. To my amazement she fired several rounds and the next thing I know she’s doing all the shooting. The next thing I know she’s telling me to go buy myself another and took my new Henry.

It was worth it though. I have a soulmate and a shooting buddy that loves going to the range. She now owns several revolvers and semi autos and a couple of rifles including her dads 1945 Remington 511. All are 22’s but that’s fine. It’s cheaper and I don’t have to load ammo so when she go’s I take a 22 also.

Just don’t push her, let her go at her own speed.

It's always good to spend quality time with your loved ones. (Maybe even Bingo).

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protocalldesign.com

oh go to Bingo night... just don't whistle or hum the dog song..
B I N G O Was his name oh...

We are married 60 years last week. About 3 years ago my wife "Finally" came to the range with me. She wanted to select a gun to be "hers" that she would be comfortable with. I had about 10 different handguns, revolvers and auto's both. I tried to talk her into a 38 revolver as I knew she would never practice., but no, she had to have a semi auto, but had difficulty racking the slide of most. Then she tried a Bersa 380, satin nickle. the slide racked easily and she shot it very well.



Three years later, she hasn't been back to the range and has no desire to shoot anything. She did handle my Sig365 and thought she could shoot it if all she had to do is pick it up and pull the trigger. So, yes it is a "hot" house gun.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

A belated 60th Happy Anniversary Sir!! Now that's something these days!!

Oh great. Now that song will be in my head all day.

You're 100% right! I am going to play this Tuesday evening. Who knows, maybe I'll even win!

My Wife and I are on the other side of that coin. After we were married, I taught her to shoot. Bought her a Glenfield Model 60 with a 4X Scope. There was a dumping area in the woods a couple of miles from our house. Lots of folks shot there, with all the tin cans, bottles and such it was a target rich environment. She got pretty good. One day a friend asked me what she was doing. I looked over and her muzzle was dancing all over the place and then she would fire. I watched this evolution a couple of times and then asked her what was she doing? She said watch that dragonfly and BAP! it was gone in flight. Then she said watch that bumblebee and BAP! it was gone in flight. I figured I did not need to teach her anything anymore. The down side is that she has had macular degeneration for about 20 years now and can't see well enough to shoot.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Both me and my wife obtained our CCW permits many years ago, and after getting hers, she has no desire to go to the range to shoot at all. I keep telling her she needs to practice , should the need to defend herself ever arises...but it falls on deaf ears, lol ! If your lucky enough to have your wife accompany you, even occasionally to the range, have fun and enjoy it.

I take it one day at day. In the Senior Community some days are Range Days and then some days is the day to play Bingo.

Congratulations on 60 Years.

It is what it is.