Mentoring

[Hovnnes]

OK, a friend or relative, maybe a co-worker knows you are a shooter. From what you can tell they aren't at all familiar with firearms (for example, they didn't grow up on a farm or served in the military, or hunt) but they ask you for advice on buying a firearm for protection, either for the home or maybe a CCW.

What would you do?

 

[s&wchad]

Take them to the range, give them a safety briefing and let them shoot a variety of guns. I like to have new shooters start with a .22 and work their way up.

 

[seagill]

Take them to the range, give them a safety briefing and let them shoot a variety of guns. I like to have new shooters start with a .22 and work their way up.

And tell them to join the S&W forum!

 

[anomad]

And tell them to join the S&W forum!

For sure. At least give them a link or two to read.

I would try to spend as much time with them as they want "playing" with different guns. Get them comfortable handling them. Take them to the range with something easy to shoot, the 22 was a great suggestion.

Keep after them until you make them into a gun owner!

 

[snub56]

I would direct them to an NRA instructor for a basic pistol class. Once they have the basics you can investigate firepower.

 

[CO_Kid]

Take them to the range, give them a safety briefing and let them shoot a variety of guns. I like to have new shooters start with a .22 and work their way up.

Bingo. Picking a gun for someone to buy for themselves is as bad as, or probably worse than, picking a car for them.

 

[LedFowl]

Take them to the range, give them a safety briefing and let them shoot a variety of guns. I like to have new shooters start with a .22 and work their way up.

I also have an e-mail I send them before we go, with links to videos about firearm safety, ear and eye protection, grip, stance, loading and what a range looks like. Gives them some idea in advance what they're in for.

 

[cshoff]

I would direct them to an NRA instructor for a basic pistol class. Once they have the basics you can investigate firepower.

+1. I would also try to steer them towards taking a basic firearms safety/familiarization training course. A course like NRA Pistol will allow them to get a good dose of safety, and some straight forward instruction on typical operation of a handgun. In most cases, that formal instruction is actually better than having friends try to "teach" you as, no matter how well intended your friends are, they will almost always teach you their bad habits as they teach you how to shoot. A good instructor, on the other hand, will generally teach technique "by the book" and without bias.

After they have some familiarization/safety training under their belt, we could start looking at specific makes and models based on their individual requirements. Jumping right into the "buying" stage without having the initial training under their belt is actually counterproductive and often leads to a person buying a gun that they are ultimately not happy with.

 

[TACC1]

I've taught some people how to fish, ride a motorcycle, etc.,
and have not had much success teaching about firearms. I've
offered to not only pay for safety course, but to take it over with them.
I'm assuming they either were not ready for firearms, or I did something
wrong. Maybe I don't inspire confidence. That doesn't stop me from trying, though. It's worth the effort.
TACC1

 

[Capt Steve]

I've taken several friends for their first firearm experience. They did not all end up buying a gun but they all did enjoy the experience and thanked me profusely. Before we even get in the truck to go I spend a fair amount of time familiarizing them with the guns we are going to shoot, basic safety, muzzle control etc.

I too like to start them out on my 22 Alpha and then progress up through .380 - .38 - 9mm - .357 and if they are still game will pull out the 6" Dan Wesson .44 Mag (a couple of rounds is usually enough to send them reaching for the 9mm or the 22A). If we are out on the backside of the mountain once they are comfortable and beginning to have some fun shooting I'll bring out the Browning 12 gauge pump and a box of clay birds and they quickly discover what fun is all about.

I go heavy on safety and very light on politics and usually get a pretty good result and couple of times have acquired a new shooting buddy. They then get to learn how to clean everything they just shot. (o;

 

[oldman45]

Some things are a given in such circumstances. If they did not have an interest in firearms, they would not have approached you about them.

My first question when this happens to me is always, " How much experience have you got with guns?"

What follows next is a session in my gun room if I know them well or meeting at the study room of the gun range to discuss shooting safety, various gun types and other things.

Then we go to actual live fire.

When at the range, I always have a few guns of various calibers and types. My range bag always has at least three caliber guns inside and both a revolver and two autoloaders A person can shoot those and get some idea of what type gun they like best, what caliber fits them best and will usually walk away wanting to buy their own gun soon and always ask when they can come back to the range.

I do not consider it mentoring though. There is not any active shooters here that has not done the same with several people over the years. I did it with my mother, three daughters, two of my high school teachers, a college professor, a few friends, a couple neighbors and I think other shooters would be much the same as far as leading a newbie into shooting.

If we did more of it, there would be more gun friendly people ready to vote on our side for gun rights.