My wife wants to learn how to shoot.

[Smith357]

Wow talk about dumbfounded......

The long suffering Mrs. Smith approached me this evening and said she thought it would finally be a good thing if she learned how to shoot. This is coming from a woman who was pretty much anti-gun when we met. She was turned into an anti by he first husband who introduced her to shooting by handing her a .44 magnum. When she complained that she did not care for the recoil he berated her and forced to to continue shooting. Darn good thing I've never met this Bozo.

She has know from day one that I am a shooter and she has always tolerated my gun habit and I have never tried to force my it on her. Her big thing has just been I don't care about that stuff and I don't want to deal with it. Over the last 15 years my friends and I have shown her than not all firearms enthusiast are ignorant rednecks and that responsible owners can have a house full of guns without looking like a house full of guns.

So this evening when she said she wants me to teach her how to shoot, I'm thinking all this good behavior has paid off, Very Cool, I will start her on the .22lr rifle and move up 22 and .38 handguns when she is comfortable. I'm already thinking about which .22 rifle to buy her.

Maybe this is all just a ploy so she can keep track of my gun money.

 

[novalty]

Okay what did you do wrong?? At least that would be my first thought if the Mrs. asked me. Kidding aside, am glad to hear that your wife is interested in learning how to shoot with you--and not at you. Once she puts a few rounds down range with a .22 and shooting at some reactive targets I am sure she'll be hooked. You'll have to let us know how you first range session goes.

 

[jkc]

And this doesn't worry you...???

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Good deal Smith357!

I always love hearing stories like this!!

 

[sophie]

I think it is great she finally wants to learn to shoot. Sounds like she is in capable hands.

James

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Instruction....

Free advice: If she will be seeking any formal instruction, I have found it most effective coming from a THIRD party. I have seen this first hand. Someone's spouse offers a "pointer" only to be negatively received as overbearing, over critical, etc etc etc. SAME POINTER given by a qualified third party instructor, is positively received and more quickly digested.

I can't explain "why", all I can say is that's how it IS!!!

IC

 

[A10]

SAME POINTER given by a qualified third party instructor, is positively received and more quickly digested.

I can't explain "why", all I can say is that's how it IS!!!

IC

We all do that. It's human nature, and probably the reason gun magazines sell so well. An expert is usually the person who has travelled the farthest or has the most pens in their pocket.

Congrats on the conversion!

 

[Smith357]

Free advice: If she will be seeking any formal instruction, I have found it most effective coming from a THIRD party. I have seen this first hand. Someone's spouse offers a "pointer" only to be negatively received as overbearing, over critical, etc etc etc. SAME POINTER given by a qualified third party instructor, is positively received and more quickly digested.

I can't explain "why", all I can say is that's how it IS!!!

IC

I do know that but thanks for the remind, I plan on just covering the basics with her at home to help get her going. I will go over the safety rules and basic mechanics of the firearms along with sight picture. If it actually turns out after a few time she really likes shooting and wishes to progress past just the fun plinking stage then I have no problems bringing in experts, or buying the necessary equipment, even if it means my equipment wants have to wait.

My plan is just to start at my club with a .22 rifle from a bench teach her the manual of arms and let her have fun shooting small reactive targets. There quite a few guys there that are Camp Perry 3 position rifle shooters that can help teach her proper techniques if she wants to learn how to get off the bench. I'm more interested in keeping it safe and fun rather than a fundamentals drill session. The owner of the range and friend of 20 years is also a qualified NRA pistol instructor and quite the ladies man. All female newbies with handguns get passed off to Bob for a "qualification session". Seriously though, I trust Bob with my life.

 

[Packard]

A Ruger 10/22 is a good choice for a rifle.

I would sign her up for the NRA handgun safety course. Many clubs require it. About $75.00 and it usually includes some shooting of a .22.

I would get a .22 that resembles the carry gun that she will eventually get.

So if she were to carry a J-frame revolver for carry, then a J-frame revolver for the .22. In that case I would choose a 3" SS kit gun.

If she wants a DAO semi-auto for carry the choices for a DAO semi-auto in .22 are few.

 

[hannstv]

If she has been angry with you lately this may be a bad sign. Most women learn easier when instruction comes from a third person, less pressure.

 

[Fat B]

Free advice: If she will be seeking any formal instruction, I have found it most effective coming from a THIRD party. I have seen this first hand. Someone's spouse offers a "pointer" only to be negatively received as overbearing, over critical, etc etc etc. SAME POINTER given by a qualified third party instructor, is positively received and more quickly digested.

I can't explain "why", all I can say is that's how it IS!!!

IC

Spot on. Some of the best advice I've heard in a while.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I'm more interested in keeping it safe and fun rather than a fundamentals drill session.

I think that is the right approach. She'll soon discover whether or not she wants to do more.

We have a Training Range at the Chattanooga Rifle Club that is set aside from other ranges and for rimfire use. Newbies can become more nervous than they otherwise might be when there's a lot of folks around, or some guy next to them with a high power rifle rattling their fillings out. A quiet time on a weekday rather than on a busy Saturday might be worth considering.

 

[Shooting Padre]

Learn to shoot whom?

 

[Chik a Boom]

Most women learn easier when instruction comes from a third person, less pressure.

And that can be even better when or if you know of women's classes taught by women. And don't forget Cornered Cat.com, a great resource for woman and shooting information. It sounds to me like you have it all under control. Best wishes to you both in your venture.

 

[TommyW]

Whether or not to get the "Mrs" into shooting is something we could probably debate until Hell freezes over.

My thought on the matter (from experience) to "Smith357" is "God Bless You".

My first wife could be compared with the "Tasmanian Devil" on a multitude of issues, including guns. Mrs #2 is a total opposite and actually enjoys going to the range. Although she's not too fond of the larger calibers, she's totally content with her .22. AND, she doesn't mind if a new tennant for the safe "just happens to follow me home".

 

[Packard]

And I won't marry anyone who does not already know how to shoot.

 

[007BondJamesBond007]

Start her out small like a 500 S&W Mag. My wife started with the 22 then the next gun 1911 45ACP. She put 6 rounds in the black with the Kimber. Be careful she might take your favorite gun away.

 

[wbraswell]

After she leans how to shoot, you'll have to show her where to buy good ammo. Man, can you guys imagine a woman shopping for ammo like they can shop for shoes? Nah, me neither.

 

[LazyKB]

I think that is great. I have been married, this time, 16 months and started my wife shooting before we were married. (Just for the record I sometimes post some things that might lead one to believe that we don't get along. But it is all in jest. She is the love of my life and best friend. But I ain't taking her hunting.) When I first took my wife to a range I discovered how very competitive she is. She fired a round through her Ruger Security Six then took off down range to see where it hit! She wanted to know why it didn't go into the orange and what she had to do to make it go into the orange. Thank goodness we were the only ones there, though I doubt she would have pulled that trick if there were others. We first did a lot of shooting with a M17-3, then moved up to her "divorce gun" the Ruger. Next she wanted a carry gun and it had to have a laser. She doesn't have the hand strength to rack any slide we tried. So I got her one of the new Body Guards. Not sure I would do that again. Recoil was bad on the bodyguard so I loaded some 125 gr. lswc reduced loads. She loved them. When she took her carry class, before reduced loads, she used my M-19 and shot the center out of the target. I keep her away from recoil and she has a great time.

If I could only get her interested in reloading.

 

[Moonman]

+1 for 3rd Party teaching and +1 for CorneredCat.com for female shooter info from a female.