NRA Women on Target

[Kevin G]

This past Sat had the opportunity to help out at local club w/Women on Target Program.
NRA sponsered program, women only, that introduces them to .22 rifle, .22 revolver and pistol, then optional center fire (.38spl, 9mm, and .45acp for the daring), finishing up w/optional 20 Ga. shotgun and clay birds.
This is the 5th or 6th time I've done it, worked the firing line w/students one on one, it's a ball for both students and staff.
Something I want to comment on is an older (mid 70's) lady who showed up w/her brand new light wt 5 shot snubbie. She went thru the rim fire sections nicely. I asked her why she decided to take this course, she responded she wanted to become more familiar w/her gun. I told her there was no better answer than that.
The Ch RO assigned her to me, I'm the Revolver Guy, and rightfully so he suspected her new gun would be a challenge.
I got her permission to test fire, .38spl American Eagle ball ammo. The little thing bucked a bit, and I thought this might be an issue. Both the Ch RO and I tried to prep her for the recoil but sure enough after her 1st shot she was very recoil shy.
We talked to her about taking some more training which she seemed agreeable to so hope it works out.
What really fries my @%! is the damn fool who sold this untrained lady this gun. I believe if she were told to go take a course or two, get better educated then shop for the gun it would be a better situation. As it stands now she's afraid of the gun.
I RO at a couple clubs and see this often where a newbie goes shopping and ends up w/a firearm that's not the best fit. I realize they're adults etc. but often I get the impression some clerk chose to make a sale rather than act in a responsible manner.
With my rant out of my system now I want to encourage people to recommend this NRA Women on Target Program to any women who are curious about firearms. It's a class act, the ladies really enjoy it, and are exposed to firearms in a positive fashion.
Often several gals get together and make a Girls Day of it.
Kevin G

 

[tops]

I have always found that a .22 revolver is the best for a new shooter. Larry

 

[pawngal]

My local range offers a women's program similar to this and have seen the same reaction. With many older women becoming interested in owning a handgun I wish there were more options in a 32 cal. revolver. I've never fired one but it seems like the logical step up from a 22. Does any one other than Charter Arms currently have a 32 cal?

Even a full size (K-frame size) 38 is easier to shoot than a J-frame. Most older women (like myself) are not looking to CC, we are looking for protection for things that go bump in the night and in my case being able to carry a loaded handgun in my vehicle because I travel a lot.

Fortunately, I handle the recoil with no problem in the bigger guns. My current range favorite is a Model 57 .41 mag.

 

[Kevin G]

41 mags and 44 specials really ring my bell.
Kevin

 

[Grayfox]

What really fries my @%! is the damn fool who sold this untrained lady this gun.

THIS ^^^^^
I see it all the time. For some reason gun shop clerks seem to always steer new shooters, especially ladies, towards a small frame revolver. A very bad Idea.

Just last weekend I took my GF shooting. Her first time with a handgun. Started her with a Model 18 .22. Then on to a 4" Model 10. First with light wadcutters and then standard 158gr loads. She did well and enjoyed it. THEN was when I handed her the Model 36. She fired four rounds and gave it back to me. Didn't like it at all.
BTW: gun show this weekend. She wants to go shopping!

 

[Rick_A]

Plenty of ladies make that bad decision for themselves. They pick the lightest smallest thing in the biggest possible caliber and sometimes you just can't talk them out of it.

 

[pawngal]

And those cute little .380's that come in every color under the sun are another disaster. I've never tried to shoot one and don't intend to.

 

[shouldazagged]

Second on the idiocy of selling an elderly woman an Airweight snub .38 Special. They aren't a barrel of laughs for most younger shooters. At the very least an all-steel J-frame would have been a better bet.

I agree with Pawngal (I often do, by the way ) that a .32 might have been a good choice, if the lady planned to carry a gun. For home defense, a K-frame .38 would be fine.

 

[Aticus]

I couldn't agree more that a J frame Airweight is a BAD handgun as someone's first pistol. I worked for several years as a counter men in an LGS. My problem wasn't selling a medium framed revolver to an older couple/man/lady for home defense, my problem was getting the LGS to have them in stock! My experience is that most older folks looking for their first handgun are looking for something for home defense not for carry. A medium frame revolver is just the ticket. I sold every one I could get my hands on. I just couldn't get my hands on enough.