Wife's first time shooting

[dusty10]

I took my wife to the range yesterday for her first ever time shooting a handgun. I laid out all my revolvers and pistols at home and told her to pick the one that felt best to her. She chose a S&W model 36 snubbie. (I was so proud) So off to the range we go. Here is her target. She got all 50 rounds on the paper at 7 yards standing and shooting free hand. She was grinning from ear to ear and can't wait to go back to practice some more.

 

[leas327]

That's great. Keep her shooting and make sure she always leaves the range with a smile. You will have a shooting partner for life and won't have to justify new guns to the family. Watch out because with a little time and practice she might out shoot you.

 

[mgo]

I took my wife to the range yesterday for her first ever time shooting a handgun. can't wait to go back to practice some more.

I'm seeing a lot of women at the local indoor range, many of them are likely concealed carry permit holders getting in some practice. Ages range from 20s or so, to "little old ladies".

In the concealed carry class that I attended, about a third of those attending were women.

 

[fyimo]

I love it when you find something fun to do together. Thus will also have her gain confidence on handling and shooting a handgun.

 

[PeterCartwright]

I had a conversation with a woman several weeks ago who wanted some help in getting connected with a CCW class. Both she and her husband are interested in getting their CPLs (Michigan nomenclature for Concealed Pistol License). Since she has had no experience with firearms, I offered to meet her at a local range for some elementary instruction prior to her class. After arranging a time, I also asked a buddy to meet us there with his 4" K frame .22. (My friend had never fired a gun).

Since the lady had no bad habits and didn't "know it all", she picked up fundamentals rapidly and was soon shooting the K frame .22 double-action @ the 7 yard line like a champ. (We went through the safety fundamentals first, of course). I'd brought along a number of guns for her to actually shoot, so we moved next to my 15-3, loaded with factory wadcutters. Same gun size and feel as the the .22, but with a little more "umph". No problem!

Next she tried my 3" 60-4, with the same ammo. The size was a better fit for her hand, and she immediately appreciated the difference. Next, I had her try the Airweight 642, still with the wadcutter stuff. The increase in recoil with the alloy frame was enough to make her appreciate the steel frame guns. We moved on to the Ruger SP101. She liked the Smith trigger better. (So do I, though I dearly love my SP). Finally, I had her shoot my Kahr P9 with 115 ball. I really thought she'd like that platform, but it didn't feel right for her...at least not in this first outing.

I'm not sure what she'll ultimately choose for a carry gun, but I had great fun watching a new shooter as she experienced various platforms. She clearly enjoyed herself and at least has some basis for forming her own opinions about what she'll do. I'm kind of an old fogey, but I remain convinced that it's almost never wrong to start a new shooter out on a double-action revolver. A person can certainly move from there to the self-loader if they choose (and most probably will), but I think it's more difficult to go the other way. Also, the simpler manual of arms (point and pull) is arguably less prone to problems should a shooter need to protect themselves.

PC

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Dusty you taught her well. I think she is a fast learner. Now get her to join the S&W forum. Don

 

[Andrew Quigley]

Both of my daughters shoot Cowboy Action Shooting with me and do some target shooting. Sure wish I could get my wife to join in but don't think that will ever happen.
Glad your wife joined you. Congrats!

 

[mack1]

My wife shot very little when we met. 6 years later I had to buy a dillon 650 to keep up with the demand for 38s. Lately have my mom and sister shooting as well. It is very injoyable to get a new shooter started +1 for the double action revolver I think 22s are best. My only problem is my wife likes only smiths and 5 screws the most this has cut into my budjet some.

 

[dusty10]

I really wished I had a .22 revolver for her first time out but I haven't been able to find Smith and Wesson .22 I can afford. I did have her use wadcutters to ease the recoil. I might have to look into reloading if this keeps up.

 

[kennyb]

thats great....always nice to have a shooting partner

 

[Frailer]

My wife and I do lots of fun things together, but shooting isn't one of them. She's a better shot than me (seriously), and that's no fun.

 

[rlsbee]

My wife wanted a handgun for years. I was never much into guns at the time. Interested, but I was so wrapped up in old cars that they took all my free time. I finally went gun shopping with her and she picked out a S&W 686. The shop has an indoor range and we shot the 686 that day. That's all it took! We now have two more handguns, an S&W 617 and a Sig P226.

 

[cjcutter1]

My wife and I enjoy shooting together and I am very thankful for that, congrats on your new shooting partner.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

I've tried to get my wife to shoot a handgun but she won't do it. I did get her to shoot my Winchester 121 one time which she didn't mind, but the SKS was a completely different matter. She said it kicked too much lol. My daughter though is already hooked on guns, and she's 6-1/2! She first shot my 121, with my assistance of course, a couple of weeks before her 5th birthday. I think Santa is bringing her a pink Cricket this year! She wants to shoot my 10 but that will be a few more years. My mom is a shooter too, and has a 4" Model 19 that is beautiful.

 

[dusty10]

I never thought my wife would ever want to take up shooting but she is already making plans to go again next week.