My fiance, until recently, was a borderline "nasty ol' gun" type, (too much CSI Miami, I reckon).
When she was 10, her drunken uncles (OY!) decided they'd, "Teach the...(hic)...teach the...(hic)...li'l thang to shoot a gun...here, hold my beer..."
So they handed this lttle 10 year-old girl a 7mm MAGNUM REMINGTON 700 and had her touch it off. Not even any eye or ear protection. F-in' idiots.
You know the rest. Associated shooting with pain and fear for the rest of her life.
...Until...
Took her to my club's range with a couple of .22 handguns, a couple of .22 rifles, along with the .45acp Marlin semi-auto carbine I'd gotten her this last Christmas and a PAST strap-on recoil pad for her first experience with the carbine, along with some eyes and ears, of course.
Went through the mechanics, basic principles, and drilled The Four Rules 'til they were memorized.
A stack of paper plates with big ol' spots in the middle from a magnum black Sharpie at 25 feet later, she's in total agreement that it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. She no longer fears the rounds going off, feels completely empowered and in control of the weapon in her hands, and the chick can just flat SHOOT!
Fell in love mith my '84-vintage Ruger MKII Standard 6+7/8" bbl.
Decided she wanted to adopt it for her own. I said, "Great! But I really like that gun."
Her reply?
"Well, I'll buy you a new one if you give me this one, 'kay?"
Huh???? Hmmm...always been curious about the 5" Target model .
Bought the aformentioned Target model, gave her the choice of either. Love my new Target model. Currently shoots high but tight.
She didn't like my M-17 8+3/8" no-dash or 617-6 4" at all. Thank heaven for that.
Now she wants us to go out and shoot every weekend. Danged ammo shortage...Grrr.
Overall experience tickled me so much that I'm even willing to take apart the MKII to clean it for her...for now.;-)
Only-est woman whose cooking I like better than my own. Thing is, she won't let me do it anymore. She loves it and sees it as her responsibilty.
To hell with hittin' the Powerball.
Methinks she's the one, folks.
May you all be as lucky as I've turned out to be.