Books:
The Old Man and The Boy by Robert Ruark
Shotgunning: The Art & Science - Bob Brister
Score Better at Skeet and Score Better at Trap - Fred Misseldine
Ruark not only shares about firearms and shooting, also passes forward Values, and these values are part of being a responsible firearm owner.
Brister and Misseldine, share the answers to most of the questions most often asked about shotguns in private, in public, and Internet.
Guns:
Single Shot .22 rifle, Youth and/or Adult size with iron sights.
This is the best way to start off a new shooter, especially a kid, and the fun factor is high.
.22 Revolver is the best handgun to learn on.
Something like a Model 17, or 18.
Less felt recoil, therefore allowing for correct basic fundamentals of trigger, sights and everything else.
Transition to Model 10 (staying with S&W) and the lessons from a .22 to a mild load of .38spl will further instill correct basic fundamentals.
.22 Semi Auto, is next, Colt Woodsman, Hi-Standard's, Ruger Standard, MKII, Buckmark, Smith 422, 622...
Simple, not heavy, and again iron sights.
New shooters do not have the hand, wrist and grip strength developed yet, fatigue leads to missing, and less fun and deflates self esteem.
The simple guns, afford a shooter to boost self esteem, instill correct basics and have fun, especially kids.
Transition to a BHP, or 1911. Single Action, again to advance the skills learned with a .22 semi.
Shotgun:
Gun Fit , Gun Fit, Gun Fit.
Shotguns are pointed - not aimed.
Bone Stock, with wooden stocks are best.
Wood is denser, therefore less felt recoil, wood allows one to tweak gun fit [LOP, drop at comb, pitch, cast on, cast off, ...]
Seasoned shooter, and find someone that knows how to "read" a student when shooting to access gun fit.
Ladies should get with other seasoned lady shooters, then again there are plenty of men that can do this, just the lady needs to be comfortable with the male.
Ladies are built different, so these differences will be addressed, student and person assisting need to be able to communicate all this.
Now once various shotguns are actually shot, and various "tweaks" done (moleskin to raise comb for instance) take those measurements and get that/similar gun, and again with a seasoned shooter and gunsmith that knows guns fit, get your shotgun fitted.
For instance the contour of toe and heel and inside of Pach Decel works great for ladies, (built different remember?) still guys can benefit too.
One cannot shoot what they cannot see - Missledine
Sights? Well I learned to shoot shotguns without beads.
I teach this as well.
Many of the top shotgunners that have custom guns built, do not have beads on purpose.
Slug hunting, I just use a mid bead set up.
Never Ever learn with a crutch.
Picking a Gun:
Gun Fit is the Key.
One has to be able to reach and use any and all controls, and in shotguns the fit is what lessens felt recoil.
Handguns again- I/We after doing the above, the person has shot a slew of guns, and some of the same guns with different stocks.
For instance, Eight Model 10s, with different stocks.
Student has gone from .22 revolver, to center-fire revolver.
Student has gone from .22 semi to centerfire.
By now they have an idea of what fits them. So they pick out from these, tried, what is pretty, cute, or whatever.
Mr. H's drill is done.
1/4 sheet of typing paper.
Five rounds
Five yards
Best from concealed still low ready works.
"Go" and the paper don't lie.
Best groups are right there, with the times.
That is the gun that that shooter shoots best.
Gun Fit changes with age, we get bigger, we get stronger....
We also get older, arthritis, disease, injury, and we shrink.
This is why a shotgunner misses with a gun they have shot for 10 years...20 years.
Tweak the fit, since they have changed and they hit like they used to.
This is why a person hell on wheels with a .357 can't do.
Mr. H drill and the danged old Arthritis kicked in, that injury, whatever and with .38spl loads they can still shoot that revolver well, and get quick accurate hits.
Words to the wise:
-To keep it - give it away. Kids are our future, and these .22 rifles and ammunition are not that expensive.
-Work with the Elderly and Physically limited.
I assure you, you will learn more from them, than you are passing forward.
You too are getting older, and you too may find yourself limited physically.
-If you ever think you have Arrived - get rid of your guns to someone that can use them responsibly.
I don't know you, and I don't want you breathing my air.
