Need some advice on teaching a new shooter.

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So my new girlfriend and I got talking and we got onto the subject of guns. She knew very early on that I owned guns and had my CHL, she also knew that I carried my gun but did not really ever inquire to how often or any specifics. The first time I suggested that we find a day to go shooting her reply was, "I would go with you but I don't think I would actually want to shoot a real gun".

We talked about it for a while and she agreed to at least give it a try. I know nothing will kill the chances of her getting into guns than her having a bad experience the first time out.

Here are the guns I have access to

My S&W M&P .40
Several .22lr rifles some bolt action and one semi-auto
.38spl J Frame
Ruger .357mag
Mosin Nagent 7.62x54r

My plan was to first while at home have a discussion about the 4 rules and basic operation of the guns. This can be illustrated first with airsoft and then with the guns themselves while unloaded (of course still applying the 4 rules)

Once we get out to the woods I figured I would first start her with the .22lr's and then load the .357 with .38spl's since its got a 6in barrel so recoil with
.38's is pretty slight.

I really wish I had a .22lr pistol but I don't as of yet, (but what an excuse to buy one)

Anything I am missing? One option that I thought about would be to invite another female experienced shooter, I think this might reduce the overall fear factor.

Also any input on if its better to start with a "real" target like bowling pins or a standard bullseye paper target.

The end goal would be to her become comfortable with firearms that she will enjoy shooting and eventually get herself a gun for HD.
 
Maybe these go without saying, but...

If it's cold and wet, don't bother.
Don't skimp on the hearing protection
A target that reacts, like a can or a clay, might be more fun than a paper target.
 
i wouldn't get real pedantic with airsoft illustrations of the 4 rules. the rules are pretty simple and i doubt you want to seem condescending about a topic you'd like her to enjoy.

beyond that, just do something fun. easy enough and difficult enough that she can feel like she's accomplishing something. shooting coke cans is nearly ideal. try hanging them from strings or something.

don't start with paper. (unless you're shooting a shotgun)
 
Yeap, what they said.

Start little with the .22lr. Maybe only that the first time.

And then the .38 loaded light.

Your trying to have a good first time, not impress her with having her shoot a bigger gun.

Pop cans are always fun, as are clays.
 
Some thoughts --

[1] get a Ruger Mark III .22lr (this is your excuse).

[2] Get some dummy rounds for which ever guns you'll be using -- probably the .22 and .357 (with .38s). Show her how the guns work and with the dummy rounds go through the procedures for loading and unloading.

[3] Let her handle the guns without live ammunition, but with the dummy rounds, under your supervision. Have her go through the steps of loading and unloading. Let her operate the actions and see what the parts are and how they work together. Let her do some dry firing. This gives her a chance to become familiar with the guns without making loud noises. It also helps get her accustomed to being aware at all time of where the gun is pointed, and get accustomed to keeping her finger off the trigger and indexed along the frame while attending to administrative matters. We do this in our NRA Basic Handgun class, and it's a big help. When the students get to the firing line, they are somewhat familiar and comfortable with the mechanics of the guns, and thus can concentrate on shooting. They are also safer because they've been guided through the observance of the safety rules (rather than just being lectured about them).

[4] Start with a blank paper target (like the back side of a standard target) not too far away. You want her to hit the target and not worry about bullseyes or score. Go for consistency. Once she can get decent hits, let her shoot at reactive targets, like cans or clays. if you can at your range. Reactive targets are fun, but only if she hits them. If she doesn't, she'll just get frustrated.
 
Stay with the .22s and go with the rifles first. Don't bother with the centerfires until after a couple of trips to the range. Also buy or borrow a .22 handgun to use after she has shot the rimfire rifles a few times. Don't start her off with a centerfire handgun.
 
Do you live near anyplace that will rent firearms for use at their firing range? For your first time out, you may want to try that route. To a first time shooter, making the jump from even a 22 to a light 38 is fairly dramatic - as is making the jump from rifle to handgun.

For your first outing I suggest that you rent a couple of small, easy handguns like a 22 revolver and an auto 25cal (our gun club charges $10 for the first rental and $5 for every one after). I am just talking for the first time. Eventually move her to whatever is the weakest .38 round that your .357 will fire.

Also, wherever you go and whatever you decide, bring hearing protection. Even if all you decide to do is go shoot beer cans, it would still be smart to have. Anything louder than a 22 will make a novice flinch.

The first time that I took my sister shooting, we brought my .243 rifle and my Uncle's .22 rifle to my gun club. She did fine with the .22 but jumped out of her skin the first time that she heard the .243 go off (her exact words were "No way - I aint shooting THAT thing"). But by the end of the day she was doing great at 50 yards with the .243 and was calling my Uncle's .22 a "sissy gun". So if you play your cards right, you'll have a fun shooting companion for some time to come.

Best of luck...
 
Before you even leave home, give her the 4 rules of safety. Make sure she can repeat them. Then, in the privacy and comfort of your home, show her how to operate the guns she may end up shooting. This will let her familiarize herself with what she will be doing without anyone else around, and no noise or distractions.
 
Don't forget to warn her to wear a high-necked shirt and a hat with a brim.

Hot brass in the bra is no way to start your shooting career. Been there. Done that. Learned to bring a different shirt to change into on a "range and dinner" date with my DH. :D
 
Anything I am missing? One option that I thought about would be to invite another female experienced shooter, I think this might reduce the overall fear factor.
Click to expand...

I would recommend bringing a male and female (preferably dating each other) instead of just a female friend. Since you say she is your "new" girlfriend bringing another woman by herself could set off some jealousy issues and distract her from learning about guns. If it's another couple with you, the girls could talk while the guys shot and the guys could talk while the girls shot.
 
Like the others, I'd recommend starting her off on the .22's, and maybe have the .357 along, loaded with some light .38's in case she wants to move up after awhile. Offer that to her, but don't make her feel like she has to shoot it. You know - "if you want to try something a little punchier, I've got some light .38 Specials you can try. If not, that's cool too." I almost guarantee, that if she likes shooting the .22's, she'll at least give the .38's a try before the day is done.

Also, I'll agree with the one commenter above - there's really no need to bring airsoft into the picture at all - if anything, it might be more confusing. If you're talking about real guns, use real guns in your safety speech. Less to keep track of.

And as far as reactive targets go - they're awesome for new shooters, but don't underestimate the power of destroying paper targets. I recently took a new shooter out to the range, and since none of the ranges around me allow any type of reactive targets, she was shooting paper all day. And when I say all day, I mean it. We were there from a little after one in the afternoon until almost six P.M. I shot maybe four mags worth of .22 in that time - the rest was all her, and she had a blast. Google for some free, printable targets, and you'll find all kinds of fun stuff. They have ones that look like playing cards (so you can play rimfire poker!), aliens (save the planet!) and zombies (save the planet part 2!). You get the picture.


And about bringing a .22 pistol - I highly suggest it. For many new shooters (and some not-so-new) getting the hang of rifle shooting takes some time. Handguns are not always so..finicky to get sood results, and (to me at least) are a lot more user-friendly. If you don't already have a .22 pistol...buy one. Everybody should have one. Particularly a Ruger, either MK II or MK III. They just can't be beat.
 
Also, If you have any scoped .22s, then those can help. I know, you're not teaching them the fundamentals, but you are getting them to hit stuff much more easily, and that means they'll have fun.

If she has fun, then she'll come back. You can worry about the fundamentals after making sure she's good and hooked.
 
I did with my wife the same as I did with my Hunter Safety students: start with a bolt-action carbine, chambered in .22LR. Advance up to a nice .22LR pistol or revolver.

You need to keep any "perceived recoil" to the barest minimum. Do not use paper targets that place emphasis on accuracy. Use a metallic target that will provide immediate feedback of "success", such as a .22LR bullet trap. Few experiences reinforce a desire to repeat an action better than success and immediate feedback of that success, i.e. "TING!"

JMHO
 
I've introduced quite a few people to shooting, a search here will pull up my range reports. Main thing to concentrate on is safety and fun. For new shooters, keep the recoil to a minimum. This allows them to not become afraid of the firearm as well as making good quality hits. Their fun level starts to skyrocket once they're seeing bullseye hits on a sillhouette target. I usually take new shooters to a pistol range for their first time. It cuts down on the different types of actions to learn.

I start them off with .22s, then slowly progress them up to larger calibers. Frequent breaks should considered, this gives the shooter time to rest up as well as go over their performance and give tips. Go over the safety rules, make sure their safe, having fun and making good quality shots. There really isn't much need to overload them on information for their first range trip either. Basic fundamentals such as proper grip, sight alignment, breathing and trigger control is what I usually stick to on their first time.

Good luck and have fun!
 
The best suggestion I could give you is bring someone who isn't emotionally attached to her.

Either she will get mad if you jump down her throat about some rule of gun safety OR you will be less likely to seriously enforce a rule. Either way you may spend a couple days in the dog house.

The only way to teach her yourself is to know absolutely 100 percent before getting there that you are prepared to take it the distance. If you think there may be a chance that you may slack in some area don't do it. Get someone else to teach her while you watch
 
an additional "rule" that i try to impart on new shooters...

"never try to catch a dropped gun... let it fall"
 
FIrst find .22 pistol.

Good Idea on the 38 loads (my wife loved them in my Smith)

Shoot & see targets are a must.

Stand near the range officer. Alow him to offer advice. He could say the same thing you did, but to him she will listen.

Double hearing protection. (Plugs & muffs)

Lastly it is about her not you. Let her shoot 90% of the rounds. Leave when she is ready & by all means BRING PLENTY OF AMMO. It is a bitch to run out when they are having fun.

My wife was the same & absolutly loved her first (and secound) trip to the range.
 
I agree with everything said but other than stressing safety let her get used to the gun firing. I told my girlfriend when she started that we were shooting at a piece of copy paper that happened to have a bullseye in the middle try to keep them on the paper and technique can be taught once she is comfortable with recoil,sound and manual of arms. Do not under any circumstances do what the guy next to me Saturday did and start her out with .45 and .357 and bark in her ear to "Fix your stance""Relax""bend your elbows" he tried to make her a bullseye shooter in two hours. It was like shooting next to Ike Turner
 
Plus one to the one hundredth power on the "make it fun" advise. Start out at home with just some familiarization handling. Coach gently but firmly on the four rules. If you have time before your planned outing, track down a copy of "Armed and Female" by Paxton Quigley and have her read it. Taking some gun savvy friends along and making it a "picnic outing" adds to the fun factor. "Drink the soda, shoot the can, pick it up and take it home with you." That's a good day. :D
 
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