Taking new shooter - what am I missing?

[Benjamin]

Tomorrow I'm taking some friends to the range. Both are imports from Colorado. One used to have a few guns (sks, Glock 22) but had to leave them on the other side of the continent, since Massachusetts isn't too gun friendly. His wife has never shot; the excursion is so that she can get a chance to try it.

I'm a state certified instructor, and NRA certified for basic rifle and pistol.

Planning to start off with basic safety, then sight picture.

I have a variety of targets, a spotting scope, a range and firearms as follows:

.22 lr revolver and pistol, one pistol with a red dot
.22 lr pump action rifle, 10/22 with a red dot
Two service size 9mm semi autos

a few .38/357 revolvers, one with a dot

S&W 629

.45 ACP revolver and a basic 1911

SKS
AKM
FAL
AR-15
Remington 870
Browning Citori

I thought that should cover pretty much all the bases.

I havent' done this too much - am I missing anything obvious?
Suggestions?

Thanks all.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd say you're on a good path. I've personally never introduced anyone to shooting with more than two guns, and often just one. I think newbies are sometimes easily confused and/or overwhelmed—and I'm reluctant to clean lots of guns, anyway.

 

[Wanderer]

Take the .22 revolver for her in the beginning, the work her up to a .38 load through a .357. If he already knows how to shoot, you might just want to bring another .357 along for him.

 

[Baba Louie]

Ear and Eye safety equipment.

Don't overwhelm the new shooter, just go have some fun. Do you really want to lug around then later, clean all of those? Shooting them is the fun part. But ya gotta feed them too.

Lots of .22lr and .38 or 9mm ammo.

Maybe a rifle with a little more pizzazz than a .22.

Maybe a shotgun if you can shoot clay pigeons, preferably a 20 ga.

Maybe (if its outdoors) a rug to sit on or to shoot prone on.

Cooler w/ ice tea and water.

Have fun. Safely.

Let us know how it turns out.

Adios

 

[Remander]

Echoing earlier post. REALLY good ear protection. A big bang like produced by a .38 or .357 or shotgun seems to have more "scare" effect on newbies than recoil. But even the least willing usually shoot up all your ammo before they want to go home. Have fun!

 

[BerettaNut92]

.22lr revolver, IMO is probably the best. .223 rifles are fun, too.

Reference the women, I don't know jack about women except what we think we're doing that's cool, they think we're dorks for it. So no testosterone Travel light, don't feel compelled to have them try everying, esp the big guns.

Double up on ears. Big blank targets. New shooters love reactive targets, it builds confidence and is fun for them. Smack down bad habits immediately.

 

[AndABeer]

If the wife is going to shoot an auto, tell her to leave the cleavage at home, a nice high neck shirt will do well. I seem to have a problem with newbie ladies shooting next to me, taking a hot empty down the front and then sweeping me multiple times while they dance about trying to shake it loose.

Also for autos keep an eye on weak hand position and do not allow either of them to wrap their thumb around the back strap. I neglected this and my brother sliced his hand open rather badly.

 

[NRA Instructor]

Good for you. We need more educated shooters.
I think for a first shoot you are planning on taking too many firearms. I'd stick with just the .22's for this first time shooting and plan for future trips to the range for the others. And continue to reenforce the safety instructions even as they shoot.
Remember to check to see which is their dominant eye. Cross dominant is not too much of a problem with handguns, but could be a big problem with long guns.
This is the time to make sure they understand keeping the muzzel always pointed down range and the need to keep their finger off the trigger until they are ready to shoot and all range commands. And then check their ability to unload, especially a semi-auto or lever action. I'd start both of them at the shortest distance you can shoot at your range. Even 25 yards can be a long way for a first time shooter and 25 feet would be better. Then move the targets when you feel they are ready.
In class we always start with shooting off sandbags. It gives them stability and confidence. Then you can show them the correct off hand stance as they progress.
As for cleaning, show them how and have them help you right at the range and tell them how you store your guns and ammo.
Since you have one with some experience and one with none, keep you instructions at a level to the one who knows nothing. That was the man will not feel talked down too but will also learn things he never knew.
Take your NRA instruction books with you. It will help you to reenforce a point and give you the ability to stay with the lesson plan.
And tell them they both should join the NRA.
Last of all, good luck, be safe, and my God watch over you.

 

[BryanP]

Yeah, you're kind of overdoing it for a beginning shooter. If it was me I'd probably start with the .22 & .38 revolvers (.38's only to start). MAYBE a .22 semi & .22 rifle if you're going to make a long day out of it. Feel free to bring some other toys along for you to play with but don't overdo it.

 

[hksw]

Doing all of that shooting will take a long time. As mentioned, bring refreshments and maybe some snacks.

Although I don't mind them, some folks don't like Port-o-lets, particularly women. I generally make it a point to stop off at a gas station or restaurant to 'lighten the load' before hitting the firingline (if your range doesn't provide normal facilities).

 

[Spackler]

I always try to have some bandaids in my range bag, in case I get pinched, bitten, sliced, or cut. And it seems to happen a lot.

 

[Benjamin]

Thanks for the tips.

Things went pretty well. I showed up early and made one mistake with my directions on how to get to the range, so I had a 50 yard bay to myself for an hour before they showed up. Oh heavens, how shall I stay amused...

The safety lessons sunk in very well, and both obeyed them scrupulously. After the first 10 minutes both were double checking chambers before handling a firearm.

We started with the .22 revolver from about 10 yards, and her first aimed shots hit in the X-ring and the black of the targets available. She kept the first one.

Both enjoyed the Sig.

Her husband shot a few 2 liter bottles with the 629, and she agreed to try one shot. The ammo was about a mid range .44 special load in .44 mag cases.

A word about me bringing that many firearms - I wanted to have some of everything available in case they were interested. I didn't start with everything out on the bench, and made clear that they didn't have to shoot any or all of what I'd brought. Actually, the only longarm that got any use was the FAL, to compare the effects of pistol rounds v. rifle rounds on water jugs.

An enjoyable, safe time was had by all.