Girlfriend Handgun Training
- Thread starter rangebob
- Start date
Some great stuff here. However beginners can get bored pretty quickly if they are punching paper. If the range, or conditions permit, and safety is well instilled, intermix their shooting with reactive targets, clays or better yet balloons. Safety first, of course, but watch the reaction when the pop their first balloon!
Its a generalization, but most women I've seen are very quick learners, mainly because they listen. They are also 9 times out of 10 better pistol shots in 10 minutes than any similarily new guy.
The first thing guys will do is BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-BLAM as fast as they can and not care where they hit.
The first thing women will do is follow what you instructed, aim and deliberately fire.
The biggest advice I can give is for gods sake, start them on a .22, be it a Ruger MkII, Smith K17 or Ruger Single Six.
Let them get used to the cause and effect of aiming, evenly pulling the trigger, aligning the sights, the gun going bang, them feeling the very MILD recoil, and them seeing where they are hitting the target.
Then you can work up to something heavier. Often, they'll then want to try something heavier.
Also, listen to them when they say "No, I like ###XX gun better because it doesn't kick as much". Do not force them to shoot the .44 if they get off on shooting the 9mm. This isn't about your ego, this is about them having fun.
One girl I took out to the range worked up exactly as above. She went through .22s fast, liked the 9mm to the tune of about 300 rounds but decided to give a 686 Smith a try.
She was shooting .38 wadcutters when I asked if she wanted to try some .357 Mag loads. She was a bit hesitant but said sure, if it hurt too much, she'd go back to shooting the wadcutters.
She ended up burning through 2 boxes of .357. When she ran out the first box, I went to get a second box and asked her if she wanted the .38s or the .357s. She grinned and said for sure the .357s.
The first thing guys will do is BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-BLAM as fast as they can and not care where they hit.
The first thing women will do is follow what you instructed, aim and deliberately fire.
The biggest advice I can give is for gods sake, start them on a .22, be it a Ruger MkII, Smith K17 or Ruger Single Six.
Let them get used to the cause and effect of aiming, evenly pulling the trigger, aligning the sights, the gun going bang, them feeling the very MILD recoil, and them seeing where they are hitting the target.
Then you can work up to something heavier. Often, they'll then want to try something heavier.
Also, listen to them when they say "No, I like ###XX gun better because it doesn't kick as much". Do not force them to shoot the .44 if they get off on shooting the 9mm. This isn't about your ego, this is about them having fun.
One girl I took out to the range worked up exactly as above. She went through .22s fast, liked the 9mm to the tune of about 300 rounds but decided to give a 686 Smith a try.
She was shooting .38 wadcutters when I asked if she wanted to try some .357 Mag loads. She was a bit hesitant but said sure, if it hurt too much, she'd go back to shooting the wadcutters.
She ended up burning through 2 boxes of .357. When she ran out the first box, I went to get a second box and asked her if she wanted the .38s or the .357s. She grinned and said for sure the .357s.
Before I took my wife to the range for the first time we went through basic safety and operation. I showed her how to load and unload (with dummy rounds) and principles of grip, posture, and sight picture. Once we got to the range I did a quick quiz in the safe area to make sure she remembered everything, then did a few single round loads on the range. She picked it up pretty quickly and had a great time. Make sure to emphasize safe handling practices constantly and stay close enough to correct muzzle direction. One thing I've found in all new shooters I've taken with me is that they often get excited or try to turn around to talk to you while they're still holding a firearm.
#1. Start with a rimfire pistol. Less recoil, less noise, probably less weight.
#2. Don't start her at an indoor range.
#3. Go at a time when the range is relatively quiet. Some guy standing next to her hammering rapid fire .44 magnum rounds downrange is not going to be helpful when she's trying to remember how to line up the sights.
#2. Don't start her at an indoor range.
#3. Go at a time when the range is relatively quiet. Some guy standing next to her hammering rapid fire .44 magnum rounds downrange is not going to be helpful when she's trying to remember how to line up the sights.
