Win for shooters

headlesscashew · July 17, 2011, 09:55 PM

I've been shooting for years, but as I have figured out nobody knows everything. I have a female friend that absolutely despises firearms, however, over the weekend, when talking about disaster preparedness, she came to the conclusion that she should still learn how to safely and properly operate different types of firearms. Win for us! I am going to sit her and her husband down and walk them both through safety and proper operation of different types of firearms and then take them to the range and let them have some fun. I am looking for any tips to help with safety, comfort or anything anyone can come up with. I am going to use all .22: bolt and semi auto rifles and revolver and semi auto pistols. I know the basics and then some was a certified instructor in a life past and haven't talked about safety with anyone in a while, just looking to get some help brushing up and any good pointers.

Thank you in advance,
JT

oldkim · July 17, 2011, 10:33 PM

Keep it Simple....

Don't overload them with their first time out. Stick to 1-2 primary for each (rifle, pistol, shotgun). When you get into too many types it confuses the newer shooters and may even "turn off" some shooters. You have to judge...

Start off with the most simple to operate and easy to shoot.

I see it in the next few months... as "disaster" comes to minds of all those watching TV... more folks will want to get "experience" with firearms. So I do agree that this will bring in those that have been "hard liners" in the past.

As for tips: figure out how they learn (verbal, visual, by example and hands on or a mixture of all the above).

Ask what their needs are and expectations are... It's amazing to find out what some folks think about guns... what guns "can do" and what they really can do...

Also I try to be very honest with folks in projecting a "budget" I usually tell folks to budget around $1500 for a new gun. This includes the gun, a case or two of ammo and holster and/or case and cleaning supplies and a safe or locks of some kind.

pax · July 17, 2011, 10:40 PM

JT ~

Awesome! Good for her -- and good for you for helping her reach that point.

You can find my advice for taking a newbie to the range here: http://corneredcat.com/Teaching/newshooter.aspx

pax,

Kathy

JustThisGuy · July 18, 2011, 12:06 AM

Regarding safety, I would just stick to the Four Rules, for the reasons given above (KISS).

Too many people have trouble even with just those simple rules.

littlmak · July 18, 2011, 02:48 AM

It may also help if you use bullseye targets instead of those showing people or shadow outlines. They may be ready to learn about guns but not ready to fire at a human type target.

Crazy88Fingers · July 18, 2011, 03:19 AM

Bullseye targets are better for new shooters anyway since they give the shooters a specific point to aim at, instead of just "center mass". It's also easier to judge just how accurately you're shooting.

Aside from the KISS advice, I'd print up two little cards with the four rules on them so they have something to hold onto and refresh their memory.

jrothWA · July 18, 2011, 09:05 AM

and concentrate of one firearm at a session or as they progress.

Suggest using clay target on an inclined piece of cardboard, then they get positive results.

Information overload it to be avoided.

Nice going and good luck!

insolentshrew · July 18, 2011, 09:13 AM

I would probably plan on 2-3 range sessions. If you want to do 2, long guns - pick maybe a bolt action 22, a semi auto, and a pump action shotgun. Then pick out a few semi auto's to go over, and a da/sa revolver. I would concentrate on "should they need to operate a gun, what are they most likely to encounter?" If you really wanted and they are commited, you could probably do 2 different range sessions just for handguns. First one being a basics, just getting used to them/safety and shooting. Then on the second get a little more specific. Look at striker fired vs hammer fired, get into da vs sa vs dak/dao, go into the features in more detail of said firearms (single stack/double stack, manual safety vs none, decocking levers, mag release positions on various handguns, etc.)

As others have said, start off simple - but I would say let them decide how advanced they want to go with it. If they are having fun, chances are you have quite a few range sessions ahead of you with some new shooting friends.

July 17, 2011, 09:55 PM	#1
headlesscashew Member Join Date: May 20, 2011 Posts: 15	Win for shooters I've been shooting for years, but as I have figured out nobody knows everything. I have a female friend that absolutely despises firearms, however, over the weekend, when talking about disaster preparedness, she came to the conclusion that she should still learn how to safely and properly operate different types of firearms. Win for us! I am going to sit her and her husband down and walk them both through safety and proper operation of different types of firearms and then take them to the range and let them have some fun. I am looking for any tips to help with safety, comfort or anything anyone can come up with. I am going to use all .22: bolt and semi auto rifles and revolver and semi auto pistols. I know the basics and then some was a certified instructor in a life past and haven't talked about safety with anyone in a while, just looking to get some help brushing up and any good pointers. Thank you in advance, JT

July 17, 2011, 10:33 PM	#2
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	KISS Keep it Simple.... Don't overload them with their first time out. Stick to 1-2 primary for each (rifle, pistol, shotgun). When you get into too many types it confuses the newer shooters and may even "turn off" some shooters. You have to judge... Start off with the most simple to operate and easy to shoot. I see it in the next few months... as "disaster" comes to minds of all those watching TV... more folks will want to get "experience" with firearms. So I do agree that this will bring in those that have been "hard liners" in the past. As for tips: figure out how they learn (verbal, visual, by example and hands on or a mixture of all the above). Ask what their needs are and expectations are... It's amazing to find out what some folks think about guns... what guns "can do" and what they really can do... Also I try to be very honest with folks in projecting a "budget" I usually tell folks to budget around $1500 for a new gun. This includes the gun, a case or two of ammo and holster and/or case and cleaning supplies and a safe or locks of some kind. __________________ "Shoot Safetly, Shoot Often and Share Your Sport." Jim Scoutten, Shooting USA Check out my new website: www.shootonthemove.org

July 17, 2011, 10:40 PM	#3
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	JT ~ Awesome! Good for her -- and good for you for helping her reach that point. You can find my advice for taking a newbie to the range here: http://corneredcat.com/Teaching/newshooter.aspx pax, Kathy __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

July 18, 2011, 12:06 AM	#4
JustThisGuy Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Posts: 311	Regarding safety, I would just stick to the Four Rules, for the reasons given above (KISS). Too many people have trouble even with just those simple rules. __________________ JustThisGuy Mediocrity dominates over excellence in all things... except excellence.

July 18, 2011, 02:48 AM	#5
littlmak Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 308	It may also help if you use bullseye targets instead of those showing people or shadow outlines. They may be ready to learn about guns but not ready to fire at a human type target. __________________ I'm looking for a gun for a fella that can't shoot. (John Wayne, Eldorado)

July 18, 2011, 03:19 AM	#6
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	Bullseye targets are better for new shooters anyway since they give the shooters a specific point to aim at, instead of just "center mass". It's also easier to judge just how accurately you're shooting. Aside from the KISS advice, I'd print up two little cards with the four rules on them so they have something to hold onto and refresh their memory. __________________ "And I'm tellin' you son, well it ain't no fun, staring straight down a .44" -Lynyrd Skynyrd Last edited by Crazy88Fingers; July 18, 2011 at 03:31 AM.

July 18, 2011, 09:05 AM	#7
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	K.I.S.S., is proper.. and concentrate of one firearm at a session or as they progress. Suggest using clay target on an inclined piece of cardboard, then they get positive results. Information overload it to be avoided. Nice going and good luck!

July 18, 2011, 09:13 AM	#8
insolentshrew Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Posts: 270	I would probably plan on 2-3 range sessions. If you want to do 2, long guns - pick maybe a bolt action 22, a semi auto, and a pump action shotgun. Then pick out a few semi auto's to go over, and a da/sa revolver. I would concentrate on "should they need to operate a gun, what are they most likely to encounter?" If you really wanted and they are commited, you could probably do 2 different range sessions just for handguns. First one being a basics, just getting used to them/safety and shooting. Then on the second get a little more specific. Look at striker fired vs hammer fired, get into da vs sa vs dak/dao, go into the features in more detail of said firearms (single stack/double stack, manual safety vs none, decocking levers, mag release positions on various handguns, etc.) As others have said, start off simple - but I would say let them decide how advanced they want to go with it. If they are having fun, chances are you have quite a few range sessions ahead of you with some new shooting friends.

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