Teaching a Newbie Friend to Shoot

golfnutrlv · April 3, 2009, 01:21 PM

Hello all,

Looking for a little insight about teaching a friend to shoot. I have pretty good knowledge and skills regarging the material.

I plan on an intense safety discussion, and of course, will start him on my .22 rifle, and then work on pistols.

I have experience with teaching other subjects, and I am pretty good about communicating effectively and succinctly.

Any ideas of specific things or ideas for teaching him? I have pretty extensive firearms knowledge and training in tactical pistol shooting. Just looking for some help distilling that info into the best package for a new guy!

Any help appreciated!!

THEZACHARIAS · April 3, 2009, 01:27 PM

Are we talking some experience, or zero experience (your friend I mean)? Assuming you're gonna hit all the safety stuff hard, would start off with sight alignment and proper trigger pull. Make sure he has the basics down before moving to more complicated stuff.

golfnutrlv · April 3, 2009, 02:13 PM

He has fired a pellet gun. Nothing beyond that. This is just intended to be an introduction to the shooting world, and get him started on the right foot, while having a fun range day.

pax · April 3, 2009, 02:47 PM

www.corneredcat.com/Teaching/newshooter.aspx

No time for more right now, but that should get you started.

pax

GuyMontag · April 3, 2009, 02:50 PM

I wouldn't even go to a range and would spend a day with him in a controlled place going over safety. It's hard to go over safety rules at a range. When I take rookies shooting, I invite them over and give them a course on safety, operation, etc then we head to the range to apply that.

I always thought there was too much to know, learn, etc and it's hard to do and concentrate on at a range.

EricReynolds · April 3, 2009, 03:47 PM

I've brought a good handful of friends to the range who had never been before. I find that the best and easiest way to teach someone is to go first and before I even let them touch a gun, I just have them watch me. As they watch what I do, I explain everything it is that I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Eyewear and ear protection, check, inspect the weapon, check, etc. Now watch me shoot. Any questions? If no, I'll let you take a turn as I stand right next to you and make sure you don't forget anything. My numbskull cousin loads magazines backwards. I'm serious. Oddly enough, it's his only problem, so I load his weapon for him. I stopped tieing his shoes for him though.

Mannlicher · April 3, 2009, 07:32 PM

hard for me to relate to this. All of my friends are gun cranks.

golfnutrlv · April 3, 2009, 08:53 PM

Thanks Pax, that's perfect!!

chris in va · April 3, 2009, 09:48 PM

Yeah, got some advice. Make it fun. Don't talk them to death about sight picture, holding it right, stance etc etc. Set up some 'reactive' targets that make noise or bust when hit.

Once they get the idea, let them plink away.

GUNSITE · April 3, 2009, 09:59 PM

I have pretty extensive firearms knowledge and training in tactical pistol shooting. Just looking for some help distilling that info into the best package for a new guy! END QUOTE

If you have extensive firearm knowledge, and tactical training, just teach him what you experienced, start from the beginning minus the mistakes, teach safety and the fundamentals of target shooting, Aiming, sights, loading, squeeze, hand position, etc... etc...etc.

Your a good friend for helping him/her learn to shoot

12GaugeShuggoth · April 3, 2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Set up some 'reactive' targets that make noise or bust when hit.

+100. To someone who isn't already "in" to shooting, simply pulling the trigger and feeling the gun hit them in the shoulder isn't really all that interesting. Setting up some kind of reactive target is almost assured to make it easier for them to enjoy. I mean c'mon, making soda cans dance with a .22lr will always be fun, I don't care how much you shoot you just can't take the fun away from it.

Bring a can of soda you don't plan on drinking, shake it up real good and let them shoot it........instant smile.

golfnutrlv · April 3, 2009, 11:13 PM

I like the exploding pop can idea. Unfortunately, we are going to the indoor range I am a member at. Paper and cardboard will have to suffice for now.

Thanks for all the help so far, keep other ideas flowing...

golfnutrlv · April 11, 2009, 11:10 AM

Hey everyone who helped out with this thread: Thank You!!!

The new shooter session went great, and he is hooked!

Thanks everyone for your help with my thread!

April 3, 2009, 01:21 PM	#1
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Teaching a Newbie Friend to Shoot Hello all, Looking for a little insight about teaching a friend to shoot. I have pretty good knowledge and skills regarging the material. I plan on an intense safety discussion, and of course, will start him on my .22 rifle, and then work on pistols. I have experience with teaching other subjects, and I am pretty good about communicating effectively and succinctly. Any ideas of specific things or ideas for teaching him? I have pretty extensive firearms knowledge and training in tactical pistol shooting. Just looking for some help distilling that info into the best package for a new guy! Any help appreciated!! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

April 3, 2009, 02:13 PM	#3
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	He has fired a pellet gun. Nothing beyond that. This is just intended to be an introduction to the shooting world, and get him started on the right foot, while having a fun range day. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

April 3, 2009, 02:47 PM	#4
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	www.corneredcat.com/Teaching/newshooter.aspx No time for more right now, but that should get you started. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

April 3, 2009, 07:32 PM	#7
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	hard for me to relate to this. All of my friends are gun cranks. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

April 3, 2009, 08:53 PM	#8
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Thanks Pax, that's perfect!! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

April 3, 2009, 01:27 PM	#2
THEZACHARIAS Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 537	Are we talking some experience, or zero experience (your friend I mean)? Assuming you're gonna hit all the safety stuff hard, would start off with sight alignment and proper trigger pull. Make sure he has the basics down before moving to more complicated stuff.

April 3, 2009, 02:50 PM	#5
GuyMontag Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 131	I wouldn't even go to a range and would spend a day with him in a controlled place going over safety. It's hard to go over safety rules at a range. When I take rookies shooting, I invite them over and give them a course on safety, operation, etc then we head to the range to apply that. I always thought there was too much to know, learn, etc and it's hard to do and concentrate on at a range.

April 3, 2009, 03:47 PM	#6
EricReynolds Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 393	I've brought a good handful of friends to the range who had never been before. I find that the best and easiest way to teach someone is to go first and before I even let them touch a gun, I just have them watch me. As they watch what I do, I explain everything it is that I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Eyewear and ear protection, check, inspect the weapon, check, etc. Now watch me shoot. Any questions? If no, I'll let you take a turn as I stand right next to you and make sure you don't forget anything. My numbskull cousin loads magazines backwards. I'm serious. Oddly enough, it's his only problem, so I load his weapon for him. I stopped tieing his shoes for him though.

April 3, 2009, 09:48 PM	#9
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Yeah, got some advice. Make it fun. Don't talk them to death about sight picture, holding it right, stance etc etc. Set up some 'reactive' targets that make noise or bust when hit. Once they get the idea, let them plink away.

April 3, 2009, 09:59 PM	#10
GUNSITE Member Join Date: January 27, 2006 Location: USA Posts: 72	I have pretty extensive firearms knowledge and training in tactical pistol shooting. Just looking for some help distilling that info into the best package for a new guy! END QUOTE If you have extensive firearm knowledge, and tactical training, just teach him what you experienced, start from the beginning minus the mistakes, teach safety and the fundamentals of target shooting, Aiming, sights, loading, squeeze, hand position, etc... etc...etc. Your a good friend for helping him/her learn to shoot __________________ THE TWO LOUDEST SOUNDS YOU'LL EVER HERE ARE... A BANG WHEN YOU EXPECT A CLICK...OR A CLICK WHEN YOU EXPECT A BANG

April 3, 2009, 11:13 PM	#12
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	I like the exploding pop can idea. Unfortunately, we are going to the indoor range I am a member at. Paper and cardboard will have to suffice for now. Thanks for all the help so far, keep other ideas flowing... __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

April 11, 2009, 11:10 AM	#13
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Hey everyone who helped out with this thread: Thank You!!! The new shooter session went great, and he is hooked! Thanks everyone for your help with my thread! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.