How to best introduce someone to guns?

ThePatriot29 · May 17, 2002, 02:46 PM

I have a friend who grew up in New England. While she's not exactly anti-gun, she's leary of guns (they're dangerous, they can kill people.) I would like to introduce her to guns, as I think she'll enjoy it, and I believe that I can eventually persuade her to even consider a carry permit. How would you guys introduce her to firearms? I was thinking a .22 rifle and pistol, a brick of .22s, and some tin cans, clays, and other plinking targets. Is this a wise approach? Where would I go from there? I'd eventually like to introduce her to serious firepower, 12 ga., AR, .45, etc. Any suggestions on how to do this? I also plan to subscribe her to the NRA. Which magazine is best for getting someone hooked? Thanks.

Mods, if this isn't the best forum, please move it.

KPS · May 17, 2002, 10:01 PM

I wouls suggest starting with a .22 rifle and or pistol for practice and a safe gun handling lesson.I introduced my wife to shooting with my AR15 and that might have been a bit of overkill.She did enjoy it though.Unfortunately I don't have a small caliber pistol for her to try out and she was scared away from handguns after shooting my .45cal.I wouldn't push her into NRA memberships right away.It'll all come along naturally.Just be patient.Think of it as fishing....you've got her hooked, now just real her in slowly

bastiat · May 17, 2002, 10:11 PM

Do a search through twoblink's posts...he seems to do what you are looking to do about twice a month or so.

krept · May 17, 2002, 10:20 PM

I think a .22 rifle would be great. Then .22 pistol, then higher powered rifle like an AR with a long bull bbl. Then maybe a large framed revolver with liiiight loads and so on...

Not the 12 gauge until she asks!

My fiancee started with a rental G17 and almost cried (my bad). Then she tried a USP .45 and liked it, but was a little intense for her. She ended up getting a Makarov never having fired one (my bad II) but luckily ended up falling in love with it. The appreciation behind it's history meant a lot to her as well. I did get lucky.

If I could have afforded the luxury of going in increments, I would have.

Carry24x7 · May 22, 2002, 01:03 PM

If her concern is danger and safety then definitely start with that. Go find the most modern, safety-conscious, indoor range you can. And ask her if she wants to come along. Pretend you just found out about it by accident and want to go check it out.

Ignore everything else about firearms. Just do the danger safety thing. Let her figure out on her own that nobody got hurt and that it was kinda fun.

Don't give her your old skanky ear muffs, or the new skanky rental ear muffs. Spring for her own brand new set. Glasses too.

krept · May 22, 2002, 08:01 PM

If you go to an indoor range go at an off time. The reason I say this - another mistake I made introducing my fiancee to firearms is I brought her to a range where three other lanes were occupied. The random reports at an inside range can be unsettling for a beginner, especially if someone is using hot ammunition.

M1911 · May 23, 2002, 03:42 PM

I agree with the others, start with the rifle.

I teach NRA Basic Pistol and Home Firearms Safety classes. But in addition, I've informally introduced a number of people to firearms. When I teach someone informally, we start at my home, where we spend about an hour going over the basics of firearms safety, manipulation, and marksmanship. By starting at your home with empty guns, you can teach her in a more teachable environment -- it'll be a lot quieter than the range, have a lot fewer distractions, and she'll be a lot less scared.

Go over the big 3 safety rules (1. safe direction, 2. finger off the trigger, 3. action open and unloaded until ready to use) a number of times. The purpose of the repitition is two-fold: first, the repitition helps your student learn the rules and second, the emphasis you put on safety helps calm their fears (and sets a good example). They are afraid, and for good reason -- if they mishandle the gun, then they or someone else could be injured or even killed. So part of your job is convey to your students that the <b>most important thing to you is safety </b>(and if it isn't, then you shouldn't be teaching...). You should be able to tell your students that you are a safety nazi and you are proud of it.

I suggest that you start the first time with just the rifle. It's the easiest to hit with and has the least recoil. While still at home, demonstrate the positions that you are going to use at the range (seated, prone, bench-rest, etc.). Have her try those positions (with an empty gun, of course). Have her get comfortable holding and manipulating the gun (safety on off, bolt open and closed, etc.) in the safety and quiet of your own home.

While at home, tell her about the basic rules of the range you are going to (e.g., no handling of firearms while someone is down range, anyone can yell "cease-fire", what to do if someone yells "cease-fire", etc.).

When you do get to the range, first reiterate the big 3 safety rules. You cannot repeat these too often.

You should demonstrate each position again and fire the first shots. Show her how it is done. She doesn't know how loud a gun will be or how much it will kick. When you take the first shots, you show her what to expect.

She'll likely be quite nervous (note, I'm not being sexist here -- almost all of my first time shooters, whether male or female, are very nervous at first). That means you have to be very calm and supportive. When she does take her first shots, you should be gently talking her through each step -- breath, relax, align the sights, get the proper sight picture, focus on the front sight, squeeze the trigger. Use a nice steady, even tone, focusing on being a calm, steady, reassuring presence right next to her. Correct mistakes gently (unless they are going to cause an immediate safety issue, of course). Celebrate her successes.

Once she starts to get the hang of it, don't over teach -- stay right by her side, but reduce the amount of instructions that you are giving her. Some mistakes are better left uncorrected. For example, if she ejects the last round, but doesn't realize it is the last round, closes the bolt and starts to shoot, let her continue. She'll find out in a second that the gun isn't loaded when it dry-fires, and you'll get a chance to see if she's anticipating the recoil.

Take advantage of teachable moments. For example, if she has a misfire, explain to her that 9 times out of 10, a misfired .22lr will fire if you simply rotate the cartridge and fire it again. That's because the primer compound is deposited inside the rim of the cartridge case and isn't always distributed evenly. If the firing pin hits a void, then the round will not fire, but will if you rotate the round and try again. So if that happens, explain that to her, rotate the round, and try it again.

Above all, focus on three things: 1) safety, 2) patience, 3) be a calm, steady, quiet presence.

M1911

May 17, 2002, 02:46 PM	#1
ThePatriot29 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 120	How to best introduce someone to guns? I have a friend who grew up in New England. While she's not exactly anti-gun, she's leary of guns (they're dangerous, they can kill people.) I would like to introduce her to guns, as I think she'll enjoy it, and I believe that I can eventually persuade her to even consider a carry permit. How would you guys introduce her to firearms? I was thinking a .22 rifle and pistol, a brick of .22s, and some tin cans, clays, and other plinking targets. Is this a wise approach? Where would I go from there? I'd eventually like to introduce her to serious firepower, 12 ga., AR, .45, etc. Any suggestions on how to do this? I also plan to subscribe her to the NRA. Which magazine is best for getting someone hooked? Thanks. Mods, if this isn't the best forum, please move it.

May 17, 2002, 10:01 PM	#2
KPS Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2001 Location: MA Posts: 780	I wouls suggest starting with a .22 rifle and or pistol for practice and a safe gun handling lesson.I introduced my wife to shooting with my AR15 and that might have been a bit of overkill.She did enjoy it though.Unfortunately I don't have a small caliber pistol for her to try out and she was scared away from handguns after shooting my .45cal.I wouldn't push her into NRA memberships right away.It'll all come along naturally.Just be patient.Think of it as fishing....you've got her hooked, now just real her in slowly __________________ Welcome to Cape Cod.Beware of drunken Kennedys!

May 17, 2002, 10:11 PM	#3
bastiat Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2001 Posts: 1,771	Do a search through twoblink's posts...he seems to do what you are looking to do about twice a month or so. __________________ Flashbunny.org - Pro-Freedom Propaganda Politically Incorrect & Pro-Gun Stuff To Buy

May 17, 2002, 10:20 PM	#4
krept Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,363	I think a .22 rifle would be great. Then .22 pistol, then higher powered rifle like an AR with a long bull bbl. Then maybe a large framed revolver with liiiight loads and so on... Not the 12 gauge until she asks! My fiancee started with a rental G17 and almost cried (my bad). Then she tried a USP .45 and liked it, but was a little intense for her. She ended up getting a Makarov never having fired one (my bad II) but luckily ended up falling in love with it. The appreciation behind it's history meant a lot to her as well. I did get lucky. If I could have afforded the luxury of going in increments, I would have. __________________ the tallest blade of grass is the first to greet the lawnmower blade

May 22, 2002, 08:01 PM	#6
krept Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,363	If you go to an indoor range go at an off time. The reason I say this - another mistake I made introducing my fiancee to firearms is I brought her to a range where three other lanes were occupied. The random reports at an inside range can be unsettling for a beginner, especially if someone is using hot ammunition. __________________ the tallest blade of grass is the first to greet the lawnmower blade

May 22, 2002, 01:03 PM	#5
Carry24x7 Junior member Join Date: March 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 196	If her concern is danger and safety then definitely start with that. Go find the most modern, safety-conscious, indoor range you can. And ask her if she wants to come along. Pretend you just found out about it by accident and want to go check it out. Ignore everything else about firearms. Just do the danger safety thing. Let her figure out on her own that nobody got hurt and that it was kinda fun. Don't give her your old skanky ear muffs, or the new skanky rental ear muffs. Spring for her own brand new set. Glasses too.

May 23, 2002, 03:42 PM	#7
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,055	I agree with the others, start with the rifle. I teach NRA Basic Pistol and Home Firearms Safety classes. But in addition, I've informally introduced a number of people to firearms. When I teach someone informally, we start at my home, where we spend about an hour going over the basics of firearms safety, manipulation, and marksmanship. By starting at your home with empty guns, you can teach her in a more teachable environment -- it'll be a lot quieter than the range, have a lot fewer distractions, and she'll be a lot less scared. Go over the big 3 safety rules (1. safe direction, 2. finger off the trigger, 3. action open and unloaded until ready to use) a number of times. The purpose of the repitition is two-fold: first, the repitition helps your student learn the rules and second, the emphasis you put on safety helps calm their fears (and sets a good example). They are afraid, and for good reason -- if they mishandle the gun, then they or someone else could be injured or even killed. So part of your job is convey to your students that the <b>most important thing to you is safety </b>(and if it isn't, then you shouldn't be teaching...). You should be able to tell your students that you are a safety nazi and you are proud of it. I suggest that you start the first time with just the rifle. It's the easiest to hit with and has the least recoil. While still at home, demonstrate the positions that you are going to use at the range (seated, prone, bench-rest, etc.). Have her try those positions (with an empty gun, of course). Have her get comfortable holding and manipulating the gun (safety on off, bolt open and closed, etc.) in the safety and quiet of your own home. While at home, tell her about the basic rules of the range you are going to (e.g., no handling of firearms while someone is down range, anyone can yell "cease-fire", what to do if someone yells "cease-fire", etc.). When you do get to the range, first reiterate the big 3 safety rules. You cannot repeat these too often. You should demonstrate each position again and fire the first shots. Show her how it is done. She doesn't know how loud a gun will be or how much it will kick. When you take the first shots, you show her what to expect. She'll likely be quite nervous (note, I'm not being sexist here -- almost all of my first time shooters, whether male or female, are very nervous at first). That means you have to be very calm and supportive. When she does take her first shots, you should be gently talking her through each step -- breath, relax, align the sights, get the proper sight picture, focus on the front sight, squeeze the trigger. Use a nice steady, even tone, focusing on being a calm, steady, reassuring presence right next to her. Correct mistakes gently (unless they are going to cause an immediate safety issue, of course). Celebrate her successes. Once she starts to get the hang of it, don't over teach -- stay right by her side, but reduce the amount of instructions that you are giving her. Some mistakes are better left uncorrected. For example, if she ejects the last round, but doesn't realize it is the last round, closes the bolt and starts to shoot, let her continue. She'll find out in a second that the gun isn't loaded when it dry-fires, and you'll get a chance to see if she's anticipating the recoil. Take advantage of teachable moments. For example, if she has a misfire, explain to her that 9 times out of 10, a misfired .22lr will fire if you simply rotate the cartridge and fire it again. That's because the primer compound is deposited inside the rim of the cartridge case and isn't always distributed evenly. If the firing pin hits a void, then the round will not fire, but will if you rotate the round and try again. So if that happens, explain that to her, rotate the round, and try it again. Above all, focus on three things: 1) safety, 2) patience, 3) be a calm, steady, quiet presence. M1911