The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Hazcat on March 23, 2009, 09:18:57 PM

Title: Started new shooter!
Post by: Hazcat on March 23, 2009, 09:18:57 PM
My Budd's' wife was NOT a gun girl.  My buddy is (ex navy, Nam vet).  GOOD people but she was afraid of guns.  So this weekend we went to an out door range with a good 'plinking' pit for .22s.  I took her to the side (women listen better to guys OTHER than theirs ;) ) and gave her a course on the Single Six.

Then tossed some clays out at about 14 yards and stayed real close with her though the loading, shooting and unloading for a while.  After about the third cylinder she hit two clays out of six shots and was 'off to the races'.  I was having a ball with her.  She asked if I wanted to shoot and I told her I was having MUCH more fun teaching her and experiencing her first success!

Great day all around and another blossoming shooter.  (BTW she is probably ;) a day or two older than me!)

I LOVE teaching new shooters and getting people into the 'fold'.
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: Big Frank on March 23, 2009, 09:22:24 PM
Good job, Haz. We can always use more people on our side, especially people who vote. That's the next thing to work on.  :)
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 23, 2009, 09:23:32 PM
Great Haz, the more people who are involved in shooting, the less chance the grabbers have of BSing them.
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: fightingquaker13 on March 23, 2009, 09:26:52 PM
I LOVE teaching new shooters and getting people into the 'fold'.

Good man! Just remember, the FIRST box of ammo is free. ;D
fightingquaker13
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: Green Mountain Gringo on March 23, 2009, 09:28:19 PM
She asked if I wanted to shoot and I told her I was having MUCH more fun teaching her and experiencing her first success!


You never forget your first girl.

Actually it all read like a Penthouse Forum letter....."Dear Penthouse, I never thought I'd be writing you......but listen to this..."

(http://motherhooduncensored.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/07/stpauligirl.jpg)


Thanks for bringing another into the fold.
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: Ping on March 23, 2009, 09:30:29 PM
Rock on Haz.  ;)
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: dj454 on March 23, 2009, 09:42:01 PM
I know how you feel Haz. My wife loves to shoot handguns and I have tried to get her to shoot rifles and she has not been interested. So I bought her a 10/22 for Christmas. She seemed disappointed but tried not to show it but I can read her pretty well. Our last trip to the range she was shooting her handguns and her accuracy had dropped off as it tends to do as you get tired and the harder you try the harder it gets. She was frustrated so I loaded her 10/22 and had her shoot at a spent shotgun shell at about 15 yards. Much to her surprise she hit and got excited when it flew about 15 feet away. Then it was off to the races. I couldn't load the magazines fast enough. Another guy at the range saw how much fun she was having and threw out some golf balls for her to shoot. If you have never shot a golf ball you should try it they are a blast when hit right. She asked me if I wanted to shoot and not just load magazines and I told her to shoot on I was having fun just watching her. Now she sees why I like the .22 rifle so much. Now she is talking about going to the monthly rimfire match with me and I couldn't be happier. I have tried to talk her into going since they started the match but she wouldn't go because she was afraid she would embarass herself. Now I am happy I purchased that 10/22 for her and so is she. If anyone has not introduced someone to shooting or to a different type of firearm you should. It is very rewarding. Just keep it casual and a rimfire is the best thing to start with. It helped my wife relax not worrying about her group size and just have fun plinking.
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: jaybet on March 24, 2009, 06:01:06 AM
Good one, Haz. I keep trying to get a newbie out with me but it's tough around here. Folks either have guns or they think I'm nuts for owning one. There doesn't seem to be much curiosity, but I keep trying. I just can't wait to take a newbie out and open that shottie case full of handguns and watch their face.
We had a half a case full one time at the club. One of the guys was teaching a boy scout troop with 22 rifles. When we came through he greeted us and asked if we had any new toys, so of course we had to show off.

You should have heard the gasps from the three kids near us when we threw open that case! They were as excited as any three kids you've ever seen.
Bringing someone new into the fold is a wonderful thing. We should be on a mission...all of us, every day, to get new shooters.
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: shooter32 on March 24, 2009, 09:19:18 AM
Way to go Haz!! My wife and I did the same for my sister-inlaw. She wanted to learn more about guns and be comfortable around them. We went to the range and now she's hooked. She has bought a .380 and a 10/22 rifle..

Being single and lives alone she has taken her CCW class in February and just signed on to take her hunter safety class. It is so much fun to watch a newbie, first get over the fear and then see the fun they're having!!

More women shooters are a GREAT thing!!
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: Hazcat on March 24, 2009, 10:24:36 AM
I am working on another gal to get started, too.  She is a friend of my GF and comes over most Sundays to watch football or movies with us.  She went to a range one time with an IDIOT who handed her a .357 to start with!

Any who, she is interested, I just have to talk her into making the time.
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 24, 2009, 11:54:22 AM
Jay, Challenge the anti's. Give them the "how do you know, you've never tried it " speech that you gave your kids when they didn't want to eat a new food.  ;D
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: jaybet on March 24, 2009, 01:27:05 PM
Geez, Tom I didn't say I gave up on 'em! They ARE some spoon fed critters, though. I'll get one...it's like hunting or photography...patience...
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 24, 2009, 04:32:27 PM
 Another thing I used to do to my son, Take some of the "questionable food" but don't give him any, then talk with the wife about how good it was, how tasty etc. Then he'd want it and tell himself he liked it, just because we didn't seem to want to share. ;D It was a battle of wits to get him to eat.  ;D
Title: Re: Started new shooter!
Post by: Hazcat on March 24, 2009, 04:32:50 PM
Geez, Tom I didn't say I gave up on 'em! They ARE some spoon fed critters, though. I'll get one...it's like hunting or photography...patience...

"....and here is Jaybet stalking the ever elusive anti-gunner.  Every time he gets one lined up in his sights the quarry does a quick left step into the bushes......"




;D