Taking my wife to the range for the first time, what do you think of my plan?

[Clay]

Ok, I've finally got my wife to agree to go to the range with me this Friday. I had to make a deal that Im not proud of, but I will do what I have to in order to get her to the range.

Ive put together a "plan", so to speak, to introduce her to shooting. She is a person who grew up on a farm and around guns, but has never shot one.

Anyway, I plan to have a 'sit down' with her at some point prior to discuss the '4 rules'. I figure I better get it out of the way before we go.

Ive also got some good literature from the appleseed shoots Ive been to which do a great job of explaining sight picture, and how to aim. I figure I can use those so she will understand how it all works. Now if I just had one of DaveD's sight alignment tools

Once we actually start to shoot, I plan to start small and work my way up. I think starting her off with a scoped CZ 455 should be easy enough, and Ill probably stick with the .22 caliber stuff for the most part. I would eventually like to get to a 10/22, and then her first handgun as a P22.

I've got a couple of walkers from Bobcat Steel, and would also like to get some shoot-n-see targets. Might even bring some tannerite IF she feels comfortable shooting a rifle caliber bigger than .22.

My main goals in this are two fold: 1) To get my wife interested in shooting with me on occasion. I really would love for her to want to go out with me and enjoy herself. 2) and this is probably more important than #1, I want my wife to have the ability to properly function a firearm in the event Im not home and she needs something to protect our family. I would prefer she learn how to handle the 870 I keep available on a nightly basis, but something is better than nothing!

Does anyone have any thoughts, comments, or experience that may help me in my quest??

Thanks,
Clay

 

[Doty]

This might go without saying but be nice to her and dont laugh at her. I learned that the hard way

 

[Clay]

I know, Ill try hard, and Im sure she will do fine.

I tried to get her to go to some intro training but she said I could do it. I asked if she was sure, because sometimes (ok, all the time) I dont have very much patience.

 

[SEIndSAM]

And just be forewarned, as I learned the hard way, that if she enjoys shooting your ammo costs are going to double!!!

 

[Clay]

I can handle that, but I doubt she will like it THAT much. Or it could be yet another reason to get into reloading.

 

[pinshooter45]

Start with the steel targets. Instant gartification from the bang and clang! She'll know right away if she's hit the target, and you can say "Theat's Great Honey" every time it clangs! Worry about hiting a bullseye afte she's grinnig from ear to ear from hearing the steel ring!

 

[IndySSD]

Yeah, I've found that new shooters are a lot like first time drug takers.

If you want them to keep at it, you keep their taste short, painless and cheap.

How this translates into your trip at the range with your wife.

1. Don't even take anything over .22lr on the first trip. Any physical pain can be an instant denial of repeat service, even if they pretend that's not the reason.

2. Suppress it if at all possible, get a friend to bring a suppressed .22lr rifle and subsonic ammo if at all possible. Pistols are fine and dandy but not many things easier to manipulate while being less daunting than a rifle. The simpler, the better.

3. Like pinshooter said, steel targets only for the first trip. BIG ones.

4. Keep it short. Even if she says she's having fun, she doesn't want to stay there as long as you would. If she even get's a little bored, it's going to to onto a subconscious checklist of "reasons to not go to the range" decision making process.


And you already know, be supportive

Good luck!

 

[Scutter01]

I would also suggest finding a range where you can have some privacy. If she's new to shooting and already apprehensive, she's not going to want other people (especially a RSO) watching over her shoulder. Atterbury almost turned Spasmo off shooting altogether for that exact reason.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

I had to make a deal that Im not proud of, but I will do what I have to in order to get her to the range.

I really want to know more about this.

One thing to consider is having someone else that you both know and trust to go with you to be her "instructor" I know in many cases someone besides the spouse can be more patient and she may be more patient with them. Important thing here is to let that person do the instructing and you just lend support and approval.

 

[3point5]

I had to make a deal that Im not proud of, but I will do what I have to in order to get her to the range.

I really want to know more about this.

One thing to consider is having someone else that you both know and trust to go with you to be her "instructor" I know in many cases someone besides the spouse can be more patient and she may be more patient with them. Important thing here is to let that person do the instructing and you just lend support and approval.

THIS. SWMBO always thinks that I am upset, or just picking on her when I try to give her a tip. She enjoys the P22 the most. For new (female) shooters, Ive found shoot-n-c's and laser's make the experience much better. Im sure that steel would be a good idea, but I dont have a range that allows steel around here.

 

[schafe]

I would also suggest finding a range where you can have some privacy. If she's new to shooting and already apprehensive, she's not going to want other people (especially a RSO) watching over her shoulder. Atterbury almost turned Spasmo off shooting altogether for that exact reason.

Really! That is the exact reason that my wife is difficult to talk into shooting anywhere else. She feels much safer with those guys around/ helping her.
I guess we shouldn't try to figure them out...just say those two little words that have kept my marriage going for over 40 years....."yes, dear."

 

[Scutter01]

Really! That is the exact reason that my wife is difficult to talk into shooting anywhere else. She feels much safer with those guys around/ helping her.
I guess we shouldn't try to figure them out...just say those two little words that have kept my marriage going for over 40 years....."yes, dear."

The RSO at the time kept barking at her every time he thought she was doing something incorrectly. It got to the point where she got fed up, put the gun down, and went to sit in the car. It was none of his business. She was not being unsafe and not breaking any range rules. He was "helping". He saw a new shooter and decided to butt-in.

 

[Sylvain]

My main goals in this are two fold: 1) To get my wife interested in shooting with me on occasion. I really would love for her to want to go out with me and enjoy herself. 2) and this is probably more important than #1, I want my wife to have the ability to properly function a firearm in the event Im not home and she needs something to protect our family.

We have the same goals.

This goes without saying, but dont forget eye and ear protection.

And like other said, big targets at close range shooting.

 

[schafe]

The RSO at the time kept barking at her every time he thought she was doing something incorrectly. It got to the point where she got fed up, put the gun down, and went to sit in the car. It was none of his business. She was not being unsafe and not breaking any range rules. He was "helping". He saw a new shooter and decided to butt-in.

I don't want you to think that I was challenging her experience, as I understand that it was apparently traumatic to her....I was just pointing out how these two different wives had altogether different reactions to what was quite possibly the exact same scenario...one seeing it as an upsetting and unwarranted correction, and the other seeing it as an opportunity to meet and learn from someone she saw as having significant firearms skills.
Anyway, I am glad that it didn't put Spasmo off completely. Learning firearms and shooting can be overwelming in the beginning.

 

[Clay]

first off, you guys are awesome! Lots of great advice, so Thank You!

Start with the steel targets. Instant gartification from the bang and clang! She'll know right away if she's hit the target, and you can say "Theat's Great Honey" every time it clangs! Worry about hiting a bullseye afte she's grinnig from ear to ear from hearing the steel ring!

Excellent! The range has steel setup at everything from 50 yards out. Ive got some steel I can hang at the 25 yard line where I plan to start.

Yeah, I've found that new shooters are a lot like first time drug takers.

If you want them to keep at it, you keep their taste short, painless and cheap.

How this translates into your trip at the range with your wife.

1. Don't even take anything over .22lr on the first trip. Any physical pain can be an instant denial of repeat service, even if they pretend that's not the reason.

2. Suppress it if at all possible, get a friend to bring a suppressed .22lr rifle and subsonic ammo if at all possible. Pistols are fine and dandy but not many things easier to manipulate while being less daunting than a rifle. The simpler, the better.

3. Like pinshooter said, steel targets only for the first trip. BIG ones.

4. Keep it short. Even if she says she's having fun, she doesn't want to stay there as long as you would. If she even get's a little bored, it's going to to onto a subconscious checklist of "reasons to not go to the range" decision making process.


And you already know, be supportive

Good luck!

also good points, and probably a GREAT idea on nothing bigger than a .22 also. Ive got a .22 suppressor that I plan to bring. Might as well make it a "mini NFA day"

I would also suggest finding a range where you can have some privacy. If she's new to shooting and already apprehensive, she's not going to want other people (especially a RSO) watching over her shoulder. Atterbury almost turned Spasmo off shooting altogether for that exact reason.

Luckily the range I shoot at is a small private range with no RSOs, and usually very little traffic during the day. So this one just kind of comes with the range

 

[Clay]

I had to make a deal that Im not proud of, but I will do what I have to in order to get her to the range.

I really want to know more about this.

One thing to consider is having someone else that you both know and trust to go with you to be her "instructor" I know in many cases someone besides the spouse can be more patient and she may be more patient with them. Important thing here is to let that person do the instructing and you just lend support and approval.

I really dont know that I want to discuss it here, BUT what the hell its not that big a deal I guess. My wife is what some people like to call "high maintenance", which Im fine with since I rarely ever have to participate much more than dropping her off somewhere. She has been on me forEVER to go with her to one of her monthly "maintenance" appointments, and Ive refused. She dropped the bomb on me one day and said Ill go with you (shooting) if you go with me. So, on Friday Im getting (drum roll please), a pedicure. I have man feet. I feel sorry for which ever aisan chick has to trim my nails, wash my feet, and hack on my calluses, but hey, I want my wife to go to the range.

as for the friend thing, if I can find someone I trust to go, Ill extend the offer. Problem is Im taking a day off to go, and anyone else would probably have to do the same.

We have the same goals.

This goes without saying, but dont forget eye and ear protection.

And like other said, big targets at close range shooting.

yup, thanks for the reminder.

 

[Scutter01]

So, on Friday Im getting (drum roll please), a pedicure.

You're a man. You're supposed to get a manicure. It's got the word "man" right in it.

 

[Clay]

lol

 

[7.62-5.56Plinker]

dude every man should get pedicures "happy healthy feet is a happy healthy body" for real. ask a doctor. i get em bout every other month or so. say what you will, my feet are awesome. and the prettier they are the more likely she'll rub em for ya.

 

[pinshooter45]

dude every man should get pedicures "happy healthy feet is a happy healthy body" for real. ask a doctor. i get em bout every other month or so. say what you will, my feet are awesome. and the prettier they are the more likely she'll rub em for ya.

Take it from some one who pounded the pavement for years in field service, take care of your feet! Or you'll pay for it later. I've got arthritis in both feet and ankles, already had one surgery, probably have to have another at some point. Now going a full day at the 1500 kills my feet, and I have to hit the Vicodin when I get home. And I had a heck of a time getting back up Lovemywoods Mountain! Wear good shoes, My Podiatrist recomended SAS walking shoes. And they give a pretty good pedicure. Had them do one during my treatment for the toenail fungul infection I had, helped a lot.