One woman’s opinion
I was raised in a family that went out back and shot firearms; hand guns and rifles. Attended a Hunter’s Safety course so I could go hunting with my dad, as soon as Michigan law allowed. (Seems like it was 12yo back then.) Married a man that studied deer nearly 365 days a year and we did that together, and hunted during bow and rifle season. I had an FFL at my hardware store and sporting goods was our biggest money maker. (Western Michigan so besides hunting, lots of fishing supplies.) One of the few females issued a CCW in Oceana county. (Thirty-five years ago, to apply for a CCW in Michigan, had to go before a board comprised of the sheriff, a state police officer and city police chief and prove need and training experience.) Over the last twenty years, have taught many women how to operate/shoot hand guns safely. All of this information is to explain my experience level.
This is what I recommend:
This is not a quick process and it takes a patient significant other.
If you don’t own one, borrow or purchase a larger framed 22LR pistol with a safety. If you suspect she will get into shooting, purchased one for her. There are many to choose from but for example: Ruger SR22, Walter P22Q, M&P22C, Mosquito. The first time female shooters that I have worked with have preferred this size of a pistol and appreciate the safety button.
While sitting at home relaxed, go over the parts of the gun, how to hold it, how the sights work and how to line them up. Drawing sights on paper can be helpful. Spend enough time on how the safety works that it is fully understood. What happens when the trigger is squeezed and why we keep our hands off/away from the slide while shooting. How to load and unload the magazine. How to seat and remove the magazine. She needs to do ALL of this for herself several times, once shown how. Keep it relaxed and welcome questions. There is no need to chamber a round unless at the range. Explaining the significance of chambering should help her feel safer learning about the pistol. After significant time learning the pistol, she will become more confident with it. When she does, invite her on a date to shoot it. If she says no, she needs to spend more time learning the pistol to be more confident.
Purchase some fun colorful targets for her to shoot. Never met a woman that didn’t like the targets with a bathroom scale on it.
DO NOT RUSH INTO LARGER CALIBERS UNLESS YOU DO NOT WANT A SHOOTING BUDDY.
After SHE expresses wanting to shoot a center fire pistol, make sure you have an UpLula for loading. Besides making it easier to load a magazine, it helps preserve long nails. Going from the 22LR, to 380ACP, to 9mm, allows them to quit when they stop feeling comfortable going up. This slowly stepping up, allows them to experience a little more kick at a time and after the first shot, the fear diminishes. Yes, some 380’s can kick more than a 9mm so select these pistols wisely. Larger, heavier frames will help make the experience more enjoyable for her. Each time you switch pistols, STOP and show how this pistol works, where is the safety, mag release etc. Once she is comfortable with the next pistol, let her be the one that loads it and chambers a round. Do not push her into shooting more guns. If she only wants to shoot a 22, let it be.
Think like a woman and ENJOY your new shooting buddy.
I was raised in a family that went out back and shot firearms; hand guns and rifles. Attended a Hunter’s Safety course so I could go hunting with my dad, as soon as Michigan law allowed. (Seems like it was 12yo back then.) Married a man that studied deer nearly 365 days a year and we did that together, and hunted during bow and rifle season. I had an FFL at my hardware store and sporting goods was our biggest money maker. (Western Michigan so besides hunting, lots of fishing supplies.) One of the few females issued a CCW in Oceana county. (Thirty-five years ago, to apply for a CCW in Michigan, had to go before a board comprised of the sheriff, a state police officer and city police chief and prove need and training experience.) Over the last twenty years, have taught many women how to operate/shoot hand guns safely. All of this information is to explain my experience level.
This is what I recommend:
This is not a quick process and it takes a patient significant other.
If you don’t own one, borrow or purchase a larger framed 22LR pistol with a safety. If you suspect she will get into shooting, purchased one for her. There are many to choose from but for example: Ruger SR22, Walter P22Q, M&P22C, Mosquito. The first time female shooters that I have worked with have preferred this size of a pistol and appreciate the safety button.
While sitting at home relaxed, go over the parts of the gun, how to hold it, how the sights work and how to line them up. Drawing sights on paper can be helpful. Spend enough time on how the safety works that it is fully understood. What happens when the trigger is squeezed and why we keep our hands off/away from the slide while shooting. How to load and unload the magazine. How to seat and remove the magazine. She needs to do ALL of this for herself several times, once shown how. Keep it relaxed and welcome questions. There is no need to chamber a round unless at the range. Explaining the significance of chambering should help her feel safer learning about the pistol. After significant time learning the pistol, she will become more confident with it. When she does, invite her on a date to shoot it. If she says no, she needs to spend more time learning the pistol to be more confident.
Purchase some fun colorful targets for her to shoot. Never met a woman that didn’t like the targets with a bathroom scale on it.
DO NOT RUSH INTO LARGER CALIBERS UNLESS YOU DO NOT WANT A SHOOTING BUDDY.
After SHE expresses wanting to shoot a center fire pistol, make sure you have an UpLula for loading. Besides making it easier to load a magazine, it helps preserve long nails. Going from the 22LR, to 380ACP, to 9mm, allows them to quit when they stop feeling comfortable going up. This slowly stepping up, allows them to experience a little more kick at a time and after the first shot, the fear diminishes. Yes, some 380’s can kick more than a 9mm so select these pistols wisely. Larger, heavier frames will help make the experience more enjoyable for her. Each time you switch pistols, STOP and show how this pistol works, where is the safety, mag release etc. Once she is comfortable with the next pistol, let her be the one that loads it and chambers a round. Do not push her into shooting more guns. If she only wants to shoot a 22, let it be.
Think like a woman and ENJOY your new shooting buddy.
