My GF is great and very much into prepping. Only one problem, she is scared to death of guns. This has recently become much more of a topic of conversation between us largely due to my inheritance of my dad's gun collection which when combined with mine might seem excessive to some. She has come to realize she needs to learn to properly handle and use a gun and has agreed to go to the range with me even if only to become more comfortable with firearms. I'm thinking I will just take a couple 22 rifles to start. Any advice on helping her get over her fear of guns? Like I said she is willing to give it a try but from her reactions when I have a gun out cleaning don't seem to point towards a easy transition. Thanks in advance Smitty
See if you can get her to "help" cleaning an easy to disassemble rifle before going to the range. The parts can't hurt anything, and she might see that guns are not harmful by themselves.
Maybe it would help if she knew other ladies like to the shooting sports? Shoot Like A Girl - Women's Shooting Sports - Welcome or heres a vid of fifteen year old Tori 2010 USPSA womens shooting champ Tori Nonaka (15) - USPSA 2010 Single Stack Nationals - YouTube
Using a 22 is a good start. Going out with others that enjoy shooting may help as well. I use a single shot, bolt action for beginners. Once they start hitting the target - move to a semi-auto if you want. Fun is fun, yes?
get her a BB gun to start shooting, no bang, no fear she will move up to a .22 all on her own after a while
What ever you do, DO NOT be like many of the Idiots, we see on YouTube, that hand the woman, a 44 Mag, or some other Hand Cannon, and scare her to death with the first shot. That is so, basically foolish, that someone needs to go Kick the Idiots A** for doing such a thing, and I mean a serious A** Kicking. I have taught many women to shoot, over many decades, including my wife, and both my Girl children. My basic Policy was to introduce them to shooting with my Winchester 69A Bolt Action 22LR. Once comfortable shooting that weapon, then introduce a Pistol in 22LR. When they were comfortable shooting both weapons, and still showed interest, in shooting, I then farmed out the Instruction to a customer, who was a Swat Team Trainer, for professional Instruction. I did the same for his family. We found that for Proficiency Instruction, it was much better to have a disinterested third party do that instruction, than have Dad do it. His wife is now a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and the last person you want holding a Handgun, and ready to kill, is my wife, holding her Dan Wesson Stainless .357 with the 8" barrel installed. She is DEAD Bang, accurate out to 100 Yds with that, and with our SW29 with an 8" barrel. When thinking about the Weapons, for women to train on, keep in mind what their build, and grip is like. Many do NOT have the Wrist Strength for a Large Caliber Hand Cannon, but will be very good with a 9MM, or .40 Pistol. what is MOST important is does she feel comfortable with the weapon in her hands. If it isn't comfortable in her grip, it is NOT the weapon she needs to be using. ..... YMMV....
22's good hearing protection, reactive targets, like balloons or clay pigeons. Go for fun first. If you get past that point I suggest a professional trainer, or well versed friend, other than yourself. It's the rear couple that it will work for. There are so many different dynamics involved I don't want to type them. It's kind of like teaching your wife to drive. Not a good idea.
Thanks for the advice everyone. Hopefully we will get out to the range this coming week or next weekend. I'll let y'all know how it goes!!
My wife of 38 yrs just got her CC class finished. She is still a bit "skittish" with guns but is trying. She started changing her mind when other lady friends divulged that they carry and urged her to also. Have her read about attacks on ladies/and/or their families. My wife can hit fairly well with a 45 and smaller calibers but wants a 38 DA revolver. Got my daughter a shrouded hammer S&W 38 and plan to get her one also. Good reliable shooter that requires nothing but pulling the trigger when the adrenalin is flowing.
Nothing wrong with a good DA Revolver, for a ladies Weapon. Momma use to be a Union Rep, and had to go to meetings down on First Ave. in Seattle, at night. (seedy part of town, with drunks, dopers, and Bums) She would put the 2" barrel on her Dan Wesson Stainless .357, load it with JHPs, and put it in her purse, with stout 12" handles. She has had a CCW since we were married. (4 decades) Her response, when I asked her about it was, "If I feel threatened by some miscreant, I will just whack him, upside his head, with my purse and knock him Right on his A**, and if he is still wiggling, then I will retrieve the my gun, and finish him off." Believe me when I say, this is one Lady you do NOT want to stand in front of, (out to 100 Yds) when she has a weapon in her hand, and Blood in her Eye...... ..... YMMV....
My brother and I set up a " rifle " range in the back acreage with a cardboard box using pump action BB guns. All range rules were enforced including muzzle direction etc. We taught the kids and wives. It killed my son and nephews when they violated a rule and couldn't shoot while everyone else did. They learned safety first ( or no fun ) Then we moved em up to .22
I started my daughter with a .22 and cb caps, then shorts, then long rifles...Worked well... i second the use of reactive targets something that reinforces the positive...works well and not too loud....i reccommend a long arm then swap to a short arm... it worked here but Ymmv
When the subject of guns and girlfriends/wives comes up, I have 2 automatic responses... 1. Never try to teach your girlfriend or wife to shoot. Find someone else to do it, a friend, an instructor...anybody but you. 2. Suggest she read Kathy Jackson's site: Cornered Cat. It is, in my opinion, about the best "tool" to start adjusting the attitude of any hesitant student...male or female.
Just got back from taking her on her first trip to the range. Today was a tester as she just watched to get used to the sights, sounds, and smells....love that smell. She did well and was over her flinch within a few minutes. Pretty sure she will be ready to give it a go next time. Smitty
Next smell to be introduced is Hoppe's. Get 'er done!! Looks like success is in the offing. Good deal.
If you can get her to like the smell of Hoppes, ya better marry her quick before sum other guy snatches her up!!!!
