Every year or so, I help instruct female shooters at a range day event. Many are new, some are experienced. My Question: What are some Good and Bad experiences or suggestions you have for an Instructor? What feedback do you wish you could tell someone who once tried to help you along the shooting journey?
The event features a classroom session and then some live fire. I help with the live-fire. In general, if a shooter is competent, I leave them alone and let them have some fun while i focus on shooters who are either new or struggling. If I can, I'll offer a pointer or two to the experienced shooters. Obviously, trying to keep everyone safe can occupy the entire allotted time if someone is careless on the line. I get to see everything from people who can barely function as humans up to Army soldiers trying to make marksman. It's especially fun to see young shooters discovering incredible natural talent!
My answers to the question:
STOP BUYING TINY GUNS!
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!
I saw a small woman, maybe 40 years old, in great shape. She became extremely frustrated that she couldn't rack the slide of her 380. She had the wrong gun. She was a good shot and student, but that little gun (Partially)ruined her range experience.(i tried to help with technique... She seemed to leave with renewed resolve to conquer this stupid little gun!)
Get a 22.
Get ear muffs that noise cancel, play speech louder. I had a terrible pair years ago, but my latest set is great for hearing people speak.
Keep the finger off the trigger!
Keep it pointed down range!
Once upon a time: Got rushed, trying to show a woman she was flinching, she may have thought I was screwing with her doing ball/dummy drill. I should have explain myself more clearly.
'Nother student had a brand new snub-revolver. It was 9mm. It was ammo picky. It was a disaster: "it's not a bad gun, kinda, Must pick right ammo. then it'll work fine! Probably!..."
As an instructor, I will have gum and mints.
As an instructor, Please don't point the gun at me.
The event features a classroom session and then some live fire. I help with the live-fire. In general, if a shooter is competent, I leave them alone and let them have some fun while i focus on shooters who are either new or struggling. If I can, I'll offer a pointer or two to the experienced shooters. Obviously, trying to keep everyone safe can occupy the entire allotted time if someone is careless on the line. I get to see everything from people who can barely function as humans up to Army soldiers trying to make marksman. It's especially fun to see young shooters discovering incredible natural talent!
My answers to the question:
STOP BUYING TINY GUNS!
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!
I saw a small woman, maybe 40 years old, in great shape. She became extremely frustrated that she couldn't rack the slide of her 380. She had the wrong gun. She was a good shot and student, but that little gun (Partially)ruined her range experience.(i tried to help with technique... She seemed to leave with renewed resolve to conquer this stupid little gun!)
Get a 22.
Get ear muffs that noise cancel, play speech louder. I had a terrible pair years ago, but my latest set is great for hearing people speak.
Keep the finger off the trigger!
Keep it pointed down range!
Once upon a time: Got rushed, trying to show a woman she was flinching, she may have thought I was screwing with her doing ball/dummy drill. I should have explain myself more clearly.
'Nother student had a brand new snub-revolver. It was 9mm. It was ammo picky. It was a disaster: "it's not a bad gun, kinda, Must pick right ammo. then it'll work fine! Probably!..."
As an instructor, I will have gum and mints.
As an instructor, Please don't point the gun at me.