Range Report - Wife's first time out (pic heavy)

[Que]

My wife agreed to go to the range to see what all the "hooplah" is about. Instead of just going out and shooting, I made it a real class. We began with some history about guns in America, followed by present day law; caliber and purposes for various handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Next, we spent some time on safety, loading and unloading, and lastly... shooting with the S&W .22A-1.

She wasn't totally enthralled, but did enjoy shooting the .22 caliber. She ended with a go at the Glock 23 and didn't like it one bit. I think she hit the target sheet 11 times out of 60 shots, but I thought she did an outstanding job.

We ended the session with a trip to Bradis to show her where I buy guns. We looked at a couple of smaller handguns, but she most liked the polymer-framed Ruger .22 caliber. So, I will be selling some of my current guns to get the .22 that she likes. Most likely, she will like it enough to join me at the range once in a while. If she chooses not to do so, at least she has an understanding how to load, unload, aim (with some degree of comfort), and fire a gun. However, we will practice some of these techniques at home to keep her encouraged.

Overall, it was a great success, but I almost crapped when a fellow INGOer said, "I've been reading about you."

 

[eldirector]

Great job Que and Ms. Que! Sounds like a great range trip. You can tell by her stance that she wasn't exactly comfortable, but she hung in there! I love the big ****-eatin' grin you've got. Proud husband, aren't ya'!

What range is that? Looks nice....

 

[Clay]

Awesome!! I hope to do the same with my wife some day. If I could just get her to quit being prego!

 

[shooter521]

Nice job, Que. I think your Mrs. would enjoy meeting (and shooting with) mine; give me a holler next time you two are going to be out at MCF&G.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Good deal man, I hope this goes a long way to helping your situation.

Also kudos for making it a class and a class act. Too many reluctant people are just handed whatever gun is on hand and it turns what could have been a positive experience into a negative one.

 

[Bigum1969]

Great job! I dream of being able to take my wife to the range some day.

Thanks for posting the pics!

 

[indyjoe]

Awesome!! I hope to do the same with my wife some day. If I could just get her to quit being prego!

Sure, its all HER fault...

 

[Woodsman]

Congrats on a good day. One thing I noticed from the pictures of the missus shooting was her stance and facial expression. It looked like she was expecting to get kicked by a horse. When I got down to your comment about her not liking the .40 caliber it made sense.

If she feels more comfortable with the .22, then run to the shop and help her pick up a good .22. After she gets comfortable with that she may graduate to larger calibers later on.

NOT, like those videos you see every so often where some a$$ gives someone a .50 Desert Eagle to shoot for the first time and thinks it's funny when they crack their head open.

I like the approach of the history lesson and philosophy of use also.

Happy .

 

[88GT]

Well, it looks all right in the edit mode. Don't know why it's not formatting properly, but you get the idea anyway.

 

[Serial Crusher]

She's definitely a keeper if she sat through the talk I can't get mine to even listen to the answers to questions she asks about guns

 

[bat54r]

Great post and great pics Que, thanks for sharing.
-Bret-

 

[melensdad]

Great job!!!

My wife and I don't shoot together anymore, she pretty much gave up on the sport several years ago, but has commented she might like to start up again.

However in the early years of our marriage (been married 25+) we used to Trap Shoot together a couple days each week. I found out that recoil was her enemy, while she never had any problems shooting her 12 gauge, she would be worn out after 3 or 4 rounds of Trap (100 rounds max). Once I figured out that shooting sessions needed to be a bit shorter things went along great with her as my shooting partner.

With your wife, quickly showing disdain for the short 40 Glock, I'd suggest you keep her on the light recoiling rounds. 22 and perhaps 9mm. Heavier guns also tend to moderate recoil.

With my daughter she really likes my (she now claims it) Browning Hi Power. Heavy steel gun + 9mm round = low recoil.

Your wife might appreciate the lighter recoiling guns with target sights. If she likes the plastic frame Ruger she might also like the Walther SP22. It looks more benign than a defensive pistol and you might be able to get her to accept a 'target' pistol as a first gun pretty easily.

 

[SmileDocHill]

So there IS hope! That makes for one fine day right there. What else could a guy ask for. You are a lucky man.

 

[MoparMan]

Congrats! Rep given for you teaching someone the basics on shooting. Hopefully you can keep her interested and learning more.

 

[Que]

Thanks, everybody. The last two shooting pics at the bottom were the before and after of the one time she shot the .40 caliber. I just wanted to give her the opportunity to experience what is in the bedside drawer.

 

[esrice]

She's smiling in the pics-- a good sign!

 

[XtremeVel]

Congrats on making such progress in such a short time !

You'll know when you hit a home run when the first time you hear her refer to your guns as " our " guns.

 

[gage]

Epic win for you and her! Thank you for sharing and congrats on a super job making it a great experience. Great post!

 

[techres]

Well done, sir, and mam.

Now, go and enjoy something else that's her hobby - its the rule of marital reciprocity...

You make a cute couple,
Techres

 

[huntall50]

Very good!!! Thanks for sharing both sides of the situation as I am sure others are going thru/ or will go thru the same things. Hopefully with similar results.