How to get the fiance into shooting?

[Airw4ves]

So, I'm looking at taking get my PAL/RPAL soon, most likely once school slows down a bit. Now I know that this is great way to get out and escape with the boys, but I thought that it would be nice if I could try and get my fiance into it as well. We don't really have many hobbies that we do together, and I think shooting might be a great way to have a common interest. I'm not saying she has to become a IPSC champion, but it would be nice to get her out to range every once and awhile to put some holes in paper. The only real problem is that she is terrified of guns, at no real fault of her own, as she never grew up around guns, and has only ever seen what our lovely media likes to show about them. She has agreed to take the course with me, I'm just wondering, do you think that having her take the course would ease her fears and make her more comfortable around firearms? Or would it be more beneficial for me to get the PAL, and the two of us take a beginner shooting class (after teaching her about basic firearm safety).

Thoughts?

[Strewth]

I've got my wife booked for her PAL/RPAL after the New Year, she grew up actively discouraged from touching firearms. After a couple of trips out to the bush (zero pressure) with the .22, then the .410, Mini-14,etc. up to mild loads through a 12 gauge, we hit the range for fun with pistols! She shoots my .38 better than me, darn it.

I feel this way of showing new people is best, starting small, targets in close so everyone's a winner, and crown land if possible: reactive targets(clean up!) and "relaxed" range rules- still safe, but you can go at your own pace..heck, make a picnic out of it.

If neither of you have your licence yet? Sounds like a cool couples thing for her to brag about to her friends! Let her pick the next couples activity after you both pass? I r now swing dancer...

My 2¢.

[Prairie Dog]

Good advise Strewth!

Don't compromise on safety but emphasize the fun factor. Something you can do together is a good selling point. Assure that she feels comfortable, a firearm is only as dangerous as the person handling it.

Perhaps some good videos? Avoid the ones where some clusterf*ck gives a new shooter a .50 caliber to shoot for the first time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGYf9AZlSyU

[stevesummit]

I second the reactive targets and a 22 or 223 once she makes that first hit and sees that it's not an evil baby killing sport she will understand why we do the things we do with our hobby . If shooting center fire try to double up on the hearing protection as its mostly the sound that scares most people

[Garetsu]

My wife grew up around some not so 'gun safe' people, and she was in high school one county over from Columbine, so she was growing up with a not so good image of firearms.

When I met her I had only even been to 1 range ever, down in Florida, so my experience with firearms was severely limited, so I had a really hard time explaining to her why I eventually wanted to own a firearm. Eventually, after much convincing, I got her to come with me to Target Sports for, for my 2nd time shooting, and her 1st. Honestly, I didn't have to do much when we were there to convince her, the little safety briefing calmed her nerves, I shot first so she could watch, and then when she took her first shot... She was hooked, haha! We left with her going on about how much she loved the .357 and the 12 gauge!

Since then I got my RPAL, and she comes out with me almost every time I go out shooting. It's awesome. Hell, last time we were out, she wouldn't give me the Norc M305 back!

[DOA]

I've got my wife booked for her PAL/RPAL after the New Year, she grew up actively discouraged from touching firearms. After a couple of trips out to the bush (zero pressure) with the .22, then the .410, Mini-14,etc. up to mild loads through a 12 gauge, we hit the range for fun with pistols! She shoots my .38 better than me, darn it.

I feel this way of showing new people is best, starting small, targets in close so everyone's a winner, and crown land if possible: reactive targets(clean up!) and "relaxed" range rules- still safe, but you can go at your own pace..heck, make a picnic out of it.

If neither of you have your licence yet? Sounds like a cool couples thing for her to brag about to her friends! Let her pick the next couples activity after you both pass? I r now swing dancer...

My 2¢.

Awesome, you might know my sister if you attend any big swing events...

My wife was very timid but I explained to her that I wanted her to understand the basics so she could be safe with firearms as they are in our home. I also hinted that I would enjoy having her with me when I spend time pursuing my hobby. We started with 22 close up and she has fun now. Always education and understanding first.

[Airw4ves]

Great, thanks for info guys
I'll hopefully have her come out and take the course with me in the new year. I'm looking to pick up an AR15 for my first purchase, so I'm fairly certain the recoil will be manageable for her. I'll probably pick up a RDS just so she doesn't have to worry about figuring out irons, and can just shoot for fun. Thanks again, and I appreciate the video posted, some really good info in there.

[lone-wolf]

If you're both taking the course together, that seems like the best idea. AR15 with a red dot sounds ideal to me as well. Have fun.

[CanuckWR]

I battled my better halfs indifference to guns buy buying her some neat "low recoil" options. Rem 597VTR with A2 stock was first, and she doesn't mind it. Then a Walther P22, which was a great investment because its really small for her hands, runs on almost any 22LR I put in it and the single action pull is not to bad. Then I got a 6" GP-100 with full underlug and loaded her some 38 sp soft stuff and one of those reactive targets that rolls and she is HOOKED! That revolver is a recoil free dream and I can still work on my pistol skills with it.

I should state that my lady chooses not to shoot anything with recoil. So it has been a struggle.

[Airw4ves]

Well, thanks to this 's actions on Friday, my fiancé is dead set against me having a firearm in the house. I have tried to explain it, but nothing has worked so far. Looks like I'll have to wait until all of this dies down, and try again.

[Drache]

I've gotten more than a few women into shooting. Some just can't get into it. So if you have a wife or girlfriend, don't pressure them into it. You put pressure on them and they will just refuse to come or if they do go shooting, won't have any fun doing it. I've also found more than a few girls who just can't stand the thought of killing something with a firearm so I generally keep hunting talk or pictures out of the shooting experience. Some have gotten over this and want to hunt, others have not.

Some women want to be alone with you for their first time shooting so they won't be embarrassed, others need to be in a group to build up courage. If they want to be alone take them out into the woods (less chance of people watching which might make her nervous). Some women though need to be in a group so other women can encourage them. In this case it always helps to bring in a woman who knows how to shoot and will use larger caliber guns. A lot of women in a group feel that if one can do it, so can they.

Start small. Usually a .22LR. This works for both pistols and rifles. Allow them to shoot that until they are calm with it. Do not rush them. If it takes multiple trips then so be it. When they are calm then politely offer to bring something larger. Once again do not force them into something larger.

Use lots of encouragement.

Start with a paper target to help them learn to aim. Then once she can aim switch to reactive targets. The more reactive the better. The best paper targets are the shoot N See targets (holes change color). Reactive targets can be pop cans, golf balls, anything that makes a noise and moves when shot.

Then move onto something slightly larger. .223 works well as does .410 if they want to get into shotguns.

Some will immediately hate anything larger than a .22LR. If that's the case oh well. She either wasn't ready for centerfire or she's just wants to shoot rimfire. Don't be disappointed.

After using a small centerfire until she's comfortable then you offer something in a larger caliber.

Remember, don't talk about things that might scare someone from shooting. Don't brag or joke about the amount of recoil a certain gun has or how much it hurt your shoulder. That may worry them and so they won't move up to a larger caliber.

[lone-wolf]

A 12ga with light birdshot. Had a lady friend of mine shoot one the other day, after being scared by others with 12ga recoil stories.

[zulu]

hide the broom at the gun range harharhar, i started my wife with a .22

[JustBen]

Well, thanks to this 's actions on Friday, my fiancé is dead set against me having a firearm in the house. I have tried to explain it, but nothing has worked so far. Looks like I'll have to wait until all of this dies down, and try again.

That's really too bad. But if she is reasonable, you can show her that you will take all the required precautions. Buy a small safe, stick with "traditional" styled guns to start with before moving to the "scary looking" black guns.

Best of luck.

[Airw4ves]

Well, things have finally calmed down, and made I deal with her that I would do a cleanse (joy) if she would take the course with me. And I didn't even have to bring it up
So, we are booked in for March and will be doing both our PAL and RPAL.