Best Way to Introduce New GF to Guns

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

Like the title says, I'm looking for some help in introducing my new GF to guns. She says "I don't like them" but she's never shot one and never really handled one, so IDK if I believe her.

I'm kinda scared for her because she lives in S Nashville, not in the ghetto, but too close for comfort with her not being able to protect herself. And me calling 9-1-1 the other day and getting placed on hold scares me even more. So.... I'm trying to get her comfy with guns (she knows I carry 100% of the time, except where I'm not supposed to) and she's okay with that, it's just when I leave (I know I shouldn't) all she has is a frying pan to protect herself with.

I'm just looking for some ideas on what to start her out with, etc. I have quite a few "gunny" friends and between us, we have a lot of guns, so she'll be able to shoot quite a bit of stuff... Just wanted to know if you guys had this dilemma and how you overcame it.

[Guest Jamie]

Best Way to Introduce New GF to Guns?

Let her meet the old girlfriend.

J.

[Ebow1]

I'd say gun shows would be good events to bring her to. She can look around, asks questions from experts, and doesn't have to any gun handling that she's not yet comfortable with. I've always wanted to take a girl to a shooting range on a first date, but haven't pulled that one off yet.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

Best Way to Introduce New GF to Guns?

Let her meet the old girlfriend.

J.

[kb4ns]

Best Way to Introduce New GF to Guns?

Let her meet the old girlfriend.

Or the other girlfriend...

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

IDK... I was thinking about starting her out with a .22 and slowly moving her up to a 9mm and then to my .40. So, IDK.

[Guest Jamie]

Or the other girlfriend...

Which could end up leading to this problem:

J.

[USMCJG]

IDK... I was thinking about starting her out with a .22 and slowly moving her up to a 9mm and then to my .40. So, IDK.

A .22 rifle would be a great place to start. I'd venture to guess that just about everyone here shot a .22 before they shot anything else. No reason to break from tradition. Just make sure you keep it relaxed and fun, and most importantly safe.

[kb4ns]

Which could end up leading to this problem:

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

A .22 rifle would be a great place to start. I'd venture to guess that just about everyone here shot a .22 before they shot anything else. No reason to break from tradition. Just make sure you keep it relaxed and fun, and most importantly safe.

Definitely on the safe part... I think that's why she's scared of them. IDK, I just want her to be safe when she's at home and I'm not there. I want, if someone breaks in to hurt her, to be able to call the police and not care about being put on hold because the BG isn't coming after her anymore.

[Guest stovepipe]

If she's willing to go to a range, and you are using iron sites, you might start off shooting cans, clays, steel plate targets, or other easy to hit non X bullseye with a .22. once she wams up to that, ease her into regular targets. Make sure you check here for R or L eye dominance.

You'll have to go to Cheatam or a private place to do anything other than paper targets.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

If she's willing to go to a range, and you are using iron sites, you might start off shooting cans, clays, steel plate targets, or other easy to hit non X bullseye with a .22. once she wams up to that, ease her into regular targets. Make sure you check here for R or L eye dominance.

You'll have to go to Cheatam or a private place to do anything other than paper targets.

We've already done the L or R eye dominance thing one night sitting on a swing looking at street lights. She thought it was awesome that her eyesight would do that.

[Ebow1]

First thing I shot was a .45. A Ruger P345 to be precise. On a side note, how do you test left or right eye dominance. I never shot anything other then a handgun and never needed to test it. I've always assumed I was right eye because I was right handed.

[strickj]

Which could end up leading to this problem:

J.

I should sue for false advertising for that website!

[Guest Jamie]

I should sue for false advertising for that website!

Let me guess... you were looking for the "explicit content"?

J.

[kb4ns]

I should sue for false advertising for that website!

Haha. I didn't even think to try the website 'til you said that. And you're right!!

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

First thing I shot was a .45. A Ruger P345 to be precise. On a side note, how do you test left or right eye dominance. I never shot anything other then a handgun and never needed to test it. I've always assumed I was right eye because I was right handed.

The way I was taught:

Find something in the distance, a streetlight at night at about 30 - 40 ft works nicely.

Take your hands, with both eyes open, and make a diamond out of your fingers..

Maybe a little bit smaller. Put the streetlight (or object you've chosen) in the center of the diamond.

Close your left eye, leaving the right one open... Note the objects position...

Close your right eye, leaving the left eye open... Note the objects position again....

Normally, one eye will leave it almost directly in the center (dominant eye) and the other eye it will be out of the diamond, depending on distance, probably a pretty good way out of the diamond.

¡ Viola !

Which ever eye you have open and the object is in sight, is your dominant eye

[Ebow1]

Thanks. Haven't gotten into anything with a scope yet, but I will sometime in the future, good to know.

[Slappy]

I think the most important thing about introducing a new shooter to firearms is to make sure they have fun. Obviously saftey is the number one concern, but don't be critical on anything else (especially when dealing with the GF or wife). IMO, starting with a .22 and some reactive targets is a great fun place to start. Explore whatever she is interested in doing (minds out of gutter please). If she sees you shooting a different gun than her and she starts asking about it that would be a good oportunity for her to move at her own pace rather than you forcing a gun on her. Make a date out of it, eat lunch at the range so she can watch other shooters. My wife has responded well when I quit trying to teach her stuff. If she asks, then I instruct. Ear plugs and eye protection is a must. She will appreciate you trying to keep her safe. Take a camera and get a few pics of her shooting. Let us know how it works out!

Edited May 20, 2010 by Slappy

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

Me and some friends shoot at his farm on Sundays, but these past few weeks have been too rainy to shoot and have fun. I told her about a month ago that she was going shooting with me whenever it was pretty and she agreed with a smile...

[Guest jackdm3]

¡ Viola !

Dude! What's violins, fiddles, upright basses or cellos got to do with any of this?!

[gregintenn]

I'd suggest you and her shoot a 22 at clay pigeons, unopened soda cans, or other easy to hit stationary targets that react when hit. Explain the basics of gun safety to her and then make it easy when she begins shooting. Don't make a big deal if she doesn't do everything perfectly at first. Make sure you are close enough to the targets for an easy hit. She might like to take a female friend along. Don't make it a long, drawn out affair. Quit before she grows tired of it, and she'll likely want to go back.

[Guest Glock23ForMe]

Thanks... Yeah, I'm the same way, unless I'm doing draw drills, I don't shoot at a target, I shoot at stuff that explodes. Thanks for all the info, keep it coming...

[gregintenn]

My wife likes shooting most anything, but what enjoys most is shooting clay pigeons with a shotgun. Thrown slowly, they are quite east to hit. She has a 20 guage semi auto that has very little recoil, and to tell the truth, she's very good with it. She's ready to shoot any time I pull out the thrower. We make it a family affair, and sometimes add a bit of competition to it by playing various games.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Take your hands, with both eyes open, and make a diamond out of your fingers..

Maybe a little bit smaller. Put the streetlight (or object you've chosen) in the center of the diamond.

:bowrofl::bowrofl: