A Newbie and his Newbie wife first outing looking at fire arms experience

[Bubba0031]

I was almost where you are when I became intrested in firearms and shooting. I took the basic handgun course @ Coal Creek and then took the HCP class. I have also since taken the basic NRA class @ the OR Sportsman club.

I think a basic course, regardless of where you choose to take it would help you.

Since then I've found Austin's and have dealt with and can recommend Mike however I've not taken a class from him. I have also dealt with Personal Defense on Watt Rd. I purchased my Browning from them and they talked and answered as long as I had questions. I can recommend them.

[RobertY]

We will definitely be checking Austins out before we buy. The Coal Creek range looks nice from the pictures and they also look like they have a wide variety of rentals. So that is another we will be checking out before we buy. Also there is a member on here that it looks like they may be meeting us some time so we can try a few of his at no charge. I am very Thankful and very impressed with this board and its members!

[peejman]

I doubt you'll find much worth renting at Gunny's in Maryville. The range itself is ok.

Coal Creek Armory has quite a selection of rental handguns. Rentals fees go toward purchase if you buy that day. Coal Creek Armory Indoor Shooting Range CCA also offers a variety of training courses that are reasonably priced.

Your wife (and you too) need to spent lots of time surfing this site: Cornered Cat While written for women, it's packed with useful info.

[safeandsecure]

For what it's worth, my wife just recently decided to get her HCP. She started out wanting a little Beretta .22 that I have (basically the same as the Taurus .22 your wife wants). She liked shooting it, but finally, she became convinced that a larger caliber was necessary. I took her to several gun shows, and she selected the Taurus 709 Slim, a 9mm semi and one that she was able to work the slide on ... it has not malfunctioned once with any of the ammo that we've fed it. To this point (about 400 rounds), not a single malfunction. She said it just "felt right" to her (possibly due to smaller grip). Personally, I don't care for it, but then again, I didn't buy it for me ...

Now, a few months later, she has decided that my S&W J-frame .38 "suits" her better. So she now has two guns, and honestly, she likes the revolver better than the semi-auto. IMHO, this has a lot to do with the simplicity of the revolver vs. the pistol. Also, with the proper holster, it's pretty much just as easy to conceal.

I know a lot of folks don't like/trust a Taurus, but I've owned three, and never -- I repeat, never -- have any of the three failed to function propertly. On the other hand, I once had a Colt 1911 that would absolutely NOT feed anything except hardball ammo. Traded that to a Springfield Micro that I still have (and love to shoot). My latest Colt 1911 functions flawlessly with anything and everything I've fed it. So you can find a "lemon" in just about anything, and you can find a gem in a chunk of coal.

Best advice on here so far: Go to a range and rent several to try ... OR, find someone close (if you are ever in middle TN, let me know), and try out everything they will let you shoot.

Oh, and whatever you do, DON'T "select" a weapon for your wife. You'll end up with it. (And even if SHE selects it, you may STILL wind up with it.)

Just my two cents.