- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Looking to teach my teen daughter to shoot a handgun
Posted on 1/7/17 at 6:46 pm
Posted on 1/7/17 at 6:46 pm
My goal is really just to expose her shooting some, and let her develop her interest (or not.)
I've got a few handguns, and I'm thinking the easiest to start with is my 6" .357, with light .38 loads.
I was coached to shoot a long time ago, so my skills aren't to be bragged about.
Suggestions?
I've got a few handguns, and I'm thinking the easiest to start with is my 6" .357, with light .38 loads.
I was coached to shoot a long time ago, so my skills aren't to be bragged about.
Suggestions?
9
Posted on 1/7/17 at 6:56 pm to Grassy1
quote:
I've got a few handguns, and I'm thinking the easiest to start with is my 6" .357, with light .38 loads.
Shouldn't have much recoil at all. Shoot a decent amount before you let her try so she gets used to the sounds(ear plugs) and sights(recoil) of it.
Women are generally pretty good at it. Good luck.
She better shoot quick with that 6" barrel if she's petite.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:15 pm to Grassy1
Start with a .22 if you have one. Less noise also will help. Then go to the .38 in the .357. If you start with the .22, she will be less likely to flinch.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:20 pm to ChatRabbit77
quote:
Start with a .22 if you have one.
I'd agree with starting with a .22 if you have one. With that said, my wife started on a 9mm and did/does just fine.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:40 pm to ChatRabbit77
I agree with the .22 thought, but I ain't got one of those...
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:49 pm to Grassy1
Sounds like a good opportunity to get a new gun. You can call it hers to make it sound good to the wife.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:52 pm to Grassy1
Teach her firearms safety rules.
Start her out dry firing to learn trigger control.
Load every other chamber to teach her not to anticipate.
Load it full and let her develop sight alignment and sight picture.
I think a revolver is the best pistol to learn to shoot with.
Start her out dry firing to learn trigger control.
Load every other chamber to teach her not to anticipate.
Load it full and let her develop sight alignment and sight picture.
I think a revolver is the best pistol to learn to shoot with.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:53 pm to SportTiger1
Well, I'm not above that either.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 7:57 pm to Grassy1
Did this recently with my teen daughter using a .40. I shot a bit while she watched. Put caps in it and let her handle it emphasizing not touching the trigger until ready to shoot. When she was ready I put a single bullet in and let her shoot. Repeated until I could see comfort. Eventually graduated to 2, then maxed at 3.
It's scary and exciting for them. Just go slow at a pace she's comfortable with. Be safe.
It's scary and exciting for them. Just go slow at a pace she's comfortable with. Be safe.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:05 pm to Grassy1
Get a river 22/45 or mark 3. They are hands down the best 22 pistols. My dad has the mark2 and it is my go to training pistol for new young shooters or women who might be a little finicky. I also like using my glock 19 right after getting them comfortable with the 22. I highly suggest loading 1 round at a time until comfortable.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:06 pm to Grassy1
How old/big is she. I went to the range w/ my mom of about 68, and was shocked how good she was. Quickly moved up to 1911 shooting 45 ACP and she really had no problems. She thought the Glock was ugly.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:56 pm to Grassy1
Most of the preceding advice/comments were good (with the notable exception of starting any shooter with a .40).
I'll add one more -- make sure you know that you're teaching her is sound (thorough safety, along with sound techniques).
If I were to describe to you the level of downright scary incompetence I see in the average dad/husband who takes my CCW class after they have certified to me that they are experienced, competent shooters (they have to do this because I don't include "how to shoot" as part of my curriculum), you'd think I'm exaggerating.
So my suggestion is to get a good handgun instruction book (one of the best ones I know of is this one: LINK)
You may be the greatest handgun shooter/instructor on this continent -- I'm not saying you aren't. I'm saying be sure you aren't gonna teach her any bad habits. And even if you're the most experienced shooter on the planet, you'll still learn some important stuff from Andy Stanford's book.
You owe it to her, and to yourself, to ensure you are not only "doing no harm," but that you're giving her the best coaching/instructing you can possibly provide. She might need those skills some day to defend her life.
Handgun shooting isn't as complicated as playing a violin. But it's a lot more involved than teaching her how to use a crescent wrench.
If you have doubts about your knowledge (and based on your initial post, you seem to have at least some doubts), you could consider hiring an instructor -- and then taking her shooting every chance you get. But if you can ensure that you're truly capable of preaching the "gospel" of handgun marksmanship to her, you get the added bonus/benefit/blessing of spending quality time with your kid while you're teaching her.
I don't claim to be the world's expert. But feel free to give me a call next week (225-766-4422) if you'd like to discuss any of this.
I'll add one more -- make sure you know that you're teaching her is sound (thorough safety, along with sound techniques).
If I were to describe to you the level of downright scary incompetence I see in the average dad/husband who takes my CCW class after they have certified to me that they are experienced, competent shooters (they have to do this because I don't include "how to shoot" as part of my curriculum), you'd think I'm exaggerating.
So my suggestion is to get a good handgun instruction book (one of the best ones I know of is this one: LINK)
You may be the greatest handgun shooter/instructor on this continent -- I'm not saying you aren't. I'm saying be sure you aren't gonna teach her any bad habits. And even if you're the most experienced shooter on the planet, you'll still learn some important stuff from Andy Stanford's book.
You owe it to her, and to yourself, to ensure you are not only "doing no harm," but that you're giving her the best coaching/instructing you can possibly provide. She might need those skills some day to defend her life.
Handgun shooting isn't as complicated as playing a violin. But it's a lot more involved than teaching her how to use a crescent wrench.
If you have doubts about your knowledge (and based on your initial post, you seem to have at least some doubts), you could consider hiring an instructor -- and then taking her shooting every chance you get. But if you can ensure that you're truly capable of preaching the "gospel" of handgun marksmanship to her, you get the added bonus/benefit/blessing of spending quality time with your kid while you're teaching her.
I don't claim to be the world's expert. But feel free to give me a call next week (225-766-4422) if you'd like to discuss any of this.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 9:05 pm to Grassy1
I am glad you want to expose your daughter to shooting. have to say, in my experience it works a lot better if someone who is not related introduces women to shooting. I have seen more than a few arguments break out when dads or husbands try to teach someone how to shoot. if you see any of that happening, shut it down quickly or she will never want to touch another gun.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 9:32 pm to Spankum
quote:
in my experience it works a lot better if someone who is not related introduces women to shooting.
Agree. And if you can find a woman instructor, even better. I've seen that work well.
Some places have women only classes.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 9:52 pm to Grassy1
quote:
Suggestions?
Go spend a day and have fun shooting.
Teach her safety and the basics. Don't over-complicate it.
You don't need any books and no reason to get super tactical or technical.
Go be safe and have fun. Let her develop an interest in shooting, then you can get start getting more technical.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:29 pm to dawg23
Thanks for all of the suggestions, gentlemen.
I'll mull all of them over, and go from there.
No rush on any of it, my main goal is that it's a positive experience... which most of ours are.
Meanwhile, we got the "learning to drive" thing going on also...
Again, thanks to everyone's contribution.
I'll mull all of them over, and go from there.
No rush on any of it, my main goal is that it's a positive experience... which most of ours are.
Meanwhile, we got the "learning to drive" thing going on also...
Again, thanks to everyone's contribution.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:42 pm to Grassy1
quote:
Meanwhile, we got the "learning to drive" thing going on also...
Oh lord....prayers of patience sent.
from my experience in the beginning just focus on safety and having fun. That is what will create an interest.
Kids want to shoot....they aren't interested in the technical parts, getting too technical early will lose them quickly.
Once they get an interest in it they will want to imporove and will be more open to the technical aspects.
Posted on 1/8/17 at 1:33 am to Spankum
quote:
I am glad you want to expose your daughter to shooting. have to say, in my experience it works a lot better if someone who is not related introduces women to shooting. I have seen more than a few arguments break out when dads or husbands try to teach someone how to shoot. if you see any of that happening, shut it down quickly or she will never want to touch another gun
A-freaking-men to this.
Anytime I take my wife to the range I have to get my brother to teach her technique and critique. She's actually pretty Damn good.
Posted on 1/8/17 at 9:33 am to Spankum
All here have given pretty sound advice. The main things about introducing new shooters:
1. The 4 rules of gun safety (make her memorize and recite these)
2. Learning to expect the sound of muzzle blast (but obviously with hearing protection)
3. Learning to accept felt recoil (but still start her on something she can handle; 22, 357 loaded with 38s, or full sized 9mm all work fine)
Starting her on something tiny that has tons of recoil will make her less focused on the fundamentals and more focused on the sensation of intense recoil. So it's good that you had already planned to start her recoil tolerance from the ground-up as it should be done.
I agree. Too many men, from my experience, insist that their wives and daughters don't need to learn how to shoot, or it's as if the idea has not crossed their minds. But what is the woman to do if the man is not around? Why not teach them skills they can use to defend themselves? Some women may have resistance at first so it's a delicate balance of not being pushy while also stressing the importance of learning to defend yourself.
I've also seen women become accurate shooters faster than most men. The reasoning is simple - men already know everything and we let our stubbornness get in the way. Women seem to be better at following the steps and specific instructions to become good shooters. Most of this is anecdotal but it has been my experience in teaching concealed carry classes. Men tend to have better recoil management while women tend to be more accurate early on.
Know that you're doing your daughter a big favor by teaching her how to shoot and take care of her own safety in the future. Well done on your part.
1. The 4 rules of gun safety (make her memorize and recite these)
2. Learning to expect the sound of muzzle blast (but obviously with hearing protection)
3. Learning to accept felt recoil (but still start her on something she can handle; 22, 357 loaded with 38s, or full sized 9mm all work fine)
Starting her on something tiny that has tons of recoil will make her less focused on the fundamentals and more focused on the sensation of intense recoil. So it's good that you had already planned to start her recoil tolerance from the ground-up as it should be done.
quote:
I am glad you want to expose your daughter to shooting.
I agree. Too many men, from my experience, insist that their wives and daughters don't need to learn how to shoot, or it's as if the idea has not crossed their minds. But what is the woman to do if the man is not around? Why not teach them skills they can use to defend themselves? Some women may have resistance at first so it's a delicate balance of not being pushy while also stressing the importance of learning to defend yourself.
I've also seen women become accurate shooters faster than most men. The reasoning is simple - men already know everything and we let our stubbornness get in the way. Women seem to be better at following the steps and specific instructions to become good shooters. Most of this is anecdotal but it has been my experience in teaching concealed carry classes. Men tend to have better recoil management while women tend to be more accurate early on.
Know that you're doing your daughter a big favor by teaching her how to shoot and take care of her own safety in the future. Well done on your part.
Posted on 1/8/17 at 12:58 pm to theenemy
quote:No offense: As I noted earlier, shooting a handgun isn't as complicated as rocket surgery. But depending on the topic, many kids take what their dad teaches them as "the gospel."
Teach her safety and the basics. Don't over-complicate it.
You don't need any books and no reason to get super tactical or technical
It's all too easy to embed bad habits (fundamentals, not "tactical or technical" as you put it) that can be really hard to eliminate "down the road."
The OP needs to be sure that what ever techniques he teaches her are sound.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News