Saw something nice at the range today

[vito]

I went to my pistol club and saw a member with three older woman. It was the first time shooting for all three and this was part of a class for them. Wasn't that long ago that I could go 10 visits to the range and not see a single female, let alone older woman new to shooting. Makes me feel more optimistic for the future to see people like this entering the gun world. It was interesting that although the instructor provided the guns, primarily semi-autos, two of the woman specifically said that they planned on buying a revolver for home defense, believing (correctly) that a revolver takes less maintenance and is inherently more reliable.

 

[Bob Wright]

My range has a class in session when I choose to go shooting, and they have a break while I am waiting to shoot. I notice that about 50% are women, and they are of an apparent wide age spread. There are young things, business women, and housewives. Some are fahionable, some not so.

In fact, a recent TV news item covered the growing number of women "packing heat," as the TV reporter put it.

And not only are they taking the required handgun permit class, but they are taking the "Streets Smart" courses.

Bob Wright

 

[Pat-inCO]

two of the woman specifically said that they planned on buying a revolver for home defense, believing (correctly) that a revolver takes less maintenance and is inherently more reliable.

While very true, just hope they do . . not . . get an ultra light weight version.
One older lady went out after the first class and listened to the snot nosed
what have you at the local sporting goods store. She bought a Lady Smith
(in one of the exotic metals . . read that as VERY light weight) and brought
it in for the live fire session. It was so light that she shot the five in the
cylinder and borrowed a different one to finish the class. Turns out an
SP101 with the 2.25" barrel weighs ten ounces more than her Smith did,
and probably would have been far better for her. Sigh.

 

[frustrated middle child]

Pat- I agree with you 100%. I teach a Woman's day at the range class that is intended to LET them decide. I bring about 8 - 10 pistols in 22 cal, before I bring out the larger calibers. Walther (p22) , Ruger single six, Mark II and GP100, Smith revolver, Taurus revoler, Beretta Tip up barrel .

We go over how they work, how they are the same, why they are different colors, weights, features, etc. in the end of the day - these ladies have a pretty good idea of what type gun will fit them. It is so great... A gal wrote about her experience on her website as part of her masters program.

http://www.jennysgotagun.com/women-who-shoot-2/amanda-suffecool/

 

[Ugly Hombre]

More power to Lady shooters!!

 

[Coop]

If any of you get a chance to work with the NRA program Woman On Target, I hope you do. I have for several years now in western PA, and I really enjoy it.

Oh, BTW, I guess you need to be an NRA member to find out where they are. If you don't know where they are, why not join the NRA? If you are reading this, and you are not an NRA member, shame on you.

 

[Fox Mike]

I 'gently' try to get my wife interested but so far she is happy to sit and BS with all, as many know, but doesn't really care to shoot. She gets frustrated because she "can't hit the damn target where I want!" as she puts it. I told her that it isn't magic, but practice that make that happen. I won't push, but will keep trying.

 

[contender]

Miss Penny & I have been doing NRA WOT clinics for 14 years now. I can attest to the fact that we are seeing more ladies take shooting instruction & becoming gun owners & carriers.
We think it's wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, if we could just get the rest of the small bunch of macho men who think the "little lady" needs a "cute little gun" or takes a lady out & puts a heavy recoiling firearm in their hands & laughs when it hurts them, OUT of firearm handling, we'd go so much further.
I spend a lot of time explaining to many ladies about why a proper education about firearms by an instructor who is NOT macho, or trying to make them into a commando, or whatever is a very fun & positive thing.

I for one applaud every time I see or hear about ladies on the gun range!

 

[frustrated middle child]

I 'gently' try to get my wife interested but so far she is happy to sit and BS with all, as many know, but doesn't really care to shoot. She gets frustrated because she "can't hit the damn target where I want!" as she puts it. I told her that it isn't magic, but practice that make that happen. I won't push, but will keep trying.

Fox Mike - has anyone worked with her and the natural point of aim? that seems to be the biggest issue when I teach my ladies. I have them come up to the target, close their eyes, lower their gun, raise their gun, open their eyes. if the gun is to the right or left of the target - MOVE their feet, and do it again. over and over. pretty soon they see that its not them, just where there darned feet are that is making them miss the target.

 

[eveled]

I prefer not to look at it as a gender thing. The bottom line, is the more good people who are involved with shooting the better off we all are.

Male or female properly trained newbies are a good thing for sure.

 

[Cooperhawk]

Last evening we closed the range early and went to dinner. All Summer we shoot every Wednesday afternoon and evening till sundown, and then close the shotgun range for the Winter. The turnout is not as large as in previous years, (probably thanks to the Obama Economic Miracle), but we still had a good turnout.

Then, as in previous years we all went to a Supper Club for a party and dinner. There were more door prizes than people, so everyone go something and most more than one.

What this does is get the Wives involved in the sport. It was almost all couples, (my Wife was present), and we have a really good time eating and laughing. The result is that a lot of the wives show up all Summer to shoot and visit with the others. It becomes a social thing and not just for the Good Old Boys.

 

[WendyZXZ]

I am always encouraged to see new shooters, especially women since both they are a main target for attack and getting them into shooting and seeing that it will not turn them into a crazed gun person by learning they tend to start ignoring pleas for more laws. Most women like to shoot .22 handguns and I like to start them out with the S&W model 17 and Browning Buckmark here. They almost always want to try other firearms and I love the GP100 and the L frame Smith here since it is very pleasant to shoot with .38 Special loads and other than blast is not too intimidating to shoot .357 Magnum loads.