Woods range

[GunnyGene]

My 45 yo daughter has developed an interest in armed self defense lately, and is coming down for a visit in a couple weeks. She does know the basics of handguns and shooting, but wants me to help her out with more advanced handling. Since I have a fair piece of woods, I'm thinking about setting up some targets (balloons) in the woods to try to simulate the surprise/unexpected factor. So it would be a walk in the woods with 3 or 4 evil balloons waiting behind trees, etc. She wouldn't know where they were but the objective would be to pop the balloons as she saw them.

Does this sound like a reasonable approach?

 

[gster]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Looking forward to the range report.

 

[GunnyGene]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Looking forward to the range report.

I plan on a video for it, so I'll post it in a couple weeks. This is not a "fun" shoot. I'm trying to help her with situational awareness/quick reaction in simulated real life situations, so it's serious business. I'd like to be able to setup a more realistic situation (popups, moving targets, etc.), but that's not in the cards at this time.

 

[Jim Puke]

Sounds like a good plan to me and one that most would benefit from.

You might do a little research to help in formulating your lesson plans to make sure that you cover as much as possible in the time that you have. Also, realize that this will take more than one session as self defense is complex and dynamic.

And, be sure to teach her to be prepared to SHOOT AND MOVE...to get her out of harms way and to make herself a tougher target for a BG.

In reality, the toughest thing to teach will be the discernment to be able to identify these situations in time to remove herself or to actually react in time to be effective.

Good luck.

 

[Sagebrusher]

Howdy Gunny,

I think that any exercise that emphasizes safe handling, shooting basics, (draw quickly, shoot carefully, FRONT SIGHT! FRONT SIGHT! SMOOTH PRESS, etc.) and weapons familiarity is positive. You can find almost as many opinions on effective training and drills as there are experienced (and many "not so") shooters.

If you have not done so yet, presenting your daughter with her own copy of Jeff Cooper's "Principles of Personal Defense" would be a good starting place. My original autographed edition was foolishly loaned to some ne'r do well many years ago. It contains much wisdom that I don't care to see our domestic enemies the likes of jimboi or the penultimate kali, cd fingers, acquiring and reading.

My wife and I dig our copy out as a refresher on a regular basis. I felt better knowing that she, and her buds, had read it just prior to their last Bagram tour.

Enjoy the time with your Daughter.

.

 

[GunnyGene]

Howdy Gunny,

I think that any exercise that emphasizes safe handling, shooting basics, (draw quickly, shoot carefully, FRONT SIGHT! FRONT SIGHT! SMOOTH PRESS, etc.) and weapons familiarity is positive. You can find almost as many opinions on effective training and drills as there are experienced (and many "not so") shooters.

If you have not done so yet, presenting your daughter with her own copy of Jeff Cooper's "Principles of Personal Defense" would be a good starting place. My original autographed edition was foolishly loaned to some ne'r do well many years ago. It contains much wisdom that I don't care to see our domestic enemies the likes of jimboi or the penultimate kali, cd fingers, acquiring and reading.

My wife and I dig our copy out as a refresher on a regular basis. I felt better knowing that she, and her buds, had read it just prior to their last Bagram tour.

Enjoy the time with your Daughter.

.

Thanks. On order.

 

[stefko]

Hi Gunny. Have you considered adding "friendly" balloons to the mix for a shoot-don't shoot scenario? For example, pink balloons are good guys while other colors represent threats.

Hope you enjoy that Father/Daughter time.

Steve

 

[WendyZXZ]

Multiple balloons with a shoot and don't shoot per color sounds like a reasonable solution. Just partially blow them up so that at a decent range they aren't too small or large.

 

[gramps]

A cost effective way to start out that shouldn't intimidate or overwhelm her. I look forward to hearing the post report on ya'lls session,
gramps

 

[GunnyGene]

Hi Gunny. Have you considered adding "friendly" balloons to the mix for a shoot-don't shoot scenario? For example, pink balloons are good guys while other colors represent threats.

Hope you enjoy that Father/Daughter time.

Steve

Yep. Have to be careful what colors tho, if I post a video. :wink:

 

[bobski]

god forbid a ballon salesman comes to her front door some day.

 

[bobski]

i gotta say this.
ya know...bad guys read books too.
i never NEVER do anything someone else tells me to do in a book or video.
i aint telling no one what theyll get if they come in my house or meet me in public.
its mine and mine alone.
and as it was mentioned....theres are millions of tactics out there. what works for you wont work for me.
it appears the entire usa has turned into one big swat team instead of being quiet peaceful citizens armed just in case.
no, now everyone has to send 100,000 rounds down range just in case.
its gotten insane.
someone marketed this thing way out of control....and the population bit.
the wild west all over again.

 

[stevemb]

I'd suggest IDPA type cardboard cut-out targets. Stapled up where wanted. We've gone as far as to put T-shirts over some. Check hits later. I'll PM some other thoughts.

 

[caryc]

Just don't make those balloons too evil. You don't want her to have nightmares about them.

I say congrats to your daughter for that decision. Any help you can give her will undoubtedly leave her better off than she is now.

 

[graygun]

pow,pow,pow...hope she does well...

 

[wolfsong]

I'm sure you've given consideration to who/what is "down range". You don't want any errant shots hitting something else instead of the intended targets. Something to consider, is all I'm saying.

Be safe and have fun.

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

 

[GunnyGene]

I'm sure you've given consideration to who/what is "down range". You don't want any errant shots hitting something else instead of the intended targets. Something to consider, is all I'm saying.

Be safe and have fun.

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

I appreciate your concern, and I have and we will (be safe). I shoot here regularly. Well over 300yds E., N. & W. thru dense woods to the nearest property line (which is where a deputy neighbor lives, btw ) . And she/we will be using .22 handguns.