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Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:19 pm
by rytchard
Background: When I decided to get my CHL it was pretty obvious that my grown daughter of 34 was not really keen on the idea to say the least. A little bit about my daughter she pretty much leans to the left. A mother of two with a successful husband. Keeping the planet green and progressive parenting are some of her focal points. Notwithstanding, she has always respected my military time and service so she as always supported me even if she didn’t agree in things I wanted.

Recent: Due to the above I never shared that I received my CHL (as I figured that would hint that I wanted a response from her). Anyway, last night I sent her an email asking her that if she wanted, I was planning on going to the range on Sunday and I would love if she wanted to go too? I told her that I didn’t know her comfort level or experience, but I would be happy to show her the things that she needed to know, i.e. safety, range rules, gun handling, basics of firing, etc. I also offered her the use of any of my firearms, or that I would rent whatever handgun that she would like to try.

She replied (much to my surprise and delight) that she would love to go and that she had no experience with firearms, but that she has common sense. She went on to say that I should teach her like she was dumb about weapons but in a way that she didn’t feel like an idiot.

I was elated! I responded with my enthusiasm and support of her wishes.

My plan: We are going to meet at my house for a while before head to the range (since there will be too much noise there) to go over the basic safety rules, debunk some gun myths, go over semi-automatic handgun basics, have her handle a handgun, go over grip, removing magazine, inserting magazine, racking the slide, etc. etc.

Focus: No pressure. If she wants to shoot, great! If not, no big deal. I am already happy with the accomplishment that she agreed to be there with me.

I am pretty sure that she wants to shoot. I will forewarn her about the loudness. Thinking back to my early days and mistakes made as well as safety concerns, I will have her start with loading one round in a magazine, inserting, locking and loading, firing. Then repeat when desired. The reason for one round. In case of a natural reaction to immediately turn around with firearm still in hands around to recognition of the instructor (in this case being me). I plan on having her do 5-10 rounds this way. It will provide familiarity with the weapon as far as mechanics with the slide, magazine, etc. All of this done at the shortest target distance, what is it 3 yards? I want to build some confidence with visible target hits.

After that, if she wants to proceed, I will suggest three to five rounds loaded and a semi-rapid fire attitude. Distance of target. I will wait for her input as to whether she wants it further away.

If she still wants more, we may take a break to discuss.

Regardless of outcome I will praise her and thank her at the end of the day. Also, if she has any hints that she might have enjoyed the day, I will plant the seed and let her know that if she was interested….that I would be more than happy to fund her getting her own CHL license (a long shot I know). :txflag:

To be continued.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:40 pm
by MeMelYup
Suggest you start her on a 22 and then if she wants let her use your carry firearm.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:42 pm
by tomtexan
That is great news that she wants to go to the range with you and learn.

Looks like you have a very good plan lined out for getting her adjusted one step at a time.

Congrats! :clapping:

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:49 pm
by rytchard
MeMelYup wrote:Suggest you start her on a 22 and then if she wants let her use your carry firearm.
I have a 9mm SCCY CPX-2 with a laser and a S&W Bodyguard .380 that she will get to see and hold when she comes to the house. The .22 is an option rental wise that if I sense any reservations on her part that I will recommend. My focus is I want to encourage her to go at her own pace and what she is comfortable with.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:51 pm
by rytchard
tomtexan wrote:That is great news that she wants to go to the range with you and learn.

Looks like you have a very good plan lined out for getting her adjusted one step at a time.

Congrats! :clapping:
Thanks! I am just happy and still surprised that she wants to go!

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:58 pm
by Middle Age Russ
Congrats. Make it the best experience you can for her. To that end, I highly recommend renting/borrowing a .22 for her to start with. This'll let her initially experience the suddenness of the discharge without feeling like the gun is trying to jump out of her hands as it might with a new shooter and the other guns you mention. Best of luck!!

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:05 pm
by rytchard
Middle Age Russ wrote:Congrats. Make it the best experience you can for her. To that end, I highly recommend renting/borrowing a .22 for her to start with. This'll let her initially experience the suddenness of the discharge without feeling like the gun is trying to jump out of her hands as it might with a new shooter and the other guns you mention. Best of luck!!
You know you are probably right! What I have .. both are pretty snappy as far as recoil and could be intimating to a first time shooter.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:15 pm
by Medley86
I have had a couple of women who wanted to shoot who were surprised at what I would use as a starter gun once they progressed past a 22. Friend bought a LC9 and shoots it well but thought the recoil was a little too much. I suggested my all steel 5" 1911 .45 and she thought I was crazy, was actually much easier to shoot than her 9mm. I carry a LCP that is very similar to the Bodyguard and IMO it is NOT a fun gun to shoot. I'll take a larger gun that will eat recoil for a new shooter over something small that "seems" like it would be easier to shoot every time.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:13 am
by longhorn86
I also concur with starting with a .22. I used this strategy with my wife and daughter with very positive results.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:16 am
by rytchard
Wow, a lot of good information provided here by all! At this point I am willing to bet that I am probably more anxious about this outing than my Daughter. Knowing her (as she is just like me) she is doing her homework online as she has mentioned more then once that she will be prepared.

At the end of the day I am going to hand her the target she fired on with no words said. Will do it matter of fact wise like it was customary that the shooter take it home with them. Her reaction will be "my" report card.

If she asks where she can discard it I failed.

If she takes it home with her I will then know that the day was a success! :txflag:

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:32 am
by DocV
I introduced my daughter to shooting some years ago. She still has that first target. She recently completed her CHL class and is waiting for her LTC. If you daughter is shooting a semi-auto, consider starting her with a single round in the mag. That goes for any new calibre, including .22. Ask her for feedback about the recoil, her grip, sights etc. Then let her move up to 2 rounds if she feels confident she can handle it. I used this approach with my daughter and other young female first-time shooters with success. My daughter really likes shooting steel plate too. I think the audible feedback provides motivation without worrying about hitting inside the 10 ring.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 1:25 pm
by loktite
I'd suggest doubling up on the ear pro as well, muffs over plugs.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 2:26 pm
by sugar land dave
loktite wrote:I'd suggest doubling up on the ear pro as well, muffs over plugs.
Good thought. Young ears can be more sensitive.

Re: Grown Daughter has Agreed to go to the Range with me!

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 11:29 am
by kjolly
I also have a SCCY w/ laser as one of the guns in my arsenal and believe this gun to be way to snappy for a beginner. As suggested starting with a .22 would be much better.