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I've never taught a newbie how to shoot until now, and it is pretty satisfying. Usually when I take newbies to the shooting range, I just make sure of safety and let them blast away. They've always had fun and I'm always happy that they are having fun... and adding more gun rights supporters.
A couple months ago, I took a newbie to the range. The clerk at indoor range was nice, seeing that my friend is new to shooting, went over safety rules and some basic gun operation. I thought I might try to actually teach him how to shoot just to see; and if anything, I can always go back to the tried and true method of letting him just blast away.
So, I first go over stance and grip.... while we are on the firing line. Nothing beats immediate results. I worked over things that took me a while to figure out myself, went over some recoil issues and sigth picture. After a few rounds he developed a flinch that's putting his shots low. I wanted to use the dummy rounds method, but I didn't bring them (I only decided to "teach" him after we got to the firing line on a whim.) So I told him to concentrate, make sure to see the muzzle blast, and I didn't load the "normal" 5 rounds; instead I just put 3 rounds. And sure enough, being new, he didn't notice the locked back slide after 3 shoots and pushed the gun forward on the 4th (non-exist shot). After working a bit more, he's no long flinching, but has a bit of pulling. So I went over the finger placement and straight back, constant, slow, relaxed pull.
We played a shooting game that tests shot accuracy where I'm shooting 1" circles and he's shooting 2" circles and we'd take turns shooting to see who finished his set first. I let him place the target distance to where he has confidence in hitting the circles. Of course, he placed it too far, so after a few rounds (of missing) I mentioned that we should pull it in a bit and we should start close, then push it out for the next game. Frankly I was surprised at how difficult the game was for me (I've not shot pistols in about 5-6 months) and I was kind of surprised at how close the game was running. Generally, I'd let the game get close and win it at the last moment when dealing with newbies, but this time it was honestly a close game.
So I went over single handed shooting techniques. I told him that if he wants to compete, I can take him to NRA bullseye since it's got pretty much no rules and his 1 handed shooting was pretty good. I also told him that he'll place on the bottom in bullseye.
I also mentioned that if we can get some holster work done and drill in gun safety, we can try action pistol... and that he will very likely not place on the bottom there.
Oh, we also tried some rapid fire... just for fun and recieved some gentle reminder from the range staff :P However, during the pre-reminder time I was able to improve his rapid firing technique and let him see immediate results.
So, after a little over 1 hour of range time and 150rnds of 9mm, 20 rounds of .22LR, and 40 rounds of .45acp. I found out that my newbie friend shoots just a little over 2" group at 7 yards... and I can't place a 1" consistantly
Oh, he said the .45acp "scares" him.. hahaha. I told him that it's an old cartridge and of no use
Oh, I should add that he mentioned an interest in competition and that's why I brought up the competitions and went over some techniques.
A couple months ago, I took a newbie to the range. The clerk at indoor range was nice, seeing that my friend is new to shooting, went over safety rules and some basic gun operation. I thought I might try to actually teach him how to shoot just to see; and if anything, I can always go back to the tried and true method of letting him just blast away.
So, I first go over stance and grip.... while we are on the firing line. Nothing beats immediate results. I worked over things that took me a while to figure out myself, went over some recoil issues and sigth picture. After a few rounds he developed a flinch that's putting his shots low. I wanted to use the dummy rounds method, but I didn't bring them (I only decided to "teach" him after we got to the firing line on a whim.) So I told him to concentrate, make sure to see the muzzle blast, and I didn't load the "normal" 5 rounds; instead I just put 3 rounds. And sure enough, being new, he didn't notice the locked back slide after 3 shoots and pushed the gun forward on the 4th (non-exist shot). After working a bit more, he's no long flinching, but has a bit of pulling. So I went over the finger placement and straight back, constant, slow, relaxed pull.
We played a shooting game that tests shot accuracy where I'm shooting 1" circles and he's shooting 2" circles and we'd take turns shooting to see who finished his set first. I let him place the target distance to where he has confidence in hitting the circles. Of course, he placed it too far, so after a few rounds (of missing) I mentioned that we should pull it in a bit and we should start close, then push it out for the next game. Frankly I was surprised at how difficult the game was for me (I've not shot pistols in about 5-6 months) and I was kind of surprised at how close the game was running. Generally, I'd let the game get close and win it at the last moment when dealing with newbies, but this time it was honestly a close game.
So I went over single handed shooting techniques. I told him that if he wants to compete, I can take him to NRA bullseye since it's got pretty much no rules and his 1 handed shooting was pretty good. I also told him that he'll place on the bottom in bullseye.
I also mentioned that if we can get some holster work done and drill in gun safety, we can try action pistol... and that he will very likely not place on the bottom there.
Oh, we also tried some rapid fire... just for fun and recieved some gentle reminder from the range staff :P However, during the pre-reminder time I was able to improve his rapid firing technique and let him see immediate results.
So, after a little over 1 hour of range time and 150rnds of 9mm, 20 rounds of .22LR, and 40 rounds of .45acp. I found out that my newbie friend shoots just a little over 2" group at 7 yards... and I can't place a 1" consistantly
Oh, he said the .45acp "scares" him.. hahaha. I told him that it's an old cartridge and of no use
Oh, I should add that he mentioned an interest in competition and that's why I brought up the competitions and went over some techniques.
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