Teaching Newbies...what's your method?

[liquidmx]

Hey guys, long time lingerer here.

I have been shooting for a while and been able to introduce quite a few new people to firearms. Fortunately all the experiences have been really good ones. My main question(s) are: what are your methods for teaching new shooters? I would like to refine my process so they have as much fun as possible with maximum safety.

My method has always been to first inform them of all the basics...4 rules, etc. After going over the basics, sit down with an unloaded firearm showing them everything the firearm does; while demonstrating what I educated them on. I then perform a functions test (similar to buying a handgun) on the ones they will be shooting. After this I take them to the range and tell them to remember everything I told them and mostly.....relax! Generally most people I have taken get really nervous resulting in a decrease in safety IMHO. By the time we get to the range I usually have a pretty good indicator of who is ready and who is still nervous, scared, etc. Once at the range if they are ready I let them load the mags and fire away...usually at the 7 or 10 yard line. For the more "nervous" folks I give them one round first. Let them shoot that, then move up to two, three etc. I also try and start the smaller peeps and women start with a 22 and move up to a 9 and beyond if they are enjoying themselves. For the guys its either 22 or straight to a 9 depending on how they are doing with handling, safety, etc.

Depending on how they are shooting and feeling I will generally challenge them to shoot off. They can shoot whatever they feel the most accurate with...usually the 22. I shoot whatever I want, usually my xd. I also try and give them a handicap so its as close as possible...say they shoot at the 7 yard line and I shoot at 15-25 yards...depending. Best 5 shots. Usually when we are done I try and take them for a quick bite to discuss things, ask questions etc.

Anyone do anything different, other shooting games or any ideas on ways to make the situation more enjoyable for first timers, especially girls. I find that its pretty easy to get guys hooked, but girls are quite a bit harder usually.

Thanks,

[BTF/PTM]

1) go to shooting range

2) point out No. 1 safety (brain, finger off trigger).

3) explain range rules, reiterate step 2.

4) show function check of empty gun, reiterate step 2.

5) show disarmament of empty gun, reiterate step 2.

6) have friend demonstrate function and disarmament of gun for me, reiterate step 2.

7) if everyone is comfortable with 1-6, put a live round in the gun and demonstrate what it looks like to fire the gun. Reiterate step 2.

8) Explain that mag out does NOT mean gun is empty, and instruct on how to safety check the gun and disarm with a chambered round. Reiterate step 2.

9) if everyone is comfortable, put a round in the mag and hand the gun over to my guest. have them rack the slide and prepare to fire. Make guest reiterate step 2.

10) after each guest has proven they can manage safety, function checks and disarmament of each gun we're shooting, we take turns firing at our targets until everyone has had their fill. Answer questions along the way, offer what little pointers I can offer, and never fully "relax" becuz we've got live ammunition.

11) be prepared for squibs and duds, be ready to take control of the gun if my guest gets nervous or overly tired (visibly shaky, for example). Demonstrate field strip in the event of a misfire, dud or squib to ensure that no obstructions are in the barrel and all gun parts are still in good working order.


A side note, I've found that it's a huge relief for new shooters for them to understand that the gun (properly maintained, of course) cannot fire until they squeeze the trigger. They're more at ease knowing they're in control, not the gun. Something most of us probably take for granted, I'm sure, but all those basics we have engrained are not present for newbies.

[Dr Rockso]

If possible, show them safe handling and teach functioning with snap caps before you set foot on a range.

[trinydex]

first thing, i explain the range rules which is always something about the ppe (eyes and ears) on at all times.

then i go through the 4 rules of safety

then i explain to them how the gun works, all the things you can press and actuate. then i do a little quiz like, so is the gun ready to fire right now in this configuration? how do you drop the mag? what happens when you do this? then i let them try it out to see if they're wrong or right.

then i teach them the basic way to hold the gun (todd jarrett style) and emphasize front sight front sight front sight. then i load up their mag and disperse a few snap caps and i watch them shoot and point out their inevitable flinch when they arrive at the snapcap. then they get to demonstrate how to clear the snap cap.

then this usually follows with a few trigger pulls of dry fire to get them over the flinch and i turn 'em loose after that. usually have to encourage them (especially females) because they get scared or are discouraged that they're not "good enough" or something.

that's about it i think.

[What Just Happened?]

+1 on the safety before the range. I find it easier because you don't have the background noise to compete with and you'll probably have better lighting to show them what's where.

[sb_pete]

+1 on the safety before the range. I find it easier because you don't have the background noise to compete with and you'll probably have better lighting to show them what's where.

That's really only an issue at indoor or covered ranges I find.

I prefer to take people out to an open shooting area. +1000 on all the safety stuff people have been saying. Four rules always come first, and trigger discipline is something you need to constantly watch and correct. Same thing for making sure the gun is empty.

I find many people have preconceptions which make them focus on manual safeties. Teaching them how to properly clear a firearm, teaching them to set it down with the action open and empty, and forcing them to focus on muzzle awareness and trigger finger discipline goes a LONG way to making people comfortable with firearms.

I also find snap caps to be an invaluable training aid. Especially with handguns. If possible I like to show people as much as I can about firearms using snapcaps at home, before taking them to the range. But this is not always possible.

I always start people out with .22's. Get them comfortable shooting at stuff. Habituate them to the sound, smell, and recoil (however small) of a firearm before moving on. I usually go to either a 9mm pistol or an SKS after that. With the SKS, I single load and have people shoot one round from the hip in a safe direction downrange. This lets them know the kind of recoil they are looking at. Otherwise, they tend to be more scared of it and girls especially will bruise their shoulders and not have fun anymore. It is important to teach people about getting the buttplate of a rifle into the shoulder pocket and holding it tight so that the recoil pushes them instead of slapping them.

I also like to teach people use of a hasty sling right off the bat. Teaching people not to do it like the movies helps them alot. No grabbing the fore end with the weak side hand; using the pad of the trigger finger instead of the joint; good cheek weld; solid stance; sling use are all important and easy to teach. I also like to teach people the concept of trying to take a position that utilizes their bone structure instead of muscles. This is a pretty easy thing to teach and helps people immensely both in terms of being able to shoot and understanding how to shoot. I also like to do this stuff because it gets people off the bench. It's important to have a bench there, but it is equally important to get people not to rely on it.

I also like to have reactive targets. human silhouette targets are fine for pistol work, but even there it is nice to have shoot and see stickers to put over the 9-10-X areas. Immediate feedback is very important to new shooters and keeps them from getting discouraged.

The best targets though, are cheap soda cans. I buy up a bunch of the store brand four for $10 12packs of soda to shoot at. Diet soda is best for two reasons 1. it explodes more violently 2. it doesn't leave sugar all over to attract insects which will attract other animals and then you have dead critters all over the range. Shake em up and put them out at 50, 75, and 100yds. They explode nicely and make shooting alot of fun.

Most of the time, people end up finishing the day plinking away with my target 10/22. It is fun, accurate, cheap to shoot, easy to make hits with, and has no recoil.

I avoid making new shooters learn the joys of cleaning the firearms, but I do try to ingrain the notion of packing out more trash than you packed in.

-Pete

[jksupplyco]

Absolutely agreed. Cardinal Rules first and foremost before any handling. Teach, and continually reiterate. Then the fundamentals. The seven steps of proper marksmanship.

1. Grip
2. Stance
3. Sight Alignment
4. Sight Picture
5. Breathing Control
6. Trigger Management
7. Follow Through

Start with the basics. Remember that you have to walk before you can run.

[The SoCal Gunner]

Safety instruction and safe handling prior to the hitting the range.

Explain range safety.

Let them watch from the viewing bay at the range for a few minutes.

Start off with a .22lr.

[Pugster]

(1) Talk about the safety rules and how to properly handle a firearm
(2) Have them demonstrate to me that they can safety operate and clear the weapon
(3) Try out the 22lr
(4) Go up to 9mm
(5) Go up to 45acp

[HCz]

For most of the new shooters, it is something they will remember for a good long time. So leaving a good experience is important.

First thing to think about is attire. Does the new shooter like SWAT-type commando look, or ninja-type look? How about hunter look? You'd need a decent attire to help them out. Thesedays there are plenty of sizes to choose from so it is not a big problem. In fact, having a right attire will make it more memorable. Going to Bass Pro would give you a decent selection of hunter looks.

Then the choice of the gun. Most people want to try out Desert Eagle .44 magnum. Some might argue that a .22 is a good round to start and maybe go up to 9mm, .40SW or .45ACP, but those sissy rounds just get boring after a while. Nothing beats the first experience like a loud bang, feeling the vibration of bullet leaving the barrel and feel of slide moving back and forth. Every new shooter will be mesmerized by the power of a .44 magnum, and will never forget that experience. You do know that there is only one first-time, right? Even if the new shooter cannot take the power of .44 magnum, when they move to plinking calibers, they will do just as good. And please, don't get a sissy gun either. Get a Desert Eagle. If you don't have one then man up and get a pistol that has at least 5 inches for barrel length. Any less is good for shooting over the table.

One of the saddest thing about firearms training thesesdays is that they underestimate a person's natural skill. Most people know what a gun looks like, and know how to operate it as it has been seen many times on silver screens and televisions. If the new shooter shot airsoft before, it only helps them to be better at shooting the real gun. Most people, in less than 20 rounds can land a bullet on human size torso at 7 yards. They might have to adjust there aiming, as they might flinch, but as long as the gun is pointing just over the head of the silhouette for a chest shot, it is good. Once they get the hang of it and adjust to the real thing, they can try double taps and low ready positions. You's be amazed how fast new shooters pick it up. Also don't be afraind to let them draw from holster and engage targets. It's not that hard.

If you can, adding immersion factor helps too. If the new shooter wants Marine DI feel, you can give him the feeling by giving what you can. If the new shooter wants SWAT feel, you can give commands and act like one by shouting "Go go go" for him to shoot a new target. For more immersion factor, you can set up a stage where the shooter can move and shoot too. These kinds of environment enhancement makes it more fun. If you have appropriate attire like mentioned above this should be mandatory.

For targets, bullseye targets are for sissies and old ladies. A real man shoots and practices what he has to shoot. A human silhouette. If you can get a steel target, that's good, but nothing beats a ballistic dummy. To make things more fun, you can draw pictures. Nothing is better than taking out Saddam Hussein or Osamam Bin Laden. These targets also help with getting the shooter to focus better. Draw things in the the silhouette as neccesary.

[workinwifdakids]

Here's how I typically introduce the shooting sports to new folks.

[dfens]

I think everyone covered just about everything. One thing I think that is missing is when on the range is if the person drops a loaded gun let it fall. Don't try to to catch it because you could pull the trigger as it's falling and shoot yourself or someone else. I've read this happening many times, and back when I was shooting on the Sheriff range with a bunch of officers and a few SWAT guys. They talked about a rookie female sheriff who was shooting alone with a Glock 22 did this and shot herself in the head, by the time they found her she was brain dead.

[What Just Happened?]

Here's how I typically introduce the shooting sports to new folks.

I was thinking more along these lines.

[elsolo]

The best methods I have tried for adults that have never touched a firearm.
1.) safety lesson at home
2.) 10/22 with heavy bbl, big scope, and benchrested for them. Clay pigeons at 100 yards on the dirt berm, they can break all the litle bits too. 200+ rds minumum per shooter, with me just loading mags for them, clearing jams and whatnot.
3.) Once comfortable with the mechanics, then encourage them to try the AR-50. They have all rung the 600 yd steel at Angeles on their first trip, and doing that with the big gun is a confidence builder.

safety beforehand
reactive targets and a semiauto .22
your funnest centerfire that doesn't beat up the shooter