Took the wife shooting today

[FML1982]

Took my wife shooting today 4 years after we originally intended to go. I didn't think I would be able to remain relaxed enough to teach her and thought I would turn her away from shooting so I was holding out to get her some classes but she never seemed interested. It ended up being a great day, she was almost crying at first from anxiety and the guys in the lane next to us (a very polite and courteous gentleman and his son) were shooting his .50 Desert Eagle and .44 Mag, needless to say she was shaking and jumping at every shot he took since she had no idea what was going on. She started off with a 1911 .22lr and after 2 magazines of 10 in 20 minutes she was ripping them off as fast as possible and doing pretty good for someone that has never held a gun in her life. She graduated to a XD9, LC9, and SIG 2202 in 9mm and also took a couple 5.56 rounds off the AR. Gotta say she ended up loving the XD9 service the best and as soon as we got home started looking for a pistol for herself. She saw the Sig Sauer P238 with the rainbow titanium finish (go figure) and thinks that it would complement her nicely. So, does anyone know anywhere in San Diego County to get a P238 with rainbow titanium finish, I know its gonna have to be a SSE but want to actually get her to put it in her hands and see it in person before getting serious about getting it for her.

[SILENT GUNMAN]

I can't help you with the SIG, but great job getting her out there. My wife also loves the XD. That and my Kimber are must haves when we go to the range together. I forgot the ammo for the Kimber last time we went. That was a little over a month ago and I'm still catching crap over it.

Maybe you could offer to get her her own XD and have it duracoted in her favorite color? Since you already know she's comfortable with the platform it would make sense for her to have her own. By painting it her favorite color you'll make her want to shoot it more.

[AP2]

Try DAS in Solana Beach for the Sig. I actually saw a rainbow finished pistol there but I don't know what it was.

[afteractionreport]

Great....i turned my gf on and now she wants 2 guns for every room...not including my own guns so im happy theres lots of guns in my future...

[Corsair415]

I tried to take my wife shooting once at Jackson Arms. She started crying as soon as she heard someone with a really loud gun firing. Didn't even get a chance to see what it was, had to leave.

Maybe I'll try and take her to an outdoor range someday, but it'd probably be just a waste of time.

[tgunsmoke]

Can't help you with the Sig, but congrats on the range trip! I'm taking my mom for the first time tomorrow.

[Jason95357]

I tried to take my wife shooting once at Jackson Arms. She started crying as soon as she heard someone with a really loud gun firing. Didn't even get a chance to see what it was, had to leave.

Maybe I'll try and take her to an outdoor range someday, but it'd probably be just a waste of time.

Gotta say an outdoor range and/or BLM land is the way to go for first time shooters. Way more relaxed way to go.

Saw a soldier taking his parents to the indoor range for the first time last night. Dad was enjoying it, mom was outside the range watching through the window jumping and flinching each time they shot (they were the only ones in the range at the time). I got my wife talking to her (wife didn't feel like shooting, and it was date night anyway), and she eventually came in with my wife. They got her to shoot, but what did they start with? A 45, when they had a 40 and a 9mm. Not sure I get that logic. She shot one round and was out of there.

I really wish I'd brought my wife's M&P22. My wife would have had fun teaching her, and she's have had a much better time. Oh well, at least my wife did go out and talk to her and recommend she try a 22 next time they come to the range.

[bigbearbear]

Don't start new shooters out in indoor ranges, or even outdoor ones that are covered. The blast from other shooters will be very loud and people not used to loud noise will feel extremely uncomfortable with it.

My wife went through the same cycle and I too made the mistake of starting her out with pistols in an indoor range. We later tried an outdoor range (Los Altos), it was better but their pistol range is covered. It is nice because it provides shade but it also meant the sound of gun fire will echo back a bit and it was uncomfortable for her.

The easiest, as it turns out, was clay shooting (trap). Trap ranges are typically not covered (at least the ones in the Bay area aren't), so the blast from a 12 gauge ended up being easier on the ears compared to handguns in the pistol range. I know, this sound odd, but give it a try and you'll see what I mean. Without any structures to echo the sound of gun fire, trap shooting is very easy for new shooters to get into. We now shoot trap every week and we're just getting back to handguns again.

[FML1982]

Well I thought about giving her the XD9 service and getting a XD9 tactical for myself or grabbing a S&W M&P9 from the market place. I originally grabbed the LC9 for her from another calgunner a couple of months ago but wasn't able to get her to the range until today. She wasn't crazy about the trigger but shot it better than the SIG 2022 I have, i let her go .22lr, then the LC9 since it was smaller and would fit her hands better, I think it is honestly too light for her, I don't really notice the recoil but watching her I noticed it was coming up quite a bit after every shot. Thanks AP2 for the heads up in Solana Beach Ill try and check it out this weekend and see.

[ja308]

I tried to take my wife shooting once at Jackson Arms. She started crying as soon as she heard someone with a really loud gun firing. Didn't even get a chance to see what it was, had to leave.

Maybe I'll try and take her to an outdoor range someday, but it'd probably be just a waste of time.

I would suggest you begin teaching her in the back yard with a nice single stroke air pistol .
Begin with the safety instruction just like it were a firearm. Check for eye dominance and give her instruction on an easy stance and grip .

Professional shooter Todd Jarrett taught 2 Vees and thumbs pointed at target.
Todd taught, stand up straight, feet placed about shoulder width. 1st V are legs . Extend both arms which creates the 2 nd V and thumbs pointed at target ala Jeff Cooper.


I use a 1 inch circle at about 3 feet, after a few shots and she's hitting the 1 inch circle, keep moving back ! Once she has the sights and marksmanship down, substitute reactive targets like balloons or the kids plastic animals etc .

It's very important to have a large enough backstop that will not allow the pellet to come back . Old carpet seems to work fine .

To give her confidence and make it fun, you can use just your weak hand and she will enjoy competing !

Good luck and don't be surprised when asks to shoot a "real gun " !

Good job OP ! Your wife has good taste regarding the SIG pistol . I'm curious if she has fired a. 9 mm Glock ? Although I don't own one, the simplicity, accuracy and reliability are impressive . A Glock may be less money too, which means more shopping for mags, holsters and accessories !

[voiceofreason]

Sig P238 is a GREAT gun.

I'd run ball ammo in it personally for defensive use given the low penetration of the .380 round.

something that uses the XTP bullet if it'll feed in your gun, but I know many people that own P238s that say it doesn't feel well unless the bullet has a round ogive like the Golden Saber

[Dano3467]

Nice taking your wife.......the family that plays together stays together !

The sig 238 is a nice choice. Hold out for what she wants...

[AP2]

DAS does have the Rainbow one.

[SB1964]

You are blessed with a great wife, now your screwed. Joking...That's great to hear. Sad BLM is shut down, I try to take people outdoors to learn, as stated. I take a fair amount of new people shooting, always have.

[Jimmybacon43]

Glad you're wife enjoyed shooting, some women (and even some men) can get very anxious about shooting for the first time, it's great that she ended up liking it.