Training with men

[OliveCookieMonsta]

So when I first started training it was mostly with beginning ladies... And still I train weekly with mostly a couple ladies... However, this Saturday was my first day outside of my group of friends... I walked up to a group of men... About 9, lol, and our instructor was surprised I was a girl(my name), first thing he said was oh, for some reason I pictured a guy. My gf has a more girly name, so they expected one.

The class was great! I learned so much!!! The instructors were excellent! But today I wondered how the guys really felt, they seemed shocked at first to see us. Almost like we were intruding, might have just been my impression. I can understand being in an intermediate training and not wanting newbies in the class. Although I had a good time, I'm not sure if my next experience will be as fun without another girl for company.

Anyone else have a similar experience or advice?

[Steyrlp10]

GF, IMHO you will only get better if you shoot against the best and for now, the "best" are predominantly men. Things change at the national level, but for us Average Janes, we're exposed to local ranges, right?

Before they changed the ladies' course in Air Pistol (remember, it's still an Olympic event!) I noticed that most gals opted to shoot the 40-shot course instead of the 60-shot course the men shot. What's with that? It was one of those things that I found to be weird and very unhelpful to me in getting better.

The only men who resent you on the line are the ones who have confidence issues. I've been very lucky to meet guys who are helpful and encouraging. If you follow all the safety rules like everyone else, I don't see what the problem is.

[GunNutz]

I like shooting with women! For that matter, I like shooting with anyone who is safe.

[9mmepiphany]

having run training classes with women students, the male reaction is rather interesting.

1. there are the guys who are threatened because they might be outshot by a woman...don't feel bad, they are afraid they'll be outshot by everyone there. it isn't actually that they are threatened by you, it is that they are threatened by being seen by outer men when they are outshot by a woman. they usually are the first ones to start blaming their equipment for their poor shooting. instructors have a special description for their shooting style, "they slap (their trigger) like a bi-otach"

2. there are the guys who feel it is their place to "look out" for the woman in the class. this is pretty funny when you see a woman "let" a guy show her how to load her mags...over and over again. these are the guys who say women should be in the military, because the male soldiers would have to protect them. they are very proud of themselves when the woman they helped starts "kicking their butt" in shooting...like they really did anything except act the fool

i've found that most women in classes, we've had classes where more than 1/3 were women, have a few interesting characteristics too:

1. learn better don't hang together on the line...they can bond during breaks for support

2. they don't ask enough questions when they don't understand something...even a good male instructor will lecture in the Male Communication style unless you asks questions. the Female Communication style isn't the default for most firearm instructors...it is their job to help you have a good time, but they need help to understand what isn't working for you

[OliveCookieMonsta]

Thanks guys! And u know 9mm - I did leave my friend for the other team... Because there were too many in one squad and I think it was the BEST thing... And yes I asked a stupid question... Lol, I knew the answer to but I didn't quite understand the question... Difference in tactical, emergency reloads... I guess I'm not up on terms yet... But I'm getting there... I'm trying not to be so timid in a large group of men... But it can be a bit discouraging... Initially!!! I'll keep on trying and like u said GF train with ppl way better than me! ; ) learn and learn!

[NorCalMama]

So when I first started training it was mostly with beginning ladies... And still I train weekly with mostly a couple ladies... However, this Saturday was my first day outside of my group of friends... I walked up to a group of men... About 9, lol, and our instructor was surprised I was a girl(my name), first thing he said was oh, for some reason I pictured a guy. My gf has a more girly name, so they expected one.

The class was great! I learned so much!!! The instructors were excellent! But today I wondered how the guys really felt, they seemed shocked at first to see us. Almost like we were intruding, might have just been my impression. I can understand being in an intermediate training and not wanting newbies in the class. Although I had a good time, I'm not sure if my next experience will be as fun without another girl for company.

Anyone else have a similar experience or advice?

Oh believe me, this will be your testimony ever time unless you specifically seek out female specific classes. For me, when I first started shooting and I would go to the range, and it was mostly males I was nervous and felt like I had to almost prove myself. Now, after having some lessons, practicing on my own, and having taken some courses I am confident enough that I could give a sh*t about what the boys think when I walk in as the ONLY female to a given shooting event.
Really, you do not notice it after a while to where it affects you. And if there are some idiot guys who feel like they have to get puffed up and bent out of shape cause you (a female!) are there, you show em what you can do and make em leave with their tail between their legs. Shooting is NOT for men only and really, you will hear ANY legit firearms instructor tell you that women easily shoot men under the table every time. We are easier to teach, pay closer attention to what is being taught, and I think we retain the lessons we learn better (we don't have a giant ego getting in the way).

lol, I'm NOT male bashing, I'm also NOT trying to sound like women are better than men or that we should walk around feeling all big and bad, I'm just letting you know my opinion.
Also, like someone else mentioned about shooting with safe people, +100000! Safety, confidence (not arrogance), being relaxed and having some lessons under your belt will be your best friend!

[9mmepiphany]

But it can be a bit discouraging... Initially!!! I'll keep on trying and like u said GF train with ppl way better than me! ; ) learn and learn!

you have it nailed

i'm always look for shooter better than myself when i go to a class or event. part of learning is being able to understand what and why other people are doing something a different way. asking doesn't always help, because sometimes they don't know why they do it that way either. you have to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses and then look for what might help you.

here's a hint, it comes from the bulls-eye community (maybe Steyrlp10 will comment), burn into your mind what the sights look like when your sight alignment is perfect...so you don't have to look at them when you're shooting, you just need to see them. it is similar to Kyudo practice and "no mind"

[OliveCookieMonsta]

Kyudo practice... Never heard of but I just looked it up! Great way of thinking!!! Totally reminds me of matrix! Not a bad thing at all I'm gonna try it!

[GunNutz]

you will hear ANY legit firearms instructor tell you that women easily shoot men under the table every time. We are easier to teach, pay closer attention to what is being taught, and I think we retain the lessons we learn better (we don't have a giant ego getting in the way).

You sure about the not having a giant ego?

[Steyrlp10]

Oh believe me, this will be your testimony ever time unless you specifically seek out female specific classes. For me, when I first started shooting and I would go to the range, and it was mostly males I was nervous and felt like I had to almost prove myself. Now, after having some lessons, practicing on my own, and having taken some courses I am confident enough that I could give a sh*t about what the boys think when I walk in as the ONLY female to a given shooting event.
Really, you do not notice it after a while to where it affects you. And if there are some idiot guys who feel like they have to get puffed up and bent out of shape cause you (a female!) are there, you show em what you can do and make em leave with their tail between their legs. Shooting is NOT for men only and really, you will hear ANY legit firearms instructor tell you that women easily shoot men under the table every time. We are easier to teach, pay closer attention to what is being taught, and I think we retain the lessons we learn better (we don't have a giant ego getting in the way).

lol, I'm NOT male bashing, I'm also NOT trying to sound like women are better than men or that we should walk around feeling all big and bad, I'm just letting you know my opinion.
Also, like someone else mentioned about shooting with safe people, +100000! Safety, confidence (not arrogance), being relaxed and having some lessons under your belt will be your best friend!

I always thought we smelled better too

[Steyrlp10]

you have it nailed

i'm always look for shooter better than myself when i go to a class or event. part of learning is being able to understand what and why other people are doing something a different way. asking doesn't always help, because sometimes they don't know why they do it that way either. you have to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses and then look for what might help you.

here's a hint, it comes from the bulls-eye community (maybe Steyrlp10 will comment), burn into your mind what the sights look like when your sight alignment is perfect...so you don't have to look at them when you're shooting, you just need to see them. it is similar to Kyudo practice and "no mind"

Ah yes, that pesky front sight

Maybe we should all having exploding targets like in Top Shot - lol!

[rattletrap1970]

You sure about the not having a giant ego?

Actually.. I've heard that also. But the statement was funny.

[9mmepiphany]

having trained 100s of men and women, i have to agree that women are easier to train to a higher level than men...plus they do usually smell better

women who i have seen having problems shooting are folks who received instruction from someone who couldn't explain the why of what they were trying to teach...they can only teach the how. they can't teach it, because they don't really understand it

[tacticalcity]

I've taken lots of classes with women in them. Other than the novelty at first, there is nothing to it. They usually just as well the men. The only exception being when either their department or boyfriend/husband twisted talked them into taking a course they had no interest in. The same could be said for the male officers who's departments send them to receive more training due to an unwillingness to master their firearms. That can get annoying, since the class slows way down and it is obvious they have no interest in learning anything. However, when someone slows down a course but is making every effort then I and others view it as an opportunity to further perfect the subject matter. So there is no need to be nervious. Take courses appropriate to your current skill level, and all will be well. Sexism has no place in a gunfight, or in training to survive/prevail in one. I have never seen it during any of the firearms courses I've taken.

[OliveCookieMonsta]

First to say... I've never been cohorsed to taken a class... It's all at my own will lol... But ur right ... Often I wonder if I'm good enuf for the class. But afterwards I know I learned something new and I appreciate all classes from beginning fundamentals to the imtermidate ones I've taken... No advance classes yet... Just bc I haven't seen any