planning my 4th date to the shooting range.

[PandaLuv]

Hey ladies and gentlemen, I've met this girl and things seem to be great so far. We had two dates, she's taking me out for the 3rd and we already planned 4th. She went shooting before and she said she didnt like it because she said "those guns were too loud" lol.

But she did say she wants to shoot so I decided to take her out. I have two .22s and now I'm happier than ever because subconsciously when i bought them I thought that they're great for dates hahaha, jk, .22s are awesome. Zfields recommended to double up on her ear protection, and I agreed. I'm only gonna take the sr22 and 10/22 for her to plink with and my ak just because it's hot seeing girls shooting EBRs lol.



Not really sure how to tell her about safety without sounding too mean because I'm very anal about the rules. How can I make sure that it's gonna be a fun date and even possibly get her interested in my hobby?


She's neutral when it comes to gun control and she doesn't care that I'm a gun nut.

[glockwise2000]

She's a keeper. I hope things would turn out great for you, which so far it is.

Keep us updated.

[Vita Brevis]

Not really sure how to tell her about safety without sounding too mean because I'm very anal about the rules. How can I make sure that it's gonna be a fun date and even possibly get her interested in my hobby?

Well, if you guys are meeting up at one of your places before heading to the range, that's probably a good, low pressure place to go over the safety and operation basics. Make sure that you explain to her, that while you're out at the range, you'll be looking out for her safety as the first priority, and that if you come off as short or curt when you notice her doing something unsafe, that it's nothing personal. That's always worked out for me when taking out new shooters.

Also, making sure that you're close enough to reach in and put a hand on the gun to keep it pointed downrange is a great way to um, set the tone for the rest of the date...

Have fun!

Edit: Oops! Didn't realize this was in the Ladies forum. Hopefully my advice helps even though I'm not quite the demographic you were targeting.

[tlcwrites]

Kathy Jackson over at Cornered Cat has some great advice for how to handle taking someone to the range. Even if this isn't her first time, Kathy's advice is probably good:

http://www.corneredcat.com/Taking_a_New_Shooter_to_the_Range/

Have fun - a trip to the range sounds like a great date, at least in my book. :-)

[spetsnaz]

keep at it. not to worry about the safety thing just make sure she follows them and understand that guns are not toys. basic rules must be followed at all times finger off the trigger. congrats man

[bigcasino]

I am a joker so I always joke around and make funnies on the way to the range. Then when I get there I get very serious about my safety instructions and explain it were well and clear and that safety is no laughing matter. Then it is back to Mr. happy and fun guy. Have a good time!!

[raddogz]

I know when I first got introduced to the range - my friend talked a little about in the car, and then when we got to range (public outdoor range). He dropped all the supplies at the bench, and then we walked around while he explained about gun safety what to do and what not do. He stayed with me the entire time while I was shooting, as well as during cease fires.

Outdoor ranges tend to be a little less intimidating than indoor ranges in my opinion. Keep it light, and try not to get too serious when it comes to things like trigger control, and sight alignment etc. Look at it as just going to go have some fun at the range.

[Meety Peety]

Nice man, glad it got off to a good start for you. Safety is going to be hard. Best advice I have is just try not to get frustrated when she slips, because it will happen. Try to find a joking-ish way of pointing it out when she does somethign wrong. The three rules I've always followed for trying to get a girl to enjoy shooting (Not just girlfriends but sisters and in laws etc) is as follows:

Always double up on hearing protection at first. You'll have to shout a bit louder, but the noise won't be so bad. You'll make a lot more eye contact anyway

Don't bring a jam-o-matic POS .22 for her to fuss with. Luckily, you have two fantastically reliable .22s, should be a non-issue.

Lastly, bring the 1911. Don't ask me why because it doesn't make any sense. Bust it out after she's put a bit through the .22s and shoot it yourself. After you've put a few mags down range, she will want to shoot it, trust me. But don't let her shoot it enough the first time that she starts limp wristing it causing jams. Jams take the fun out of it.

Good luck! Here's hoping you don't get stuck to the right of some clown shooting .308s on the 25 yard range. The concussion of standing right next to that would probably make her hate the trip. Any chance for a BLM trip instead? Sounds kinda weird but my and my fiance used to make a day out of it and bring a little picnic and everything. We don't share a range with anyone else though, so it wasn't hard to do.

[Rider1k]

Just, be yourself regardless of your shooting passion, your work or shopping at the grocery store. She will either like you for who you are or she won't. Be strict at the range and make sure she knows why you are. Nothing wrong with that. Just make it fun for her. She obviously has an interest in you or you wouldn't have this opportunity. My advise is take her shooting often! Let her shoot as many guns/rounds as you can.

[MonkeyGrrl]

Not really sure how to tell her about safety without sounding too mean because I'm very anal about the rules. How can I make sure that it's gonna be a fun date and even possibly get her interested in my hobby?

Generally, honesty is the best policy. If she can't handle that, then you know how far this relationship is going to go.

"Guns come with a few rules. And being on a gun range comes with some more rules. I'm gonna need you to pay attention and follow them so we have fun, are safe for ourselves and others, and so we don't get kicked off the range. This sounds like I'm being a bad guy, but the rules are about safety, and you aren't used to being around guns a lot. I want us to be safe and have fun. Make sense? Rule #1: always keep it pointed downrange...."

The .22's are good. The AK is good. Double up on ear protection. Take some cool targets so she can see where she's hitting.

Be involved, don't just be a gun nut. Ask if she has questions, listen, answer. Make sure she knows there are no stupid questions. Don't plan on staying all day, make sure you ask if she's having fun or if she's done, and let her know you are good either way. There's no point in pushing this hardcore, if you think this is going to go somewhere. There will be more days to hit the range. Don't assume she wants to stay there forever. (I like going to the range, but I tend to hit my limit before my husband does.)

And have fun.

[movie zombie]

oh, Bumslie, you do realize this is not OT but the Ladies Forum, right?! this forum was created to get away from comments like you just wrote.......

[MrsRazz]

Outdoor ranges tend to be a little less intimidating than indoor ranges in my opinion.

This very true. Indoor ranges are dark, so the muzzle flash looks big. They're enclosed so they're very noisy, cramped and smell can be overwhelming.

[movie zombie]

This very true. Indoor ranges are dark, so the muzzle flash looks big. They're enclosed so they're very noisy, cramped and smell can be overwhelming.

i agree with this assessment and prefer an outdoor range any day.

[phdo]

My current girlfriend used to enjoy going shooting with me. She would ask to go almost every weekend. Now that she got me, she's not so willing to go anymore. Makes me sad. But, she knows I'm a guns fanatic and she accepts it. She bought me a P226R for my birthday and a 2.5" Smith & Wesson Model 19 for our anniversary. I love this girl!! I think she's a keeper. My suggest to the OP is to make her feel as comfortable and safe as she can. Once she trusts you and knows that you respect and promote firearms safety, you're good to go.

[wash]

When you teach her gun safety, have a copy of the range rules handy.

Some ranges have weird rules and a refresher is good for everyone.

.22 rifles are great for the muzzle blast shy, long barrels allow for a complete burn and keep the muzzle far away.

Sub-sonic ammo is nice too but probably won't cycle automatics and is not recommended for long barrel rifles (there is a risk of the bullet failing to exit the barrel).

If she learns to like handguns, get an auto-loader 20 gauge shotgun like a Remington 1100 and introduce her to trap shooting.