Taking wife to the range for the first time.. tips?

Howdy ladies - I am taking my wife to the gun range for first time on Friday after work. I would describe her mood as "guarded optimism". She grew up in the country with guns, but has never been a "gun gal". I think she is a little scared of guns, but I am coaxing her along. (It helps a lot that her Mom and Dad are supportive in this) Shes been asking questions about what to expect (like "do they clean the hearing protectors?")

Since I am taking her to On-Target for the first time, I was hoping for some tips from you ladies. Any things that I should avoid doing or saying, or things that I should focus on? I trust your opinion!

Thanks in advance!

Whatever you do, don't hand her a loaded gun shortly before you say "Hey baby, look at the ass on that girl shooting at lane 3." You may come out of there with one less pinky toe.

Just the standard advice I'm sure you've thought of already:
Start slow, work up from small calibers, don't rush her, don't get too worked up over accuracy...
and have fun!

1. Other than the initial safety talk don't lecture. Shut up.
2. Let her shoot at her pace and shoot what she wants to try out.
3. Answer questions as simply as you can. She doesn't want a tech primer her first time out.
4. Remember it's fun, not a competition.

It's funny that everyone that answered this thread is a guy.

Now the ladies are going to come in and tell us we're all wrong.

Originally Posted by GT_Rat

... It's funny that everyone that answered this thread is a guy..

haha.. I know! I mean.. whats going through your head if you are answering a question that begins, "Howdy Ladies..."

I know you were addressing the ladies out there but I thought I'd toss in my .02.

My wife has totally embraced shooting. She's bought more guns lately than I have. And she is as good a shot as I am. She would say better. Let her start with something small and let her move up at her own pace. My wife now has her own .45 1911 and a Bond Arms Snake Slayer .45/.410. Serious wepons. Not to mention several other guns that belong to her. She craves the smell of burnt gunpowder.

It's great to have an activity that we can enjoy together. Going to the range is a wonderful way to relax and release the frustrations of a hard week. It's a bonding experience. This could be the start of something great for you and your wife. And something that could become a little expensive. It's worth it. Just don't make the mistake of picking up one of her guns and shooting without asking. They get possesive about their guns!

I didn't think my wife would enjoy it, but she really did and keeps asking to go back, which is a terrific surprise.

I'd add three suggestions to what you've already heard:

1) Walk through the basics before you get to the range. It's easier than yelling over the noise.

2) Try to go when the range isn't busy. Having some guy rapid-firing a .45 in the next lane wouldn't likely make her happy with the noise.

3) For the first few shots, just load one round in the magazine. That way, after she makes a really good shot, she won't spin around with her finger on the trigger and accidentally shoot you.

Originally Posted by GT_Rat

1. Other than the initial safety talk don't lecture. Shut up.
2. Let her shoot at her pace and shoot what she wants to try out.
3. Answer questions as simply as you can. She doesn't want a tech primer her first time out.
4. Remember it's fun, not a competition.

It's funny that everyone that answered this thread is a guy.

Now the ladies are going to come in and tell us we're all wrong.

I never look at the section heading, I just hit "new posts"
Still..kinda funny.
Hopefully the ladies will be along soon.

Bullet proof vest?
-Jason G

Originally Posted by TNTitan

Howdy ladies - I am taking my wife to the gun range for first time on Friday after work. I would describe her mood as "guarded optimism". She grew up in the country with guns, but has never been a "gun gal". I think she is a little scared of guns, but I am coaxing her along. (It helps a lot that her Mom and Dad are supportive in this) Shes been asking questions about what to expect (like "do they clean the hearing protectors?")

Since I am taking her to On-Target for the first time, I was hoping for some tips from you ladies. Any things that I should avoid doing or saying, or things that I should focus on? I trust your opinion!

Thanks in advance!

Well, I am not a lady, but when my wife agreed it was time to get our permits, I had the guy at Guns and Leather discuss guns with her, including going down to the range and letting her try one out. She asked me what I thought and my reply was go with what was comfortable, price was not an issue (well, if she had eyed a Wilson custom...), and I figured the guy at the shop knew his trade (and know he did now).
FWIW, that approach worked well and she is very comfortable with her gun and carrying it. Another piece of advice the G&L guy gave which she took was to practice and do the shooting test with a .22. So she started shooting Ruger (rental) and then agreed on our buying our Buckmark; it is an easy to shoot gun and she gained the confidence needed to enjoy the practice. I also use it and enjoy shooting it plus it's cheap to plink.
My and I hope you have fun and your wife learns to enjoy shooting sports or at the minimum, will want to shoot enough to become proficient and get her HCP and be armed.