Wife might be turning the corner on shooting

[MBGuy]

Yesterday I took my wife to the Impact Zone where I shoot. I try to take her to shoot my P239 every once in a while, but here lately we've just been so busy she now hadn't gone in 4 years. She hates to shoot my gun and never really has shown an interest in shooting. Well, as she was grudgingly shooting one shot every once in a while, a fellow that was in the area with his daughter and a friend came over to talk to us. He graciously let her shoot his .22 so she can feel something with a bit less kick. That was the greatest thing that could have happened. She enjoyed it and she now tells me she wants me to buy her a smaller caliber, lighter weight handgun!

I forgot to get his name and I was even thinking it might be someone here as he mentioned the shooting portion of the CHL class (and he was helpful). If you're here, THANKS!!!!

Now to take her shopping! I'm thinking Glock since I think it's lighter, correct? Probably a 9mm since it might have less kick than my .40? She also surprised me by telling me she'd be interested in a basic shooting class. Another

[Keith B]

If you can rent a 9 and let her shoot it before buying, that would be your best bet. She may have an aversion to something with 'less' kick vs. 'no kick'. Renting or borrowing and trying out is a good method of not spending on a gun she may not like.

If that isn't an option, start her out on maybe a Ruger or Walther .22. They would be a good addition to your collection anyway. If she really gets into shooting, THEN move her up to the larger caliber handguns (.380, .38 or 9mm.) Pocket size guns like the KelTec P3AT or a small .38 revolver like a Taurus or S&W would also be a lighter option. But remember, the lighter the gun, the more they have a tendency to be 'snappy' with recoil.

Good luck!

[CompVest]

Don't pick the gun for her. Let her choose the one she likes. This is where gun shows come in handy. The selection is wider then at a gun shop so it will be easier for her to pick out a few she likes. Help her to get a short list of 3-4 guns that she likes the way they feel in her hand. Then find a range that rents them or a friend/aquaintence that has them and let her shoot them. This way it is a win win. She got to pick her gun (she will like it a lot more because she did) and you got a new shooting partner.

SRVA and I are hosting a few of my women students through a gun show February 9th in Conroe at the Lone Star Convention Center if you would like to join us. We are meeting in the lobby at about 1PM. Please PM an RSVP if you want to go meet with us.

[Liko81]

If you can rent a 9 and let her shoot it before buying, that would be your best bet. She may have an aversion to something with 'less' kick vs. 'no kick'. Renting or borrowing and trying out is a good method of not spending on a gun she may not like.

If that isn't an option, start her out on maybe a Ruger or Walther .22. They would be a good addition to your collection anyway. If she really gets into shooting, THEN move her up to the larger caliber handguns (.380, .38 or 9mm.) Pocket size guns like the KelTec P3AT or a small .38 revolver like a Taurus or S&W would also be a lighter option. But remember, the lighter the gun, the more they have a tendency to be 'snappy' with recoil.

Good luck!

If she liked the .22, buy her a .22. My personal suggestion would be a Browning Buckmark; they're inexpensive, accurate (highly adjustable sights), customizeable (Tactical Solutions has a lot of mods for most 22s) and fun. Even if she never progresses beyond it, she can have fun at the range for peanuts. The Camper can be found in the low $200 range, it's lightweight (though it does have a bull barrel), and it's almost recoilless, certainly compared to my 9mm. It's still loud, but it's a "crack", not a "bark" or "boom".

You can try her on a 9mm (it was my first gun and even for a novice shooter 9mm is very controllable), but definitely TRY her on one before you buy one just for her. Now if you want one for your own purposes, get it, and then she can try it. If she doesn't like it, it's still your gun. If she does, give it to her and buy another.

[M9FAN]

Don't pick the gun for her. Let her choose the one she likes. This is where gun shows come in handy. The selection is wider then at a gun shop so it will be easier for her to pick out a few she likes. Help her to get a short list of 3-4 guns that she likes the way they feel in her hand. Then find a range that rents them or a friend/aquaintence that has them and let her shoot them. This way it is a win win. She got to pick her gun (she will like it a lot more because she did) and you got a new shooting partner.

Very good advice! I'm working through this process with my wife right now...

[Indy5000]

This may have been referenced before but start out here: http://www.corneredcat.com/ In particular: http://www.corneredcat.com/Men/buywifegun.aspx

This may keep us all out of trouble.

[LarryH]

Based on our experience with one, I would not recommend the P3AT for your wife. It has more perceived recoil than my CZ compact 9 (or my wife's RIA 1911), and the small grips only have room for two fingers, unless you get the magazine extender, so it tries to twist up out of your grasp.

My wife refuses to shoot it at all, so I usually run one or two magazines' worth of ammo through it about every other range trip.

If you want to trek over to the League City area sometime, you (and your wife) are welcome to try ours.

[solaritx]

MBGuy

Contact me privately,

Garry N
solari@prodigy.net

[Moonpie]

A .22LR pistol is perfect for her. Get a neat-O sight on it like a lazer or maybe a holo-sight. New shooters love that stuff(old ones do too! ).