Great Day at the Range...

MTICop · #1

First, I must set up this story. Earlier in the week I set a range date for today with two friends of mine as they are anxious to learn to shoot. Long story short, yesterday they both cancelled on me for different reasons so I was left with having to go by myself.

This is not my most favorite way to shoot so this morning but I was going anyway as I just acquired a Kimber and really needed to test it out. I got up, got everything together and was just waiting until 8:45 so I could get to the range when it opened. My wife woke up while I was moving around so I figured, why not ask her. Now understand my wife has only shot a handgun once that I know of but no more than twice. She is very intimidated by handguns, by her own admission, but has stated she wants to learn to shoot. However, she has declined to go on my previous trips to the range. So I asked anyway, and she initially declined, but changed her mind when I told her I really wanted her to go.

We get to the range, set up on the 7 yard line, the closest my range has. I loaded the XD and ask if she was ready. She says OK and steps up to the bench. I reminded her of grip, sight alignment, sight picture, and stance. She said she remembered so I gave her the pistol and she took aim. There was silence, and I mean nothing. So I stepped up took the pistol and told her that I would shoot first and I wanted her to shoot exactly the way I did. I let all 12 rounds go as fast as I could. I handed it back to her and told her to aim at the center then just pull the trigger.

She did...and that's all it took. We spent the next 3.5 hours shooting and having a blast. At 7 yards, she pretty much stayed within a 6 inch circle by the end of the day. She had the occasional dropped shot; she has the bad habit of dropping the barrel right before the shot goes off, but that became less and less as the day went on as well. She even shot the Kimber at the end of the day. The only problem with that is she said she liked the way it felt in her hand better than the XD. I told her I would buy her one but she wasn't claiming that one.

I guess this story really isn't that short but any of you that know me knew that was going to happen anyway.

But it was a very productive and fun day at the range.

Venus Pax · #2

Sounds to me like she'll never be the same. :party:

I'm glad to hear the two of you had a fun date at the range.

txinvestigator · #3

A BAD day at the range beats a GOOD day in the office everytime.

Good job with the wife.

jimlongley · #4

If she's anything like my wife, you've lost your XD.

MTICop · #5

jimlongley wrote:If she's anything like my wife, you've lost your XD.

I'm not so sure about that for her. I know my wife and I'm sure she will be coming after the Kimber if I don't get her something else she likes quick.

And we will have a domestic spat over that. LOL!

And you are right TXI, any day at the range is good but this one was a little bit more special than most.

ScubaSigGuy · #6

Great story. It gives me hope that I can get my fiance' interested in shooting someday.

MTICop · #7

ScubaSigGuy wrote:Great story. It gives me hope that I can get my fiance' interested in shooting someday.

Just go slow and don't push. It took me 14 years. Hopefully it won't take you that long but it may not be next week either.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

ScubaSigGuy · #8

MTICop wrote:
ScubaSigGuy wrote:Great story. It gives me hope that I can get my fiance' interested in shooting someday.
Just go slow and don't push. It took me 14 years. Hopefully it won't take you that long but it may not be next week either.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

For the time being it's not an option... at least until she finishes her PHD program. I finally got her to carry OC though, so that's a step in the right direction. I NEVER push, she too headstrong for that...LOL.

#9

MTI:

Now, run over to the For Sale forum and look at the Kimber CDP Pro Longtooth has on the block.

gmckinl · #10

Friday was our great day at the range. Bullet Trap does a family night special on Fridays; after 5 or 530, family members shoot for free on the same lane (only one person pays a range fee). Lots of ladies are there on those days which helps my wife avoid feeling out of place.

Our usual drill is that I get there about 4 and do my shooting. She gets there about 530 and shoots a couple of boxes worth. Lock up the pistols in the trunk of her car, then go to dinner at Mac's - w/ any luck at all getting there in time for $4 martinis in the bar, then a couple of steaks or some seafood (I'm really liking their Shrimp Brochette). We can be home by 8-9. Works out really well.

MTICop · #11

Skiprr wrote:MTI:

Now, run over to the For Sale forum and look at the Kimber CDP Pro Longtooth has on the block.

Just bought the one. I need to go back out and water the money tree so it can grow some new dollar bill leafs before I can get another one of those.

Steve #1 · #12

gmckinl wrote:Friday was our great day at the range. Bullet Trap does a family night special on Fridays; after 5 or 530, family members shoot for free on the same lane (only one person pays a range fee). Lots of ladies are there on those days which helps my wife avoid feeling out of place.

Our usual drill is that I get there about 4 and do my shooting. She gets there about 530 and shoots a couple of boxes worth. Lock up the pistols in the trunk of her car, then go to dinner at Mac's - w/ any luck at all getting there in time for $4 martinis in the bar, then a couple of steaks or some seafood (I'm really liking their Shrimp Brochette). We can be home by 8-9. Works out really well.

Thanks for passing on the info about Friday nights at Bullet Trap, we'll have to take advantage of that. The only problem with taking my wife to the range is that even though I shoot 10X more often then her, she never fails to make me look bad.

Ditto on Mac's, it's one of my favorite restaurants.