A New Convertee, My Fiancée

[soberbyker]

When I first started to think about getting a LTCF my fiancée didn't like the idea. Even though her father has many guns of all types she didn't like guns. I applied for and received my LTCF before buying my first gun, a Kahr CW9. I am not new to guns, just to gun ownership. I used to carry for a security company and have had many friends over the years with guns. So in February 2007 I bought the CW9. She wasn't thrilled, but accepted it as something for me to do during the cold winter (going to the range) as I tended to mope around the house waiting for a semi-good day to ride my Road King. I've taken short rides in 10 degree weather just to satisfy "the bug". Anyway on Easter Sunday we were at her parents house and I went shooting with her Dad and son at an open air free range on some SGL in Tafton, PA. She liked that her pop and I had found something to help us bond.

A couple days ago she saw a card for SPAG Glock day that I had gotten when I met Dan P. and dgg9 for some shooting a few weeks back and asked if I was going to go. I said yea I intended too, while sitting at my computer desk, good thing I was sitting, she asked if she could come too. "Hell yea" I said. You can never have too many things to enjoy with your mate as far as I'm concerned. Well off we went to SPAG today for Glock day, we ran into Dan P. talked with him a bit and her curiosity was peaked. SPAG was pretty crowded with folks trying out the Glocks, and they said they wouldn't let a beginner try one, so I asked her if she wanted to go to Firing Line, where I'm a member, and try my gun. As luck would have it I just happened to have my bag of goodies with me, wink wink, and I always carry, so off we went. I gave her some basic safety fundamentals, allowed her to hold the empty gun and dry fire a couple times. "Are you ready for the real thing?" She was nervous but said yes. I put the target about 10 feet away loaded the gun and placed it in front of her. She picked it up and prepared to fire. The CW9 has a very long trigger pull. What seemed like forever was really a minute or two but BANG, the gun fired. She hit the target, She also jumped about 5 feet as she replaced the gun on the table in front of her. "That scared the crap out of me" I thought I lost her. I had her watch me fire a couple clips and then asked her if she'd like to try again. She did. 100 rounds between the two of us and she was getting some nice 3 - 4 inch groups in the 10 foot range. At SPAG Dan had said something about women being better learners, something to do with men being to macho to admit needing help and such, yea right but I have to admit she did pick it up quick and wants to get one of her own. Even at about 30 feet she still hit the paper. I guess the thread about hiding purchases from my wife won't apply to me now. "Another gun on my side is always a good thing." My employer said that to me when I asked if I could carry at work. Yes, it is, yes it is.

[Skuggi]

Awesome, I've been working on my girlfriend for a bit now, finally last week got her to hold my S&W unloaded and then even taught her a bit of safety and how to aim. Hopefully getting closer to getting her to actually shoot it

[dgg9]

Originally Posted by soberbyker

I gave her some basic safety fundamentals, allowed her to hold the empty gun and dry fire a couple times. "Are you ready for the real thing?" She was nervous but said yes. I put the target about 10 feet away loaded the gun and placed it in front of her. She picked it up and prepared to fire. The CW9 has a very long trigger pull. What seemed like forever was really a minute or two but BANG, the gun fired. She hit the target, She also jumped about 5 feet as she replaced the gun on the table in front of her. "That scared the crap out of me" I thought I lost her. I had her watch me fire a couple clips and then asked her if she'd like to try again.

Here's what I always do in this scenario. I never have a new shooter fire the gun first. Yeah, they're wearing eyes and ears, but they're still not really prepared for how loud and bright it is. So I always have them stand to my side as I fire off maybe 6 rounds or so, and I tell them exactly that's the reason: so they can see and hear what it'll be like.

After that, the first few shots THEY fire are not a big deal to them. A lot of it is not the actual sound/brightness, but the fact that what actually does happen is unexpected.

My 2 cents...

[Calvin]

Good Job, I spoke to my wife this morning and brought up the point of LTCF ( I am getting mine). Well to my surprise she said she needs to get to the range with me alot more then she may get it. This coming from a woman that did not like guns when we first started dating.
Every one we get on this side of the board makes it that much harder to take away everyones " Right to Bear Arms "

[soberbyker]

Originally Posted by dgg9

Here's what I always do in this scenario. I never have a new shooter fire the gun first. Yeah, they're wearing eyes and ears, but they're still not really prepared for how loud and bright it is. So I always have them stand to my side as I fire off maybe 6 rounds or so, and I tell them exactly that's the reason: so they can see and hear what it'll be like.

After that, the first few shots THEY fire are not a big deal to them. A lot of it is not the actual sound/brightness, but the fact that what actually does happen is unexpected.

My 2 cents...

Thanks for the info dgg9, I forgot to mention I did fire one 7 round clip before I let her go, I guess if I hadn't she may have jumped 10 feet. As many times as I've been shooting I still flinch a little with the first shot. Good to know it was good to shoot a few first to condition her to the sound, without realizing it. I always get something useful from your posts dgg9.

[soberbyker]

Skuggi, Calvin, good luck with your gals, it is good to have another interest in common, not to mention no need to try to explain the expense when they're shooting too.

[billy870m9]

thats one thing i got my wife to do after some talking.....a few years ago she said there would never be a gun in the house.....and after three guns later she enjoys going to the range with me.....i told her how much stress release it was and she finally decided to go with.....shes getting very good with the shotgun and the sks, but she doesnt like my pistol.....im now looking for something she would like....but i guess for now 2 out of 3 aint bad.....

for the guys still trying to get the women into it, its not an overnight thing.....just plant the seed and when u go out shooting, come back and tell her how relaxing and fun it was....and eventually they will wanna come with and see what its all about....the women might not wanna shoot the first time but most times they will wanna atleast try it, and for my wife that was the beginning.....she took to it like a fish in the water.....scary thing is she was better her first time then i was my first time.....itll take some time to get them turned onto it but its worth it

billy

[soberbyker]

Originally Posted by billy870m9

.... she took to it like a fish in the water.....scary thing is she was better her first time then i was my first time .....

billy

I can relate, she shot a rifle once when she was a kid, all she remembers is it hurt her shoulder never touched a gun again, until yesterday, after the initial shock of the weapon going off in her hand, she seemed real at ease and was amazingly good at short range for a first timer.

[phillyd2]

NOW you have our blessing to marry her

[chalmitch]

If you need someone warm, caring, sensitive, charming and handsome have her call me. Heh, heh, heh - good job on the introduction to a handgun.

Best regards,
chalmitch