Took her down expecting the range to be full but luckily there were only two other people on it (they were doing an individual lesson). But anyway I had her shooting a CZ 83 (.380). She did suprisingly well. I started her off at about 3yrds and once she put 4 in the X ring I backed her up to 7yds. She only fired about 25-30 shots because her back was getting tired (she stands all day long so got to cut her a little slack). The CZ was failing to load on about the last 2 rounds of every mag. Ejected fine but the next round would not go into battery. It could have been her slight shaking though.
I rented a P229 9mm and she fired it once and said it was too much for her. I think she'll grow into a 9mm before I know it. I was worried that she wasn't gonna want to come back but when I said I'll shoot the rest of her box she said NO and wanted to save them for next time
OH and check out them custom glasses I did up for her.
It took her 15min to build the courage up to take the first shot. but after that and once we got home thats all she could talk about.
I also had one of the gun smiths to give her a quick run through how to stand, sight, pull the trigger just so that she would hear it from a pro. the only thing was that the CZ wouldnt load those last one to two rounds. Spring might be wore out as it was a rental. I just wish she'd like the 9mm better. .380s are about 30% more per box but luckily she only shot half a box.
Next time I might get her to fire off some .38 specials from maybe a .357 or so. How does the kick from a .38 special compare to that of the .380 or 9mm
Last edited by ander254; 03-14-2008 at 08:06 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Hey ander254 this was a joy to read and i'm delighted your wife had a great time.
Let us know if she goes again with you.
You know you may be buying her, her own shoot'in iron fore to long LOL
Nice story buddy !...A.H
If she doesn't like the 9mm I would skip the .357. .38's can be as tame as you want depending on gun and load. Keep her on light loads for a while and work up to more power as she gets used to it. By the look of the smile on her face I'd say you won't have to try real hard to get her to shooting again.
.380 is my gun of choice; 9mm, to me, has a bit more of a recoil; I also shoot my husband's .40 but obviously that gun really wears my hands out after a bit. Besides the .380 not having a bad recoil, its a perfect carry gun (if she ever thinks to one day do that).
__________________ Love the earth...Love the creator.(Rom. 20:1)
Thanks for sharing this with us, seriously. It made me remember the 70's when my dearest would shoot w me. She loved 22's as did my daughters. Now, she just kinda' looks mean at me most of the time, after all these decades of "guns". Please have Ash join us online, though I am not what my Momma called "polite company" and a bit of a bitter old man who loves guns more than their owners, alas. I'd be real careful 'bout lettin' the wimminfolks in on our little secret , though! Just kiddin' tell her she is welcome.
Last edited by kygunsmith; 03-14-2008 at 10:03 PM.
The first time I took my wife to shoot my new 1911, was also her last. I didn't pay attention to how she was holding and the slide bit the web of her hand. That did it for her. M wife did like the feel of a SPRINGFIELD XD9. It fit her pretty good.
Best thing I ever did was taking my wife shooting. The first time she just went to watch. She had never even held a gun before. I got her to try my Beretta 96 .40cal. It scared the hell out of her. I had told her before hand that it was probably too much gun for her. The range I use gives free lessons to ladies on Tuesdays. She went to that one time and was ready to go. They had her shooting a .22 semi-auto. She brought home the target, and she did very good. The following weekend she picked out a Springfield XD 9 subcompact. This all took place about a year ago. We now go at least twice a month. She even likes shooting my .40 and .357 now. It's great having a hobby that both parties can enjoy, and do together.
__________________ Don't go off half cocked! 1911's Rock!
yeah id like to go more often but im a full time student and she's a teacher assistant and a student so our budget is kinda tight right now. The only thing she had ever shot before then was her little cousin's red rider bb gun (only shot it twice and loved it). She was scared at first but she got over it. Next time I'll see if she can actually rack the slide or not. That 380 had a pretty stiff spring along with the small slide so not sure if she'll be able to handle it. i was hoping she'd like the 9mm but said it "jumped" to much for her. I can guarantee bout the time i get her a 380 she'll want a 9mm. well more guns in the closet i guess the better.
I think any man can count him self lucky when his wife/sig. other will join him for such things instead of frowning at him and telling him that not only won't she do it- but he better not either. My wife will not only shoot her gun with me at the range, she will take the compund bow I bought her a few years ago for some target shooting! She won't hunt with her bow or any guns, but that is a halfway point I do not mind one bit meeting her at. Kepp on taking her to the range, ander-she will find a gun that is perfect for her.
I took my wife to an indoor range just to show her my friends and I weren't actually going to strip clubs. I handed her the Ruger Single Six and let her bang away, (her father taught her to shoot; she'd just never been to an indoor range). As luck would have it, there were several shooters there from a local .22 club shooting Brownings and Rugers and High Standards and Colt semi-autos and she got invited to try out their pistols after they saw how well she could shoot the Single Six.
That was in 1983. She doesn't go every time I go now; but she still talks about her first time.
In a heavy .357, mild .38 loads are nothing. The .38+p's feel about like my Ruger P89 shooting standard load 9mm. Lighter bullets, lower velocity, and heavier gun all reduce recoil.
Congrats on getting your wife to the range. My wife had never held a gun before when we got married. I started her out with a Marlin .22 rifle blowing away Coke cans. She had a ball, and has been hooked since. She's since fired a 20 gauge shotgun (her home-protection weapon of choice), a .357 Magnum (she could use it, but preferred .38's in it), and now her S&W Airweight .38Special carry gun.
Last edited by Todd Bayliss; 03-22-2008 at 07:28 AM.
1911's Rock! 
