fungun

My parents growing up had no connection to guns so for me it was something I learned mostly on my own as a young adult except for a few short outings with one friend and his dad shooting his dads 22-250 rifle. Perhaps that's a reason why I really enjoy the opportunity to educate newbies about guns and shooting, it's almost a mission for me TBH. Took a friend to the range this week for the first time and he had a really great time shooting a variety of handguns and is looking forward to his next outing and now considering where his own collection will begin. He's off to a great start and I'm happy to be a part of it.

His journey began with concerns about personal security and he knew I was into guns and that sort of led into it. Another newbie shooter started with discussions about hunting. And then of course there's my family which shooting is SOP.

I'm curious how many folks here teach newbies about guns and shooting? If so how does it usually get started for you?

HappilyAddicted

I too love taking newbies out to the range. Most of the ones I take are co-workers. I can't tell you how great I feel when I see the look on their faces after squeezing the trigger for the first time. I usually start them out with a .22 if it's their first time. We quickly move up to 9mm then to .45. I have to say it is one of the most satisfying experiences.

kingpins9

I really don't have the opportunity to here. Everyone in my family and everyone I know already shoots regularly or owns at least one gun. This is Georgia after all.

fungun

I've seen that a variety of calibers has been really helpful, of course it depends on the shooter. My friend this week was doing very well with the 22 and 9mm and commented about the added recoil of the 45. So after a while I had him shoot a few rounds of 454 Casull and the 45acp was all of a sudden no big deal. Nothing like a little context for people to compare to.

fungun

I've definitely got a different reality here, lots of possible students

Nick0410

If any friend of family member is really interested, I'm in for taking someone new

jlh820

I taught all 4 of my kids how to shoot. They're all adults now and have made their own decisions about gun ownership. But none of them are afraid of guns and they know I have willed my collection to them.

Most all of my friends close by are afraid of guns. I guess their dads didn't raise them the same. But one of my best friends, who was deathly afraid of them, I've showed him my collection, let him handle them, (unloaded, of course - that was a big step) and have even gotten him to watch me at the range a couple of times. I've offered to teach him how to shoot, but he's not quite ready for that. Recently I let him be my spotter for some long range shooting. He really enjoyed that and it helped me out quite a bit.

I think there wouldn't be so much advocacy for gun control if everyone got a chance to shoot and learn about guns, especially as kids.

fungun

That's quite a demonstration of patience on your part, everyone has their pace, certainly can't force it. The spotter idea is excellent, I'll have to try that out sometime.

JimB120

I've taught quite a few newbys to shoot, most of them co-workers.

Once word got around that I'll take a them to the range those who want to learn come out of the woodwork, a lot of them women.

I usually start with a 22 revolver, a 22/45, then move up to .38 in a GP101, SP101, a Sig 238 or 230 (because they always wants a cute little .380 until they shoot one), a Sig 9mm (226 and/or 2022) a 9mm 1911 and a .45 1911.

It's a lot of fun and rewarding knowing you taught them something that might save their life some day.

BuckJM53

fungun ... In addition to teaching my wife, son and several interested friends and family members over the years, it seems I quite often have the opportunity to work with obvious newbies at the range. It usually starts with polite conversation from one side or the other, or a very carefully placed "I see you're having a bit of a struggle with .........., would you like a suggestion?"

BlkHawk73

Besides my son, not really. Seems there's just too many with zero actual experience that already have that "I know it all" mentality going in so they don't ask. Those that do ask, I'm happy to. Then again, I'm sure I'd bore them as I'm one for starting small, learning the fundamentals and then progressing. Start with a .22lr and when that's down thoroughly, move on rather than starting with the latest and greatest whiz-bang "tactical" cool gun regardless of it's chambering.

fungun

I get the same satisfaction, especially teaching women.

fungun

Yes indeed, I often ask folks next to me if they've been shooting long, on a rare occasion I've heard it was their first time. Perfect opportunity to instill good safety practices and get them off to a good start.

Storm40

I have trained my wife and my cousin. I will be helping in training my cousin's wife and children soon. For me it is usually family members that show interest or fellow workers who only qualify once a year. I try to get them to the range and impress on them the importance of regular practice and familiarity of their firearms.

Yiogo

I try to initiate family into the shooting sports. Jawge