About two months ago he wanted to go to the range and shoot a pistol, having not shot one in 15 or so years, so we walked through safety and went to the range. He decided he want to get a pistol for home defense, so we’ve been going back and forth and he’s been trying various pistols. He’d finally decided on a Walther PPQ, as he liked the fit/feel and felt he could shoot it accurately…
And now he wanted his girlfriend to be able to shoot it safely too…
Now she’s a little Japanese American lady, and she’d ONLY ever shot a .22 pistol “years” ago…
Hence the couple of hours of discussion prior to the range…
Got up WAY too early yesterday morning, picked out a few pistols to work with her on, had to dig out ammo, etc…
Got to the NRA range at 0800 and I was 12th in line. No biggie, since I knew they would have to take the range test and get a range brief.
And I watched people coming OUT of the range… lots of kids toting rifle cases, WTF???
Come to find out the high school shooters had shot starting at 0500!!! Heh, guess 0800 ain’t bad for us old farts 🙂
So got the folks in, got them through the range test and range brief, and timing worked about right. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a lane.
Put the lady on the range with the .22/45 to start, and she did pretty well. Her boyfriend stepped up and proved he DOES like that PPQ (5 yards 10 shots in about 2 inches). Showed the lady how to load the mag for the .22 and she loaded the second one herself. Put her back on the line and she did well again. Safe with the gun, group was a little big, but all on the paper.
Once she felt comfortable, I asked her if she wanted to try a 9mm, and she shot the G17 not quite as accurately, and had a bit of a problem with the trigger feel, but again not bad. On the second mag, just flat bad luck, she had a spent case bounce off the divider, and get inside her high necked shirt. She put the gun down safely BEFORE she shook the round out the bottom of her shirt!!!
Not sure what she was calling me about that time, but when I asked her if she wanted to continue she finished the mag off. Her boyfriend got back in and shot a couple of more mags through the PPQ again doing well.
She had said Friday night she wanted to try a revolver, so I brought the Trooper MKIII along. Now you’ve gotta picture this…
She’s about 5’2″, ‘maybe’ 110 lbs, standing on the line with a MKIII with a 6 inch barrel! She put all six in the black!!!
I had her load six more, and the she put all of them in the black too!
She finally decided to try the PPQ, and she was getting a bit tired, so she started dipping the muzzle anticipating the recoil.
One more mag on the .22/45 and she was back up on target, if low.
Called it a day at that point, and we went outside and ‘debriefed’ the day…
Turned out the gun she liked the best was the Trooper!!! And she did acknowledge she was getting a bit tired, but just could not believe she was anticipating as badly as she was.
Good day all the way around, and her boyfriend called me yesterday evening, they want to go again, and are planning on joining the NRA next time we go! And she wants to get a .22 and practice!!!
Guys like you keep us winning.
Keep up the good work!
I call that a very solid WIN indeed.
Good work!
Wonderful.
Well Done.
Gerry
Nice. I love to watch folks light up on the range when they finally realize “yep, I can do this and I ain’t too bad at it!!
Contrats!!!
MSgt/Carteach/Ed/Gerry- Thanks
eia- Yep, he was deadeye with that PPQ!!! It IS all about finding that one gun you truly ‘like’!
My luck with the ladies (before Judy), I would not teach any of them how to shoot. Self preservation I guess.
Sounds like a great day – and it’s always the best when a new shooter discovers that they like it. Good job!
Pass the baton. Well done.
I’ve heard lots of good things about the PPQ.
Gotta love newbies and enthusiasm!
gfa
Way to go. We keep our traditions and our rights only so long as we bring in new shooters to keep our culture going. You, Sir, are then Man for doing just that.
CP- LOL, not a bad idea… 😛
Rev- Yes it is!
Tim- Tryin!!!
Andy- It’s a strange little pistol. Mag release is PART of the trigger guard (and ambidextrous)…
GFA- Yep! 😀
Murph- Maybe, but I ‘likes’ my sleep… sigh
I bought the small frame walther for my wife and son.Wife loves it son on the other hand being lefthanded refuses to shoot it after repeatedly catching hot brass in the face. i didnt see any problems with his grip i guess it could have been a strength issue as he was rather young.I bought him a ruger bearcat and he is doing very well with it.He was offered a spot on a local junior pistol and rifle team but since he is only 8 he will have to wait 2 years.You keep up the great work bringing new people into the sport. p.s. nothing makes me happier than aday at the range with my family
I love it! Your invaluable teachings help turn the anti-gun tide.
AWESOME
Nice Job Sir!
Crane op- Good point, and congrats to the youngster!
N1- Tryin…
Laura- 🙂
Keads- Thanks!
I can’t believe I missed this post!!
How kind of you and how totally awesome all around!!!
Agirl- Thanks.