What type of gun for my GF to shoot for the first time?

[Nakanokalronin]

I'm taking my GF to the range tommorow and shes never shot a gun in her life. Shes not scared to shoot it or anything but I don't want to get her to big of a caliber the first time or to small. I have a SA Mil-Spec .45 thats in the shop and a Ruger GP100 6 inch barrel .357. I usually shoot .38 through the Ruger which I would put in for her and was thinking that might be ok unless the gun might be to heavy for her, however the recoil would be really low.

I could rent a revolver considering its more user friendly for a first time shooter but a snub nose would probably be really inaccurate for her and she might get discouraged. So if anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it.

I'm taking her to the range for her to know how to handle a gun and also to mabey releive her of the mentality that "Guns are bad, they should just get rid of them." way of thinking.

[MrBusiness]

If you, or someone at the range has a 9mm to shoot. I'd let her try that out first. Don't just load it up and give it to her though. Let her get familiar with the gun. Ya gotta crawl before ya can walk, so to speak. Perhaps you should shoot it a few times first so she can see how the gun performs. If she might think its still a little much for her first time shots, look into maybe getting a .22 to "break her into" the whole shooting mentality. The first pistol I ever shot was a .38 my old man had. He had to help me hold it because I was around 8 when he took us out. It was a lot of fun but pretty scary to hold a pistol that size.

Don't let her be discouraged from shooting if her first rounds don't ace the bullseye, we all weren't born John Waynes of the big screen ;)

[Nakanokalronin]

I'm definatly going to show her how everything works and be right there with her the whole time. I'm just trying to think of what kind of bullet size to start her out with.

No one I know has a 9mm yet. The only sizes of bullets that the people own that I go shooting with is .38/.357 and .45. So the only other thing I can do is rent. I was thinking a .380 because its a tad shorter than a 9mm and if she wanted something with more kick I'd get the 9mm or hand her my .357 :D (With .38s of course) I started out shooting a .38 and then right into a .357 my first time but I was brought up around firearms, my dad had them and still has them so a gun was never scary to me. However my GF has never been around them,has never shot one and really dosn't know the kick of a real firearm. Its something you have to experience even though I tried to explain it to her.

I guess I'll show her the .380 and some 9mm but I'm betting she'll want the "cute" little gun (This is what she'll probably call a mouse .22) :rolleyes: to try out first which will be ok by me if it gets her feet wet with a pistol.

[MrBusiness]

Ah yes, a .380! I feel sad... I have one sitting in my drawer and forgot all about it! Where's that "kick me" sign?!

The .380 I have is a nice compact pistol. It has a nice feel, easy to grip and as you said, is juuuusst slightly smaller than the 9mm. I'd hand it over and see how she does with it. :)

[Joni Lynn]

I prefer to start people with a 22, a Ruger and a S&W. That way they learn safety and shooting skills with practically no recoil. Then I progress them to other firearms.

[Hawkmoon]

Agree with Joni Lynn. If the range has rental .22s, start there. If not, try for .380.

[Joni Lynn]

I doubt that I need to say this but I will anyway.........Please teach safety first and remember ear and eye protection. I find that after shooting a 22 for awhile some people tend to forget it is still a gun. A break now and then to reinforce the safety issues can be good, least it be treated like a toy and that wouldn't be good.

[Big Sky Rancher]

I think it's best to start with a .22 and a target placed close, like around12-15'. The .22 allows one to work on the fundamentals without the recoil. The close targe enables one to make hits and feel good about their accomplishment.

After getting comfortable with that then subsonic 9mm is a good round to move up to, imo.

[Icepick15]

I've been an NRA Firearms Instructor since 1978. Used to teach a home firearms safety class. Have seen some interesting things happen. Here's a little hint for you when you take your girlfriend to the range. In addition to the eye and ear protection, tell her not to wear a low-cut blouse or one with a cowl neckline if you're planning on letting her shoot a semi-auto of any kind. You would be simply amazed at what happens when a piece of hot brass drops there. I know I'm sounding chauvinistic, but I'm really not kidding.

[Joni Lynn]

I agree with IcePick. I have experienced that a few times when I wasn't dressed quite right for the range. But when that hot shell case went in there, I think I put on a good show for the others there. On another note, shooting paper targets may be boring for her after a short time, if you have something else to shoot and a range where it's allowed, soda cans, tennis balls or shotgun shells etc etc can be fun. Instant confirmation of a hit!

[Hawkmoon]

On another note, shooting paper targets may be boring for her after a short time, if you have something else to shoot and a range where it's allowed, soda cans, tennis balls or shotgun shells etc etc can be fun. Instant confirmation of a hit!
Good point. If you're going to an indoor range where shooting at "stuff" isn't allowed, Shoot-N-C targets (the ones with the black that flakes off around the holes to reveal a yellow ring) are good for being able to see from the firing line where the shots are impacting. Especially useful with little bullets like .22s.

[LtlBear]

I agree with the .22 revolver. The safety training is the same, but the weapon training is much easier. If you can find one similar to your .357, then moving up to the .38 makes for familiarity. Also, in the SA mode, the trigger on a revolver is very light and allows for better groups. I would avoid semi autos the first time out.
Good luck and good shooting and I hope your GF has a pleasant experience.

[Moose63845]

One thing if you do use a semi only load 1 round the first time. That way you don't have to worry about her shooting the sky/ceiling on #'s 2-whatever. Or you for that matter if she does get a hot piece of brass down the shirt and grabs her chest and bam bye bye boyfriend. And don't laugh I actually heard a story about this one time.

[Nakanokalronin]

Thanks for all of the replies! I was thinking about a revolver just because its more user friendly and easier to handle the first time. I think the range I goto only has .22 semi autos to rent and don't allow anything but paper to be put down the range. The place also only allows "Winclean" type of ammo so that might be why theres restrictions. I'll check mabey for a .22 revolver but if there is'nt any I might just go with the .380. I'd ask the people behind the counter but one time I saw this great looking 1911 in a drawer behind the counter and when I asked the guy to bring it closer and what was on the gun he did'nt even know the names of the parts, not the brand names mind you...that parts themselves...compensator,extractor,mainspring housing...those types of names. :eek:

[Nakanokalronin]

Well I rented her the semi .380 and showed her how each part worked and from the first shot she did very well! :D I loaded one round the first time for her just in case so this was'nt the last face I made :eek: but she did'nt jump or anything from the first round. She then shot my .357 Ruger with .38s in it which she again did pretty good. I did'nt have my SA 1911 .45 with me but my friend did and she shot that as well but was just alittle to much for her. I got a kick out of shooting this rented .50 AE Desert Eagle though :) I might have to get one of those in the future.

For her first time out she did well...did'nt hit the target every time but did get some head shots and one in the center circle on a sillouette target. :cool:She kept her target as well to probably show around. At least now when I talk about guns she'll understand mabey just alittle more now. I don't think she'll buy a gun anytime soon but she did say she had fun and it was'nt as bad as she thought.

[Nakanokalronin]

Update:

Well my GF now says that she liked it and even though she thinks she'll never buy a gun. :rolleyes: she does want to get a F.O.I.D card so next time if she wants to go and shoot again she can pay and not have to ask me for everything. I think I started something and its great! :D

[cloc10]

I took my GF and my sister to the range fore the first time last summer. I let them shoot everything from 1911s,3oo6,to black powder rifles. When we left they both said they wanted my Colt 223 AR15s. So it might be a surprise what gun a woman likes. I had all intensions on getting my GF a hand gun but as you see , that was a delightful surprise. Hopefully your GF has access to a few guns so she can see the difference in weight , kick , and power.

Be safe and good luck!!!!!