NRA Women on Target handgun class, Colorado Springs

[SideShow Bob]

Am I mistaken in thinking this is similar to the NRA “First Shots” class ?

[O2HeN2]

Am I mistaken in thinking this is similar to the NRA "First Shots" class ?

Good question!

Though it shares similarities with "First Steps" as any beginning class does when it comes to discussions of safety, fundamentals, ammo and different firearm actions, the "First Steps" curriculum covers only one, specific firearm whereas Women on Target (WoT) is completely the opposite, allowing the student to shoot literally dozens of different firearms! This allows the women to compare factors such as fit, recoil and ergonomics of different firearms to see what they like and don't like about each. WoT also doesn't teach firearm cleaning; it's a get-someone-shooting-safely introduction and nothing more.

Also, unlike a "normal" NRA class, the event is subsidized by the NRA, allowing the organizers to keep the cost low - $25 gets you lunch and [virtually] unlimited ammo, basic ear and eye protection and a goodie bag.

We start the line with just .22s, both revolver and semi-autos. Then we stock the line with everything from 380s at the left to 1911s in .45 ACP at the right. This keeps things simple: Can you handle the recoil of this gun? Move to the right. Too much? Move left.

We encourage the participants to take pictures of the guns they like, so they won't forget the model and caliber when they start thinking of purchasing a gun.

I find it one of the most rewarding events to assist with. I've seen the most tentative of women during the .22 shooting at the start of the session dragging their friends to the far right of the line to shoot the .45 "Because it's so much fun!" by the end of the day.

Some of my observations over the years:

• Almost everyone likes the 1911 .45ACP
• Almost everyone hates the .40
• The most common caliber for a husband to buy his wife is a .40 (if I had a nickel for every time I heard "My husband bought me a .40")
• I take my hand strength for granted; I'm always surprised by women who can't fire a revolver double action and some that can't even cock a double action revolver's hammer (single action, with it's longer hammer spur isn't a problem).

My two warm-and-fuzzy moments from yesterday:

• "My husband taught me how to shoot, and I've never been able to hit the paper before!"
• [Left-handed woman who was taught by her right-handed husband]: "Is there a way to lock the slide back without transferring the gun to my right hand?" (I show her) "You're a genius!" (no, I just know how to run guns both left and right-handed, like any instructor should).

Unfortunately, my ultimate job at WoT is to get women interested enough in shooting that they continue on and become shooting instructors themselves - which will eventually get all us guys get "fired" and it becomes a 100% women event. I'll be both happy and disappointed when that day comes.

O2

Ps. If you haven't figured it out, IMHO "Husbands" (and boyfriends) can be the most damaging thing a woman can encounter when starting out on her firearm journey.