When I load I target right in the middle of the power window. I dont want it too hot and I dont want it 'low recoil' either. I find this to be a sweet spot for consistency and do Not get jams.
This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson
January 24, 2022, 09:35 AM
lastmanstanding
My wife, daughter and both daughter in laws took lessons and training from the wife's nephew who is a leo and certified instructor who is really good at relating principles. He also teaches many of the self defense courses in his station. I showed the girls the very basics of pistol operation. How to make sure it's unloaded, where the magazine release is and how to use it. Dry fire to learn the difference between double and single action etc.
Being left handed I am no one to teach others how to grip or what stance to use because I naturally do things differently. Best part was her nephew did the training at her moms lake place on a weekend where everyone was comfortable and relaxed. I doubt the girls would have done it if they had to go to a formal classroom with a bunch of other strangers. The girls learned quickly in that environment not having to worry about others watching them shoot or afraid of being embarrased.
All of us guys just stayed out of the way most of the time and it couldn't have gone better.
"Fixed fortifications are monuments to mans stupidity" - George S. Patton
January 24, 2022, 09:49 AM
Flash-LB
quote:
Originally posted by redstone: When I load I target right in the middle of the power window. I dont want it too hot and I dont want it 'low recoil' either. I find this to be a sweet spot for consistency and do Not get jams.
We have multiple handguns in the same caliber, so I start with less than a minimum load and if that works in the weakest ejecting/feeding gun in the group, I stay there. If it doesn't, I go up a little, wash rinse and repeat until the weakest gun runs perfectly, then leave the load there forever or until a pressing need comes up to change it.
January 24, 2022, 10:02 AM
ensigmatic
Since you didn't say what did or did not happen prior to the CCW class I'm going to assume the worst. Apologies in advance if my assumptions are in error.
It seems you made the same fundamental error boyfriends and husbands often make: Choosing their pistol for them, rather than the women choosing their own?
The second mistake you made was starting them off with a very small, very light handgun, then trying to moderate the increased felt recoil by giving them powder-puff handloads. That's fine for people with strong grips and good forearm strength, but, for people that don't (most women), it's a recipe for limp-wristing to result in malfunctions.
Then you tried to test that small, light pistol with your wife using full-load SD rounds, which meant now she was getting the full "benefit" of all the felt recoil. The results, there, were predictable, too.
So I would suggest a reset is in order. Start over, letting the women choose their weapons.
When I bring new shooters up, I start with .22 cal. rimfire. Either my Ruger MkI or my Ruger Single Six, followed by the MkI. Then it would be perhaps my Springfield EMP 3 (27 oz. unloaded, rather than 18 oz.) with off-the-self range ammo. Then probably my PPS M2.
Before any of that, there would have been a "class," at home, where I explained and demonstrated single- and double-action revolvers and auto-loaders, and striker-fired pistols--having them handle them, learning how to operate them, check for being loaded, load and unload them (with snap caps), etc. During that process they would be repeatedly queried on the four fundamental rules of firearms safety.
Then there'd have been a trip to my favorite LGS for them to see what was available, fondle things, etc., followed by a trip or two to a local range with rentals.
Next: Range time with their chosen handgun.
The CCW/CPL class would've been the very last step.
FWIW: When I was choosing a small 9mm semi for myself, one thing that popped-up a couple times was women tended to prefer the PPS M2 to the other, similarly-sized pistols. (The M&P EZ was not available at the time.)
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
January 24, 2022, 10:57 AM
Flash-LB
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic: Since you didn't say what did or did not happen prior to the CCW class I'm going to assume the worst. Apologies in advance if my assumptions are in error.
It seems you made the same fundamental error boyfriends and husbands often make: Choosing their pistol for them, rather than the women choosing their own?
The second mistake you made was starting them off with a very small, very light handgun, then trying to moderate the increased felt recoil by giving them powder-puff handloads. That's fine for people with strong grips and good forearm strength, but, for people that don't (most women), it's a recipe for limp-wristing to result in malfunctions.
Then you tried to test that small, light pistol with your wife using full-load SD rounds, which meant now she was getting the full "benefit" of all the felt recoil. The results, there, were predictable, too.
So I would suggest a reset is in order. Start over, letting the women choose their weapons.
When I bring new shooters up, I start with .22 cal. rimfire. Either my Ruger MkI or my Ruger Single Six, followed by the MkI. Then it would be perhaps my Springfield EMP 3 (27 oz. unloaded, rather than 18 oz.) with off-the-self range ammo. Then probably my PPS M2.
Before any of that, there would have been a "class," at home, where I explained and demonstrated single- and double-action revolvers and auto-loaders, and striker-fired pistols--having them handle them, learning how to operate them, check for being loaded, load and unload them (with snap caps), etc. During that process they would be repeatedly queried on the four fundamental rules of firearms safety.
Then there'd have been a trip to my favorite LGS for them to see what was available, fondle things, etc., followed by a trip or two to a local range with rentals.
Next: Range time with their chosen handgun.
The CCW/CPL class would've been the very last step.
FWIW: When I was choosing a small 9mm semi for myself, one thing that popped-up a couple times was women tended to prefer the PPS M2 to the other, similarly-sized pistols. (The M&P EZ was not available at the time.)
All great points. Mrs. Flash has had her CCW for a long, long time and I've never encouraged her to take one gun over another. I let her shoot all of my guns, of course, and she can rent anything she wants for free at our LGS/range, so she picks what she wants and carries what she wants.
It's the smartest thing to do.
January 24, 2022, 11:47 AM
tatortodd
Before I bought the GF a gun of her own for Christmas, she shot most of my guns plus 3 range rental guns. Side by side, she vastly preferred the S&W M&P EZ over the G43. Easier to load, easier to rack, less felt recoil, etc. I was afraid it was sprung so lightly that it couldn’t handle rapid fire, but that proved false when the range master ducked out and I had a few minutes to run it hard and fast.
She likes her S&W M&P EZ so much she has already shot once in the women’s monthly recurring class, and already signed up for next month.
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
January 24, 2022, 12:00 PM
m1009
When I started out shooting, I was surprised at how weak my strength was, I could barely pull back the slide on a 1911. I also got a 380, which I ended up hating, as it was a blowback, (Walther PPKS, ugh.) I started using wrist weights, plus a grip strengthener, to try and help get my hands stronger. Plus, I went to the range as often as possible, and tried out everything. Turned out my favorite is a Commander 45acp, I love that pistol and caliber. Fits my hands so nicely. If the ladies in your household are willing, have them try to strengthen their grip, and have more practice on different loads, pistols. As of now, I can pretty much handle most calibers, even though am older and not going to the range like I used to. But I like being able to pick up any firearm and do well with it.
January 24, 2022, 12:07 PM
PASig
A Glock 43 is a bit snappy and will be especially for a total newbie
Is there a reason for such a small, light gun?
Something bigger and heavier, at least to train with to get comfortable is what she should have been started off on, just my 2 cents.
January 25, 2022, 02:06 AM
XLT
I probably should have explained this a little better, the wife and daughter both go with me to the range and have shot everything from a .22 up to a .45 but neither one of them know how to really handle a gun with allot of confidence, they will shoot a couple of magazines and they are done for the day, with the exception of the wife, she could shoot the AR15 all day long. What thru me was the fact that the 43x with my light loads didn't even work with the instructor and she was a former professional sponsored match shooter. when I shot the light loads they ran perfect for me. Thanks for all your reply's.
January 25, 2022, 04:27 AM
side_shot
you could try one of these to mitigate recoil it would be a good backpack gun or it would probably fit in a large purse
"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." --Benjamin Franklin, 1759--
Special Edition - Reverse TT 229ST.Sig Logo'd CTC Grips., Bedair guide rod
January 25, 2022, 07:27 AM
Flash-LB
quote:
Originally posted by side_shot: you could try one of these to mitigate recoil it would be a good backpack gun or it would probably fit in a large purse [FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSTbPS0xldg" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]
I have one of those with a Glock G17 in it and it doesn't really mitigate recoil as much as you might think.
Also, if you put your cheek on the brace, you'll have a bruise in short order.
January 25, 2022, 11:00 AM
c1steve
I agree that a heavier gun that recoils less would have been much better. Also the Glock grip angle is fairly uncomfortable for many persons.
A P239 is concealable, and so easy to shoot.
-c1steve
January 25, 2022, 12:10 PM
patw
It's good to hear they took the class. I believe every woman should have a ccw and know how to use the weapon they choose. My wife has shot my guns in .22 to .40 and prefers a Glock after shooting mine. My wife especially loves her Glock 42 pistol. The recoil is light,even with defense rounds. I must say I liked it so much, I got one as well. The problem for many is being able to pull the slide back on semi-auto guns, as you know. The nice thing about the Glock, I don't know if other guns have the same option, is that some manufacturers make a rear plate with a wider piece for gripping the slide. A revolver is another good choice in a 5 shot capacity with a 3" barrel.