Teaching Young to Shoot - Your Suggestions Welcome

[zephyp]

I'm trying to teach Young to shoot and am running into a problem that maybe some of you can help with.

She's very jumpy at the range every time a round goes off and the louder the boom the more she jumps. Even when its coming from her gun. When we got home last evening I tried experimenting with double protection. In the ear plugs and then muffs over those. It seems to cut out a little more noise but I'm not sure that's going to help a lot.

I've started loading her mags with only 1-2 rounds because she sometimes shoots, jumps, lays the pistol down, covers her ears, and backs away from the bench shaking her head.

She's actually a very good shot for a beginner and she does want to learn, but I need to help her get over the fear of loud noises or be able to cut them out more effectively.

Suggestions?

[VBshooter]

DK give this site a look , She may need a higher rated ear muff than the one she is using, Different ear devices do different duty, Is she having pain or just fear? ,Some are for high frequency,, Some for loudness, etc: It sounds like she will need a very dense style if she is having ear pain. http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/shootandhun.html

[zephyp]

Thanks, Spence. Good point - I havent asked her if her ears hurt but I do know there is a fear factor. Will definitely check that site out.

[gfost1]

Howdy, DK,

Practice, practice, practice, and no pressure. Some good custom earplugs couldn't hurt, either. Maybe put aside the centerfire for a while and shoot .22. If you can make it fun for her, it will help. Make sure she knows it's ok if she decides she doesn't like to shoot.

Regards,

George

[zephyp]

Howdy, DK,

Practice, practice, practice, and no pressure. Some good custom earplugs couldn't hurt, either. Maybe put aside the centerfire for a while and shoot .22. If you can make it fun for her, it will help. Make sure she knows it's ok if she decides she doesn't like to shoot.

Regards,

George

Excellent advice, George. I certainly don't want to turn her off. I'm doing some research now on hearing protection and the best ways to limit noise. And its not always her rounds going off that spook her but the others, especially when they are shooting magnums or shotguns.

[Sweetpea]

I had a similar prob at first. i would shake (nervous shaking) from the noise. i wear the ear plugs and the muffs over top and that helps but I had to teach myself to just stand there and breathe deeply to calm myself down and to remind myself to expect the booms. The more I went to the range the less i noticed the noise. Good luck to Young!

[zephyp]

Well, I spent some time today researching hearing protection and got myself informed. I'll be upgrading Young's ear muffs from 22 NRR to 33 NRR right after I kick myself in the rear. Hopefully, those doubled with 32 NRR inserts will help along with George's advice - practice practice practice.

[zephyp]

I had a similar prob at first. i would shake (nervous shaking) from the noise. i wear the ear plugs and the muffs over top and that helps but I had to teach myself to just stand there and breathe deeply to calm myself down and to remind myself to expect the booms. The more I went to the range the less i noticed the noise. Good luck to Young!

That's pretty much Young. I found some 33 NRR ear muffs and will start her doing the same thing you're doing, but I think the key is also getting used to the noise.

Thanks, she'll get there.

[40shooter]

It could be a nervous condition. I knew a young lady back in the 80's who would jump at noises all the time, even volume increases on the stereo would make her jump. I don't know what she ever did about it but I remember thinking it was a serious condition.

[Sweetpea]

I think past traumas can cause things like that too. My biological parents were shot in the room next to mine when I was very young and I think it afected my reaction to loud noises. I remember being jumpy in general when I was a little kid. I also have a friend who was assaulted and surprises make her freak.

J, am so very sorry to hear that. I'm going to be patient with Young and let her set the pace.

40 - could be. She doesnt like loud noises in general and jumps other times too.

[Sweetpea]

J, am so very sorry to hear that. I'm going to be patient with Young and let her set the pace.

40 - could be. She doesnt like loud noises in general and jumps other times too.

Oops! Looks like DK was sleepy and edited my post with his response...

[zephyp]

My apologies, J. Wasnt paying attention.

[Sweetpea]

I think you need more VCDL logos in your side bar. lol

[zephyp]

I think you need more VCDL logos in your side bar. lol

Well, I definitely learned a lesson - ask and ye shall receive...

Where's yours? Joining is quick and easy.

http://www.vcdl.org/static/join.html

[Sweetpea]

I'm too paranoid. Thats why I dont have a CHP either. I'm sure I'll get over it sooner or later.

[herohog]

If you think that keeps you "safe", you are only kidding yourself... Give in. Be so damned leagal and up front it makes `em choke. Between my family's past (OK, m Dad's) and my mutiple CCW's in multiple states, mutiple civilian and military background checks and my old FFL, I don't worry about it any more.

[zephyp]

I'm too paranoid. Thats why I dont have a CHP either. I'm sure I'll get over it sooner or later.

If you bought a gun in a store legally you are already on record and the BATFE can search those records at any time. Being issued a CHP means only that - no record whatsoever of owning a firearm - only the inference of having one.

[Sweetpea]

I'm sure the government already knows what I have and probably where in my house they are kept. The publication of the permit holders list by that newspaper a while back spooked me a little. And I am looking at the VCDL just not sure if I agree with everything they do yet. I'm just being cautious and taking it slow.

[herohog]

PLEASE! Look at us. You will find the best grass roots 2nd Amendment group in the USA, much less VA!

[40shooter]

J, am so very sorry to hear that. I'm going to be patient with Young and let her set the pace.

40 - could be. She doesnt like loud noises in general and jumps other times too.

Oops! Looks like DK was sleepy and edited my post with his response...

I thought there was something strange about that post.