What do I do with the wife

[peacefuljeffrey]

NEVER shoot without wearing protection for both the eyes and ears. Would you try hitting something with your car, not wearing a seatbelt, just to see the difference?

Great point. I'm glad you mentioned EYE protection too. That's also a must. And don't just go with your corrective glasses, if you wear them. Wear overglasses goggles. They offer protection that is far superior to most normal glasses.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Spirit51]

Do NOT make her shoot without hearing protection. You will not only hurt her ears, but probably turn her off to the entire experience.
She will be able to tell with the hearing protection that it is loud and like someone else said here....if a need to shoot happens her adrenaline dump will make it not a problem...at least at the time. I know too many people who have hearing damage from shooting, the poor siren designs from past decades, and other causes.

Now, someone answer that damn phone that has been ringing for years in my ears. (Actually sounds more like crickets)

[SonofASniper]

Well I am going to join everyone else and




ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS HEARING PROTECTION!!!

Sorry. None of us want to see you make a potentially devestating mistake that spans on so many levels with your wife.

On the bright side, if she ever were in a self defense situation, chances are she will think afterwards that the gun did not sound loud enough and that the bad guy had a cannon.

[Daddy Warcrimes]

Definitely hearing protection. In a situation where you need a gun, the noise of firing will be a relatively small distraction.

[ttpete]

Start with a .22. Always.

When the time comes for a serious weapon, don't YOU pick her gun out. Men generally select what they themselves want, and it might be more than a woman feels comfortable with. A .357 isn't a great choice for a starter, especially a short barreled one.

Learning to shoot needs to be a pleasant experience. If it isn't, the pupil will just walk away from it. My suggestion for a starter centerfire gun would be a 4" .38 Special revolver using target wadcutter loads to begin with.

Personally, I wouldn't attempt to teach my wife to shoot. I'd find an NRA certified instructor to do it. I find that it's easier to instruct someone that doesn't have a personal relationship with me. They accept criticism better from someone they don't have to live with.

[tanksoldier]

DON'T have her shoot without hearing protection anywhere near the beginning. I wouldn't do it at all, but DEFINITELY not when she is starting out.

When you're actually in a firefight you don't hear your own gun anyway.

Always eyes & ears, start out with a .22, or even a BB gun, and take it slow and easy. Getting the basic safety and gun-handling down is easier with a nice .22. Don't worry about stance or anything else. If she decides she wants to pursue firearms proficiency, buy her a class... female-only if they have one. It's like teaching your wife (or husband) to drive a stick. Better to have someone else do it. Trust me.

When the time comes for a serious weapon, don't YOU pick her gun out. Men generally select what they themselves want, and it might be more than a woman feels comfortable with. A .357 isn't a great choice for a starter, especially a short barreled one.

True enough... but it often goes the other way as well. Men pick out pop-guns for their wives/ GFs/ daughers... when they really can handle a more capable weapon.

Where's Lima when you need her?

[ckd]

Another vote for hearing protection, even add ear plugs if she finds its too loud with just the muffs.

Agree with a 22lr and moving up in caliber as she develops confidence, often starting with even just a 38 in a small frame steel gun is too much.

[dairycreek]

My question is i always stress safety but i thought that maybe she should shoot at least one round [ 38. spl ] without hearing protection so that in a non training situation she would know what to expect.

With all due respect that is a really dumb idea. Shooters need to protect their hearing and vision at all costs and one unprotected discharge can permanently injure one's hearing. Give that one some serious tough.