Join a group of women shooters?

Are you worried about the safety of indoor ranges or woman shooters? I don't mean to sound sexist, but I can't tell what you are asking.

If it's indoor ranges, I've shot at several with no real concerns. The only bad experience was at a really ghetto one and the bullet from a 38 special ricocheted off the backstop back at us right past my head (no goggles, I was young and stupid) and hit a dude standing behind me in the stomach. I turn around and he was obviously scared to look because he thought he'd been shot, but the bullet only had enough force to scratch him. When we told the owner the look on his face said he realized how close of a call it had been for him as well as us.

Next time we went back, the backstop had been modified.

As long as it's a modern range, I wouldn't hesitate. I've since had several sessions in other indoor ranges with no issues.

If you are worried about a female shooting group, I'd go with her the first time and be sure their safety is up to par, then not worry about it. I'd do the same if it was a group of dudes.

drmordo's advice: Go with her the first time. check it out for yourself.

There is no difference in "safety" between indoor and outdoor ranges. The difference is how they are run and supervised. Do see that she wears ear plugs and electronic muffs also though because the "noise factor" is about triple indoors what it is outdoors for the same caliber. The reason for the electronic muffs is so you can hear when people speak because if you use foam plugs and regular protectors you will not hear things you need to hear.

There is a group at our local indoor range called "Bows and Bullets" that meets late afternoon to early evening with supper included in each monthly event. I've never gone but I've heard that the younger women who do go have a great time in an non-threatening non-male atmosphere.

I'd scope out the range first, but for the most part an indoor ranges is nice for several things. The primary one being climate control, but also automated targets, good lighting, etc. My primary range is indoor, and is top notch. Excellent ventilation, programmable targets that can even duplicate shoot-no shoot situations while changing distances. The use ballistic glass dividers that are safe beyond 500S&W. Excellent ventilation and sound deadening. Real nice place.

I've also been to an indoor range in the St Louis area that was a real dump and death trap. The targets could only be set at one height, which was about a foot below my line of sight while standing. After the RSO saw me crouching down to get inline with the target, he stepped up and told me to just stand up normal. when I explained that if I did that I'd be bouncing rounds off the floor, he said that wasn't a problem, people do it all the time. I packed up and left.

So long as the place is safe, I don't see the problem. Mrs Thin took an all ladies CCDW course, and has been looking into some all ladies self defense and defensive shooting courses.

ETA: Thursday night is ladies night at our range, two for one.

I don't get it. Is your wife a competent shooter or is she a new be? If she is experienced why would you need to check anything out? I've been married for 33 years and if I ever told my wife that she couldn't do something Untill I checked it out and made sure it met with my approval, like she was a school girl going to meet her girl friends at the mall. Not only would I have to hide her guns, I'd have to hide mine, all sharp objects, ( including knives, scissors, screwdrivers and forks) . I don't know what your wife is like but mine is a strong confident woman capable of determining whether or not a place or situation is safe. if she needs my help or opinion evaluating something she will most certainly ask me for it.

Now if your wife is inexperienced I perfectly understand your situation that's a completely different story and disregard everything I wrote above. this is the case I would most definitely check things out and probably go to the range with her the first time