drmiller100

So my first local shoot I showed up with a friend who had done this before. I hadn't read the rules. EVERYONE was really friendly and helpful about teaching me, and the RO took extra care to make sure I was safe. He took the time to educate me, and make me feel welcome, and SAFE. I had a great time, and I went back. If I had shown up at a regional shoot with 200 entrants or something the first time, then yeah, it would be inappropriate for an RO to take the time to educate me.

slightly off topic, but I'm new and trying to understand the rules. ISPC rules seem to clearly state the 34 and 35 are NOT legal in Production. Am I reading this correctly? If I'm going to shoot a Glock in iSPC production, is there anything to consider otehr than a 17? FWIW I've got a 23 currently. Thank you.

Huh. I'm really new. And not so smart I can read a rule book and know what the hell that means in the real world without some practice. And not so smart I don't make mistakes even if "I know what I'm doing." If the goal is to have fun, and learn and become better, and enjoy a beautiful day, warnings are a VERY effective tool for those who aren't the smartest in the world. I went to my third local match the other day, and got LOTS of education. One guy didn't like my holster (concealed) and loaned me one, and I kind of took exception until I realized other guys who watched me last time were nodding. They could all have waited for me to shoot myself because I was totally "Legal", but they saw an opportunity to speak up and make me more safe. Turns out I like the new holster a LOT better, and it made me a better shooter. For those that know it all, a warning doesn't hurt, and if it wastes a few seconds of an RO's time, so what? If an RO doesn't want to waste his time educating and giving warnings maybe they should take a break from being an RO.

To clarify, the vast majority of people were REALLY friendly and supportive. They loaned us mag holders (we don't have any yet). One guy brought a few extra mags for the Buckmark. They showed us techniques, they were encouraging, they were friendly. I'm just saying to INTRODUCE people to the sport, a 22 is less intimidating. More context -last year she started out wanting to be "proficient with a gun". Pretty vague. Eventually we learned, and worked, and she wanted to get a carry gun for trips. She decided on a J-Frame so we practiced with that and a 22 revolver until she was pretty good, and very safe. She got her Enhanced Concealed Weapons permit. Guys teaching the class mocked her "wheel gun" but a LOT of guys who have shot a LOT reaffirmed the 38 special is a great small carry gun. Fast forward. She really likes shooting. we got her to shoot a bunch fo guns. She didn't like the Shield at all, had a great time with the Buckmark, liked the glock 380, and was pretty good with my Glock 23 although she hasn't shot it a lot. She struggled a bit with the slide, mag changes, but she slows down and is REALLY safe. The Buckmark isn't intimidating, but it does teach her all the fundamentals. We are hooked. We'll be showing up for matches next year with "real guns."

Hello, brand new to this. A really good buddy was talking about how fun it was at a small monthly shoot, so I tried with my Glock 23. Had a great time, so I invited my girlfriend to also go the next time. I asked if she could shoot my Browning Buckmark ahead of time. The powers that be got together and decided she could, but she wasn't going to win any prize money if she won (smiles) and she can't go to any real matches with it. And it was really welcoming and friendly. So first get togeher went well with just me. Second get together (her first) went GREAT. Third time was ok. Everyone spent hours arguing about rules with other people's equipment. It went well enough that when someone objected to her shooting the 22 midway through the day, and made a stink, she was already hooked, and we are looking for a Glock 17, albeit at another range. My point is that the ability to shoot the 22 took away a BUNCH of objections. Cost of ammo Scariness of a new/different gun (she has put a LOT of rounds through that Buckmark and is VERY comfortable with it). Her Confidence she is "safe" with HER Buckmark. Holster (again, she is comfortable with the Buckmark and knows how to belt it up). Intimidation of a "bigger gun". We watched another lady struggle with an M&P Shield. She is pretty new to shooting also, and the course combined with the big gun, combined with recoil, combined with all the "help" everyone was giving her and I wonder if she'd be better off starting with a 22 also. My point is now that my girlfriend knows she likes it, she is willing to invest in a gun for it, and the practice to become proficient with it.