Step One

Last night I got an email from Mrs. Groundhog.  She won $300 in our first Give-A-Way and she decided to use the money to attend 3 courses.  The first one was this last Saturday.  This is what she had to say with some minor editing for clarification from me…

I took my first training class on Saturday and it was wonderful.  We were supposed to be at class at 7:45 and it was a 2 hour drive to get to class. We made it a few minutes late but all was well.  There were 12 in the class with 4 instructors.  We had a couple of hours of classroom instruction before going to the range.  Groundhog(the hubby) even said he  learned some new stuff and he has been shooting for years.  Then out to the range.  I have some bad habits that I needed to change.  I flinch which my husband has told me about many times.  They kept trying to correct my stance since I stand strange.  Unfortunately, when I stand correctly it hurts my bad knee.  They showed me how to adapt how I was standing so it is more effective without being painful.  And most importantly, they told me what we had suspected for a long time, my beloved Glock 17 is too big for my hand and that I need a new pistol.  Neither Groundhog nor I had ever been taught how to appropriately fit a gun so now we know what to look for.  For the class, I borrowed one of theirs, a Springfield 1911.  They recommended that I try the brand new Smith and Wesson Shield.  They said I might need to go down to a 380 to get the best fit for my hand. I want to get the new pistol before I take the next class; just doesn’t make sense to do otherwise.  It will probably be sometime this summer before I can go back.  ( With the contest money, I will be able to take 3, 4 hours classes. They recommend you take a class, practice those skills and then come back later for the next class.)

Is anyone else crazy excited????  I am about to burst out of my skin with joy!  We helped get her on her way and look how much valuable information she gained in just one class and she has 2 more to go!!!  Of course, the real credit goes to her for taking the initiative to get training.  So, so proud of you Mrs. Groundhog!!  You are doing superb!!!

14 thoughts on “Step One

  1. Very Cool! If the fit is clost but not good, she can touch base with a Glock Armorer or a GunSmith and see about having the backstrap shaved down a little.

    Safe Shooting!

  2. That is outstanding! It is wonderful to see new folks brought into the world of guns and shooting. Thanks for being there to help her get off to a great start.

  3. this is awesome news and i am really glad that she learned so much just from the first class! it really pays to get proper training from a professional! good job!

    your friend,
    kymber

  4. That is awesome! I love to hear about women getting empowerd by shooting. Tell her to try out the Glock 26 gen 4 chambered in 9mm. Like her, I was shooting with a gun that was just too big for my hand, then I stumbled on the 26. compact and a perfect fit for a lady shooter.

  5. Good advise on the size of the pistol and how it fits. For me it makes a huge difference also in the way I carry. My smaller Kel-Tec I can carry on the waist, my XD I am learning I am going to need a shoulder holster!

    Way to go and good luck on future training!

  6. Mrs GH can have her G 17 modified so that it better fits her hand or simply purchase another pistol. If possible she could handle a G17 that has had the grips rear area reduced, it makes a huge difference, even more than a Gen4 grip does.

  7. The Groundhogs are great people! They also carry everyday. I’ve yet to find them someplace without their tools. We could all learn something from them. Glad you are having a good time, and I’m sure will have just as much fun shopping for a new gun!

  8. I love this!

    I’m so thrilled they actually paid attention to pistol fit! That’s the one area I find most instructors are lacking in. If your pistol doesn’t fit you, you can NOT be effective with it. I find that most women’s hands are too small for double stacks, regardless of caliber, and do much better with a single stack pistol (1911-style).

  9. nice report …

    i LOVE my springfield (with the slim grips & extended trigger) i can actually hold it comfortably too

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