Took a female first time shooter to the range last night, I actually found your site when looking for some people’s stories about doing so. She did great! About 45 minutes of shooting and she didn’t make a single safety infraction. Had to remind her to not put her finger on the trigger until the moment she’s ready to shoot once, and only once. Started with the Ruger Mark III .22LR. Everything on the paper from 7yd to 25yd, and actually pretty decent groups for a first timer, she picked up on smooth trigger control immediately.

I popped off two 10mm rounds for her to get a sense for it, although the guy in the next lane was dumping full mags of .45 so she was well prepared for the sound and blast. Loaded up one 10mm in the Glock 20 and let her take a rip. Firm grip, lean into it.. man she nailed the x-ring at 10 yards, dead center!

You’re right on the order of #5 and #6 too. I didn’t intend them to be a chronological sequence of tips, but I like your suggestion and have reordered them.

#5 and #6 are backwards.. should explain safety before starting with anything loaded. I’m sure your did, but the way you listed it in the description has it out of order. I’ve seen way too many experienced shooters take new shooters to the range, hand them a loaded weapon, and then start talking about safety!

Also, I never give a beginner a weapon loaded with more than one round. If something happens and they panic, it’s an extra safety that they can’t inadvertantly discharge into you or somebody else. Load up one at a time until they are comfortable and have gotten the basics of finger off the trigger and muzzle control/barrel downrange at all times.