When I have some free time, I'll add some commentary. In the meantime, here is the video from the match.
In addition, afterwards Ardi tried a couple of people's shotguns---a Remington 1100 semi-auto, and a pumpgun whose brand I don't recall. When you watch this video, remember that Ardi has shot a shotgun ONCE before. And it wasn't either one of these.
Get the idea that she's going to hope for a Remington 1100 for Christmas? She's got a pistol and an AR already, so she just needs a shotgun for 3-Gun matches...
I must admit, I'm thinking about buying one for myself--I am currently using an 18" 870 pump, which is a good house gun---but it certainly doesn't do for me what an 22" Remington 1100 with a 9-round tube would in competition!
I should perhaps be honest here---I don't always enjoy teaching new shooters. I like introducing people to shooting, I like seeing new shooters show up and get hooked, and I don't mind spending the time helping them learn proper safety and trigger control.
I don't, however, like teaching someone who "already knows how to shoot".
You know the type--have been out with a couple of similarly-clueless friends with a gun, blasted off 100 rounds at a jug of water (missing most times)--and automatically assume they already know the basics of safety, stance, grip, sighting, trigger control, follow-through, and breath control, and safety. (I know I said safety twice. That is because people like this tend to answer with "yeah, yeah, I know already" when you tell them to get their finger off the trigger when they are waving it around, and by the way, please quit waving it around!)
[sigh] I'll do it anyway, but the minute they stop being a student and start arguing with me over safety, I'm done. I'm not going to get shot because some person has an over-inflated view of their knowledge. Anything else, I'll stay around and help. But if they won't act safely, then I'll give them a couple of warnings--and after that, I'm gone. Or they are.
Why did this come to mind? Because a new student who listens and does what you ask them to is one of the best gifts in the world! Often, I find I prefer teaching people who have no experience whatsoever with firearms---they don't have any bad habits, and they listen when you tell them to do something.
For Christmas last year, I gave a gift certificate to my friend Emily saying that I'd teach her to use a handgun or a rifle this summer, her choice. A few weeks ago I was at her place, and brought my AirSoft gas gun with me, along with a 3-plate aluminum plate rack. We went out to her back yard, and she learned a little bit about handguns. Her mother Megan shot a bit also, just to prove that she could. :) A good time was had by all (so I am told) and Emily did extremely well for a new shooter.
As this fall shows up, we'll get her out to a range with a .22, and get her hooked on shooting. In a year or so, maybe we'll have a new USPSA junior...
