Conducting a First-Time Class for Beginner Female Shooters

I recently had the opportunity to conduct a class just for beginner female shooters. While women’s shooting classes are growing in popularity, I wanted to create a unique experience specifically for those who are completely new to firearms. It's an exciting journey for many, as they explore which firearm suits them best and how to carry it confidently, all while considering their commitment to ongoing training.

partnering with WildHerness

Recently, I was contacted by a representative from WildHERness, a fantastic organization that inspires women to embrace the great outdoors and develop various skills. She asked if I would be interested in teaching a class for novice female shooters who are looking to conceal and carry for self-defense. When she inquired, I was more than excited as my passion is teaching. While I've taught more advanced classes in the past, nothing compares to the joy that I experience when someone, who has never handled a gun before, successfully hits their target during our training. The look of accomplishment on their face is simply priceless.

Building the Class Experience

Teaching this course wouldn’t have been possible without the instruction support of two long-time shooting friends, and my daughter. As instructors, we often encourage people to visit a local gun shop to find a firearm that feels perfect in their hands. However, sometimes the salespeople may not prioritize the customer’s needs and be more focused on promoting certain products due to incentives. It’s also fairly common for them to suggest renting guns at shooting ranges for a trial period, but how many times have you heard someone express regret over their first handgun purchase?

With this in mind, I set out to create a comprehensive class that covers safe firearm handling and equips participants with the basics of marksmanship along with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their firearm purchase all while being geared towards concealed carry. To make things easier, I included all firearms and ammunition as part of the class fee, in hopes of eliminating any stress about what they needed to purchase prior to the class.

To ensure a supportive environment, I made sure to have three shooters on the line at a time, with ample space to allow a coach to stand comfortably beside each one. Each participant had an assigned coach through the day that focused on reinforcing safety rules and providing helpful adjustments with grip, stance, and trigger control.

We set up B-8 targets at a distance of 5 yards. Each participant took turns firing ten rounds before noting the make, model, and caliber of their firearm on the target. After everyone fired their rounds, we rotated until all participants had the chance to try each firearm before switching to the next group. While one group fired, another coach engaged the remaining participants in lively discussions about accessories and all content related to concealed carry.

Building Confidence in Women

I felt like starting with .22 caliber pistols was a smart decision as they have lower recoil and reduced noise that really helped the ladies gain confidence in their new skills. The three starting options I chose were a suppressed FN 502 to help those that were a little more anxious if it was their first time shooting, the Ruger Mark II heavy barrel, and the Glock 44.

We then transitioned to 9mm handguns, featuring the Glock 19, Glock 43, and a Sig Sauer model. Each participant fired another ten rounds through each pistol. It wasn't a surprise to me that most participants found the Glock 19 easier to shoot compared to the subcompact models. This sparked a more engaging conversation. Generally, larger pistols provide better control, leading to greater accuracy—especially for novice shooters. Plus, they typically offer more comfort during extended training sessions.

I specifically chose models to practice with that are readily available in stores. I wanted to make sure they had a genuine experience, rather than trying out modified firearms that could lead to disappointment later on if they purchased a stock version off of the shelf.

One of the best discussion points of the day was about optimal carry methods. My petite 19-year-old daughter demonstrated the Crossbreed Modular Belly Band 2.0, which is a fantastic option for individuals with smaller frames looking to carry a Glock 19-sized pistol. This innovative system attaches directly to the body without needing a belt or loops, making it versatile enough to work with every clothing option from skirts to workout shorts.

What sets the Crossbreed apart from traditional belly bands is its Kydex insert that can be customized for different makes and models. This means users can easily re-holster safely with one hand without having to worry about the holster collapsing. It showcased that they can carry a larger pistol while dressing stylishly and comfortably. We also discussed traditional holsters and off-body carry methods while weighing the pros and cons of every approach.

Though a course like this may not be the most lucrative, it plays an important role in educating and empowering novice female shooters, which I find incredibly fulfilling. I'm beyond grateful that WildHERness, approached me for this initiative. We have already planned another class in the near future, with hopes of more to come!

If you are interested in a female only shooting class, schedule a class today!