2 Biggest Mistakes Gun Instructors (Or YOU) Make
Last updated: May 25, 2026 · Originally published: April 24, 2021
Every day carry (EDC) means being a good ambassador for the Second Amendment community. Part of that responsibility is introducing new shooters to the world of firearms by giving them a positive first interaction, making them want to learn more. Often times people come to firearms with preconceived notions, fears, or concerns based on past experiences or misinformation. Experienced shooters need to be understanding of these concerns and address them appropriately so as to not push away or further intimidate those seeking to learn more. I have two big pet peeves in this area. One is forcing someone to shoot or learn about shooting when the person is not ready or possibly scared of shooting. The other when someone gives a new shooter way more gun than they need–whether as a joke or because it’s what they are familiar with already.
I’m a firearms instructor, and I have also worked at a range. Countless times I have met groups of people that included new shooters. More than once have heard these new shooters express concern about having to shoot, or even say that they do not want to go shooting. Once a daughter told her dad that she didn’t want to shoot … he basically told her to “man up,” and that she was going to go do it anyway! More experienced shooters like that father may not even realize or remember that there was a time that they, too, didn’t know anything about shooting. They may not realize what is causing the hesitation from the new shooter, or how to handle it without being a jerk.
Sometimes the dynamics within a family may even hinder the learning process. They may be so close that they don’t realize that they may not actually be helping the person to learn. In these situations, it is ideal to have a third party come in to “mediate” the learning process. This can be a firearms instructor, gun store employee, or even another friendly member of the shooting community. Listening to the concerns of the new shooter and finding the root cause of the hesitation to start shooting will help open up the communication. It may be as simple as the new shooter lacks education about how firearms work. Or they may be concerned about safety or any other number of issues. Once their concerns have been addressed they may feel less intimidated and more willing to learn.
I’ve heard horror stories of a police academy where it was a rite of passage to give new recruits shotguns and laugh as they got beaten up by the shotguns. This may sound extreme but I’ve also seen countless videos where some jack wagon give an inexperienced shooter way more gun than the shooter can handle for the first shooting experience. The end result is often that the shooter gets hurt, laughed at, and it sours the whole experience for the new shooter.
I’ve also witnessed this first hand at the range. Not only is it dangerous, but it instantly turns that person off from the shooting sports. It’s hard to overcome a bad first impression. It also creates bad habits including flinching, bad trigger control, and bad overall gun handling practices because it makes light of the seriousness and the great responsibility that is required for EDC. It’s good practice to start smaller or less intimidating, then work up to bigger more involved firearms. Starting with an air gun can be helpful for teaching safety and firearms basics. It can instill confidence, which helps set the shooter up for success when moving up to more powerful calibers.
When it comes to being a good firearms ambassador, sometimes bravado is not needed. We want to instill good practices with these new shooters. We want them to become involved in the Second Amendment community rather than get scared away. Education is the best way to overcome a fear or lack of understanding about firearms. Starting out small with basic tools and information can ease new shooters into the firearms world. Not everyone needs to be a master marksman; isn’t it better to have as many people trained and capable of watching your back as possible? So keep this in mind when introducing new people to shooting. Take a step back from what you know and listen to things from their point of view. Start them off right because their life–or yours–may one day depend on it.
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Excellent article! Thank you for your insight and expertise.
No matter the level of experience of the shooter/new shooter I always start them out on a .22 just to get a “feel” on their skill level.
Again, thank you.
I totally agree! On my first visit to new in-laws in the upper peninsula of Michigan a hunting group handed me a 10 gauge shotgun to go bird hunting. They had expected to have a good laugh when my first shot knocked me on my a$$. Fortunately I was familiar with 410s and 12 gauge shotguns and a fairly strong person. I had no problem with the considerable kick from the rifle. Hopefully they did not ‘introduce’ any other city slickers to shooting with that shotgun.
I have taught many new shooters–I try to share my passion and enthusiasm for
shooting sports. A safety session followed by some nomenclature and then a single shot bolt action rifle on a steel plate. I usually have a red dot or scope mounted so that they can have a better chance of hitting a plate at 25 yds. (Minimum distance allowed for plates at my club). From there we go to iron sights and then progress up the ladder in caliber as tolerated.. We shoot because it is fun!
A 22 and one bullet, so there isn’t a surprised, unaimed second round going somewhere unsafe
Absolutely. That’s the way I do it, with safety instruction first of course so new shooters learn the proper respect for all firearms.
Hearing protection is paramount along with the safety instruction.
If all they want to do the first time is watch, then that is the way to go while still instructing and informing. Always try to make it a fun experience.
Absolutely correct. New shooter gets a .22 with one round after a safety lecture. We can go up from there. The number of times I see some guy ( yes I’m sexist) hand his new girlfriend a .44 to fire for the first time. Scares her away from firearms forever. I know. I was once him
For kids, this is critical. Start with a good Daisy or Crosman air rifle, something that isn’t airsoft, so the kid has a chance to actually hit what they’re aiming at. Work up to a .22 bolt action – one bullet, one shot. See your target, aim, breathe, safety off, squeeze-pop, safety on, reload, repeat.
A quiet place to shoot is a good start, so a quiet morning on the range before it gets busy, or if you’re lucky enough to live near public lands or national forest where you can be sure you’re shooting safely (for you and for others) is good for a first experience.
Once the new shooter gets used to the noise and recoil of their own gun and can handle it safely, then introduce them to a busier range day. Don’t let them shoot first, let them hear the noise of other shooters and get used to that. And don’t let them use cheap foam ear plugs…good over-ear protection on that first real range day will go a long way to having a positive experience.
Foam ear plugs are usually rated at 32, 33 db attenuation when properly placed in the ear canal. Over-ear protection is typically 21, 22 db. So given a choice foamies are better. Better yet is using both together!
That’s what I do, an have always done since I was in the military, but I’m hard of hearing anyway, so I want to preserve what hearing I have left
Well said sir, I’ve experienced similar frustration for years as an instructor and RSO. There’s some valuable advice getting thrown out in this article and comments. I hope others will read and learn too.
M
Thank you for this on-point article. This is exactly why I began having ‘women’s basic pistol classes.’ Too many wives/gfs came to me with horror stories of their SOs putting a .45 (not made for them) in their hands for the first time at the range and telling them, “this is just what you need to get used to if you’re going to carry.”
One thing I cringe when seeing is too many students for one instructor to handle, new shooters is always one on one with me, 30 min to 1 hour max range time, I never go more than two students at one time, even with advanced shooters. Only time I will teach any more students than three is classroom teaching!
I agree wholeheartedly, I am the oldest of 8 children, Retired military 21yrs. I am now 66 now about 10 years ago my Sister 4 years younger wanted to learn how to shoot. Here husband had tried to teach her, but all he had was A Smith and Wesson 40 cal. I did what I have always done except for children (start with BB Gun) I Adults I normally start with a 22 I give them 1 round at a time with a pistol or a single shot/repeater bolt action. I roughly sketch what a good site picture looks like and teach safety and marksmanship first. most ranges will let you place Clay pigeons next to a burm which gives instant gratification when hit. After they learn that with a small bore I move up slowly to whatever caliber they want to end at. I agree NEVER NEVER NEVER. start a new shooter with a 12 gauge or 44 mag. I will call you down even if I am not the range officer.
You’re right. The ****** that hand people shotguns and laugh should be at a minimum be slapped and those who put slugs in it should be forced to shoot a .460 Weatherby one-handed.
Something I do with new shooters. Is fire the gun with their hand on the stock if rifle, or on my forearm if a handgun. They get to feel the recoil. I also tell them, especially women. That I will not allow them to shoot a gun that is to big for them. I use air guns and .22 to start with. When they shoot it’s safely down range, if they hit the great, if not, just as great. Great article, Thank you.
This a good write up and seen it done and hear it done to first time shooters . I would start them off with a small cal or shotgun ga and work them up . Had one time a farther and son was shooing off there mouth and the son brag about shooting 2 barrels of a SXS 20 ga and how it shot and told about my SXS 10 ga and ask if I ever have shot both barrels I said no , why you want to try it no problem. I took it out and put the 3 1/2 ” shell and load it and said here you go , I did not told him about you need to hold it tight on your shoulder , Since they know it all I let him shoot it like he wants . That first shot woke him up and then wise up on the 2nd and left the dad shoot it also he did the same as the son . I ask do you guys want to shoot both barrels at once no problem The son said that shooting that gun with the one shot remind him f the 2 barrels he shot of the 2o ga. and both the dad and son back off from shooting off their mouth after. I only do that to those that is like that . Not new shooters that wants to learn. and make it work for them also. Then they want to shoot more and learn more how to shoot what ever there is out there .
As a former instructor, I would often cringe at training someone, especially women, after their friend, BF, or Hubby had introduced them to forearms via the ‘stand back and laugh at their pain’ method.
In fact, i now have a VERY low opinion of those who have done this, it’s just stupid, and sophomoric.
I have in fact had a few men that had this same hurdle to overcome.
Start ’em small and work up usually does the trick.
Naturally, I agree that it is best to start with .22. My best example is my wife. She has bought a .22 pistol, and a .22 “AR”. She absolutely refuses to even consider shooting a larger caliber, and forbid a scoped rifle (all my rifles are scoped .308s, which do kind of kick. But she is petrified of getting “scoped”. So when TSHTF, I guess I can at least count on her to help keep the enemy heads down. She does not lack courage; but somewhere along the line, someone made her afraid of the larger calibers. And that is a shame. While I’m ranting, have you seen the videos where some d*** gives his girlfriend a .44, .45. or even .50 cal pistol to shoot, and the poor girl goes over backwards? Stupid and dangerous, and these asshats need to be punished for being stupid and uncaring.
As and RSO and Instructor I concur totally.