Gun Show Weekend!

Woo-Hoo!  Went to “The Nation’s Gun Show” in Northern Virginia this weekend.  It was, as always HUGE!  I love gun shows.  So many lovely things to ooo and ahhh over, I always run into lots of folks I know (this show prohibits photos or I would show you a few familiar faces).  Fun accessories (a speed loader in pink!), holsters, ammo…

This time I went with the intention of picking up a Ruger LCP if I could find one with a decent price.  I know, I’m not a huge fan of the pocket pistols, they aren’t what I call “fun to shoot”, but they serve a purpose.  And, I have enough students who really want to try one, so I caved, and decided to get a new LCP. 

I found one, and this is where the story differs from the norm.  When I told the gentleman behind the table that I wanted the LCP he asked if I had seen another Ruger in .380.  My response was, “Oh, the new LC380?  I saw it at Shot Show in Jan.”.  That got his attention.  He was prepared to ensure I understood the challenges of shooting a tiny gun and wanted to ensure I knew there were options.  I stayed around long enough to recognize that the tips were not gender based.  These folks really wanted the customer to not only buy a gun, but to buy the right gun.  I filled out the state required paperwork and watched my documents go into the queue to be entered.  As I was waiting, I spotted a new Mossberg 12 guage.  I started looking at it.  Another employee came over to help, and I told him that I had the pistol grip 12 guage and was looking at another.  I explained that my goal is to go on my first hunt next year.  He told me about a Mossberg Rifle they had, didn’t have on display because they only brought a couple, and started talking fast about the virtues of this 308 rifle.  Well, I decided to look at it, it was polymer so it was lighter, has a nice recoil pad, mounted bi-pod and nice scope.  For those who know, it is a Mossberg Night Train 2.  (Got some serious gun envy looks walking out!)  Ok, I’m a pistol girl, it has been a long time since I felt out of my element, I didn’t understand everything he said, but I’m learning fast.  This looked like the perfect rifle for hunting.  I decided to get it, and they even gave me a little off because I was buying two!

As I was checking out, the owner opened each box, walked me through the contents, encouraged me to clean the gun before shooting it, with chemicals specifically made for guns, not something from the auto parts store.  He emphasized the owner’s manual, and asked if I had any questions.  Ok, I wasn’t surprised that this man was doing this, because I had seen him do it for the previous customer, who was a man.  But I was surprised in that NO ONE had ever done that for me when I bought a new gun!  This was so smart, I had to tell him that while I already knew quite a bit about firearms, I was so impressed that he took the time, and that I really appreciated it.  This should be the norm, not a surprise. 

Every person associated with this company was professional, knowledgeable, and helpful!  I have to give them a Blog Out, and encourage you to visit their Facebook Page to give them a like.  They were great!  Thank you to SWV Firearms!  You all set the bar pretty high!

 

 

Take Your Students As They Are

People come in a wide variety of shapes, skill levels, strength, physical ability, emotional maturity and size. Some instructors adopt a one size fits all philosophy.  Using the classic 80/20 rule, that works for about 20% of your students.  The other 80% are not getting what they need. 

 

The best instructors, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with some amazing people, take into account the wants, needs and abilities of the individual student.  They will adapt their instruction to ensure that everyone gets what they need.  Sometimes that means we bring a student back and work with them a little more. But that is ok.  Sometimes it means thinking outside of the box, such as when confronted by an amputee who insists on learning to do everything for himself.  Sometimes it means we are careful of the direction we face when speaking so the deaf student, who is a very adept lip reader, doesn’t miss out.   

 

Good instructors teach 80% of their students.  Great instructors teach 100% of their students.   

 

What kind of instructor do you want to be?  And, what kind of instructor do you want to have? 

 

If you are an instructor now, ask yourself what do my students think of me?  

 

If you are looking for an instructor, you can ask what are you looking for in an instructor and what are your needs, challenges, fears and wants.  Share what you can, it will help make your instructor understand you, and make your training more beneficial.  Training isn’t cheap, get the most out of it you can! 

 

Safe Shooting! 

New from NRA WOMEN

NRA WOMEN

Tips & Tactics: Mentally Prepared

In this week's Tips & Tactics video, Dianna Liedorff talks about the importance of mental preparation. Visualizing yourself winning a fight will improve your chances of success if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation.

LINK: http://nrawomen.tv/home/video/dianna-liedorff-mentally-prepared

moving on

Veteran's Day is past, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then...Christmas!  Wow, where did the year go?

Before we now it, Auld Lang Syne and then...SHOT SHOW!  I've booked my trip and I am so excited, I can't wait.  The people, the exhibits, the parties...my suite at the Venetian. 

My website it up, my training company is back in business, now...I need clients!  I'm pursuing the Home Training Party concept.  Offering NRA and custom classes. 

Been a little crazy.  I had some personal bumps in my road, took some time off, then finished my second book (watch for it in Aug of next year), and submitted a proposal for a third.  Now, I need to get my blog muscles back. 

Be patient with me, we will be back to business soon, less personal, more fun stuff.

You are all wonderful!!

Safe Shooting

Happy Veteran's Day!

To all the service members, past and present, and their families...to those who came home and those who made the ultimate sacrifice...God Bless our service members and God Bless the United States of America. 

Remember that a simple Thank You means the world to our veterans.  Fly our Flag, thank a veteran, and be grateful for this great nation!

November!

Where has the year gone?  It is November already!!  Here is Virginia leaves are falling, frost on the windshields in the morning, ...  But it is still lovely.  As you know, I'm active in shooting and teaching but I'm considering trying my hand, and  eye, at Archery.  I've decided that I want to try hunting next year, and that means probably deer or bear.  I would prefer deer because I happen to like venison and there are wonderful programs here, and elsewhere I'm sure, where you can donate the meat to food banks.  But while I can shoot a target at a reasonable distance, can I do that with a bow?  Is it worth it to try? 

Next year is already filling up, but this is a personal goal.  So, I will let you know.  At least if I drop a bow on my foot it isn't as likely to shatter my toe  LOL. 

Safe Shooting and Happy Fall!