Her First Shots: A Woman’s Guide to Confident, Skillful Shooting

Whether it's for self-defense, sport, or simply the thrill of learning something new, getting into shooting can be both empowering and rewarding. This article is written especially for women—like my wife—who are taking their first steps into the world of firearms. We’ll cover where to begin, how to build solid fundamentals, and what to focus on for long-term success.

Step 1: Getting Started with Confidence

The first and most important step is getting comfortable. Find a range with a welcoming, female-friendly environment or consider scheduling a one-on-one session with a certified female instructor. A good first experience sets the tone for everything that follows.

Start Simple:

Begin with a .22 caliber pistol or a low-recoil firearm. These are perfect for learning techniques without the distraction of heavy recoil or loud bangs. The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 is what we selected for my wife's first range session. We may change this to the EZ 380 or a 22 pistol. 

Gear Up Comfortably:

Invest in gear that fits, especially eye and ear protection. Comfortable, form-fitting clothes and a holster designed for women’s carry styles can make a huge difference in confidence and comfort. 

Step 2: Master the Fundamentals

Whether you're on your first shot or your hundredth, these fundamentals are the building blocks of every successful marksman—or markswoman. 

Grip

Your grip should be firm but not tense. Think of it like a solid handshake. Both thumbs should point forward, and your support hand should wrap around your dominant hand for maximum contact with the firearm.

Pro Tip: Try this at home with an unloaded pistol or a blue gun to build muscle memory.

Stance

A balanced stance helps manage recoil and promotes consistency.

Isosceles Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms fully extended.

Athletic Position: Imagine you're about to catch a basketball—centered, stable, ready.

Select a stance that feels natural and allows you to remain relaxed yet engaged.

Sight Alignment & Sight Picture

Your goal is to align the front sight in the center of the rear sight notch, with equal space on both sides and the top of the sights level. Your front sight should be in sharp focus, while the target is slightly blurred.

Visualize: Front sight in focus. Equal height. Equal light.

Trigger Control

Smooth, straight, and slow—press the trigger to the rear without jerking or anticipating the shot. Use the pad of your index finger and avoid "slapping" the trigger.

Drill Idea: Try dry-firing at home (with an unloaded firearm) while balancing a coin on the front sight. If the coin doesn’t fall when you pull the trigger, you're on the right track.

Follow-Through

Stay on target after the shot breaks. Reacquire your sight picture and reset the trigger before moving on to the next shot. Don't rush. Confidence comes from composure.

Breath Control

Proper breathing can reduce movement and improve shot consistency. Before firing, take a natural breath, let half of it out, and hold while pressing the trigger. Don’t hold your breath too long—oxygen deprivation can cause tremors.

Drill Tip: Practice dry-firing while controlling your breathing rhythm.

Trigger Reset

Understanding the reset point allows for faster, more controlled follow-up shots. After firing, slowly release the trigger until you feel and hear the “click.” That’s the reset. From there, you can press again without fully releasing the trigger each time.

Try This: Dry-fire your pistol and slowly let the trigger return to its reset. Repeat until it becomes instinctive.

Draw and Presentation

Especially important if your goal is concealed carry.  Practice drawing from your holster safely, presenting the firearm straight out to the target while building your grip and acquiring your sight picture. Speed comes with practice—start slow and deliberate.

Safety Note: Practice drawing only with an unloaded gun or training replica.

Mental Discipline & Focus

Shooting is as much mental as it is physical. Focus on each step of your process, not just the target. Learn to stay calm under pressure and minimize distractions.

Mantra: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”

Recoil Management

Especially useful when transitioning from low-recoil guns to carry-sized pistols. A good grip and stance absorb and direct recoil. Anticipating recoil leads to flinching—train to stay neutral and let the gun do what it’s designed to do.

Step 3: Stay Safe and Build Habits

• Safety isn't optional—it's a lifestyle.
• Always treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
• Never point your gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
• Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

Range Tip: Practice loading, unloading, and clearing malfunctions with dummy rounds until it's second nature.

Step 4: Practice With Purpose

Don’t just shoot rounds downrange—train with intention.

Set Goals: Grouping, speed, draw from holster, transitions and accuracy are all achieable goals. 

Use Targets Wisely: Try different silhouettes or drills like the “dot torture” target.

Record Your Progress: Keep a shooting journal or app to track what’s working and what needs refinement.

Step 5: Get Involved and Keep Learning

Join a women’s shooting league like A Girl & A Gun or Shoot Like a Girl. Participate in events, competitions, or defensive shooting classes. These environments offer camaraderie, support, and encouragement.

Recommended Resources:

YouTube Channels: Lena Miculek, Julie Golob, and NRA Women

Books: The Cornered Cat by Kathy Jackson, Shoot by Julie Golob

Blogs and Podcasts: Look for female-focused firearm content for continuous inspiration

🛠️ Overcoming Common Mistakes

Every new shooter makes a few missteps—it's part of the learning process. The key is recognizing them early and correcting them with simple, mindful adjustments. Here are some of the most common issues beginners face, especially women just getting started:

Flinching (Anticipating Recoil)

This is one of the most common habits—and it’s normal at first. Many shooters subconsciously tense up or push the gun downward just before the shot breaks.

Fix It:

Practice dry-firing to desensitize your brain to the “bang.”

Mix dummy rounds into live magazines (called “ball and dummy” drills) to catch flinches in action.

Focus on a smooth trigger press and trust your stance to handle the recoil.

Jerking or Slapping the Trigger

If your shots are pulling low or veering off-center, you may be hitting the trigger too hard or too fast.

Fix It:

Think of pressing the trigger like squeezing a dropper, not tapping a button.

Dry-fire slowly with the goal of not disturbing your sights.

Use a laser training device or penny-on-sight drill to improve control.

Too Much Finger or Too Little on the Trigger

Placing the trigger too deep in the crease or too close to the tip of your finger can cause shots to pull left or right (for right-handed shooters).

Fix It:

Use the center pad of your index finger.

Adjust your grip or hand placement if necessary—don't contort your finger just to reach the trigger.

Poor Grip Pressure or Inconsistent Hand Placement

A loose grip or weak support hand can cause the gun to shift during firing, throwing off your follow-up shots.

Fix It:

Your dominant hand should grip firmly but not strain; your support hand should apply additional pressure and lock in around the gun.

Always build your grip the same way—consistency is key.

"Heeling" the Gun

This happens when you push with the heel of your palm in anticipation of recoil, which lifts the muzzle and sends shots high.

Fix It:

Think “press, don’t push.”

Let the recoil come back naturally into your hands and stance—don’t try to preempt it.

Looking Over the Sights

New shooters often lift their head too soon after the shot to see where it landed, which disrupts follow-through.

Fix It:

Stay focused on the front sight after each shot.

Reacquire your sight picture and reset the trigger before lowering the gun or evaluating your shot.

Remember: Shooting is a skill, not a talent. Every mistake is just a stepping stone toward improvement. Be patient, stay consistent, and give yourself permission to learn at your own pace.

Final Thoughts

Learning to shoot is about more than hitting a bullseye—it’s about confidence, discipline, and personal growth. Encourage the women in your life to embrace the challenge, stay safe, and enjoy the journey.

And to my wife—this one’s for you. Let’s go make some memories on the range.