I’m a father of daughters and have had the privilege of training multiple female shooting champions, including both of those daughters who each won national titles while still in their teens. I’ve also spoken in court for some forty female law enforcement officers who were fired for failure to qualify with handguns that weren’t the right size for them (and which they sometimes weren’t trained with correctly), when I was able to confirm that proper training and suitable police weapons that DID fit them allowed them to qualify just fine. So, it pleases this old testosterone creature when the estrogen tribe kicks butt with guns.
At the NRA annual conference in Indianapolis this year, I got to meet Lena Miculek. She’s the daughter of two old friends: Jerry Miculek, whom I consider the greatest double action revolver shooter of our time and probably ever, and Kay Clark-Miculek, a national champion shooter in her own right and a kick-ass gunsmith who built the Clark Custom Ruger 10/22 I used to earn a Rifleman patch at my first Appleseed event.
Yeah, there may be a genetics component: if the sire and the dam are both Kentucky Derby winners, you can expect their filly to win races, too. More to the point, though, both Jerry and Kay have shown themselves for decades to be exemplary as both human beings and shooting athletes, and they passed their dedication to excellence along to their daughter as well as all their knowledge. She has been stomping mucho boo-tay in three-gun (rifle/shotgun/handgun) competition. Her father is duly appreciative: see photo.
Closer to home for this writer, estrogen still ruled this week. Last Saturday, we finished a MAG-40 class in Florida and as usual, staff shot a pace-setter demonstration of the qualification, and then it was the students’ turn. The instructors toss in $5 apiece, top staffer taking all…students pony up a buck each, winning student taking all…and anybody who beats me gets an autographed $5. Tie scores on point value over the 60-shot qualification course are broken by group measurement: tightest shot cluster prevails.
Among the students were many instructors and some proven competition shooters, and the staff half a dozen state and regional shooting champions and at least four who have held national titles in handgun shooting competition. When the proverbial gunsmoke had cleared, there were more than a couple of us who had perfect 300 out of 300 scores. Mine lost on tie-breaker to that of Lt. Col. Dave “the Blaze” Blazek, USAF retired, who last month won the title of high military shooter at the IDPA National Championships in Tulsa. Dave usually beats me anyway, but to add insult to injury, he did it this time shooting southpaw even though he’s naturally right-handed…and I’m awfully proud of him.
However, beating us BOTH and everyone else, was my own significant other, the Evil Princess. She does that, every now and then – beating everybody on the range, including all the men, and most cruelly, including ME – because, I suspect, she just likes to feel the testosterone drop about ten degrees in male-dominated environments. J
And nobody’s prouder of that than me. Chicks rule!
I just love it when my daughter out-shoots me. When she out fishes me too, not so much.
I just love it when my daughter out-shoots me. When she out fishes me too, not so much.
I just love it when my daughter out-shoots me. When she out fishes me too, not so much.
Nothing beats the heart-swell when the child beats the parent … and I say this with some authority as both my daughter and my son have demonstrated talent in the shooting sports, although my daughter is more interested in raising the Next Generation than she is in competition.
Congratulations to both you and The Evil Princess .. whose only sin is in being better than Dad.
We all hope that our children will turn out ‘better’ than we. Be prepared for the day when your Princess becomes bored and moves on to other things, because “you’re no competition”.
Talk about mixed feelings!
Nothing beats the heart-swell when the child beats the parent … and I say this with some authority as both my daughter and my son have demonstrated talent in the shooting sports, although my daughter is more interested in raising the Next Generation than she is in competition.
Congratulations to both you and The Evil Princess .. whose only sin is in being better than Dad.
We all hope that our children will turn out ‘better’ than we. Be prepared for the day when your Princess becomes bored and moves on to other things, because “you’re no competition”.
Talk about mixed feelings!
Nice job, Gail!
Nice job, Gail!
Yes, Mas, I hope you give the Evil Princess a good allowance. Chauffeur and all that she is. You did an excellent job of bringing her up. He! He! He!
Yes, Mas, I hope you give the Evil Princess a good allowance. Chauffeur and all that she is. You did an excellent job of bringing her up. He! He! He!
Well, as witness during the fact, as well as a victim of the fleecing, I can say very well done, Gail! Due to the quantity testosterone lost, I noticed several pickup trucks which could barely “get up” the hill from the range. No double entendre intended. Rev out
Well, as witness during the fact, as well as a victim of the fleecing, I can say very well done, Gail! Due to the quantity testosterone lost, I noticed several pickup trucks which could barely “get up” the hill from the range. No double entendre intended. Rev out
P.S
During my last comment my tongue was firmly in cheek. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers.
P.S
During my last comment my tongue was firmly in cheek. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers.
My wonderful adopted Daughter can out shoot me and I love it. Congratulations to the Evil Princess!
My wonderful adopted Daughter can out shoot me and I love it. Congratulations to the Evil Princess!
My wonderful adopted Daughter can out shoot me and I love it. Congratulations to the Evil Princess!
Hey Mas,
I love teaching women. Have done so for 23 years with a womens self defense organisation founded by my wife.
I did on 2 occasions teach female LEOs after they failed weapons qual. The first one took 2 minutes to discover she was cross dominate. 2 sessions and she qualified 95%
The other was simply ignored by the trainers at a federal beaurecracy. It took 6 sessions to get her to 90%.
Hey Mas,
I love teaching women. Have done so for 23 years with a womens self defense organisation founded by my wife.
I did on 2 occasions teach female LEOs after they failed weapons qual. The first one took 2 minutes to discover she was cross dominate. 2 sessions and she qualified 95%
The other was simply ignored by the trainers at a federal beaurecracy. It took 6 sessions to get her to 90%.
Both my son and my grandson are shooters and hunters. Both shoot very well. Both are MCPs.
About a year ago my granddaughter told me that she would like to learn to shoot. Both she and I dropped hints to the guys, but nothing happened. She spent a week with us this summer and nothing that I have done in a long time has given me greater pleasure than taking Nicole out and introducing here to shooting.
I started out by drilling the safety rules with her and then took her out to the rifle club. I started her out with a Ruger 10/22, then a Japanese Nambu, a Glock 34 and finally a AK-74 in 5.45×39. I have a priceless photo of her on the bench holding the AK-74 and looking at the camera with the biggest grin on her face that you have ever seen.
You go girls!!
Grandpa in Clear Lake, Iowa
Both my son and my grandson are shooters and hunters. Both shoot very well. Both are MCPs.
About a year ago my granddaughter told me that she would like to learn to shoot. Both she and I dropped hints to the guys, but nothing happened. She spent a week with us this summer and nothing that I have done in a long time has given me greater pleasure than taking Nicole out and introducing here to shooting.
I started out by drilling the safety rules with her and then took her out to the rifle club. I started her out with a Ruger 10/22, then a Japanese Nambu, a Glock 34 and finally a AK-74 in 5.45×39. I have a priceless photo of her on the bench holding the AK-74 and looking at the camera with the biggest grin on her face that you have ever seen.
You go girls!!
Grandpa in Clear Lake, Iowa
Congrats to Gail and our best to everyone. Having someone on our side, who shoots better, is a good thing!
Congrats to Gail and our best to everyone. Having someone on our side, who shoots better, is a good thing!
Congrats to Gail and our best to everyone. Having someone on our side, who shoots better, is a good thing!
I was in that class and it was amazing! Can’t wait to go back for more training!
I was in that class and it was amazing! Can’t wait to go back for more training!
How ironic…just caught this in my inbox today:
“Two female soldiers in the South Korean army have earned the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge – the first women, Korean or American, to do so.
Staff Sgt. Kim Min Kyoung and Staff Sgt. Kwon Min Zy, both infantry squad leaders in the Republic of Korea Army’s 21st Infantry Division, said they are honored to have had the chance to compete.”
Chicks, indeed, rule!
TXCOMT
How ironic…just caught this in my inbox today:
“Two female soldiers in the South Korean army have earned the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge – the first women, Korean or American, to do so.
Staff Sgt. Kim Min Kyoung and Staff Sgt. Kwon Min Zy, both infantry squad leaders in the Republic of Korea Army’s 21st Infantry Division, said they are honored to have had the chance to compete.”
Chicks, indeed, rule!
TXCOMT
Back in the IHMSA days my daughter regularly outshot her brothers – much to their dismay. I’m not going to comment on how often my wife out shot me. I wasn’t too surprised as years ago I had learned that women (in general) have superior hand-eye coordination to men (in general) while working at a circuit board assembly plant.
Merle
Back in the IHMSA days my daughter regularly outshot her brothers – much to their dismay. I’m not going to comment on how often my wife out shot me. I wasn’t too surprised as years ago I had learned that women (in general) have superior hand-eye coordination to men (in general) while working at a circuit board assembly plant.
Merle
Back in the IHMSA days my daughter regularly outshot her brothers – much to their dismay. I’m not going to comment on how often my wife out shot me. I wasn’t too surprised as years ago I had learned that women (in general) have superior hand-eye coordination to men (in general) while working at a circuit board assembly plant.
Merle
You taught me almost 30 years ago to be a better shooter Mas and for that I am always grateful as I have had the pleasure of teaching with you and teaching many others including a lot of women over the years. Am always proud when students step up and exceed expectations. It’s a damn good feeling.
Glad Gail is keeping you and the other Guys on your toes.
Can’t have Ya’ll slackin off now can we ? 🙂
You taught me almost 30 years ago to be a better shooter Mas and for that I am always grateful as I have had the pleasure of teaching with you and teaching many others including a lot of women over the years. Am always proud when students step up and exceed expectations. It’s a damn good feeling.
Glad Gail is keeping you and the other Guys on your toes.
Can’t have Ya’ll slackin off now can we ? 🙂
Somewhere there is a picture of my six year old daughter shooting my Colt Woodsman .22.
A few weeks ago I stuffed magazines with .45 ammo and watched that same girl, now 22 years old put holes, clustered close together, in a paper target at 50 feet. First time she ever picked up a 1911.
This went on through a box of 50 rounds, it wasn’t a fluke.
She asked me if I wanted to shoot?
Nah, I’ll just stand here and load and pick up spent brass.
(and avoid being embarrassed)
In a couple of weeks she and two of my sons and I are going deer hunting.
I can’t wait.
Somewhere there is a picture of my six year old daughter shooting my Colt Woodsman .22.
A few weeks ago I stuffed magazines with .45 ammo and watched that same girl, now 22 years old put holes, clustered close together, in a paper target at 50 feet. First time she ever picked up a 1911.
This went on through a box of 50 rounds, it wasn’t a fluke.
She asked me if I wanted to shoot?
Nah, I’ll just stand here and load and pick up spent brass.
(and avoid being embarrassed)
In a couple of weeks she and two of my sons and I are going deer hunting.
I can’t wait.
Well Done, Gail! Cant wait to shoot with you both again. And a well timed article. Just this past FirstCoastIDPA match in Jacksonville, young Allison finally beat Dad, not just on a stage or two but for the match by 1.4 seconds. For something that some say should have me upset, I just cant think of anything but how proud I am of her and that I may have had a hand in teaching her to protect herself when I can’t be there.
Well Done, Gail! Cant wait to shoot with you both again. And a well timed article. Just this past FirstCoastIDPA match in Jacksonville, young Allison finally beat Dad, not just on a stage or two but for the match by 1.4 seconds. For something that some say should have me upset, I just cant think of anything but how proud I am of her and that I may have had a hand in teaching her to protect herself when I can’t be there.
Well Done, Gail! Cant wait to shoot with you both again. And a well timed article. Just this past FirstCoastIDPA match in Jacksonville, young Allison finally beat Dad, not just on a stage or two but for the match by 1.4 seconds. For something that some say should have me upset, I just cant think of anything but how proud I am of her and that I may have had a hand in teaching her to protect herself when I can’t be there.
Well done to both of you, Todd, from both Gail and I! Knowing how tough you are to beat, I appreciate your daughter’s triumph all the more.
Well done to both of you, Todd, from both Gail and I! Knowing how tough you are to beat, I appreciate your daughter’s triumph all the more.
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