Meet Chloe Lester, an 18-year old athlete who recently learned important skills for handgun shooting, courtesy of Remington Outdoor Company, while a student at a special course at Gunsite Academy.
“Don’t hurt my finger!”
Gary Smith, one of my instructors at Gunsite Academy, reiterated that command to me all week long.
Chloe Lester
I thoroughly enjoyed pulling the trigger way too fast, so therefore, he put his finger near my trigger finger so I had to do it slowly. Falling in love with shooting was never in the plan, but thanks to my week at Gunsite Academy, I don’t think I ever will out of love with it.
(Remington Outdoor Company photo)
Arriving at Gunsite that Monday morning as one of the newbies, I felt overwhelmed with information that was way over my head. “All guns are always loaded” is one of the 4 rules now forever engraved in my brain.
I walked in that hot Monday morning, knowing barely anything about guns, not even how to load my magazine. All of that changed by the end of Friday … after I realized one of the best weeks of my life was over. Gary and Dave, my 2 instructors, taught me things that I didn’t think I was ever capable of learning — from shooting 2 headshots in 1.5 seconds to cleaning my Remington 1911 9mm inside and out. Ome thing stuck with me: guns are for safety and protection only.
(Remington Outdoor Company photo)
“Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target” is another one of the 4 gun-handling rules. I frequently wanted my finger to stay on the trigger, but initially I was advised to keep it off.
This series on women in the firearms world is sponsored by Remington Outdoor Company.
Guns have never been something I have thoroughly been interested in, even though I have a dad who works in the firearms industry and a brother who loves shooting. I grew up on a court or in a pool breaking records in sports, not shooting. While being at Gunsite with Jessica learning more about her career, I have thought further about majoring in public relations, because I love being around people and pleasing people.
Being a young woman, I know I need to have self-defense skills, so I highly suggest women my age who are going off to college, or just women in general, need to know a basic knowledge of self defense, because in the world we are in today you never know what is going to happen.
(Remington Outdoor Company photo)
I owe all the credit for my conversion to gun-fan to my Gunsite instructors; I’ve had many teachers in my lifetime and those 2 were honestly the most outstanding teachers I’ve ever had. Overall, one of my most memorable moments was when I exploded a 2-inch lollypop 3 yards away and I was only allowed one shot. It’s all about “lining my front sight up with the target,” as my instructors would say.
I could go on forever about how amazing the week at Gunsite Academy was, but I will end with this message: thanks to my amazing instructors, my new friends, and the Remington 1911 9mm, I will have knowledge and memories I will never forget and I would do anything to go back to “Gun Camp.”
Learn more about Gunsite Academy.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
