Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1507551
32 | SIGNATURE MONTANA Holly Matkin is a native Montanan who lives with her husband at the foot of the Elkhorn Mountains. She covers a wide variety of topics as a freelance writer for multiple local and national publications, and especially enjoys writing travel, history, and human interest pieces. "As soon as those increase, everything else gets beer," Joe points out. "It is really fun as an instructor to see that change." When new shooters show up with their personal firearms, Traci spends time helping to make the weapon work for them whenever possible. If the outcome isn't as positive as they would like, the group has a variety of firearms they can try out for a nominal fee. "e best gun for them is one that they can operate accurately and efficiently," Traci says. "ere are also many different firearms out there that are good for people with various impairments, so lack of strength with aging doesn't have to be a detrimental factor." Another consideration to take into account when purchasing a weapon is selecting one in a common caliber, which will reduce ammunition costs, Joe adds. "Buy from a reputable manufacturer and from a reputable dealer," he says. "e most important thing is reliability. at gun has to work every single time because you're puing your life on it." Finding the best holster can be a challenge, but Traci says female shooters actually have a lot more options than males in this regard. "Women have so many more to choose from than men due to the way we dress and what season it is or what function we're going to," she says. "ere are various brands of in-the-waistband holsters, out-of- the-waistband holsters, belly band holsters, garter holsters, bra holsters, fanny pack holsters, and purse holsters – just to name a few!" Regardless of which weapon a new shooter chooses to call their own, continuing to practice is paramount. "We encourage people to train on their own with skills they have learned from our monthly shoots," Traci says. "Shooting is a perishable skill and must become muscle memory." To learn more about firearms training and purchasing a new gun, head over to www.stmichaelsdefensemt.com and www.missouririvershooters.org. S MT Learning which eye is dominant is a must for new shooters. Joe helps guide new shooters in all facets of firearms training.