And if I had a dollar for every confused look I get at my reply, I could retire.
Folks, there is no best gun for a woman. The best gun, for any shooter regardless what your plumbing may be, is the gun that fits your hand the best and most comfortably, that you can shoot the most accurately, in the highest caliber that you can shoot.
That's it. There is no magic formula, no guaranteed answer that XX brand revolver is the only way for a woman to go, or that XX brand semi-automatic is the only way to go. The gun that fits your hand, that you can shoot with the highest accuracy, in the highest caliber is the right gun for you. Man, woman, hermaphrodite- it will take time and research on your part to find that answer.
Before we get into the steps involved in finding out what that gun may be, I feel the need to offer insight from behind the range counter. As I've mentioned before- there are so many people out there with your best interests at heart. These well intentioned people truly wish to offer you help in learning to shoot and finding the perfect gun for you. However. (And this is fairly significant, so please read it a couple of times to let it sink in,) Please- Do Not Let Anyone Set Your Limitations.
What do I mean by that?
Example:
Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public come to the counter. Mr. Public feels that with the escalation in home invasions and crimes on the street, Mrs. Public needs a gun to protect herself. Often times, the first words out of Mr. Public's mouth are, "She just needs a revolver, because they're easy to operate and she can keep it in her purse."
Why is this statement a potential problem?
- Right away, Mr. Public has demoted Mrs. Public to the ranks of a special needs case, where her ability to learn and function has been called into question.
- Number two, keeping a gun anywhere but on your body makes it much easier to become separated from your gun.
Whether or not Mr. Public meant it, he has just done a grave injustice to the intelligence and ability of Mrs. Public by the metaphorical pat on the head about her potential ability with a gun. By telling Mrs. Public she only needs a revolver because a semi-automatic will be too hard for her to operate (racking the slide etc,) Mrs. Public is now going into the situation with a large amount of self-doubt.
Self-doubt + guns = frustration. This is the polar opposite of complacency- this lack of confidence is just as potentially deadly to you the gun owner as complacency is.
In the future, Mr. Public may wish to phrase things like this:
"Hi! My wife and I are seeking a gun for personal protection. She has not shot before, where would you recommend we begin to look?" A statement like this will significantly impact Mrs. Public's journey into the shooting world for the better.
To all the Mrs. and Ms. Public's out there- please, take a bit of time to find out for yourself what you like and don't like, what style of gun you can handle and what you prefer to handle.
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| Glock 43, single stack 9mm |
What should you consider when looking for the right gun?
We've mentioned fit- the gun must be comfortable in your hand. In the case of a first gun purchase, this step is very important. CAUTION! Picking out a small gun is not always the best idea! In most instances, the smaller the gun the higher the amount of recoil, the more the shooter must be the shock absorber! Thankfully, with the advances available in technology to gun manufactures, there are a wide variety of smaller (NOT tiny) guns, that hold a decent number of rounds, that comfortably fit a wide variety of hand sizes, that will not have a high amount of recoil.
You need to be able to manipulate the gun as well. In the case of a revolver, can you open the cylinder easily, and operate the ejection rod to remove spent cases? In the case of a semi-automatic, can you operate the slide easily in order to clear malfunctions? It is well worth noting here that no, revolvers are NOT always problem free (also one of the reasons given for others seeking to help,) and no, not all slides on semi-automatics are extremely heavy. Check different sizes, styles and manufactures of the handguns to compare and find which is best for you. Our staff is always more than willing to help you learn the proper techniques involved for using either style of handgun.
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| Walther CCP- also 9mm |
Are there other questions to ask?
You bet. There are so many different styles, makes and manufacturers today that some investigation is required. We have a joke in the horse industry, that if you ask 10 equine professionals one question, be prepared to get at least 20 different answers. The gun world is quite similar in that respect. By eliminating another living creature (the horse) from the equation, you can narrow your options considerably.
A few questions we suggest asking:
- Can I get additional ammunition?
As of this writing, there are some calibers that are difficult to find. Currently, finding .22 Magnum, .25 or .32 (long or short) is a huge challenge. Make sure that you can get the caliber you prefer.
- Are there holsters available for my chosen method of carry?
Some firearms are difficult to find the perfect holster for. There are options today that make this task easier, as you can have a holster custom made for you. This may sound like an expensive and difficult option, but today's holster market is quite competitive and prices for high quality products are fairly low.
- Can I obtain aftermarket parts?
This is a big one. You need to make sure you can easily get magazines. The internal parts inside magazines are consumable (meaning they will wear out with use), and you will need to be able to replace them over time. You also might want to install different sights on your gun. Many owners love the option of night sights, which will emit a glow in low to no light settings, allowing you to still properly use sights. Or you may wish to install sights with higher daylight visibility. Ask your sales person if these options might be available for the guns you are potentially interested in. There may also be other options available, such as trigger jobs to ease your trigger pull.
- Is there a warranty program?
Most manufacturers offer great warranties. There is a saying in the firearms industry- much like jewelry, with guns you also get what you pay for. Ask about the details on the warranty, if customers have had to send many back, and is the company good to work with?
- What is the reputation of the manufacturer?
Most gun makers have been around for long periods of time and have the reputations to stand on. There are some though that you need to investigate before making your decision to purchase. Quite often, you can spend a bit of time online and gather a tremendous amount of information about company reputations. We live in the information age- take advantage of it!
- What is the reputation of the SELLER?
Many people don't consider this aspect, thinking that one gun seller is like any other. However, this is not the case. Will the seller be willing to work with you after the sale, answering questions or helping you shoot better? Will they help you find accessories? Or are they going to sell you the gun and pretend they've never seen you before? Establishing a good relationship with the facility you purchase your gun from is important as well.
To sum up- ask questions, handle various guns, and find what fits your hand. Don't make a purchase because a gun is tiny, will fit perfectly in your purse, or it's inexpensive- do your homework and shoot a variety of guns beforehand! Remember to come see us on Thursday- Ladies Day- for special package pricing.
Carry safe and shoot straight!
~Shannon
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