Skill Set: Ladies' Carry
Today's column is for the ladies, or for you guys who are going to help a lady get started with a handgun. The big news is that men and women are different. Yes, you know this, but apparently when it comes to helping a lady choose a pistol and how to carry it guys have a tendency to forget this. Women will have completely different requirements for a pistol and how they are going to carry the weapon. Here are some important things to consider.
According to Jeff Cooper, the three important features of a pistol are size and fit, good sights and a crisp trigger. First off, the pistol has to properly fit the hands so the shooter can acquire a proper grip. A pistol that "fits" means you can efficiently operate any features such as safeties. For example, smaller pistols have small thumb safeties which are more difficult to switch from "Safe" to "Fire" and back. A lot of women don't have the hand strength to work the thumb safety properly. With the various designs in handguns today I really don't see that a traditional thumb safety is needed, as long as the shooter has received the proper training and the accompanying practice.
A pistol that fits allows the shooter to get the proper position of the finger on the trigger. Ideally the finger is positioned with the trigger in the center of the first pad of the finger where it can press the trigger straight to the rear, as opposed to pushing or pulling it to one side, which will affect accuracy. Also, can you actually press the trigger? Most ladies have a hard time pressing the ten to twelve pound trigger on a standard revolver. In order to shoot accurately you have to press the trigger smoothly, and spend a lot of time doing it.
"Fit" also comes into play for manipulating the pistol. Again, think about hand size and strength. A pistol may fit the hand, but can the shooter operate the slide, manipulating it in order to load, unload or reload? Can they press the mag release without having to struggle or juggle the pistol in their hands? All of these actions are necessary to operate the pistol safely and efficiently.
You also need to think about "Fit" along carry lines. Will the pistol fit the way they need to carry? I've heard guys tell ladies, "You have to carry it in a holster on your belt, otherwise don't even bother carrying it." What? Again, women and men are different. Most ladies can't carry a handgun on the belt, either due to their size and shape or the way they have to dress. There are a lot of different options for carrying, and while a lot of people – guys – don't like carrying in a purse or bag it does have advantages. A lady can walk through the parking lot with their hand in their purse – and grip on the pistol – without attracting any attention. When your pistol is on the belt it's hard to do this without attracting attention.
Another factor to consider in the "Fit" department is recoil. Yes, carrying a big fast bullet is great, until it keeps you from shooting because it hurts the hand. Again, practice is mandatory. In my opinion a .380 pistol that "fits" someone - they'll actually shoot and practice with it – is much better than a lightweight .357 that they only shoot a few times and never touch again. We usually start beginners, both men and women, out with .22's and then have them move up to larger calibers.
"But," the guys complain, "Now I have to buy more pistols." Or, and this one really kills me, "My wife shot my XXX and now she wants one." What? You're complaining that your wife wants you to buy more pistols? Get that girl whatever she wants. If it's something she likes she'll probably shoot and carry it more.
Ladies, you need training. Guys - don't try to teach your wife or girlfriend how to shoot. Training is necessary to learn how to operate a firearm safely, the number one concern, and efficiently, which is mandatory for self-defense. I actually recommend new shooters to get training before buying a firearm. Most places will have pistols you can rent or use in the class, and the instruction will help you determine what type pistol is going to work best for you.
A great source of information is The Handgun Guide For Women by Tara Dixon Engel. This book has chapters on almost everything you need to get started. (Guys, I recommend you read it too.) It even has a chapter on "How To Visit A Gunshop," which is a difficult thing for most women.
Ladies, you need to be armed and ready to defend yourself and family. Guys, remember helping may not actively involve you. Everyone who is capable and ready should prepare. It's getting ugly out there, and I don't see it getting better any time soon.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy,
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A pistol that fits allows the shooter to get the proper position of the finger on the trigger. Ideally the finger is positioned with the trigger in the center of the first pad of the finger where it can press the trigger straight to the rear, as opposed to pushing or pulling it to one side, which will affect accuracy. Also, can you actually press the trigger? Most ladies have a hard time pressing the ten to twelve pound trigger on a standard revolver. In order to shoot accurately you have to press the trigger smoothly, and spend a lot of time doing it.
"Fit" also comes into play for manipulating the pistol. Again, think about hand size and strength. A pistol may fit the hand, but can the shooter operate the slide, manipulating it in order to load, unload or reload? Can they press the mag release without having to struggle or juggle the pistol in their hands? All of these actions are necessary to operate the pistol safely and efficiently.
You also need to think about "Fit" along carry lines. Will the pistol fit the way they need to carry? I've heard guys tell ladies, "You have to carry it in a holster on your belt, otherwise don't even bother carrying it." What? Again, women and men are different. Most ladies can't carry a handgun on the belt, either due to their size and shape or the way they have to dress. There are a lot of different options for carrying, and while a lot of people – guys – don't like carrying in a purse or bag it does have advantages. A lady can walk through the parking lot with their hand in their purse – and grip on the pistol – without attracting any attention. When your pistol is on the belt it's hard to do this without attracting attention.
Another factor to consider in the "Fit" department is recoil. Yes, carrying a big fast bullet is great, until it keeps you from shooting because it hurts the hand. Again, practice is mandatory. In my opinion a .380 pistol that "fits" someone - they'll actually shoot and practice with it – is much better than a lightweight .357 that they only shoot a few times and never touch again. We usually start beginners, both men and women, out with .22's and then have them move up to larger calibers.
"But," the guys complain, "Now I have to buy more pistols." Or, and this one really kills me, "My wife shot my XXX and now she wants one." What? You're complaining that your wife wants you to buy more pistols? Get that girl whatever she wants. If it's something she likes she'll probably shoot and carry it more.
Ladies, you need training. Guys - don't try to teach your wife or girlfriend how to shoot. Training is necessary to learn how to operate a firearm safely, the number one concern, and efficiently, which is mandatory for self-defense. I actually recommend new shooters to get training before buying a firearm. Most places will have pistols you can rent or use in the class, and the instruction will help you determine what type pistol is going to work best for you.
A great source of information is The Handgun Guide For Women by Tara Dixon Engel. This book has chapters on almost everything you need to get started. (Guys, I recommend you read it too.) It even has a chapter on "How To Visit A Gunshop," which is a difficult thing for most women.
Ladies, you need to be armed and ready to defend yourself and family. Guys, remember helping may not actively involve you. Everyone who is capable and ready should prepare. It's getting ugly out there, and I don't see it getting better any time soon.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy,
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