sig226
Member
The following was my reply to a post on Free Repblic about women carrying handguns for self defense. Of course, I belive that a 12 gauge shotgun is the best weapon for self defense, but if I want to carry it, I'll have to dress in a Mu Mu. I don't want to do that and neither do you.
Here's the questions and my answers. I sell a lot of guns to women, especially since the murders at the Boca Town Center Mall. There seems to be a serial killer who likes to tie up women and kill them. I hope that some lady will put an end to this slug, and I sincerely hope that I am the man who sold that gun to that woman.
But she has to be carrying it, and there are problems. I answered the italicized questions as best I could, and I want you, the ladies of the Thehighroad, to comment on my answers. I have some influence over what gets made for the gun market and there are others here who are also heard. Please speak your minds. These questions were asked specifically of female shooters, although there was not much response.
Free Republic thread
Do you see firearm *design* as being “masculine oriented”?
I never asked, so I can't answer this one.
Would you like to see a wider range of firearm design emphasizing more “feminine” comfort, ease of use, and carrying storage?
They want it to work. In this sense, they are far more practical than male customers who want the latest, greatest, most expensive, has all the toys, blah, blah, blah. Female customers want to know if it will work. For the biggest problem with this issue, see the answer to the caliber question.
Would you like to see a wider range of firearm design emphasizing more “feminine” comfort, ease of use, and carrying storage?
There are two problems with women carrying guns. First is the way they dress. Women like clothing that fits them and highlights the lines of their bodies. Men dress like slobs with their shirts hanging out so the women can't see their beer guts. This is ideal for concealing a handgun. A woman with fit pants and a shirt tucked in has two places to conceal a handgun that is readily accessible. One is a fanny pack, the other is a purse. Most women don't want anything to do with a fanny pack and when I try to tell them that the purse they currently use is horrible for concealment, I might as well say something about their children. Purses for concealed carry need to have a separate compartment for the gun and need to have a reinforced strap so that a thief can't break it or cut it. If a purse snatcher cuts or breaks the strap, he now has her money, her personal information, her address, her keys, and her gun. Nothing good can come from this, yet the purses designed for carry do not sell well here in south Florida, where I thought they would be popular. Fashion and economics trumps practicality.
Next up is the high ride holster for the belt. This works great on men. Our hips, waist, and chest form a triangle that lends itself to carrying a pistol high on the belt. It sits on the waist and follows the body up to the rib cage. A woman's wide hips and narrow waist push the back of the pistol into her abdomen and it hurts. She doesn't want to do this. I haven't got a good answer for this. I've seen that it's a problem, and I think it will be solved when a bunch of women get together and figure out how to solve it.
Do you think other women would be interested in such design?
Whatever it is, it will sell. Every day we teach a few more women to shoot and to kill anyone who attacks them. God bless America.
What caliber ammunition are you most comfortable with for all reasons?
Women tend to want small guns and often in underperforming calibers. I blame this 100% on men. Women have been taught to think that small calibers are better because big calibers recoil like Tackleberry guns. Most men started shooting with a .22, but when they want to teach a woman to shoot, they grab a .45 or a .357 Magnum. They often think this is funny to watch, even though I want to kick them for intentionally turning another person off to shooting.
God doesn't want you to hold objects that explode in your hand for a good reason. Any new shooter, male, female, or otherwise, should learn to shoot with a .22 rifle. This rifle will be accurate and not produce loud noise and harsh recoil. It takes time to acclimate to these things. This is not just normal, it's self preservation. Be proud that you have to get used to recoil, muzzle blast, and muzzle flash. It means that your brain is wired the right way.
What is the smallest caliber ammunition you would want for self-defense oriented “daily carry”? (That is, less weight, smaller gun, smaller caliber ammo)
Because of the above, most women look at underperforming cartridges. IMO, the .380 is the minimun cartridge that is acceptable for self defense, and I do mean minimum. Still, a .22 is better than harsh language. I know plenty of women who enjoy shooting .45s and .44 Magnums. It is not a matter of recoil, it is a matter of how one perceives one's ability to perform successfully. I also know plenty of men who are afraid of any handgun caliber above the .22. It is not a matter or recoil. It's teaching and patience.
How many rounds would you think adequate for “daily carry”?
There is no good answer to this question. It depends on the individual. You are much better off with a five shot .32 that you will carry every day than a 13 shot Glock 21 that you leave at home.
Would you want special purpose ammunition for “daily carry”?
Women know all about hollow points, altough they tend not to be familiar with frangible ammunition. I reccomend Remington Golden Saber hollow points because they expand and kill as well as any other make, but the expanded driving band they use improves accuracy. I use them in my carry guns.
Here's the questions and my answers. I sell a lot of guns to women, especially since the murders at the Boca Town Center Mall. There seems to be a serial killer who likes to tie up women and kill them. I hope that some lady will put an end to this slug, and I sincerely hope that I am the man who sold that gun to that woman.
But she has to be carrying it, and there are problems. I answered the italicized questions as best I could, and I want you, the ladies of the Thehighroad, to comment on my answers. I have some influence over what gets made for the gun market and there are others here who are also heard. Please speak your minds. These questions were asked specifically of female shooters, although there was not much response.
Free Republic thread
Do you see firearm *design* as being “masculine oriented”?
I never asked, so I can't answer this one.
Would you like to see a wider range of firearm design emphasizing more “feminine” comfort, ease of use, and carrying storage?
They want it to work. In this sense, they are far more practical than male customers who want the latest, greatest, most expensive, has all the toys, blah, blah, blah. Female customers want to know if it will work. For the biggest problem with this issue, see the answer to the caliber question.
Would you like to see a wider range of firearm design emphasizing more “feminine” comfort, ease of use, and carrying storage?
There are two problems with women carrying guns. First is the way they dress. Women like clothing that fits them and highlights the lines of their bodies. Men dress like slobs with their shirts hanging out so the women can't see their beer guts. This is ideal for concealing a handgun. A woman with fit pants and a shirt tucked in has two places to conceal a handgun that is readily accessible. One is a fanny pack, the other is a purse. Most women don't want anything to do with a fanny pack and when I try to tell them that the purse they currently use is horrible for concealment, I might as well say something about their children. Purses for concealed carry need to have a separate compartment for the gun and need to have a reinforced strap so that a thief can't break it or cut it. If a purse snatcher cuts or breaks the strap, he now has her money, her personal information, her address, her keys, and her gun. Nothing good can come from this, yet the purses designed for carry do not sell well here in south Florida, where I thought they would be popular. Fashion and economics trumps practicality.
Next up is the high ride holster for the belt. This works great on men. Our hips, waist, and chest form a triangle that lends itself to carrying a pistol high on the belt. It sits on the waist and follows the body up to the rib cage. A woman's wide hips and narrow waist push the back of the pistol into her abdomen and it hurts. She doesn't want to do this. I haven't got a good answer for this. I've seen that it's a problem, and I think it will be solved when a bunch of women get together and figure out how to solve it.
Do you think other women would be interested in such design?
Whatever it is, it will sell. Every day we teach a few more women to shoot and to kill anyone who attacks them. God bless America.
What caliber ammunition are you most comfortable with for all reasons?
Women tend to want small guns and often in underperforming calibers. I blame this 100% on men. Women have been taught to think that small calibers are better because big calibers recoil like Tackleberry guns. Most men started shooting with a .22, but when they want to teach a woman to shoot, they grab a .45 or a .357 Magnum. They often think this is funny to watch, even though I want to kick them for intentionally turning another person off to shooting.
God doesn't want you to hold objects that explode in your hand for a good reason. Any new shooter, male, female, or otherwise, should learn to shoot with a .22 rifle. This rifle will be accurate and not produce loud noise and harsh recoil. It takes time to acclimate to these things. This is not just normal, it's self preservation. Be proud that you have to get used to recoil, muzzle blast, and muzzle flash. It means that your brain is wired the right way.
What is the smallest caliber ammunition you would want for self-defense oriented “daily carry”? (That is, less weight, smaller gun, smaller caliber ammo)
Because of the above, most women look at underperforming cartridges. IMO, the .380 is the minimun cartridge that is acceptable for self defense, and I do mean minimum. Still, a .22 is better than harsh language. I know plenty of women who enjoy shooting .45s and .44 Magnums. It is not a matter of recoil, it is a matter of how one perceives one's ability to perform successfully. I also know plenty of men who are afraid of any handgun caliber above the .22. It is not a matter or recoil. It's teaching and patience.
How many rounds would you think adequate for “daily carry”?
There is no good answer to this question. It depends on the individual. You are much better off with a five shot .32 that you will carry every day than a 13 shot Glock 21 that you leave at home.
Would you want special purpose ammunition for “daily carry”?
Women know all about hollow points, altough they tend not to be familiar with frangible ammunition. I reccomend Remington Golden Saber hollow points because they expand and kill as well as any other make, but the expanded driving band they use improves accuracy. I use them in my carry guns.
