Choosing Your First Handgun for Women: Expert Advice and Tips

My Beef with The Gun Industry from a Woman’s Perspective

I have been blessed to learn the fundamentals of shooting from my husband, a gifted and talented gun guy. He’s one of the few excellent shooters who happens to also be an even better teacher. I started training with him before we ever became a couple because I knew I needed training as a single mom with young kids. However, as a general rule, I highly urge ladies NOT to train with their boyfriend, spouse, uncle, cousin or anyone who just ‘grew up around guns.’ And yes, I fully intend to be stepping on some toes in this article.

Let’s be real – most guys who grew up with BB guns, shotguns or who currently own a few guns think they are great shots and capable of teaching others because everyone from the country is a gun expert. “I’ve grown up around guns” is the biggest excuse I hear from people not willing to learn to shoot better, safer from an expert. These are the guys who are the first to take their girlfriends out to range/field out back and give her a .45 and then laugh when it scares her because of the recoil and noise.

And then there are the ‘experts’ at hack gun stores (not the ones we frequent or recommend) who recommend a shotgun for home defense for a female who has no idea how to shoot while failing to mention that perhaps some lessons first might be beneficial. “It’ll blow the bad guys out the door.” Excuse me as I spit out my coffee laughing at these salesmen. This is an exact quote from a sales guy we spoke to about one of their clients. This frail, older lady could barely hold up the shot gun and was not given any in-depth lessons on how to load it, clear it or care for it. Great advice from these gun store hack salesmen.

Not to brag about myself, but I can drive a 5 speed truck, put on makeup while drinking coffee all at the same time while shifting in stop and go traffic. I, as a female, can learn how to safely navigate a 9mm handgun for my own self-defense and so can you. Without giving away my age, I did not grow up around guns and had to learn everything about safety and shooting as a grown adult and I’m currently a mother of three with two being teenagers. I remember once putting my electronic ear pro on backwards because I didn’t know which way the speaker went! We all have to start somewhere – the point is to just start and get help from qualified instructors. Don’t work with anyone who belittles your capability of learning how to safely shoot your defensive pistol of choice.

Ladies, if you walk into a store and ask “What gun should I buy for myself” and the sales guy doesn’t ask you more in-depth questions, turn around and walk out immediately. These guys are not your friends and only looking to make a sale. You need to know how to shoot a pistol, load and unload, holster and clear malfunctions before you purchase anything. Then, decide how often you can/will train and if you are planning to conceal carry on your body or stow in a bag or car. Your physical hand strength is also a major contributing factor in what you can or should carry. We have had students who could barely rack a .22 because of arthritis or general lack of health. There is no one size fits all and we all have slightly different needs, body types and abilities – which means different pistols work better for some than others.

When I first started shooting, the best option for my budget and abilities was a Glock 43. (This is before the Glock 43x and any Shadow Systems.) This was the biggest I could go and still conceal carry. I was not skilled enough yet to carry with a safety because I couldn’t get the safety off in a timely, fluid motion while drawing from concealment. My budget was a Glock budget and I had no clue how to clean my gun – this is why there really was not other options for me other than a Glock. I had no tools, cleaners for disassembling a gun to clean it and at the time, didn’t know if I would enjoy shooting regularly or anything beyond the essentials for learning basic gun safety and shooting. I took a group lesson from a female instructor before going to the gun store with my (now) husband to try out other hand guns. I cannot stress how important it is to regularly train with a professional, especially as a new shooter.

Please don’t think I’m knocking all gun guys or store-owners! There are some very good ones out there but as with everything in life, it’s the few losers who ruin it for everyone and these are the ones I’m cautioning against.  Happy to make some recommendations to stores and sales guys who know their firearms; just reach out. We can also recommend different firearms after an in-depth conversation and preferably range time together first; again, feel free to contact us through our website. We have made great industry contacts and can make solid referrals.

As a take-away, before buying your first hand gun: take a lesson from a professional that provides several guns to shoot in class, take notes on equipment they recommend (ear and eye pro, holsters, belly bands, conceal carry bags etc), take someone with you to the gun store who knows more than you and has years of experience training others, decide how often you will train and what your budget can afford, recognize your commitment (or lack thereof) to training and willingness to break in your firearm. (Not all firearms are created equally and many need 1000 rounds through it before it’s consider broken in). And then realize your first gun is to get you comfortable with and experience shooting – you will be able to upgrade later as your budget and talent expands.

I personally recommend getting a larger 9mm to train on and then practicing with your smaller everyday carry (edc) firearm at your first opportunity. Last but not least, consider joining IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) or A Girl and A Gun or other clubs that encourage shooting and training. These organizations (and others) stress safety first and then focus on the fundamentals of shooting while incorporating fun. Over time with consistent practice, you will improve on speed, accuracy and first-hand knowledge of your firearm. Most everyone I’ve met at both of these have been friendly, knowledgeable and enjoy shooting and practicing meaning they more know than the average gun store salesman. You will never regret investing in your own safety and training.

Rocky Mountain Regionals IDPA in Colorado