Posted on 08/11/2008 3:37:56 AM PDT by sig226
A friend sent me a link to this site and I liked what I saw. The site is dedicated primarily to female shooters, but the articles are well written and worthy of anyone's time. Kathy Jackson deals primarily with new shooters and people new to the idea that they might one day have to use deadly force to protect themself or their family. Although I've been around this stuff for a long time, I read many of the articles and even found a couple of things I didn't know on some of the n00b pages. It's definitely worth your time. If you are first considering firearms for your personal use, you'll see information presented in a different light than the common gun press and internet. If you're an experienced shooter, take my word for it, there is good stuff here.
Men:
If a woman in your life is wondering about your enthusiasm for firearms, or wondering if she should learn to shoot, send her here.
Women:
If you've wanted to find a more sympathetic ear to your concerns, this is an excellent site. "What should I do?' and 'What can I do?' are addressed by knowledgeable people without a lot of blather and "you have to do this," "you have to do that." These are some excerpts to the site, with links. The main link is a table of contents and will likely address any question you'd like to ask.
Cornered Cat.
When a cat feels threatened, she gets away from the danger as quickly as she can. She doesn't care what damage she inflicts on her way to safety, but she's not interested in fighting for fighting's sake. She does only as much as she needs to do in order to escape. She doesn't deal in revenge. If she feels threatened, she simply leaves. Efficiently.
Until she needs to use them, her claws stay sheathed. She doesn't go around threatening to maul people. She's cuddly, she's cozy, she likes to curl up next to a crackling fire on a warm winter's day. She's great company.
But don't try to trap her in a bad situation.
This site is about women and guns, not about cats. But in a way, it's about the cornered cat in all of us. It's about the determination to get away from an attacker if you need to. It's about making the decision to say, "Not me. Not mine. Not today." And it's about the tools to make that decision stick.
If you have to fight ... Fight like a cornered cat
A Word to Women
I didn't get permission from the author to excerpt, but this is a must read for anyone who might be on the fence about lethal force, not just women. Point a spouse or family member to this page if they're in that position.
Why a Gun?
If a criminal attacks me without provocation, why should he -- the aggressor, the malefactor, the bad actor -- get to choose which one of us survives our encounter? In initiating such extreme violence, the criminal has already chosen that at least one person will die or be seriously injured as a result of his acts. The law allows for lethal self-defense because wise people through the ages have recognized that in some circumstances, literally the only choice left for another person to make is whether the intended victim or the person who attacked her will be the one to survive.
There is something else, something perhaps more fundamental. I say more fundamental because at this point, those who are skeptical about the necessity of using lethal defensive force may be thinking, "Yes, but isn't there some other way?" And the answer is, not really. Not when innocent life hangs in the balance, and the attacker is both aggressive and determined.
Which Gun for Me?
Quality guns cost money. That's all there is to it. When it comes down to it, you may find yourself trying to find an ideal compromise between price and quality. I'm not hypocritical enough to say, as some do, "Well, how much is your life worth ...?" There's a lot more to the story than that, and I've been broke enough that we wondered how to finance the next trip to the grocery store. If you are in such a situation, you may have to make some hard choices -- but make them with your eyes wide open, aware of exactly what you are trading away and what you are getting in exchange. And don't be too quick to grab the first "bargain" gun that comes along. That's nearly always a mistake. If you're broke, you've got to spend twice as much time on research as someone who isn't broke. They can afford to make a mistake or travel down a blind alley in their quest for the perfect gun. When you're broke, you really can't afford that kind of waste.
I'll add that if you want to know how to get good guns cheap, I will write a piece about it and post it here soon enough. If you can't wait, freepmail me. I'll give you a few hints.
How could he see it?
Thanks pyrless. Actually I come from a shooting family and was the ‘last’ one to get my CCW. LOL
I am glad to add, with all the training, practice and courses you take for defense, I think unless you’re an experienced military or seasoned LEO, it always helps to have an edge. But, at least for me, in the remote recesses of your brain, you have a teeny tiny doubt, that if it comes down to it, will you have what it takes to use your weapon?
I’m glad I passed that hurdle because now, I have absolutely no doubt. And this comes from a lot a personal searching and introspection because I have the deepest respect for all life.
But even having a red dot is no substitute for lots and lots of practice.
Please have him look at the Kel-Tec PF-9. I'm with you on the Glock, but frankly, the Kel-Tec is one amazing 9mm.
“Please have him look at the Kel-Tec PF-9. I’m with you on the Glock, but frankly, the Kel-Tec is one amazing 9mm.”
Yes! Kel-Tec makes several very small and very inexpensive options. I came thiiiiis close to buying one before splurging on my G36.
Be careful of using the high power +P ammo, though, they are a bit less sturdy than others. They used to have a bad rep, but I hear they’ve corrected that on those manufactured since a couple of years ago.
I have a question for the ladies commenting on this thread:
Do you have trouble racking the slide on a semi-auto?
The reason I ask is that my wife can’t rack any of my semi-autos. Not compact models or full-size 1911 models. If she were to use a semi-auto it would need to be one of the Beretta .32 caliber tilt-up barrels.
I got her a snubby Taurus Titanium light-weight 357 7-shot revolvers and she likes it better than any of my other guns. I got her the 38 spl Speer Gold Dota for it. The 357 recoil is pretty stout in such a light revolver.
Well, he wants it ‘just for fun’, so he has something to play with while we’re at the range. Once I get him fully converted I imagine he’ll want something in a bigger caliber.
He got to shoot my Mom’s Kel-Tec P3AT; It bit him pretty badly on the webbing between his thumb & index and he wasn’t too sure about the super long trigger pull; is the PF9 about the same?
Ooh, nice. I could use one of those magazines...
You're tougher than me, lady. Those things BITE! That's why I carry the double stack 30, rather than the single stack 36.
I picked up the Kel-Tec for those times when I just couldn't conceal something that thick.
Once I had it, I was shocked by its accuracy and ergonomics, though I knew about its reliability, or I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.
Sorry I can’t help. I’ve never even held a P3, let alone fired it. I suspect they are probably similar, though.
“I prefer the venerable Sig Sauer P232 with Hogue grips!”
You and me both...I have several Sigs...they’re hard to beat.
Thunderwear or other elastic *belly bands work pretty well with shorts, and conceals nicely under a T-shirt or golf shirt.
No, you do NOT have to unzip your shorts to get to your handgun. And cops have been known to add in wallets, extra magazines, badges and all sorts of other handy novelties in them.
I don't care much for ankle rigs for a handgun either. But they're a great place to carry an extra magazine or two.
Just looked it up. It has some very favorable reviews; compact, great price, etc. Looks like it’s a double-action also, which means no safety to fumble off. A nice choice if you aren’t interested in moving up to a .45 like the G36.
Oh, Gail....
I see a lot of women who have trouble operating the slide on modern semi autos. I see four reasons for this.
Unfamiliarity
Neato firearm coatings
Streamlined slides (cool appearance goes along with the neato firearm coatings)
Compact designs
It isn’t that women can’t work a slide, they often do not know how. Give a stuck jar to a woman and watch her smile because you couldn’t open it.
I read that article and found it better than the method I’ve been teaching. I’ll give it a try next weekend and encourage see if it is easier than the method I learned from some gun book. It certainly emphasizes safe muzzle direction.
Thanks for the ping!
Unfamiliarity
Neato firearm coatings
Streamlined slides (cool appearance goes along with the neato firearm coatings)
Compact designs
This is especially true in small caliber blowback autos. What I have observed is that most women do not have sufficient
upper body strength to rack a slide either cross body or in line.
When I bought my semi-auto new, it was a trick to rack. After some use, between breaking it in and my left hand getting stronger, it got easier. I just tried it out of curiosity because I have some issues with my left hand and was still able to rack without any problem.
In general, though, I do have some problems with racking different guns. My hands aren’t nearly as strong as men’s.
My wife isn’t able to rack the slide on any of my semi-autos. Not compacts or full sized. Finally settled on a light-weight .357 mag revolver, but only load it with 38 spl. I did try it with full .357 loads and it was a handful for me.
Same here. a few rounds of .357’s wore my wrist right out. I’m figuring (praying) that if I should have to use them for self-defense, the adrenalin will get me through it. But for target practice, 38’s all the way.
My Ruger .22 slides a little nicer than the 9mm. However, it’s one you grip from the back, typically with only your first finger and thumb. So you still need a decent grip. Any exercises your wife can do to strengthen her hands?
Place the firearm in your strong hand pointed in a safe direction.
Grasp the slide with your weak hand firmly.
Now, here's the important part. DO NOT attempt to pull the slide back at all. Rather, PUSH the firearm forward with your strong hand while holding the slide in place with your weak hand. Put your hips into if you need to.
Once the slide has travelled fully to the rear, release it.
I think if you'll try this method of charging a semi-auto, you'll find that it works well.
Practice with an empty firearm until you can do it from muscle memory.
I hope you find my advice useful.
Best.
L
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