[SonofGilnockie89]

I bought my first pistol shortly after I turned 21, which ended up being a Kahr CW9 for a variety of reasons. Not least of those reasons are the light weight and small grip that fits my small hands quite well. My stepfather is an almost religious 1911 enthusiast (though he loves Glocks....I don't get it), so when I brought home a very small 9mm polymer framed sidearm I was well aware that he would have a few opinions to add. Not once have I gone out to shoot without him laughing and shouting mild insults about me not being able to handle a "man's gun." (Although I have put more rounds through his Colt than he has and am much more accurate with it)

I am of the school of thought that any of the "standard" defensive calibers (9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP) will do their job if the load is both good and properly placed. It doesn't matter if you carry an AT4, if you can't hit with it then it's as useless as trying to appeal to the good nature of your attackers. I do not want to incite yet another of the seemingly endless caliber wars but it would seem that we could all treat each other a bit more humanely.

I suppose what I'm saying is do not belittle or discourage new shooters, especially younger ones as they are the future of our beloved passtime. Instead, build them up and help them get better so that exercising their Second Amendment Rights will become a hopeless obsession like it is for me :)

[MrOldLude]

Brain hiccup.

[LRS_Ranger]

Hmm, yes, that seems like one of those guys that just wants to have a smack talk fight with you. SO, to win all you need is a little bit of self confidence, and something to rag on him about. You being more accurate than him is a good place to start; I'm sure you can go from there.

[SonofGilnockie89]

In this instance that would be my stepsister............not my thing friend.

[Lucky Derby]

Sounds like he has a little attitude problem.
As one who owns and shoots a 1911 regularly, formerly owned and shot a Kahr PM9, and has shot many Glocks, although I have never owned one. I can say, first hand, that the Kahr is the most difficult gun to shoot out of the bunch.
It's your gun, enjoy it, and don't pay any attention to this blowhard.

[Carl N. Brown]

I would ignore talk like that as a lame attempt at humor. He may think it's good humor joshing when it sounds like something else. Even if it was, I'd shrug it off.

[mcdonl]

Has he shot your kahr? He may have a difficult time with your "little" 9mm due to the small size and weight of it. That would be the ultimate... you out shoot him with BOTH guns!

Hey, look at it this way. Your mom (Presumably) found a man who you can have a relationship with. Sure, it may have a little bit of an edge to it but still, you are luckier than some!

[HGUNHNTR]

Well the quickest and easiest way to diffuse the situation is to agree with him. What do you lose?

I'd just say, "yep its a ladies gun alright." Then whats he going to say? End of conversation.

Just take comfort in the fact that you are the adult in the conversation. There's no point in arguing or trying to change his opinion, it doesn't gain you anything.

[SonofGilnockie89]

He did shoot it......7 rounds and couldn't hit a 2 liter bottle at about 20 feet. He demanded another magazine and got the same results. I seriously considered charging him for the wasted ammo......

[dovedescending]

Guys, he said stepfather, not father-in-law. There is a pretty significant difference there.

[2ndAmFan]

I guess by your stepfather's standards my little G 26 would be a ladies gun too. It's extremely concealable and more than accurate enough for defense situations, even with Glock's factory sights. I wonder just how well a full-size 1911 would conceal in comparison, and not to brag too much, but I can hit what I aim at more often than not with that little Glock, even soda cans at ranges of 35 to 40 yds, in spite of all the stuff I've read about how Glocks are not accurate past 20 to 25 yds. Depends on how much you practice, I guess. Your gun, your preference. I'd ignore him or find another shooting buddy.

[youngda9]

Tell him that perhaps if he can't master a "woman's gun" than he certainly isn't ready to graduate to a "man's gun" and should turn over all of his firearms to you until he becomes proficient.

[jon86]

Keep your kahr, but the next time he says that your gun is a "ladies gun" kindly suggest that he buy you a 44 mag.

[SonofGilnockie89]

Keep your kahr, but the next time he says that your gun is a "ladies gun" kindly suggest that he buy you a 44 mag.
HAHA I'll have to do that.

[Six]

How about just taking a friendly ribbing for what it is?

[Gottahaveone]

Stepfather thinks that my Kahr is a "ladies gun."

Next time he say's that put your hand on your hip, bat your eyes, give him a coy look, and lisp "Yeth, Yeth it ith a ladieths gun. Whath your point big fella?".

Betcha he stops :)

[Mudinyeri]

My gun and my manhood are not inextricably linked. Are yours? :neener:

[ForumSurfer]

My stepfather is an almost religious 1911 enthusiast (though he loves Glocks....I don't get it)I can relate. I prefer 1911's, but I do have a fondness for my glock (more of a respect/hate affair).

I can't give you any advice, there's really no fixing an attitude like that. I like to carry a 19 or a 1911, but I see no fault with your choice since it is your choice.

Just remind him that 9mm is the choice of our military and see if he wants to walk on base and insult the manhood of anyone carrying a 9mm. :neener:

Edit:: And what the guy above me said because I'm not compensating for anything.

[MinnMooney]

I've carried a Kahr P-9 for 7 years and absolutely love it. No one has ever made such a comment to me and I can't understand the reasoning behind it. :confused:

If someone ever did make that comment to me, I'd just laugh it off. Maybe you could mention that you see little girls driving the same vehicle and he drives. :neener:

[DasFriek]

First id challenge him to an accuracy shoot-off at the range and the looser has to put unicorn,pixies,and rainbow stickers on his gun for one month.
Put the stickers on that blue painters tape first and then use that to stick them to the gun so it doesnt leave residue like most stickers will.
That will shut him up imo.

[HGUNHNTR]

Or better yet, just put the pixie stickers on your gun right off the bat. Its not fun to poke fun at people that don't care.

[SonofGilnockie89]

First id challenge him to an accuracy shoot-off at the range and the looser has to put unicorn,pixies,and rainbow stickers on his gun for one month.
Put the stickers on that blue painters tape first and then use that to stick them to the gun so it doesnt leave residue like most stickers will.
That will shut him up imo.
+1 I think that's what I'll do. I've also yet to be able to convince him to stand in front of my wimply 9mm rounds even though they have no "stopping power"

[W.E.G.]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/humor/sissypistol-1.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwae2foHXfQ

[GEM]

As with all family disputes over guns, it's usually something else personal.

Probably if you bought a new car, you'd get the same thing.

Once you are 21, you can decide when and where to talk to relatives. Use this power wisely.

It's not about the guns - trust me.

[yeti]

I've also yet to be able to convince him to stand in front of my wimply 9mm rounds even though they have no "stopping power"

I don't blame him, those dang little things, especially coming out of a 'sissy shooter':neener:, sting wicked bad.:evil:


All is fair in love, war, and intra-family ribbing. So take it in that spirit and don't let it bother you. And keep your eyes and ears open, everyone has their own 'tender spot', when you find his, pound it mercilessly.

[rodensouth]

Sounds like he may be just "bustin your chops". Some guys enjoy constant banter and he MAY not mean anything by it.

I have a friend like this and after a month or so I asked why he worked so hard to find something to pick on me about. He replied, "what else are we gonna talk about!"

So I just joined in and we get along great.

[357reloading]

sounds like he is just being freindly, and does not mean to be mean.

[Onward Allusion]

Like the other guy said, it ain't about the gun. You're 21 - time to get out. Of course, I could be wrong since this is the Internet and I don't know squat about your relationship with him.

SonofGilnockie89 (http://www.thehighroad.org/member.php?u=130821)
Stepfather thinks that my Kahr is a "ladies gun."

[jon86]

W.E.G.....

Bwahahahahahahaha! Amen to the video!

[youngda9]

Find another shooting buddy since this clown makes your trips less enjoyable. I'll leave all of the phychology analysis for the other professionals on here.

If it is a self esteem issue that you have(which may be why you posted this thread on here in the first place) than he certainly isn't helping, distance yourself from him and shoot without him.

[THe Dove]

Tell him you ordered a matching pistol just for him this Christmas so when you two go out to shoot you can be a perfect pair. Kinda like the matching western shirts that Roy and Dale wore in all those B-westerns! Wait a minute,,,, You are 21, so you probably don't know who Roy and Dale were?????

HAHA

The Dove

[easyg]

My stepfather is an almost religious 1911 enthusiast (though he loves Glocks....I don't get it), so when I brought home a very small 9mm polymer framed sidearm I was well aware that he would have a few opinions to add. Not once have I gone out to shoot without him laughing and shouting mild insults about me not being able to handle a "man's gun.
You should set him straight on the matter....

The 1911 is a full-sized, heavy steel, handgun.
It absorbs recoil very well so it's a rather "soft shooting" handgun despite the fact that it's a .45ACP.
And it has a very light short-pull trigger that requires very little finger or hand strength to shoot accurately, so even those with weak hands can shoot the 1911 rather well.

The Kahr polymer 9mm is a small and lightweight handgun and it does not absorb recoil very well.
It tends to transfer the recoil straight back and in to the hand of the shooter.
Some folks even find this a bit painful.
It also has a heavier and longer double-action trigger which requires a bit of finger and hand strength to shoot accurately.
Those who are recoil sensitive or who have weak hands tend to prefer 1911's over polymer Kahr pistols.

Now which one sounds like "a man's gun"?


I've noticed the same thing with snub-nose revolvers....
Lots of guys recommend snubbies to women because they think that the snub-nose revolver is a "ladies gun", while a big full-sized semi-auto is a "man's gun".
The total opposite is true.
Women shoot full-sized autos much much better than they do snub-nose revolvers.
Heck, most men can't even shoot a snubbie very well.

[SonofGilnockie89]

Find another shooting buddy since this clown makes your trips less enjoyable. I'll leave all of the phychology analysis for the other professionals on here.

If it is a self esteem issue that you have(which may be why you posted this thread on here in the first place) than he certainly isn't helping, distance yourself from him and shoot without him.
I have no problems with self-esteem I simply wanted to entreat my fellow gun enthusiasts to not give hell to other shooters as it is counterproductive to our movement and frankly......stupid.

[wvshooter]

I suppose what I'm saying is do not belittle or discourage new shooters, especially younger ones as they are the future of our beloved passtime. Instead, build them up and help them get better so that exercising their Second Amendment Rights will become a hopeless obsession like it is for me

Very well said.

Unfortunately there are plenty of people who get a kick out of criticizing anything and everybody. Your stepfather sounds like one of those people. Then some of them are just plain uninformed or to put it bluntly... dumb.

Example; A few years ago I painted our bedroom one of those decorative wallpaper pattern things with purples and other similar hues. My father looks at it a couple weeks later and says, "It looks like a woman's room." I didn't say anything but thought to myself, "You're right dad, my wife is a woman." Guess he thought it should look like a barracks. Anyway, ignore stupid people.

I've got a CW9 and the wife carries a Ruger SP101. Neither one is pink.

[Sgt_R]

Easy fix. Go buy a PM45. ;)

R

[russ69]

...reasons are the light weight and small grip that fits my small hands quite well.,,

Well son, lets get real here. It is sort of a small gun isn't it. They are too small for me, I need a little bigger handle. There's nothing wrong with them, just a bit towards the little side. Buck up a little, if you like it that's all that matters.
Sounds like it might be time to do the ole 44 special/44 mag switchero on the old man........that should shut him up!

Thanks, Russ

[Dulvarian]

I had a similar kind of disagreement with my father-in-law. He still hasn't gotten over the fact that I didn't ask permission to marry his daughter. He didn't pay for the wedding either, btw, not that I wanted him to. None of his ribbing has been friendly, in 13 years. We've barely made it to sociable, though I think he's realized I'm not going anywhere, and he gets to see his grandkids more when he is nice to me.

SC added VA to their reciprocation list, so I started carrying again. My FIL didn't notice it until about an hour later when we got back to my house. Then gave me a lot of crap about 'getting ready for an invasion' with zero knowledge of some of the surrounding areas. I just shrugged it off, told him that I was getting used to carrying it again.

A few months later, he got a carry permit in KY, with no real need, because 'everyone else was doing it'. I never said a word.

Funny thing is, MIL noticed right away that I was carrying. She saw me print when I leaned forward taking a picture of my wife (she was coming across the finish line at a 5k). She moved behind me to cover my printing, with a very quiet whisper of "I can see it." FIL didn't notice until I took my flannel shirt off and walked around for 15 minutes.

[Shadow 7D]

Tell him to put his Manly gun in his pants and try to CC that...

Or put some +p+ in it and let him, 'try it'...

[publiuss]

Ask him if he knows what caliber Browning chose for the Hi-Power? Does he think that JMB skills and firearms knowledge just went to hell after he designed the 1911?

[rskent]

Hey, I feel your pain. I carried a Lady Smith for a while. I had to take a boat load of crap for that. A little ball busting doesn’t hurt anyone.
Steve

[Carl N. Brown]

Stepfather thinks that my Kahr is a "ladies gun."

Maybe he's a fan of the James Bond movie "Dr. No" where the armourer from "Q" branch evaluates Bond's personal .25 Beretta as suitable for a lady's purse and issues him a .32 Walther PPK.

[Double Naught Spy]

It does not matter what folks think about your gun. It isn't a living thing and it isn't an extension of you. You are not your gun.

[Franco2shoot]

I'm with Tommy Lee... "lose the nickle plated sissy pistol" hahahahahahaha

Really, its just good hearted kidding. What really matters is being able to hit what you aim at. True gun control. I don't care what my son picks up, from .22lr to 50 cal, he can shoot the eye out of a blackbird at 30 yards, a true marksman. He likes the feel of .45 ACP's. His choice.

KKKKFL

[CoRoMo]

In [adult] 'GUY WORLD', disrespect is the respect. Anything goes in that network. You only jeer someone that you like, and only for something that you are fond of. These are not really insults, but rather, just a type of camaraderie.

Many young people harbor a lot of doubts about themselves. They can't really receive these remarks in the ways that they are intended, as they find most criticism hurtful, even if it is constructive. When they get involved in the 'guy world', these comments reinforce and multiply these doubts about themselves. They are received as insults and they sting.

I don't know. I just heard a psychologist talk about this very topic recently, so I thought I would pass it along. Some will say that this increased sensitivity of our population is the 'chick-ification' of our society.

[BHP FAN]

My first thought is so...shoot him. But upon reflection, that's illegal and will buy you room and board in ''hotel Bubba'' with a huge tattooed freak for a room mate.
Seriously though, as several have mentioned, with some guys this sort of thing passes for friendly banter, although for the life of me, I can't understand why.

[jay223]

its pretty simple .... your better at shooting his manly guns , tell him " judging by the way you shoot , i think you need a ladies gun , because you obviously cant shoot the manly ones !!"

[ForumSurfer]

All is fair in love, war, and intra-family ribbing. So take it in that spirit and don't let it bother you. And keep your eyes and ears open, everyone has their own 'tender spot', when you find his, pound it mercilessly.

This.

Use your mother as a source of intel. Find his sensitive area and then abuse it till he cries...then ask him if you need to get him some tissue out of his purse.

[Jonah71]

I'm not a big fan of Kahr's. But I've only owned the CW 40. After 100's of rounds I was only slightly more accurate than with the first round. It's not so much a reflection on the gun as it is my ability to use it. But a "ladies" gun? I don't think so. I've had the same thing said about every .22 mag. I've ever had. IMO there is no such thing as "a ladies gun" even the ones marketed for ladies. I've even had a stranger comment on the fact that I was carrying a Kimber .45 instead of one of those sissy 9mm toys. What an idiot.

[russ69]

On second thought, buy yourself a Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt Long. When you go shooting, reverse the roles, ask him why he shoots that underpowered new fangled 45 automatic. Sam Colt knew what he was doing........

Thanx, Russ

[CoRoMo]

I think I have a Kahr catalog somewhere. Now that I think of it, I don't believe that any of the models in that catalog are male. They are all Asian women. So maybe stepdad is onto something here.

:neener:

[sm]

It really does not matter what anyone thinks about another's choice of firearm, as they are not the ones that will be carrying or having to employ said firearm in a threatening situation.

Which reminds me of the son-in-law, that informed his father-in-law, he and the wife kept a "Lady Smith" handy in the house.

Father-in-law quit snickering, and halted his idea of "postulating" on the "right guns...being as this was a Model 65.

Model 65 stoked with .357s is a Model 65 stoked with .357s and it does not matter if the gun has "Lady Smith" on the side or not.

[yeti]

So maybe stepdad is onto something here.

There was never any question of that.:evil:

[Double Naught Spy]

I think I have a Kahr catalog somewhere. Now that I think of it, I don't believe that any of the models in that catalog are male. They are all Asian women. So maybe stepdad is onto something here.

All the Dillon models are female as well. So the Dillon Aero M134 is a lady's gun too? Come to think of it, when they use Dillon's guns on Myth Busters, it is the female who gets to shoot it most often. I think I am seeing a pattern...

[sansone]

we who "conceal-carry" 380's have also endured much garbage from those who carry big manly guns. Don't worry about it, just agree with him and smile

[Joe Demko]

This doesn't rate as something to care about. Shoot with him, or don't, as it pleases you; but quit looking for affirmation of your personal worth through approval of possessions. It's just a gun.

[KodiakBeer]

Give a wild-eyed look at his daughter and say "Yeah, a ladies gun for shooting ladies!!" then follow that up with an evil laugh. After that, you won't invited over dinner any more and won't have to hear it.

[sansone]

now you've done it kodiak :what:

[Lee Roder]

I carry a Lady Smith and really don't care what some guy who's genes are too tight thinks, I love it!

:D

[Ky Larry]

Years ago, I bowled on a work league. One lady was about 4'10" and weighed about 90 lbs. Some of the guys started ragging her about he size, asking her which weighed more, her or her ball, did she need help picking the ball up, etc. She just smiled until she started bowling. She threw 7 strikes in a row and the peanut gallery got real quiet. Her second game was a 288. Her average was, IIRC, 269.
If you want to shut this blow hard up, out shoot him.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I had a similar situation with some buddies of mine. One of them isn't really a buddy, but more of an "acquaintance"... When I got my PF9, this acquaintance kept making fun of how small it was, that it was "only a 9mm", and even implied it was suggestive of the size of other parts of me.

He kept telling me I should have gotten "a .45, a real man's gun... not a toy like that thing."

Well let's just say that none of my friends and especially this acquaintance like to shoot my pistol at the range. Apparently the recoil on "girlie" guns is much too harsh for some macho men. They each shot one magazine through it, and I have since heard them referring to it as the little beast, beastie, and even "Noisy Cricket."

Oh, and they were shooting 115grain practice ammo while they figured out that they had a lot to learn about recoil management.

...AND the acquaintance that gives me crap all the time about it... Did I mention that he doesn't even carry?

[Shadow 7D]

Come now, we all know that girls are supposed to carry airlite snubbies in .480 Linbaugh....

If you want to have lots of fun with someone, find a KT P-40 (they don't make them any more for a reason...) and let them try to shoot it with 180grn fullhouse rounds, oh and you can order a pink grip from KT to finish off the effect.

[copper4262]

Sounds to me like the "old man" is just a bit jealous - He probably is embarassed over the fact that you can outshoot him with his own guns. Its sad that people's narrow minded opinions cause them to say stupid things.

I owned a Kahr .45 - Far from being a "ladies" gun - Not only did it kick like two or three mules, it was the most accurate .45 i'v ever owned(im not counting a couple of tuned 1911's) That Kahr was my daily carry gun for about 6 months and i never had an issue with it - As long as I did my job that gun worked like a charm and the group was much tighter then one would expect from such a small package. Funny thing about that gun - I took it to the police range once and let some of my swat partners try it out - No-one would shoot a full mag through it due to the heavy recoil and sharp grip. One of the firearms instructors even refused to shoot it more then one time - I found this rather funny. Im not saying im an expert or a marksman - But i did take the time to get used to the gun and I actually liked the sharp grip- Sadly i sold it to fund another purchase - Now i am in the market for another and hope to have another "ladies" gun soon!!!

My suggestion to you is to shoot what you like and are comfortable with - Who cares what anyone else thinks or says...Heck - I still carry a Keltec 9mm most of the time when im off-duty - I get alot of narrow minded comments about it but I dont care because I have put the time in and know that my cheap little 9mm will do what I need it to do when I need it to do it. And dont get me started on the comments I get on the LadySmith i carry for back-up...

[Sgt_R]

Was out shooting with my girlfriend on private property some time ago. Neighbor came around with one of his guns, a Ruger Mk2. Hands it to my girlfriend and says something like "there you go, that should be just about a perfect girls gun."

Not only did she out shoot him with his own pistol, she then offered to let him try her PM9... he handed it back after one round, saying the recoil was to much for him! Of course, my girlfriend and I put 6 boxes of 9mm downrange that day, including some +P's. ;)

R

[benEzra]

He did shoot it......7 rounds and couldn't hit a 2 liter bottle at about 20 feet. He demanded another magazine and got the same results.
Not once have I gone out to shoot without him laughing and shouting mild insults about me not being able to handle a "man's gun." (Although I have put more rounds through his Colt than he has and am much more accurate with it)
My guess is that he's ragging on the gun to excuse the fact that he doesn't shoot it well?

Love the suggestion about asking him to buy you a .44 then... :D

FWIW, I shoot---and carry---a real "lady's gun", a S&W 3913 Ladysmith:

http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/uploads/1168567538/gallery_260_23_29637.jpg

One of the best 9mm's that S&W ever made, IMO. In my opinion, the Ladysmith is a better pistol than the standard 3913; slightly better trigger, slimmer up top, nicer frame shape.

[Aw4g63]

I carry a Ruger LCP w/crimson everyday.

He'd **** his pants if he was on the business end of it.

[Justin Holder]

Maybe its all the ads they put out with women holding Kahrs?

Maybe a big sweaty man with 5 o'clock shadow in an ad would help convince him their not just for the ladies.

PS. I however tend to agree that 'Thin IS Sexy' :what:

[Big Bill]

Doesn't your stepfather know that his 1911 is also a ladies gun? Plenty of ladies shoot 1911s. Here's a cool quote from the article, "Nine 1911 Myths" (http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/HG_nine1911_201009/) By Patrick Sweeney...
The recoil of a .45 1911 is too much for many shooters.
If you really believe that, I have a group of women shooters I’d like to introduce you to—national-level competitors who are under 51⁄2 feet tall, some barely five feet, who have no problems with the .45 ACP. The recoil of the .45 is not nothing, but it certainly isn’t an oppressive impact.

[Mike J]

What I really don't get is why it matters to you what he says. Like someone else said guys rag on each other. If the one getting picked on laughs & lets it go the others will too usually. If you let someone know they hit a nerve you will never hear the end of it. My advice is to say yep it is a ladies gun but it just goes so well with my shoes I had to have it.

[Just One Shot]

I own an LCP, an M&P .40 C, a Para 1911 and I'm picking up a Kahr PM9 later today.

Obviously your step dad doesn't CC on a regular basis. If he did he would know that there's no such thing as a perfect CCW for all situations.

I would love to CC my 1911 every day but, destination, modes of dress and weather conditions prevent me from doing so.

Ladies gun? I think not. I don't know anybody that would willingly stand in front of one while the mag is being emptied.

It's a viable alternative when you want a decent caliber to CC when a bigger option is not practical.

You can use these as points of reference or you can goad him back by asking him what he's compensating for by only accepting a .45 as a mans gun.
:neener:

[hso]

If you outshoot him with your gun and you outshoot him with his 1911 then he's obviously not the man you are with a gun, ladies or otherwise.