Gun Show sexism
- Thread starter kd7nqb
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Like a woman in a gun shop, a man in a knitting shop is generally treated as unknowledgable. Start spouting the lingo, and perceptions suddenly change. "I would like a light weight noro curion and a quad of double ended needles for the socks I am making" = "Toss me the walnut k31 and a battlepack of gp11".*
I tend to wear a suit wherever I go. The difference in how I am treated, anywhere, when wearing my suit vs some flip flops and an old T is astounding. Want to see a gun shop person break arms and legs to get to the counter? Visit your favourite shop while wearing a suit. Walk to the counter, point, and say "that one".
* My wife and I participate in each other's hobbies regularly to understand what the other is talking about.
Officers'Wife
Member
Are you looking for a revolver or semi-auto?
I'm more familiar with a revolver but I wouldn't turn away from a semi-auto.
Selena
I'm more familiar with a revolver but I wouldn't turn away from a semi-auto.
Selena
I would go to a range and rent a bunch of guns - if you know you don't like .40, then avoid it, but otherwise, spend a day trying out guns. For just plinking, a .22 semiauto is great because the ammo is like $1.50 per 100 - your major self-defense calibers are, of course, more expensive. But don't get too hung up on the caliber of the gun - it is much more important to be proficient and very comfortable with the gun. If you like shooting it, you will be good at it, and that will put you in a good place should you ever need to use it in self-defense.
Just stick with the respectable brands, and you will do fine. Since money is a factor (as with me), there are good, but reasonably priced, firearms from Ruger and CZ. Used, you can expand out to Smith and Wesson, and the European makes. Good luck!
Just stick with the respectable brands, and you will do fine. Since money is a factor (as with me), there are good, but reasonably priced, firearms from Ruger and CZ. Used, you can expand out to Smith and Wesson, and the European makes. Good luck!
Wes Janson
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At this point, I'd probably ask the following questions: what make and models are your husband's .40 and 9mm?; is the three mag limit for the 9mm due to the weapon's weight, or the recoil?; what sort of revolver was the .45 LC?
A large part of finding the proper handgun is finding something that fits your particular hand size properly. IMO, it's somewhat akin to shopping for shoes: it can be the best-made and most expensive shoe out there, but if it's not the right size for you it's completely useless. If your husband is shooting a particularly small or bulky .40 S&W, it might be causing you pain because it's the wrong size/shape for your hand. Personally, I don't find most double-stack service pistols all that comfortable because I have fairly small hands-I'd prefer a single-stack 1911, or slimmer polymer-framed pistol.
Going out on a limb here, and assuming that you found the Beretta M92/M9 (?) tiring because of its weight and size, I might recommend a Glock 19. 9mm, 15rd double-stack magazines, and right in the middle of your price range (higher if you choose tritium night sights, lower if you go for a used model). If the Glock is too bulky, I might suggest trying a 9mm 1911 (although finding one for under $600 is tough), or perhaps a S&W M&P 9mm Compact.
For revolvers, you're probably going to want a .38 Special, because .357 Magnum recoil in a light-to-medium-weight revolver is fairly significant for most shooters. Seeing as you're looking for home defence/range useage, I'd probably recommend at least a 3" or 4" barrel, perhaps something like this:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y
On the other hand, if you chose a .357 Magnum revolver, it will give you the ability to shoot .38s at the range, as well as .357 in case your husband wants to shoot something with more power than .40. A few months back I sold a Model 60 5" .357 to a woman who's a family friend, and she does just that: she shoots .38 for practice, and her husband shoots .357. The only catch is that S&W revolvers tend to be a bit pricey new. Taurus is cheaper, but the fit, finish, and quality isn't quite the same. Ruger is also a bit less expensive, but IMO closer in quality to a Smith, although they don't have the range of models that the other two companies offer.
That's not even considering Kahr, SIG, the Beretta .380s, Walther, or half a dozen others I'm forgetting at the moment...
Hope that helped
Diamondback6
Member
As a guy shooter, this one really strikes a nerve with me, too. I make a special effort to induct ladies into the hoplophilic ways, and then to have some beer-gutted Bubba try to undo everything that I have labored to accomplish?
Besides, ladies who shoot are hot. Try saying otherwise with one at the range, I dare ya...
Also, if I see something like the scenarios above at a gunshow, I'll just pass Bubba Beergut by for the next table.
Besides, ladies who shoot are hot. Try saying otherwise with one at the range, I dare ya...
Also, if I see something like the scenarios above at a gunshow, I'll just pass Bubba Beergut by for the next table.
siglite
Member
I only read page 1 of this thread, and if this has already been covered, I apologize. But I see this sexist attitude throughout all of gun culture. Most of the time, people don't even realize they're being sexist. Like the guy on page 1 who actually JUSTIFIED the comments about the mosin. Why didn't he tell the GUY that the mosin would scare him? Because of the sexist mindset. People don't even realize they're doing it. I swear I don't think it's intentional, I think it's just ignorance.
But it's got to stop.
Because alienating 50% of potential pro 2nd amendment voters is asinine.
But it's got to stop.
Because alienating 50% of potential pro 2nd amendment voters is asinine.
BlackBearME
Member
Selena,
Exactly. That was kind of my point: that he shouldn't automatically assume she didn't know anything. Of course, as with anything, it's not good to assume anyone knows a LOT about your subject, but an inquiry as to her previous experience with recoil would have been much more appropriate. And of course, it's all the worse because he did it (or seemed to) because she was female.
I try not to harbor any biases, though of course we all do to some extent. My fiancee can shoot a 12ga. pump with slugs beside me all day long, and is pretty good too. She doesn't like it very much, but she can do it. When we were moving, I left to make a phone call. Came back 15 minutes later and she had moved the washer, the drier, a recliner, and a sofa into the moving truck all by herself. Taught me to really re-evaluate how I look at women.
Exactly. That was kind of my point: that he shouldn't automatically assume she didn't know anything. Of course, as with anything, it's not good to assume anyone knows a LOT about your subject, but an inquiry as to her previous experience with recoil would have been much more appropriate. And of course, it's all the worse because he did it (or seemed to) because she was female.
I try not to harbor any biases, though of course we all do to some extent. My fiancee can shoot a 12ga. pump with slugs beside me all day long, and is pretty good too. She doesn't like it very much, but she can do it. When we were moving, I left to make a phone call. Came back 15 minutes later and she had moved the washer, the drier, a recliner, and a sofa into the moving truck all by herself. Taught me to really re-evaluate how I look at women.
Linda
Member
I've had a couple experiences where it was blatant sexism involved.
First one, when I was looking for my carry gun 4 years ago, my husband and I were at a chain store. I clearly was the one looking for the gun. Salesperson looks at my husband and asked him if he could help him. Husband replies back "ask her, she's the one looking for a gun". He made me proud!
Second one happened this summer. Was at a local flea market. I picked up a book about firearms pricing. It's as big as a city phone book. Went to pay the guy and he says "are you here with your husband". "No, why?" "Did he tell you to buy this book for him?" About this time, I know where he's going with this, so it became time for Linda to mess with this guy. "No, actually this book would be for me." I get the eyeball! Ladies, we all know that eyeball look! He's says something smart again. So I told him "it would be for me. I am the one who is the NRA certified instructor, not my husband. It would be me who teaches CCW classes, not my husband. It would be me who's the leader of Buckeye Firearms, not my husband. And I didn't even have to ask his permission to do any of those things." He made some smart comment at that point that "well we know who wears the pants in your family. Your husband is probably home cooking." "No, actually I do that too." "He'd better be careful, or you might shoot him." Dude, you're a frickin idiot. In retrospect, I should have told him what he could do with his book, but I was the good little woman and paid the sexist pig.
Sexism with guns happens every now and then. But I think as more women get involved, and men get educated that the ladies like guns too, it will lessen. But then again, there will always be pigs out there.
First one, when I was looking for my carry gun 4 years ago, my husband and I were at a chain store. I clearly was the one looking for the gun. Salesperson looks at my husband and asked him if he could help him. Husband replies back "ask her, she's the one looking for a gun". He made me proud!
Second one happened this summer. Was at a local flea market. I picked up a book about firearms pricing. It's as big as a city phone book. Went to pay the guy and he says "are you here with your husband". "No, why?" "Did he tell you to buy this book for him?" About this time, I know where he's going with this, so it became time for Linda to mess with this guy. "No, actually this book would be for me." I get the eyeball! Ladies, we all know that eyeball look! He's says something smart again. So I told him "it would be for me. I am the one who is the NRA certified instructor, not my husband. It would be me who teaches CCW classes, not my husband. It would be me who's the leader of Buckeye Firearms, not my husband. And I didn't even have to ask his permission to do any of those things." He made some smart comment at that point that "well we know who wears the pants in your family. Your husband is probably home cooking." "No, actually I do that too." "He'd better be careful, or you might shoot him." Dude, you're a frickin idiot. In retrospect, I should have told him what he could do with his book, but I was the good little woman and paid the sexist pig.
Sexism with guns happens every now and then. But I think as more women get involved, and men get educated that the ladies like guns too, it will lessen. But then again, there will always be pigs out there.
highorder
Member
+1
the last time I went into Targetworld in Cincinnati OH, I was chatting with one of the guys behind the counter that told me he was LEO from a nearby town. he has his personal AR on the counter, complete with quad rail and SF light; all the bells and whistles. I mentioned that ARs get quite a bit heavier when you insert a loaded magazine. he then takes the rifle from me, INSERTS A LOADED 30RD MAG, and HANDS IT BACK TO ME!
I understand that I am an educated white male in a suit, but COME ON!
(the above comment is not to be taken as racist, but we all know how some midwestern gun shop folks are.)
Officers'Wife
Member
Hi Wes,
Actually it did. Most of my problem with shooting David's sidearms is he has put aftermarket grips on them that just don't fit my hands. I've been considering a 38 special because when I fired my Uncle Lee's Colt Commander in 38 Super the recoil was 'just right' if you know what I mean. I'm told that the 38 special and 38 super are nearly identical save for the rim. Frankly I would love to have that Commander or one like it (it went to one of my cousins and she uses it as her carry weapon) but I get the feeling it would be WAY out of my price range.
Selena
Actually it did. Most of my problem with shooting David's sidearms is he has put aftermarket grips on them that just don't fit my hands. I've been considering a 38 special because when I fired my Uncle Lee's Colt Commander in 38 Super the recoil was 'just right' if you know what I mean. I'm told that the 38 special and 38 super are nearly identical save for the rim. Frankly I would love to have that Commander or one like it (it went to one of my cousins and she uses it as her carry weapon) but I get the feeling it would be WAY out of my price range.
Selena
Wes Janson
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The new production Colt Lightweight Commander is a pretty nice pistol. I've not had the chance to shoot one, but I've handled several that have come in, and they have a great feel to them. It looks like market price for one new is probably about $800-900.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/XSE.asp
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85588348
There are a fair number of new and used 1911s within the $400-600 price range, but unfortunately the vast majority are in .45 ACP. If you search long enough you'll probably find one used in 9mm or .38 Super with a 3" or 4" barrel, but it's going to probably be a bit tough. The other thing to consider is that .38 Super ammunition isn't as easy to find as 9mm, and much of what you find will be +P loaded (Don't know if what you shot and found comfortable was +P or not, so it might not matter if it was). Looking at the following, I only see one available load that isn't +P:
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7512&categorystring=653***691***
You might or might not want to consider trying a 1911 in .45 ACP, either 4" or 5". If the Beretta's problem was weight rather than shape, then it might not work out, but if you have the opportunity to shoot one I'd recommend trying it out. My mother started out on .22 and quickly got bored, and upgraded to a 9mm. A few months later she started to get bored with 9mm and wanted a 1911 Government Model. *shrug* .45 is a bit pricier to shoot compared to 9mm, but it's available everywhere, and finding a good used 1911 in .45 will be much easier, in my experience.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/XSE.asp
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85588348
There are a fair number of new and used 1911s within the $400-600 price range, but unfortunately the vast majority are in .45 ACP. If you search long enough you'll probably find one used in 9mm or .38 Super with a 3" or 4" barrel, but it's going to probably be a bit tough. The other thing to consider is that .38 Super ammunition isn't as easy to find as 9mm, and much of what you find will be +P loaded (Don't know if what you shot and found comfortable was +P or not, so it might not matter if it was). Looking at the following, I only see one available load that isn't +P:
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7512&categorystring=653***691***
You might or might not want to consider trying a 1911 in .45 ACP, either 4" or 5". If the Beretta's problem was weight rather than shape, then it might not work out, but if you have the opportunity to shoot one I'd recommend trying it out. My mother started out on .22 and quickly got bored, and upgraded to a 9mm. A few months later she started to get bored with 9mm and wanted a 1911 Government Model. *shrug* .45 is a bit pricier to shoot compared to 9mm, but it's available everywhere, and finding a good used 1911 in .45 will be much easier, in my experience.
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