Need resources for Female CCW Students

[Trebor]

I'm a relatively new NRA Pistol Instructor. I could really use some on-line resources to give my female CCW students to help them research issues particular to women who carry guns. I'm looking for real practical advice on gun and holster selection, other carry options, etc.

The good news is so far I've been able to relate well to my female students and have been able to help them improve their shooting skills and in some cases help them determine what handguns would work well for them. What I really need to learn more about is how the practical physical differences affect carry options and how women can find a solution that works well for them. For example, my wife is "short waisted" and when she tried my Milt Sparks VM 2 the but of the the gun was almost under her armpit.

I'm aware of "Armed and Female" by Paxton Quigly and I'll be ordering a copy to read myself and I've already reccomended it to a couple students.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Rob

 

[XLMiguel]

How 'bout Second Amendment Sisters (SAS) [http://sas-aim.org/] and Women Against Gun Control [http://www.wagc.com/ ] fer starters. Both very solid, should have links to addiional stuff. Good luck.

 

[pax]

So far, the best online resource I've found for women's holster selection is Cunningham Custom Leather -- http://www.womensholsters.com/choosing.html

I'd also recommend you pick up a copy of Gila Hayes' book, Effective Defense. Between that and the Quigley book, you're pretty well covered on the issues important to women when they consider CCW.

pax

 

[Felonious Monk]

More SD related, not just gun/shooting, but "Her Wits About Her" is a compilation of women's stories of successfully fighting off attackers or avoiding them entirely. It contains some stale, tired leftover rants from 70's style feminism, but is otherwise all about 'empowerment'.

FM gives it 3 stars on a scale of 5.

 

[Trebor]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to through those links and forward info to a couple of my students.

I still need info on good quality holster purses. I know that at least one company makes a purse with a steel cord sewn into the shoulder strap to prevent the strap being cut in a purse snatching. I know that off-body carry isn't reccomended, but according to my wife with some outfits there isn't much alternative.

Anybody have any good reccomendations for good CCW fanny packs for either gender as well?

Thanks again,

Rob

 

[Wild Bill]

Try these as well. Not an endorsement, but some decent info, ideas, and further links.

http://www.paxtonquigley.com/
http://www.aware.org/
http://www.womenshooters.com/
http://www.io.com/~cortese/resources/guns.html
http://www.topshot.com/dh/DangerousHousewife.html

 

[pax]

Trebor,

Coronado Leather makes good holster purses.

However.

I really, really, really urge women to find some other method of day-in, day-out carry besides a purse. Purses get put down sometimes. Kids get into their mom's purse. The first thing a mugger asks for is your purse -- and there may someday come a situation wherein you'd want to co-operate rather than shoot him, but you won't have that option if your gun is in the purse. It is slow to draw from a purse. Most ranges won't allow you to practice drawing from your purse.

There are good, practical solutions for on-body carry, and I'd really be encouraging students to look at those first. A purse can be a pretty good place to carry a gun when there are no other solutions, but 99% of the time, a woman is better off finding an on-body holster that works for her and practicing with it regularly.

pax