INSTEAD OF ASKING ABOUT A GUN FOR YOUR WOMAN...

[Dreaded Claymore]

This is a screenshot of the top threads in the Ladies' Forum right now. Notice anything?

Folks, when you are in the market for a gun, I am 99.5% certain that you always prefer to choose it yourself. Firearms are very individual instruments. There are a great many makes and models, all of which are different from each other, often in very subtle ways. If, for some reason, someone were to choose a gun for you, chances are very high that they would not choose the precise make and model you really wanted. You'd stand a very good chance of thinking "Boy, I just wish I had _______ instead," in the back of your mind, whenever you used the gun at all, and it'd subtract significantly from your enjoyment of the weapon. Even if the gun was a gift, free to you, chances are you'd eventually go through a lot of trouble to sell it, and buy the one you wanted.

Good folk of Calguns, if a woman close to you is trying to decide which gun to buy, or which gun she'd like best to recieve as a gift, and you'd like to help her make that choice, there's something you can do that's much better than asking about it for her in the Ladies' Forum:

Send her here to the Ladies' Forum so she can ask for herself!

Think about it! Like I said, you'd definitely prefer to choose your own gun over having someone else choose for you. Only you can prevent forest fires know which gun looks, feels, and shoots just right for you! A woman is no different from a man in this respect. Credit her with the ability to determine what she prefers, and let her come here herself so that she can ask about the features that most interest her, the concerns she has about recoil with this or that cartridge, whether she will be more suited to a Smith & Wesson or a Taurus, whether she wants a single- or a double-stacked magazine.

After all, it'll be her gun.

And you don't have to take my word for it. After all, I'm not even a woman. But Kathy Jackson and Jennie van Tuyl are:

"My husband bought me my first gun," says Jennie van Tuyl, a gun shop owner in Washington. "He tried to research which guns had smaller grips for me. We learned the hard way that one needs to be involved in the shopping for her own gun. I decided I needed a gun that fit my hand better and was easier to conceal."

[OliveCookieMonsta]

Dido! But if Anyone wants to buy me a gun,... Feel free to ask for advice! ; )

[erikdjs]

Or better than simply asking - take her to the range to try as many as possible. I'm of the philosophy: Try then buy. Especially for a first time gun owner.

[ZirconJohn]

That's exactly right DC, I can't tell you how many times I see the look
of discontent on the wifes face when he says 'I want you to get one of
these'.

Having been in sales all my life; in that time, I have learned a thing or two
about body language.

I know I don't want what someone else thinks I should otter have... NO!

One knows what one wants; and I guarantee..., she knows what she wants.

[masameet]

O joy! A thread addressed to guys. In the Ladies Forum.

Maybe the Ladies Forum should be renamed Off-Topic version 2.

[ChrisTKHarris]

Women

:woot:

[sd_shooter]

I'll go a step further: just buy the gun that you want!

There's no way I'd get my wife to the range in the first place to let her "try before we buy." The local ranges are full of ninjas shooting shotguns, ARs and Garands at 15 yards. I can feel my shirt flutter when they open fire! It's the surest way to get my wife spooked (YMMV.)

So if she doesn't like your choice, keep the gun for yourself (after all, you know you'll like it) and pick out another one for her!

[Sunday]

What have I posted?

[rromeo]

I don't have to ask which gun to buy for my wife. Unfortunately, my wife likes all of my guns.

[movie zombie]

this topic was long over due.

mz

[scarville]

There's no way I'd get my wife to the range in the first place to let her "try before we buy." The local ranges are full of ninjas shooting shotguns, ARs and Garands at 15 yards. I can feel my shirt flutter when the open fire! It's the surest way to get my wife spooked (YMMV.)

+1

Even though my wife wants a gun for self defense she really doesn't want to spend every weekend at the range. Maybe someday she will change her mind but today is not that day.

She is looking for a tool not a lifestyle.

So, how many guns will someone have to try to find the "perfect" gun? Twenty? Fifty? There are a LOT of different guns out there today and each has its own quirks and a different manual of arms.

"Honey, the safety on this one has to be pushed up instead of down."

"Well, the only safety on this one is that the little lever on the trigger."

"The safety on this one also un-cocks it for you." (decockers still scare her because she associates a hammer falling with a gun going bang)

"No, you have to push the magazine release on this one forward."

"The first shot on this one is double action, then it switches to single action."

If my wife goes to a range once a month and puts 50 rounds through one rental gun each time she'll need two or three years just to decide which gun to get.

How long did it take to learn to drive a car? Is a gun more or less complicated?

So now the answer is to tell her to just go ask for help on the Internet?

That's gonna work.

The Fanboys will tell her to forget everything else and that Gaston Glock is the One True Savior. The 1911 bigots will counter with the claim that John Browning's design is Perfection itself handed down by God (or at least the Angel Moroni). If she has the temerity to think a revolver might be best she can still read the interminable arguments over Ruger versus S&W.

OK, let say she get past all that. Then she can try to make some sense of the "stopping power" arguments. 45 ACP versus 9mm versus 357 magnum versus 380 versus 38 spl versus 40 S&W versus...

Frankly, I cannot think of a better way to make her hate the whole idea of owning a gun.

Apologies to the ladies in this forum if the above sounds harsh. I asked my original question because I'm trying the help my wife get past the BS I don't even notice much anymore.

[Exile Machine]

I've had much better luck buying the guns for myself and getting my wife a pass to the day spa.
-Mark

[onequickshift]

Even though my wife wants a gun for self defense she really doesn't want to spend every weekend at the range. Maybe someday she will change her mind but today is not that day.
Than she really isn't ready for gun ownership for self defense huh? She should have pepper spray or maybe a heavy bag to hit someone....

She is looking for a tool not a lifestyle.
All tools like craftsman, washi, snap on, etc, are incorped into ones life. A fire arm is NOT a hammer or micrometer

So, how many guns will someone have to try to find the "perfect" gun? Twenty? Fifty? There are a LOT of different guns out there today and each has its own quirks and a different manual of arms.
Ok, first off, that just comes with finding the one that works, more over you have to be of the mind set to want/need/ready to use before ever buying one. I tried springfield xds, glocks, sigs, and etc before getting an XD45. I am SMALL, but found it to fit me best after spending the $ to go with a friend to shoot all his guns, to figure out which I liked best.


"Honey, the safety on this one has to be pushed up instead of down."
"Well, the only safety on this one is that the little lever on the trigger."
"The safety on this one also un-cocks it for you." (decockers still scare her because she associates a hammer falling with a gun going bang)
"No, you have to push the magazine release on this one forward."
"The first shot on this one is double action, then it switches to single action."
If my wife goes to a range once a month and puts 50 rounds through one rental gun each time she'll need two or three years just to decide which gun to get.
All the differences and figuring out them, is what helps one decide what to buy, if its to complicated or a bother for her, she either doesn't need it or have the will to use it, or get her something simple. BAM a revolver. I am sick and tired of whiney fembo's who are barbies about fire arms, knives, and other gear. I clean up well, and can be arm candy myself to a guy, but gheez. Talk about ridiculous! Most women just drive a car to drive to a place. Some who appreciate the fine lines? And know a beemer etc from a benz or porsche, CANT change oil, install a big brake kit, a new turbo kit, know how to remove a radiator, etc. Its sad. Its along the same lines with fire arms. And that truly bothers/annoys me. If you aren't prepared for what comes with a fire arm, stay away, youre just a liability. If you dont have the drive to learn about something to properly and safely use something DO NOT use it. You could hurt yourself or others unintentionally. Its like seeing the dolls at car shows, most cant do sh*t with a vehicle. Just stand there looking pretty. lol. ugh. I can stand there, look pretty, and itll be my own car not some guys hahahahahaa. If one were to use gun for defense? better damn well know how to use it, cause seconds are hours but blips in your own life. A mistake can end yours, or cost it in turn.

[onequickshift]

How long did it take to learn to drive a car? Is a gun more or less complicated?
Again, dulty ditzy women bug me. I learned to drive on a 94 Mazda RX7 20B turboed FD. stick. As well a 68 ss chevelle 396, and so on.....I was stunting my bikes before I was out of HS, and making alot of boys cry. lol.

So now the answer is to tell her to just go ask for help on the Internet?
No. Tell her if she wants a gun suck it up, and try them out, otherwise there is no point for anything further. Fire arms are just objects they wont adjust to her, she needs to find the right one, train/practice, be safe; so in an emergency she can respond properly. My view is your best days at the range will not count barely in one instance where seconds are ticking like days....as you face grave harm and such.....just saying. If she truly wants a fire arm for self defense, great. Now read a safety book, take the test, and practice with the fire arms on display for best grip/fit, than take them to the range or find rentals, shoot. If you have to end up buying one that FITS great, but not to her liking at first after shooting? She'll adapt and become adept with it. Its that easy.

I am 90 pounds, top heavy lol, but besides that, I have NO REAL muscle strength though I've been working on that. If I can shoot and use various fire arms, I learn to deal with the umph as well the noise, she can too. DEAL with it, if she gets to sensitive, than I guess shes a victim to herself. Its all personal choice.

That's gonna work.

[onequickshift]

The Fanboys will tell her to forget everything else and that Gaston Glock is the One True Savior. The 1911 bigots will counter with the claim that John Browning's design is Perfection itself handed down by God (or at least the Angel Moroni). If she has the temerity to think a revolver might be best she can still read the interminable arguments over Ruger versus S&W.
Who cares what other people are saying, take her out and get out there and find what works, excuses are only there for a person when they aren't dedicated to any given thing or action. I never really listen to fanboys. From bikes to cars, fire arms and so on, I read reviews and get opinions but ultimately its my choice. I'm the one taking the time, im the one dropping the coin. Put it this way, why would someone need a new ford raptor with a huge dose of boost? huger wheels and tires, bigger brakes, and etc? At that a woman? Most guys will talk ****, but in the end? Whos would the item be? Glock or other poly guns, 1911 or whatever, who cares. Whatever works works.

OK, let say she get past all that. Then she can try to make some sense of the "stopping power" arguments. 45 ACP versus 9mm versus 357 magnum versus 380 versus 38 spl versus 40 S&W versus...
Stopping power is always a good plus, but becoming capable of taking accurate shots is more important. I don't care if a bad guy is running around with some d eagle big boys gun, if he can't shoot it for sh*ts what is that worth? When some lowly person with a glock 19, plinks his chest twice and on the last shot, takes it to part of his face. lol. Stopping power is nice, but accuracy is more important. I use both 45acp and 9mm. Practice is also really important as well as upkeep and making sure everything is in working order....

Frankly, I cannot think of a better way to make her hate the whole idea of owning a gun.
Than she doesn't need it huh? lol. Sucks for her if you aren't around, and pepper spray or what not, at her beck and call is not enough to stop a large man from breaking into your home, beating her around, ripping her clothing off and raping her, than crushing her throat or getting stabbed, than the guy takes whatever valuables are around.....and leaves. while she just lays there either dead or dying. heh....I'd rather be judged in a court of 12 than carried by six to a grave. I rather shoot up and fill some loser with 45 or 9, than let them do anything to ME, my family, or etc. I don't care if its loud, or has a kick....you are the choices you make, and how you deal or prepare for things in life. After all, just in case she DOES get a gun, and does all to prepare, still, doesn't make her odds there of, that she'll survive such an incident, but still bumps those odds in her favor.

Apologies to the ladies in this forum if the above sounds harsh. I asked my original question because I'm trying the help my wife get past the BS I don't even notice much anymore.
She really needs to get over it, i dont think its harsh, I just think its sh*t to get over. How do you think she'd feel driving in a 2010 camaro with 454cubes twin boost fed, on a flat, smashing speeds of 220+ she'd probably cry. But after exposure, one gets use to things. You either shape the immediate world around you? or others will. And you'll just be living in that world. however long or short that may be. I understand shes your wife, but think of it this way, if you were hurt, and she was the only one left in that situation to defend you and herself, your kids? She should think about that.

I always thought to myself, with my ex bf? If we had kids, and someone broke into our home? I'd go to kids room with a sg, pick one of the smaller ones up, while other followed, switching to a HG, bring to single room, fortify the door and let them take whatever. But be of the mindset and capable of using a shotgun, pistol, etc to defend myself, my kids, my husband. If we had gotten married, if we had, had kids lol. Guess I only have to worry about myself now lol. But it shouldnt always be the guy who defends the ever helpless woman, it should be a team. Cause God forbid you can't protect her, wouldn't you want her to be able to take care of herself? Im not trying to start a fight, and if I sound harsh, sorry, its just perspective from a woman who was not the picture of a toughie, but after years of having brothers, a dad, and lots of friends who either served, serving, or are LEO, I've become something a bit rare or so they tell me. lol. A woman who knows her cars, can build her own, who plays with sharp objects and things that go click/boom! lol. I dont like having to rely on someone/man for anything, from tuning a GTR or ZR1 to building my rifle, defending myself. EARNING $. lol. I cant stand frail timid women. Yuck.