Concealed Firearms: 3 Takeaways for Women
In episode 19 of #AskNorth40, Zach playfully makes a joke about the sizes of firearms. The joke plays out like that line from the 1986 Crocodile Dundee movie. A man pulls out a small knife, or in this case Zach pulls out a small firearm and is asked, "Is this a gun?" Zach then sets the small firearm on the counter and pulls out a much, much larger firearm from behind his back. He shakes his head and responds, "no, no buddy this is a gun."
Read more about guns and ammunition here.
Joking aside, when we spoke with Zach regarding this, he suggested that there are three things women need to consider when looking to buy a firearm. The first of which is size, (insert Crocodile Dundee joke here).
Concealed Handguns for Women: Size Matters
Number One. Zach states that smaller firearms are actually more difficult to operate. Smaller firearms have more recoil. You should, in fact Zach suggests, be at a master level to use them. This can seem contradictory.
At first, it would seem you would want a smaller firearm to fit in a small space. (Us ladies, like to be able to conceal our firearms in small spaces, such as our handbags). Just keep in mind, if you are going to do so, you should be very confident in your ability to the use your weapon. This leads us to the second thing you should consider, which is how are you going to carry your firearm?
Packing Heat
Number two. Carrying your firearm is as an important factor to consider as size. You need to decide where you are going to put your firearm, such as, under a vehicle seat, in your handbag, in a safe. If the firearm is large, you may not be able to easily carry it on your person.
Therefore, if you decide you are going to carry your firearm on your person, and it needs to be small enough to do that, then as I mentioned previously, you need to be at a master level to operate the smaller sized firearm. Also remember, you will need a concealed weapons permit.
Know your Experience Level when it comes to Firearms
Number three. What if you are not at a master level? The third thing women need to consider when purchasing a firearm is their skill level. How confident are you in using a firearm? For example, bigger firearms are easier to operate.
The grips, the slides and the magazines in larger firearms are easier to pull a part. Also, some smaller firearms are harder to pull back. Do you know your own hand strength?
Of course, it makes no difference if you are a man or a woman here... what matters is how you plan to carry it and what is your skill level.
Check out our shooting section online here.
So, when starting your search remember: size of the firearm, how you are going to carry it, and your skill level all play important roles in knowing what to look for when purchasing a firearm.