A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


June 29, 2013

Part One: Smaller Isn't Always Better

     It's been awhile since I've discussed my proud membership in Gun Culture 2.0.  This past week I spent three unforgettably informative days on the shooting range with Travis Haley and Ron Avery.  On Monday's post, I will give you an in-depth account of how mind-blowing that event was.  As part of a growing segment of America who have discovered a never-before-experienced passion and respect for gun ownership, it was probably the most significant time period I've ever spent.  But you'll have to check back on Monday to find out why I feel this way.
     Today, I just want to talk to all the women who, like me, have been traversing this new universe of gun ownership, and often feeling tossed by the prevailing winds.  If you are like me, you start off owning a larger frame firearm (such as a Glock 19, 9mm), because you were told it would be easier to manage.  Or maybe, you are like others I have come across in my training, whose boyfriend, husband or father talked them into a .38 revolver for its simplicity.
     As I began shooting more, and becoming more proficient with my weapon, I felt comfortable enough to get my CHL license and seriously consider carrying a firearm for protection.  But I know you will identify with the problem of how to actually conceal it.  Those bigger framed guns just don't work for us women and how we dress.  So I began to move from owning range guns, like the Glock 19 or 17, to Carry guns, like the Glock 26 and the M&P Shield.
    I knew that these three days of training were going to be intense; applied pressure with lots of shots down range.   For me, taking the Shield to the class didn't make sense, since mag capacity is only 7 or 8, meaning lots more loading of mags.  (CAVEAT:  This line of reasoning does not necessarily hold true for everyone.  Another woman friend of mine took the class with her small M&P Shield and was able to perform really well.)  I felt I needed more experience/training to really concentrate on the fundamentals, and I would gain the most from taking the class with my Glock 26.  While I knew that it was considered a small pistol (and used by lots of men for carry), I thought it would be an adequate range gun and give me more advantages to learn the principles we would be taught.  But I learned something else, too.  My Glock 26 just doesn't qualify as a range gun for me.  ( I repeat:  For me).  To get the true benefits of training, I need to go back to a Glock 19; possibly even a 17.  Here's a comparison chart of the few reasons that explain my thoughts:

Range Guns                                                                         Carry Guns

1.  Longer barrel, longer sight radius                                     Short barrel, short sight radius
Consequence:  It is harder for that bullet to stay on track out of a short barrel if you are shooting long distances; more difficulty in calling my shot and hitting where I want to on the target.

2.  Longer Grip                                                                       Shorter grip
Consequence:  You can get a firmer grip when you have more real estate to hold on to.  The larger guns offer a more substantial grip.

3.  Larger magazine capacity (15-17)                                      Smaller mag capacity (7-8)
Consequence:  If the bad guys are shooting at you, how many bullets would you want at your disposal?  Shooting larger capacity mags on the range gives me a better practice and training experience.

4.  Easier to manipulate                                                            Harder to handle
Consequence:  The tighter springs in the Carry guns make it much more difficult for a woman's hand to do a chamber check or lock the slide.  I want to learn how to handle the gun quicker and more efficiently.  Why make it harder on myself?

5.  Recoil is less                                                                        Recoil is more pronounced
Consequence:  If the recoil is more severe in the carry gun, trigger reset and follow-up shots occur slower.  The range gun delivers faster follow-up shots.

     So here's my new way of thinking:  We women are an important new component of the gun culture.  We are learning to defend ourselves and getting the proper training.  Weapons manufacturers are catering to our needs with smaller guns that fit more comfortably in our hands and are easier to wear concealed.  And, yes, that meets the concealed carry aspect of our needs.  BUT, after these last few days, I have come to realize that a smaller gun DOES NOT meet my needs on the training range.
     The object of training is to acquire proficient skills through practice.  Why would I want to handicap myself with a gun that is harder to manipulate, recoils more, and makes it more difficult for me to achieve my desired goal?  The reality is that I'm paying serious money for 3 days of training, so I want a gun that will maximize my training.  I don't want to suffer the stress of learning new gun handling skills while battling the stumbling blocks of a smaller carry gun. Why not take as many problems out of the equation as possible, so I can get the results I want?
     Does that mean that I will have less ability with my actual carry gun?  No.  Not if I transfer the knowledge I learned with the range gun to the smaller gun.  This means time and dedication.  Lesson learned:  Range guns maximize training time; skills transfer to carry gun on my own time.  There are different purposes for different guns.  There are definite benefits to choosing the correct range gun, and this is just one of the lessons I learned this past week.
     Travis Haley and Ron Avery are intense dudes, and standing in 100 degree heat while receiving pearls of wisdom simply added to the sizzle.  Tune in on Monday for the details!

Luke 6:40    "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher."

1 comment:

  1. sometimes toy gun is the reason of danger. we use the toy gun for having fun. but it's not great job. unfortunately you can fall in danger by using toy gun.

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