Great show, thank you! I was a motorcycle safety instructor for a number of years. The easiest students to teach were women. They asked questions, listened to direction, and executed the maneuver(s) of the exercise.
Great episode! Something that’s a peeve is the women who buy the alienation they’re served up, and then they turn around and tell all the other ladies that they need the junkers too.
Well said, Mia. I was in a gun store one time and the idiot behind the counter was really talking down to two women who were obviously first-timers looking at guns. Finally, one of them said, "Why don't you just shut up and listen to what we're asking?" I laughed out loud at that one. Well done ladies! Roy
As I've told many people for the most part women don't suffer from testosterone issues. In other words they don't think that because they've either seen a John Wayne or John Wick film they know how to shoot. They actually listen to the instructions and for the most part will ask questions. The only problem I've seen is when they are in a mixed class sometimes, they don't ask questions in front of males because of the guys sometimes make fun of anyone who doesn't know as much as they think they do. This is why I try and teach single sex classes for really new shooters.
Beautiful episode! I have taught CCW classes for a lot of years. I concur 100% with everything said. Thanks for another GREAT one. P.S. I can't wait for the next one, when I assume Tom comes back and extracts revenge!
A female friend of mine asked me to help her decide what to buy for her first firearm. Fast forward, she ended up buying a Ladysmith in .357 magnum and the big box store sold her a couple boxes of 158 grain magnum rounds. (The store lost some of its credibility with that and another issue with that sale.) I had her start with some of my .38 special handloads and then tried one round of that factory .357 ammo. She gave me both boxes of that, gladly accepted the two boxes of .38 special I'd loaded for her. She also bought a S&W EZ .380, which she's decided is her favorite.
I agree with Roy. I also agree that a revolver is a better option for a novice or "non gun" person. Yes they can have a failure but the rate of failures with a revolver is far lower than a semi auto. Starting with a 22 is also a great idea. I have taught more than one woman how to shoot and that's how I did it.
Just about a perfect first time defensive revolver. I think the whole range of .32 calibers are neglected. I just picked up a Charter .32 H&R Magnum "Undercoverette" and in spite of being J-Frame sized, it holds six shots. What's not to like? Roy
Love Roy's rant, 1st because he is soooo passionate about what he is saying, 2nd because he is absolutely right!! Whenever a female I know asks me about carrying a gun or what to buy I always send them to a specific guy at our local sporting goods store. He had taught many classes. Is a retired county sherriff , competitive shooter and FIRMLY believes in presenting options and assisiting a woman to pick what SHE likes. He also believes the 327 H&R magnum or the 327 Federal are excellent j frame choices because the recoil out of that platform is much more managable.
Women pay attention in class. I've taught lots of women and teenagers how to shoot, and I let them try firearms that actually fit their hands, and they LOVE shooting. Let the woman pick out the gun that fits her and is comfortable for her, not just a little version of what you like. And I agree 100% with Huntington. I'm a 65-year-old grandma who has been shooting for 55 years (including military service) and my typical carry gun is a .357 SP 101 with .38+P ammo and several speedloaders. Less can go wrong in an emergency and it fits my hand beautifully.
It's true. In my experience women listen and do what you tell them because they are aware that they don't know. The exception to this can be wives; you have no credibility with someone that has seen you picking your nose on the toilet naked.
I have a niese that tried the S&W Ez and had an issue with the safety on the grip. Her hand wasn't able to grip tight enough to turn off the safety. She got a different gun.
WHEN my wife (not necessarily when I thought she should) decided that she needed to get appropriate training on shooting, and then to buy a pistol, the process began. I gave her some basic training and pointers (I'm retired Army and retired cop), covering safety and handling. She tried my J-frame and didn't like it. She tried my Colt GM .380 and didn't like it. She tried my M&P 9MM compact and didn't like it. We went shopping. EVERY male clerk began by talking to me, except one. Guess who she bought from. After a time of comparing and narrowing her choices, she settled on a Sig P320 Compact. She then found a training class led by a woman. A win all around!
Great topic. Absolutely agree with Roy. I taught Scouts to shoot in my youth, as well as new recruits at the police academy. When I started the adult shooters my wife included I started with a 4” k frame 357 loaded with 38 special after they’d become comfortable with 22LR first. This always went well. My wife even loved the 357 loads but chose an ultra light 38 for her first gun. I hate to say it but she insisted on pink grips to go with her black revolver lol Gene Yohannan 🤠 Eldon Missouri
Excellent. Along this line, I cannot understand store owners who mock, belittle and insult their customers. Do they not understand that this newbie shooter might drop thousands of dollars in the fishing section ? Or vice versa. Or that a newbie who blossoms will need a ton of gear in the future ? But will likely get it elsewhere if they feel disrespected.
I dare you to attempt to take my wife’s 642 J frame from her. Good luck and RIP. As a retired cop and a firearms instructor since 1986 and owning over 50 handguns, that she has fired all of them, she loves her J frame.
I have no doubt, but it sounds like she's a seasoned shooter. Ask her and I'm betting she will say a J-Frame isn't the first choice for a novice though. Ask her and see what she says. Roy
She says her J frame was the first handgun she shot and nothing comes close to it HOWEVR she has our oldest daughter (a USMC Captain) with a Hellcat and our youngest daughter with a P365. That is what makes the shooting world so great because everyone get to choose what they want! I just wish they knew what a gun store was and that it is not Dad’s gun safes! LMAO!!!
I learned early on that there is no “girl gun”. My (former) wife would only shoot a revolver, most often my old S&W Model-66 and would shoot .38 S&W or .357 Magnum loads equally well. She did not like semi-automatics because they “jumped back at her” it took me a while to realize she was not talking about recoil but the slide operation. On the other hand, my daughter bought her first handgun while away at college, a semi-automatic 9mm CZ P-01. She spent some time making her selection based on how it fit her and also fit her needs. With that pistol she can outshoot most anyone- ironically, she found that revolvers were too difficult for her to operate as well because of the longer reach to the trigger and a typically heavier trigger pull. The one thing that both handguns have in common are medium size frames that fit their respective hands really well. My daughter also loves to shoot sporting clays but struggled with the fit of a gas operated semi-automatic Remington that she bought when she first got into the sport. For Christmas a few years back, I got her a CZ Ladies Sterling over/under with an adjustable stock (which I think is sadly out of production now) and she took the time to have it correctly fitted to her, as a result she shoots it much better- even though it is both bigger, heavier and has more felt recoil than her off-the-shelf Remington.
I can't comment on why women are better shooting students than men because I'm not qualified on the subject. But as far as carry guns for women, my Mom always carried a .38 Special in her purse and she could shoot very good with it. My 23 year old niece carries the same thing as I do, a Rock Island Armory Commander size 1911 chambered in .45 ACP and she carries IWB and she can shoot it very good
The discussion wandered a long way from the stated topic-as far as the premise, my observation of coaching women, primarily in rifle, is that they don't come with the macho baggage. They are there to achieve as a result and will look for the most direct route. If only women were easier to figure out in other endeavors...
As a retired MSF ( motorcycle safety foundation) instructor, I agree that most women are better students than men. Willing to learn is important. About half the time that I would have a husband and wife in the same class, I would tell them both to listen to the instructors, not to the spouse. On many occasions I would send hubby home because he would not keep his mouth shut. On several occasions at the skills evaluation he would fail and she would pass.
I love that when the wife does better. I was teaching a husband/wife duo not long ago. She outshot him by a huge amount. But to his credit, he took it in stride and kept cheering her on. Roy
Women pay closer attention and most don't have preconceived notions about guns and shooting ! They are more focused, willing students. Hi Roy, Larry H. I definitely think revolvers are a better choice for first-timers. The best gun is the one you can handle and shoot best ! It is important for a person's first experience with guns to be a good one.
have to agree on this 90% I take newbies out ten times or so a year. Cause.. well they know I have guns and shoot a lot. Sooo almost all are 50 years younger than me... about 50% are women.. mostly cause women are not afraid to admit that they were not born with the ability to shoot well. So they LISTEN. The men? eh... maybe with half an ear. Also.. was how competitive women are. Aaand... what guns that I bring that they like. It can be my 1936 SW 22 revolver or my .357 model 19... But I agree.. I not only don't hand em anything that recoils worse than a full size 38 but I shoot it first so they see how it recoils... surprisingly? Most say "I want to try that!" If the first few shots she looks uncomfortable I just say "yep.. not for everyone you don't have to shoot the rest but now you can tell your friends you shot a 44 magnum" MAKE IT FUN... if is not fun for them it will not be fun for you. For me that is a wasted afternoon. Course.. I am not teaching people how to kill other people. I am teaching them how great guns are and.... Oh.. BTW? you can use it to defend yourself... They go home confident they can work the firearm. If they are capable of shooting someone at that point? I have no idea. and they don't either. It is a highly personal thing.
I've been watching Gun Cranks since the beginning and think it's exceptional. HOWEVER, please stop the silly sound effects, the images like McHale in dancing togs, and get back to what made Gun Cranks good. Great conversation, some good laughs, and nothing distracting. Stop the silliness that detracts from what heretofore has been an exceptional program.
Great show, thank you! I was a motorcycle safety instructor for a number of years. The easiest students to teach were women. They asked questions, listened to direction, and executed the maneuver(s) of the exercise.
Great episode! Something that’s a peeve is the women who buy the alienation they’re served up, and then they turn around and tell all the other ladies that they need the junkers too.
Well said, Mia. I was in a gun store one time and the idiot behind the counter was really talking down to two women who were obviously first-timers looking at guns. Finally, one of them said, "Why don't you just shut up and listen to what we're asking?" I laughed out loud at that one. Well done ladies! Roy
As I've told many people for the most part women don't suffer from testosterone issues. In other words they don't think that because they've either seen a John Wayne or John Wick film they know how to shoot. They actually listen to the instructions and for the most part will ask questions. The only problem I've seen is when they are in a mixed class sometimes, they don't ask questions in front of males because of the guys sometimes make fun of anyone who doesn't know as much as they think they do. This is why I try and teach single sex classes for really new shooters.
Beautiful episode! I have taught CCW classes for a lot of years. I concur 100% with everything said. Thanks for another GREAT one.
P.S. I can't wait for the next one, when I assume Tom comes back and extracts revenge!
A female friend of mine asked me to help her decide what to buy for her first firearm. Fast forward, she ended up buying a Ladysmith in .357 magnum and the big box store sold her a couple boxes of 158 grain magnum rounds. (The store lost some of its credibility with that and another issue with that sale.) I had her start with some of my .38 special handloads and then tried one round of that factory .357 ammo. She gave me both boxes of that, gladly accepted the two boxes of .38 special I'd loaded for her. She also bought a S&W EZ .380, which she's decided is her favorite.
I agree with Roy. I also agree that a revolver is a better option for a novice or "non gun" person. Yes they can have a failure but the rate of failures with a revolver is far lower than a semi auto. Starting with a 22 is also a great idea. I have taught more than one woman how to shoot and that's how I did it.
How about a Ruger SP101 or GP100 in 327 Federal Magnum shooting 32 H&R Magnum 95 Grain Lead Semi-Wadcutters?
Just about a perfect first time defensive revolver. I think the whole range of .32 calibers are neglected. I just picked up a Charter .32 H&R Magnum "Undercoverette" and in spite of being J-Frame sized, it holds six shots. What's not to like? Roy
Love Roy's rant, 1st because he is soooo passionate about what he is saying, 2nd because he is absolutely right!! Whenever a female I know asks me about carrying a gun or what to buy I always send them to a specific guy at our local sporting goods store. He had taught many classes. Is a retired county sherriff , competitive shooter and FIRMLY believes in presenting options and assisiting a woman to pick what SHE likes. He also believes the 327 H&R magnum or the 327 Federal are excellent j frame choices because the recoil out of that platform is much more managable.
Women pay attention in class. I've taught lots of women and teenagers how to shoot, and I let them try firearms that actually fit their hands, and they LOVE shooting. Let the woman pick out the gun that fits her and is comfortable for her, not just a little version of what you like. And I agree 100% with Huntington. I'm a 65-year-old grandma who has been shooting for 55 years (including military service) and my typical carry gun is a .357 SP 101 with .38+P ammo and several speedloaders. Less can go wrong in an emergency and it fits my hand beautifully.
It's true. In my experience women listen and do what you tell them because they are aware that they don't know. The exception to this can be wives; you have no credibility with someone that has seen you picking your nose on the toilet naked.
Can't say I disagree with you on that one ... it's why I close the door first .... Roy
I have a niese that tried the S&W Ez and had an issue with the safety on the grip. Her hand wasn't able to grip tight enough to turn off the safety. She got a different gun.
Which is why they need to try a bunch of things before they decide! Roy
WHEN my wife (not necessarily when I thought she should) decided that she needed to get appropriate training on shooting, and then to buy a pistol, the process began. I gave her some basic training and pointers (I'm retired Army and retired cop), covering safety and handling. She tried my J-frame and didn't like it. She tried my Colt GM .380 and didn't like it. She tried my M&P 9MM compact and didn't like it. We went shopping. EVERY male clerk began by talking to me, except one. Guess who she bought from. After a time of comparing and narrowing her choices, she settled on a Sig P320 Compact. She then found a training class led by a woman. A win all around!
A perfect story, Wayne. Well done. Roy
Great topic. Absolutely agree with Roy. I taught Scouts to shoot in my youth, as well as new recruits at the police academy. When I started the adult shooters my wife included I started with a 4” k frame 357 loaded with 38 special after they’d become comfortable with 22LR first. This always went well. My wife even loved the 357 loads but chose an ultra light 38 for her first gun. I hate to say it but she insisted on pink grips to go with her black revolver lol
Gene Yohannan 🤠
Eldon Missouri
Pink's okay ... as long as they're shooting! Roy
Excellent. Along this line, I cannot understand store owners who mock, belittle and insult their customers. Do they not understand that this newbie shooter might drop thousands of dollars in the fishing section ? Or vice versa.
Or that a newbie who blossoms will need a ton of gear in the future ? But will likely get it elsewhere if they feel disrespected.
Amazing how many gun store commandoes are idiots as you say! Roy
I dare you to attempt to take my wife’s 642 J frame from her. Good luck and RIP. As a retired cop and a firearms instructor since 1986 and owning over 50 handguns, that she has fired all of them, she loves her J frame.
I have no doubt, but it sounds like she's a seasoned shooter. Ask her and I'm betting she will say a J-Frame isn't the first choice for a novice though. Ask her and see what she says. Roy
She says her J frame was the first handgun she shot and nothing comes close to it HOWEVR she has our oldest daughter (a USMC Captain) with a Hellcat and our youngest daughter with a P365. That is what makes the shooting world so great because everyone get to choose what they want!
I just wish they knew what a gun store was and that it is not Dad’s gun safes! LMAO!!!
I learned early on that there is no “girl gun”. My (former) wife would only shoot a revolver, most often my old S&W Model-66 and would shoot .38 S&W or .357 Magnum loads equally well. She did not like semi-automatics because they “jumped back at her” it took me a while to realize she was not talking about recoil but the slide operation.
On the other hand, my daughter bought her first handgun while away at college, a semi-automatic 9mm CZ P-01. She spent some time making her selection based on how it fit her and also fit her needs. With that pistol she can outshoot most anyone- ironically, she found that revolvers were too difficult for her to operate as well because of the longer reach to the trigger and a typically heavier trigger pull. The one thing that both handguns have in common are medium size frames that fit their respective hands really well.
My daughter also loves to shoot sporting clays but struggled with the fit of a gas operated semi-automatic Remington that she bought when she first got into the sport. For Christmas a few years back, I got her a CZ Ladies Sterling over/under with an adjustable stock (which I think is sadly out of production now) and she took the time to have it correctly fitted to her, as a result she shoots it much better- even though it is both bigger, heavier and has more felt recoil than her off-the-shelf Remington.
I can't comment on why women are better shooting students than men because I'm not qualified on the subject. But as far as carry guns for women, my Mom always carried a
.38 Special in her purse and she could shoot very good with it. My 23 year old niece carries the same thing as I do, a Rock Island Armory Commander size 1911 chambered in
.45 ACP and she carries IWB and she can shoot it very good
The discussion wandered a long way from the stated topic-as far as the premise, my observation of coaching women, primarily in rifle, is that they don't come with the macho baggage. They are there to achieve as a result and will look for the most direct route. If only women were easier to figure out in other endeavors...
Boy howdy about the other endeavors ... Roy
As a retired MSF ( motorcycle safety foundation) instructor, I agree that most women are better students than men. Willing to learn is important. About half the time that I would have a husband and wife in the same class, I would tell them both to listen to the instructors, not to the spouse. On many occasions I would send hubby home because he would not keep his mouth shut. On several occasions at the skills evaluation he would fail and she would pass.
I love that when the wife does better. I was teaching a husband/wife duo not long ago. She outshot him by a huge amount. But to his credit, he took it in stride and kept cheering her on. Roy
Women pay closer attention and most don't have preconceived notions about guns and shooting ! They are more focused, willing students.
Hi Roy, Larry H.
I definitely think revolvers are a better choice for first-timers. The best gun is the one you can handle and shoot best ! It is important for a person's first experience with guns to be a good one.
Agreed! Get them shooting, then worry about what their final gun choice might be. Roy
have to agree on this 90% I take newbies out ten times or so a year. Cause.. well they know I have guns and shoot a lot. Sooo almost all are 50 years younger than me... about 50% are women.. mostly cause women are not afraid to admit that they were not born with the ability to shoot well. So they LISTEN. The men? eh... maybe with half an ear. Also.. was how competitive women are. Aaand... what guns that I bring that they like. It can be my 1936 SW 22 revolver or my .357 model 19... But I agree.. I not only don't hand em anything that recoils worse than a full size 38 but I shoot it first so they see how it recoils... surprisingly? Most say "I want to try that!" If the first few shots she looks uncomfortable I just say "yep.. not for everyone you don't have to shoot the rest but now you can tell your friends you shot a 44 magnum" MAKE IT FUN... if is not fun for them it will not be fun for you. For me that is a wasted afternoon. Course.. I am not teaching people how to kill other people. I am teaching them how great guns are and.... Oh.. BTW? you can use it to defend yourself... They go home confident they can work the firearm. If they are capable of shooting someone at that point? I have no idea. and they don't either. It is a highly personal thing.
I've been watching Gun Cranks since the beginning and think it's exceptional. HOWEVER, please stop the silly sound effects, the images like McHale in dancing togs, and get back to what made Gun Cranks good. Great conversation, some good laughs, and nothing distracting.
Stop the silliness that detracts from what heretofore has been an exceptional program.