There’s a lot of bravado in the gun world. And the industry also mostly promotes to men because they’re the biggest buying demographic.
But this makes it hard for women who want to get into the sport. Maybe you want to just learn to be safer, or maybe the holster your husband bought you doesn’t work right because you don’t wear the same type of pants and belt loops as him?
This page is some of the best info to help women shoot better, be safer, and carry more often.
Safety
The rules of gun safety are the first place to start. I have them listed here for your reference.
Online Woman’s Gun Community: Rose by Sig Sauer
You don’t have to own a gun by Sig Sauer, to take advantage of all the resources. Originally put together by Lena Miculek (Professional Shooter and 10-time World Champion), they have an online community, videos on YouTube, and products designed just for women. Lena has since left Sig to pursue other adventures, but all these resources are online and continue to grow.
SIG ROSE – Free Online Pistol Training Videos for Women by Women
- A link to the Online Rose Community.
- Here’s all their training videos on YouTube.
Videos on Cox Tactical
I also have some videos (for everyone) here on my site that will help everyone hold and control their gun better. These tips are for anyone who wants to use biomechanics to succeed, instead of older showing styles that require more muscle.
In-Person Classes Just for Women
Women often prefer taking classes from women trainers. Here are two groups I’ve heard good things about. They have classes all over the US. You can search for one nearby, contact the local instructor, and see if it’s a good fit for you.
- A Girl & A Gun – Women trainers for women shooters. Train at your speed, safely.
- Armed Women of America – Women trainers for women shooters. Train at your speed, safely.
Holsters for Women
Women don’t wear the same clothes as men, and often find it hard to wear a good gun belt and holster. World shooting champion, Lena Miculek has teamed up with some great companies to create other ways for women to carry.
Remember that “universal fit” holster are terrible, and often unsafe. You want a holster that is hard (not soft and floppy), that holds your pistol perfectly in place and safely. Don’t get a generic option off of Amazon, but instead get a holster that’s secure and comfortable, and made by companies that are trusted.
- Sig Sauer – Fanny Pack by Vertx for Sig Rose Pistol – Comes with a holster inside, but you can upgrade to a hard, kydex holster insert with velcro on one side, to hold your gun perfectly in place. Sig sells the inserts for their pistols, but you can get one made for your favorite pistol, whatever that is, through Crossbreed Holsters (linked below).
- Vertx – Fanny pack designed for carry. Buy directly from Vertx. A few more colors and options.
- Sig Sauer – Kydex Holster Insert for use in Sig Rose Fanny Pack
- Crossbreed – Sig Rose Holsters
- Crossbreed – Just Holster with Velcro for Fannypack. Carry non-Sig guns in your gun fanny pack, securely.
- Crossbreed – Liberty Band. Carry your favorite holster in yoga pants, or an outfit that doesn’t require pants with belt loops.
- Crossbreed – Belly Band. Carry with yoga pants, without a gun belt that requires belt loops.
And for videos on picking holsters, check out the main Holster Page.
Easy-to-Rack Guns
Depending on your hand size and strength, women often need a gun that’s easier to rack. The goal is to have a gun that you love to shoot, so you love to practice, and you get proficient. Then if trouble happens, your gun-handling will be second nature.
Here are my top 3 choices when helping someone who finds it hard to rack a pistol, and wants something that’s easier to rack.
Years ago, men would tell women to get a snub-nose revolver. The thinking was that guns are hard, women won’t learn, so give them an “easy” revolver.
But truthfully, revolvers are harder to shoot, harder to load on the move, harder to pull the trigger, and they’re bulky so they’re harder to carry or hide on you, and the ammo is expensive so it harder to practice with them. So I don’t typically recommend a revolver as someone’s main self-defense option.
And there’s no reason women (or anyone) can’t run a standard, striker-fired pistol. I always recommend in-person classes, because they will make it safe and fun.
If you can, find a range where you can shoot these guns and check them out for yourself. Then take a day or weekend class so you learn to run it easily.
- Smith & Wesson EZ 380 (Performance Center Version with ported barrel)
- Smith & Wesson Equalizer (Add a red dot to make it easier to rack and easier to aim)
- Sig Sauer P322 (Add a red dot to make it easier to rack and easier to aim)
Safes
If you’d like a small safe for a pistol, look at Vaultek. They have the best safes that actually open quickly.
Vaultek Safe
Vaultek makes great small safes, that can quickly be opened. The opening systems are also really reliable, so they work when you need to get to a gun fast. They also make small safes that can be secured under your car’s seat or to a desk at home.
If you want more options or need something larger for rifles and pistols, check out my links in the Safe page.