The Girls Gun Getaway featuring several female gun bloggers and pro shooters. (photo: Julie Golob)

Most women start writing blogs to inspire other women, or talk about themselves, or if we’re all honest a bit of both. But what is it we are trying to inspire other women to do? Protect themselves, to be sure, but there’s another element of our community we can’t overlook and that we, as a group, can do so much more with.

I get teased on a fairly regular basis about being a “tough independent woman,” and while the cliché is overdone there is something to be said for the label itself, the problem is that a lot of women seem to be interpreting it in a way that only harms them in the long run. Being tough and independent isn’t about being angry, it isn’t about rebelling against the status quo but rather about being confident in yourself and in your actions.

While shooting is a start towards confidence, it’s not an end. There are a lot of other things we can do to feel better about ourselves and our lives. Most of it’s mental, of course, positive thinking and feeling good about ourselves, but there are other things we can do, other activities we can partake in, to continue an upward climb towards true inner strength.

Shooting does several things for us, the first of us which is (for many) pushing the boundaries of our comfort zone. Having an explosion detonate in front of our face is not something we are conditioned to handle, which is why for many shooting can be perceived as “scary” before they have tried it. Participating in an activity we might not have expected to participate in, and then training to become good at it, requires a lot of self-confidence, which is why shooting pushes us in that direction every day.

Also, as has been pointed out many times, shooting gives us a sense of equality, a sense of safety, a sense of being in control of ourselves. That sense of control is empowering, and is something we should seek in other aspects of our life. This, along with the “tough woman” image of shooting guns, gives us a more positive self-image, which is a powerful thing.

Participating in fitness activities and other sports can have the same effects shooting does. Since I started shooting I’ve taken up weight-lifting and started studying nutrition and trying to eat right. It has made a huge difference in my self-esteem and helped me to realize the extent of control I have over myself, much as shooting does. I would encourage every woman shooter not to stop there, but to continue to step outside of her comfort zone and find other activities that energize and empower her to be the best she can.

When you start shooting, you adopt a lifestyle, and if you embrace that lifestyle there are no boundaries to what you can achieve.

Let us know what it is that you love about shooting below in the comments section.

You just finished reading The Emerging Female Shooter on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!

Kel-Tec P-11 9mm

Each gun, just like any other tool, has a specific implementation and as I am sure you know by now, there is a vast variety of them out there for your shooting pleasure. If you are like me, though, all of those choices can start to get a little overwhelming. But fear not! I have some advice that will aid you in finding the right gun. I will also list a few of my favorite female friendly firearms as well as a few recommended by the readers.

Shopping for a gun, as my friend Gracie from Packing Pretty says, is like shopping for a pair of jeans, new shoes or a new bra. You have to try several to be able to find the right one. Guns are very personal pieces of machinery and you need to be feel comfortable shooting the one you ultimately choose. The primary factors that play in to choosing a firearm to purchase are the following: Purpose, Comfort and Cost.

Purpose

What will your gun be doing? Do you want to use it for concealed carry, home defense, hunting, or just for fun? Many guns can be used for more than one purpose (ie, home defense + hunting, concealed carry + etc), but most of them have a specifically designated purpose.  The more involved you become in the shooting sports, you will inevitably find that you need more than one gun to satisfy all your firearm needs. But dont let that overwhelm you. Start here:

Below is a list of some of the best guns for women as recommended by readers.

Concealed Carry

.380 Caliber:Ruger LCP**, Sig Sauer P238**, Walther PPK, Bersa Thunder, Diamondback DB380, S&W Bodyguard, Sig Sauer P232

Smith & Wesson 642 Revolver

9mm: Kahr CM9 or PM9, Smith & Wesson Shield**, Beretta Nano**, Kel-Tec P-11, Ruger LC9, Ruger SR9C,

.45 Caliber: Springfield XDs**, Glock 21,

Revolver: Smith & Wesson 642**, Taurus M327,

**Voted among the best concealed carry for women in an informal Girl’s Guide Poll

Click here for a more extensive list of common concealed carry firearms for women from the makers of the Flashbang Bra Holster (fyi: there is a photo of the bra holster in use on a live female on this page.)

Home Defense

Many people choose a shotgun for home defense, though others prefer rifles or handguns.

Shotguns: Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Browning Citori 725, Winchester SX3

Hunting

This area is pretty technical and I will let the hunters weigh in on this in the comments below.

Fun/Target shooting (paper, steel, skeet and trap)

All of the above!

Comfort

Grip- This is a major factor that I cannot emphasize strongly enough. The gun should feel comfortable in your hand and equally as important, you need to feel comfortable shooting it. If you aren’t comfortable shooting it, you won’t practice and practice is imperative.

Weight- Train with your prospective gun. Shoot and handle it for at least an hour or two to know whether you like the weight of it.

Control/Snapiness- Can you control the gun effectively when firing it? Can you keep the muzzle from popping upward?

Ruger LCP with a Hogue grip

Training will help quite a bit in this area, but be observant of this factor with every gun you try.

Hogue Grips is a fantastic company that can help you with any issues you may find with the grip of the gun you choose. For instance, many people find the Ruger LCP to be perfect for their conceal carry needs, but a difficult gun to grip.  Hogue has created a customized rubber grip to solve that problem.

Cost

The financial piece is a big one for most of us these days. You want to stay within your budget, of course, but the last thing you want to do is compromise safety by buying an inadequate gun. There are a couple of ways to find a reasonably-priced firearm without putting your safety at risk. Namely, I would check out the USED selection at gun stores, look online, hit up gun shows, auctions, estate and yard sales. Any time you are buying a previously owned firearm, I suggest that you have a friend or relative who is knowledgeable about guns check out the used firearm you are eyeing before you buy.

Here is a short list of reputable online firearm dealers:  GunBroker.com, BudsGunShop.com, GunUp.com

Do not forget to include the price of ammo in your decision. For instance, .22 is a wonderful, inexpensive caliber. I love to practice on paper with a .22, but it does not pack the punch that a .380, 9mm or .45  will. Many people like the 9mm because the ammo is plentiful and less expensive than, say, the .45.

There is so much to know about this subject and we are really just scratching the surface here. Talk to your friends, send me a message here or on facebook or twitter, and definitely ask the people behind the counter at the gun store if you have additional questions. And if the people behind the counter are not cool, find another gun store. There is no need to put up with prejudice or bad customer service.

Now go practice!! Shooting is a perishable skill and it is key that you maintain your ability. I like to take a class at least every 6 months to keep my skills sharp. If you need a group to go shoot with in your area, check out A Girl & A Gun Shooting Clubs around the country.  And if you can’t find one, start your own! Also, find a list of ranges and class providers here.

NOTE: This article is a work in progress. If you would like to see a firearm or section added, please comment below.

The Wedding Dress Moment

When a gal tries on wedding dresses, they’re ALL pretty, and white, and they make you look like a princess. But there’s ONE that causes light to shine down from Heaven and the angels start singing and you know that its THE ONE.
Same thing happens with guns! They’re all kinda cool looking…they go *bang* when you pull the trigger, but every now and then you’ll run across one that makes you shoot straighter and gives you that feeling of an angelic choir in full “Laaaaaa!” When that happens…..GET THAT GUN!!!  - Lisa Looper, creator of the Flashbang Bra Holster

You just finished reading Which Gun Should I Buy? on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!

Such a cute finished product! Be sure and send us photos of yours, too!

• 100 empty shotgun shells
• 100 count string of Christmas lights
• 15′ round wire floral wreath
• red ribbon (approx. 2″ wide and 20′ long)
• floral pins (the pins are shaped like staples, but the legs are about 1-1/2″ long)
• glue gun
• bow of choice

You just finished reading Christmas Craft: Shotgun Shell Wreath on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!

I’ve never quite done things like the other girls. And honestly…I don’t want to. I’d rather have a day at the gun rangethan sit around drinking martinis and gossiping. And I know there are more girls out there like me.

I used to think I was all alone. All by myself here in the in-between world of being a girl and liking things that people consider masculine. Guns. Trucks. Beer. Feeling both not feminine enough around the girls, and not masculine enough
around the guys. Always walking some kind of invisible line, where I didn’t know who I was supposed to be in any given moment.

The more time that passes, the more I realize that who I am, makes me unique. It might not make sense to everyone, but that’s ok. It makes sense to me and the people that truly love me, and that’s all that matters.

This is a battle cry for all the girls out there who love things that most people don’t think should go together. You want your nails done AND you carry a handgun. You’re sensitive AND you’re tough. You love your cowgirl boots AND
your high heels. You pay to get your hair done AND you wear it in a pony tail. You are it all. And you don’t have to choose.

I think the best thing any of us can do in our lives is love and accept ourselves for who we are. We were born this way. All unique. All perfect. I don’t know why I like firearms just as much as I don’t know why I like strawberries. I just do.
And the more I feel bad about myself for liking guns (or strawberries), the more unhappy I am.

Self-love is one of those funny things. We all know we’re supposed to do it, but we forget so easily and so quickly how. It’s a practice, just like any other.

So I hereby give you permission to be exactly who you are. Stand tall and firm in your beliefs and wants and desires. It is truly a beautiful thing to see a woman who knows who she is and doesn’t apologize for it.

So the next time you want to go to the gun range instead of drink martinis with the girls DO IT. Invite them along. Maybe ya’ll will find a brand new way to bond. Getting over your fears together. Feeling empowered for doing something that girls don’t normally do. It’s important for women to support each other. But even more importantly is that you support yourself.

Do any of you feel this way? What have been your experiences being a girl who loves firearms? What types of things do you face? Leave a comment below to share your story.

Sally Hope, The Unconventional Traditionalist, is a Blogger/Love and Life Coach who loves hot-pink lipstick, guns, crosswords and cowboys. A former Rockstar (https://youtu.be/jpgCAkSHxNQ), she has taken her show from the stage to the road by traveling around the US in an RV while coaching her clients and inspiring people to live their own Rockstar Lifestyles. Her latest obsessions include traveling, country swing dancing, motorcycles, LOVE, chips and salsa, and adventuring. Whatever it is you are wanting in your life, she will help you get there fasterYou can find her at her website (hyperlink: https://sallyhope.com) or her Facebook page (https://facebook.com/xosally) Twitter (https://twitter.com/sallyhopesays) or getting ridiculous on her YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/sallyhopesays)

You just finished reading Guns. Martinis. And Loving Yourself. on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!

Natalie Foster: Hey girl, how are you? I am excited to catch up!

Stephanie Hayden: I am great! I just finished closing on my property – my first one. I am ecstatic!

NF: You should be! That is really big news. It is a little testament to the way that life has changed since the show started, isn’t it?

SH: Yeah, exactly. I don’t even know what to think about it! I told Kris that I feel like I am finally wearing my big girl pants! (laughs) I mean, I have been a business owner for years, but this is a huge step, you know? I am beyond excited.

NF: Good- I am so glad. It is a huge day. And, of course, it happens on the same day that Season 3 premiers, which is totally fitting. So the last we saw, you guys were in Las Vegas and there was some serious stuff going down. You were trying to get a military contract, which seemed to go really well, and then there was some serious drama going on at the shop. What can we expect to see tonight?

SH: Well, they don’t want me to ruin any surprises, of course, but I can tell you that things did go really well with the contract and all of that.  I can’t say that we are signed right now – it is a really long process – but we have made some serious headway with that. It is something that you are probably going to see throughout the next two or three seasons just because it does take a long time for all of this to go through. This is not something that happens in a week. They get to meet you, they get to see the product, they get to see if they want to work with you in that week, but a military contract doesn’t just happen over night.  We have made some really big moves with Academy and we are looking at some other big names, too. Academy got their first shipment and sold out within 48 hours. They are very happy. We are working on a whole support line to go with it all, so there is a lot going on. The company is growing hugely. In fact, in a few weeks we will finally have a retail store open. People have been waiting on that for quite a while and we have finally pushed it through.

NF: Will it be in Baton Rouge?

SH: Yes, it will actually be just a couple of doors down from the Red Jacket headquarters and people will be able to come in and get gear and hats and posters and all of that.

NF: Will we see that on the show?

SH: Yeah, you will definitely see some of that on the show, but it will be after this season. We have not filmed any of that yet.  This whole season is pretty much… well, lets put it this way: that explosion you saw on the Vegas episode has a serious aftermath. This entire season is pretty dramatic. You will get to see some incredible people come through – it is going to blow your mind. We have gotten the chance to work with some huge names. It has been amazing. You will definitely see some fireworks and bombs go off inter-personally. They are advertising this as the season of drama and I know everyone says they hate the drama, but that is life, ya know? There are some pretty big things that have happened and there is talk (giggles) of other big things happening.

NF: So any hints on the Kris front that you would like to share with my readers?

SH: Well, the only thing I can say is that we are still together and we are still very happy, of course. Everything is going really well with us.

NF: I mean, we left off at a wedding chapel. That is a huge deal! What happened after that?

SH: Yes, well, that was one of those spur of the moment things that was thrown at us. I mean, we had joked around about it here and there and then all of the sudden we got pulled up to a chapel. It kind of took us both off guard. Look, it is a huge step and it is not something that you just want to fall in to. It is something that you want to be absolutely sure of and tonight you will find out what we thought about that.

NF: On the Discovery website they mention a couple of those visitors you talked about earlier, Jesse James and Joe Perry from Aerosmith. What was it like having them come to Red Jacket?

SH: When Joe Perry came in I was absolutely floored. I have always been a huge Aerosmith fan -  there was no greater person who could have walked through that door. I have wanted to meet him all my life! His wife was so nice and she taught me a lot about how to navigate this industry. We have caught some flack for having Jesse James come on the show and I can tell you this much as someone who is on a reality show – don’t judge a person when you don’t know them. He is a really nice guy and we had a lot of fun. He is welcome back at any time.

NF: So since you guys have been off the air it seems like you have been traveling quite a bit – where have you been and what were some of the highlights?

SH: Well, we were in Las Vegas for the SHOT show, of course. That was blast. Then we went to Washington, DC to meet all of the behind the scenes people who work on Sons of Guns at Discovery. It was so great to meet them and I had never been to DC before, so it was pretty incredible to see all the monuments and do the sights. Then this last week we got a really small break from filming so we decided to head to Phoenix, which was wonderful. We spent some time at the zoo We got to go rock climbing and went out to Lake Pleasant and just relaxed at the resort a bit.

NF: So are you guys having a viewing part or anything like that for the premiere of season 3?

SH: We are! For any of the locals, head over to the Londoner Bar & Grill. We are having a party! Come by, watch the show with us and have a few beers.

Let me know what you think of the new season in the comments below!

You just finished reading Stephanie Hayden on Sons Of Guns Season 3 on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!

Women key part of Cherry Point, Marine Corps history

Highly trained, highly motivated and indispensable to the war effort, they were called the Lady Leathernecks.

At the height of World War II at Cherry Point, 2,662 Marine Corps Women’s Reserve officers and enlisted personnel had jobs,

havenews.com via US Marine Corps

including radio operator, parachute rigger, aircraft mechanic, aerial photographer, chemical warfare specialist, combat conditioning and gunnery, and public relations. By the war’s end, there were 19,000 Women’s Reserves nationwide and some 40 percent were in aircraft support, mostly as mechanics.

Gladys A. Hansis, one of the first to arrive, recalled coming to Cherry Point in the late summer of 1943 to serve as a radio operator. She was one of the more than 600 women reservists at the 1-year-old base, which was swelling with more than 14,000 personnel, mostly men who were rapidly departing for combat duty in the Pacific theater.

In a Veterans History Project for the National Archives, Hansis said there was just one barracks for women Marines in 1943.

“Of course we were looked at as something different you know,” she said.

Their motto was “Free a Marine to Fight.”

…….

“When I came in the Marine Corps, women could only wear skirts. Skirts and makeup was a big thing when I came in,” she said. “You got the secretarial jobs, and I came in and did aviation supply and was into ground supply. When I came in, you did not shoot on the rifle range.”

Now she’s considered an expert in pistols, rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers.

“If it’s in our arsenal, I’ve shot it, so you go from one extreme to the other in my career,” she said. “So, you can see where women were working their way up to maybe in the future being in a combat role, which I think is where we are at now.”

She said she takes pride in being a woman in the Marine Corps.

“There’s quite a bit of pride,” she said. “There were a lot of ups and downs in those 30 years that go from where we started at, wearing skirts and doing more the administrative role, all the way over to I’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan and back again.

“I have a lot of pride for my entire career from the things that I’ve done. I’ve been a drill instructor. I’ve trained many Marines to do the job that they need to do. I’ve trained them in their MOSs. I’ve been on ship. Women weren’t allowed on ship until 1994. They were actually only allowed on hospital ships on some of the ships that the Navy had. The Marine Corps in 1994 allowed us to be on ship.

“There’s been a lot of changes throughout my career that I was proud to see and be part of. Looking back, so many things have changed for females. Males have had a lot of changes too, but the females particularly.

“When I came in the Marine Corps, women could only wear skirts. Skirts and makeup was a big thing when I came in,” she said. “You got the secretarial jobs, and I came in and did aviation supply and was into ground supply. When I came in, you did not shoot on the rifle range.”

Now she’s considered an expert in pistols, rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers.

“If it’s in our arsenal, I’ve shot it, so you go from one extreme to the other in my career,” she said. “So, you can see where women were working their way up to maybe in the future being in a combat role, which I think is where we are at now.”

She said she takes pride in being a woman in the Marine Corps.

“There’s quite a bit of pride,” she said. “There were a lot of ups and downs in those 30 years that go from where we started at, wearing skirts and doing more the administrative role, all the way over to I’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan and back again.

“I have a lot of pride for my entire career from the things that I’ve done. I’ve been a drill instructor. I’ve trained many Marines to do the job that they need to do. I’ve trained them in their MOSs. I’ve been on ship. Women weren’t allowed on ship until 1994. They were actually only allowed on hospital ships on some of the ships that the Navy had. The Marine Corps in 1994 allowed us to be on ship.

“There’s been a lot of changes throughout my career that I was proud to see and be part of. Looking back, so many things have changed for females. Males have had a lot of changes too, but the females particularly.”

”

https://www.havenews.com/news/corps-9408-point-war.html

You just finished reading WWII Women in Combat on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!

Do you want to know the secret to a good marriage?  Here is one tip: “It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say that keeps you together”.  Take my husband, Michael, and I for instance.  When we decided to get married we talked through many scenarios to make sure there were as few surprises as possible.  We knew we wanted to work hard, have kids and buy a house…with no guns. Yes, I was never going to allow a gun in my home, especially a home with children in it.

It’s not like I’d had a bad experience with guns. Society taught me that guns were wrong.  I’d heard every anti-gun argument out there without ever getting the other side.  I didn’t want them anywhere near my child or me. One would think that Michael, a veteran of the Marine Corps, would’ve had something to say about that, but he didn’t.  He kept quiet.  At that time, we were living in New York City and Michael knew it would be ridiculous to argue since it would be next to impossible to own a gun in NYC.  He probably also knew that the more he pushed, the more I would pull away.  Let’s face it; once you put a stake in the ground, you don’t want to move it.

In 2004 we made the trek to Los Angeles where we bought our first home. This was the first time in my adult life that I lived in a home instead of an apartment and I’ve got to say, I was a little nervous.  I wasn’t sure I liked living so exposed.  Plus, now we had a little boy that we both wanted to protect.  Shortly after we moved in, a man came to our door requesting some gasoline.  Being a New Yorker, I was overly suspicious and denied his request for me to take him to our garage where he could look for something to help start his car.  But I was worried that I was being an unfriendly neighbor since he claimed to live on our street and had a little girl that just died (all BS by the way).  Michael knew better.  As I turned to get his attention with my hand on the door, he positioned himself in a spot where the man could not see him and put his finger to his mouth so that I did not alert the man to his presence.  If the man had tried to force his way in then Michael could always use the element of surprise…but not a gun since I would not allow it.  A few months later, a neighboring house was robbed.

I didn’t feel comfortable and I don’t like being uncomfortable in my own home.  Michael knew it and suggested he get a gun.  We talked about my concerns and he explained to me the steps he would take to keep it safe and inaccessible to our son.  I thought about it for a long time and made a decision to trust my husband.  I was confident that he knew what he was doing and it was important for him to be able to protect us.

Now, you’ve heard the saying,  “Guns are like tattoos.  You can’t have just one.”  Well, it’s true.  So, several guns later, I could say I felt safe.  But was I being responsible?  What if Michael was out and I needed to protect my son and myself?  What good would a gun do me if I didn’t know the first thing about shooting it?  Plus, I was really enjoying all those shooting shows on TV like Top Shot and Sons of Guns.  Maybe it was time to exercise my 2nd Amendment right.

Mother’s Day seemed like as good a day as any to learn how to shoot.  Michael packed up the truck and we went to the local indoor range with two of my best girlfriends. They had been shooting most of their lives and were always up for some shooting—the perfect support group.  It wasn’t the first time I ever fired a gun so I can’t say I was scared (although it does take a moment to get used to the noise of the surrounding guns and one of the main reasons I would suggest shooting outdoors for the first time.)  I had some difficulty with the sights for I have a blind spot in my right eye.  Michael did an excellent job of explaining gun safety and the basics of shooting.  I no longer feared guns and wanted to become a shooter.  I thought I should have my own gun so that I could become proficient with it.  Michael gave me the gun I shot that day, a Smith and Wesson M&P.  Since then, we have been shooting several times.  Instead of date night at the movies or a restaurant, we often opt for a couple hours at a range.  I learn more each time and I improve with each shot.  Of course I do, I have a great teacher.

Maybe women look at guns differently than men?  I know there are women out there that grew up around guns and don’t have the same fears.  I also know that there are many women that have never even seen a real gun let alone shot one.  Maybe we want to feel secure enough in our relationship or ourselves before we allow such a huge responsibility into our lives.  There is a lot of trust that goes into firing a loaded weapon and you need to make sure your relationship can handle the responsibility.

You just finished reading Never Say Never on Girls Guide to Guns. Please consider leaving a comment!