Today I took a lady from my church small group to the 1500 gun show. The last time she shot anything was about 17 years ago in high school. She wants to get a handgun for self protection, mainly inside her house, but the intent of today was really just to reintroduce her to the world of firearms.
Now here's some background. She's probably around 6 feet tall, and her hands are larger than mine (she used to be a piano player, and you can tell from the reach of her fingers). Now I would say that the first rule of picking out a handgun is it has to feel comfortable in your hands. If it's too big and you can't get a good hold on it, or if it's too small and is too uncomfortable in your hands, I say it's not a good fit for you. That in mind, my plan for the day was to show her as many types/styles of handguns as possible, let her handle them, and see what felt right to her.
So we're going through the show, and make it into the second room. By this time she's held probably two dozen guns of all types and calibers. We get down to the end of the row we're in, and a guy behind the table asks if he can help her. When she says that she's looking for a self defense piece for the home, what do you think he says? He tells her, "You need a revolver," and proceeds to point towards the little .38 special at the table. He goes on to explain that the revolver would be better than a semiauto for her because it's less complicated, has less parts that could break, and is safer to own and use.
After he's done talking to her, she walks away from the table to where I've moved to. She basically said that she felt that he was talking to her as if she was an idiot. I say that some people will tell all women that the only gun they should have is a revolver because they think that a semiauto is too complicated for a woman, and that I was sorry that we ran into that sexist man.
Now, maybe this guy just likes revolvers, but what happened next kills that possibility. Shortly after my friends conversation with the guy, I saw the man speaking to an older gentleman, who also wanted a gun for self defense. He was pointed over to the Glocks.
So I'm wondering if the women on this board have experienced similar situations? Do you get treated as if you don't know anything, and couldn't possibly handle X handgun? What do you think of this story?
By the way, by the end of the show, do you know what handgun my friend liked the most? The 1911 style .45.
Now here's some background. She's probably around 6 feet tall, and her hands are larger than mine (she used to be a piano player, and you can tell from the reach of her fingers). Now I would say that the first rule of picking out a handgun is it has to feel comfortable in your hands. If it's too big and you can't get a good hold on it, or if it's too small and is too uncomfortable in your hands, I say it's not a good fit for you. That in mind, my plan for the day was to show her as many types/styles of handguns as possible, let her handle them, and see what felt right to her.
So we're going through the show, and make it into the second room. By this time she's held probably two dozen guns of all types and calibers. We get down to the end of the row we're in, and a guy behind the table asks if he can help her. When she says that she's looking for a self defense piece for the home, what do you think he says? He tells her, "You need a revolver," and proceeds to point towards the little .38 special at the table. He goes on to explain that the revolver would be better than a semiauto for her because it's less complicated, has less parts that could break, and is safer to own and use.
After he's done talking to her, she walks away from the table to where I've moved to. She basically said that she felt that he was talking to her as if she was an idiot. I say that some people will tell all women that the only gun they should have is a revolver because they think that a semiauto is too complicated for a woman, and that I was sorry that we ran into that sexist man.
Now, maybe this guy just likes revolvers, but what happened next kills that possibility. Shortly after my friends conversation with the guy, I saw the man speaking to an older gentleman, who also wanted a gun for self defense. He was pointed over to the Glocks.
So I'm wondering if the women on this board have experienced similar situations? Do you get treated as if you don't know anything, and couldn't possibly handle X handgun? What do you think of this story?
By the way, by the end of the show, do you know what handgun my friend liked the most? The 1911 style .45.
I've loved saying that ever since Annie posted her story.
when I've seen described.
. Like Joe and Cathy, I don't go back if they don't treat me right the first time.
They are aware of a changing clientel and are doing something about it.
.
