Women Friendly Store

The Woman Friendly Gun Shop

At Dury’s,  you will find both men and women. A significant portion of the Dury’s workforce is female ( see above picture) and, consequently, everyone at Dury’s is keenly aware of the female perspective when it comes to guns and the shooting sports. At Dury’s our goal is to give you the information you need to make a good decision when purchasing a gun. Above all else,  we want you to feel safe with your firearm and we will work with you until that goal is achieved. You will never be pressured  into a sale. You will never be demeaned because of a lack of gun knowledge.  Any deviation from the rules and Betty Dury, President of Dury’s Inc , will be your advocate!

Are you interested in getting a handgun, but overwhelmed by all the different types and models available?

On the Dury’s homepage is a button labeled “Ladies Handgun Class”.  If you click on this button you will see a course description and other details about the course. You will also see a reference to using     “ air soft guns”. An air soft gun is a fully functional gun that only shoots small plastic BB’s. The benefit of using an air soft gun is that you can use and practice shooting in a very realistic manner without any of the dangers inherent with a real firearm.  If you attend the “Women’s Handgun Class” you will have an opportunity to shoot various types of air soft handguns. This gives you the opportunity to have hands on feel and use of different types of handguns in a totally safe environment. This knowledge will help you in choosing the handgun best suited to your needs.

HANDGUNS FOR WOMEN

When a woman comes into the gunshop inquiring about a handgun for personal protection, we’ll ask several questions to help steer her in the right direction. We’ll ask about any past experience in shooting handguns and any possible personal preference of handgun types if she’s been exposed to various makes. We’ll also let her get a feel for several sizes of revolvers and semi auto handguns to see which feels most comfortable to her particular hand size. Other factors to consider are the upper body strength required to retract a semi auto’s slide fully to the rear, as well as hand strength required to be able to pull the trigger of a double-action revolver or auto.

When making a recommendation to women concerning a handgun for personal protection, there are other factors that must be considered, as well. Will the gun be kept at home exclusively or will it be carried concealed? This will influence overall size of the gun, including barrel length. A gun kept in the home can be larger than a gun that will also see duty as a concealed carry gun. The selected caliber and ammunition must provide “stopping power” and efficiency with minimal recoil. Most important, the shooter must be able to use the gun safely and effectively.

Gun manufacturers cater to men, since men make up a much larger portion of the gun sales market. For this reason, handguns are scaled to the typical male hand. That’s why it’s very important for a woman to feel how a particular gun fits her hand and whether she can operate the controls of the gun. She’ll be able to determine which feels most comfortable and would be most likely to fulfill her needs, whether for home defense or concealed carry.

REVOLVER OR SEMI AUTO?

There are pros and cons to consider when making the choice between revolvers and semi autos. Revolvers are simpler to operate, load, shoot and are considered more reliable. The controls of a semi auto are generally more complicated. Semi autos can malfunction if not kept clean or if fired without a firm hold on the grip. Many women feel safer handling or carrying a loaded revolver than a semi auto. Once loaded, one only needs to pick up the gun, aim it and pull the trigger (assuming the gun is a double-action revolver). Releasing the trigger and pulling it again fires subsequent rounds, if needed. Small frame revolvers also tend to have a shorter trigger reach which feel more comfortable to some women. Small, short-barreled guns are easier to retain if there’s a struggle with an attacker. The trigger pull required to discharge the weapon is generally less on a semi auto pistol than a double-action revolver. Limited ammunition capacity is one of the drawbacks of the typical revolver, as compared to a semi auto of similar size. Semi autos typically will hold more rounds than a revolver.

While lighter weight makes a handgun easier to carry, it intensifies felt recoil. A handgun/ammo combination that the shooter finds intimidating will not be used effectively if the need arises. A smaller caliber that the shooter is able to use accurately, safely and quickly is much more effective than a larger, “better” caliber that the user cannot hit with. Choose your handgun carefully and PRACTICE until proficient in the use of it. Practice regularly to maintain your proficiency. Prepare for the possibility that, one day, your life or the lives of your loved ones might depend on your ability to quickly and efficiently stop a violent attack.

While at Dury’s Gun Shop, any of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist in your selection of a personal defense weapon. We’ll help you select a handgun that you can use effectively and comfortably. Also, we’ll give you information on the monthly “Ladies Handgun Class” presented by Timothy Wallace. This class now includes live fire air soft shooting to reinforce techniques discussed. Let Dury’s help make your handgun purchase and instruction a pleasurable, stress-free experience!