Choosing Self-Defense Guns for Women

Brenda Rollins was a 20-year-old college student studying to be a nurse.  Due to limited funds, she worked two jobs while taking classes.  To save money, she rented an apartment in a not-so-great neighborhood and took public transportation everywhere she went.  She usually walked the three-block distance from the bus stop to her home several hours after the sun had set.

One cold January night, she heard steps behind her as she approached her building.  She quickened her pace and heard the feet behind her break into a run.  A moment later, she felt a rough hand on her shoulder, just before her assailant spun her around. 

The big, burly man towered over her.  He glared at her like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, as he raised a huge knife.  “If you scream, I’ll cut you to pieces,” he growled between clenched teeth.

Brenda took a step backwards.  The man rushed at her.  Then, he flew backwards as the first round from her .38 caliber revolver slammed into his chest.  Two more bullets followed, one hitting his shoulder, the other his belly.  Dropping the knife, he staggered a few feet towards the alley he had hid in.  He then collapsed to the sidewalk, dead.

Brenda was acquitted of any wrongdoing at a hearing a few months later.  She finished nursing school, got married, and is now a happy mom and health care professional.  Her story might have turned out differently, however, had she not carried a weapon for self-defense.

It’s a sad irony that those who can benefit most from having a firearm are statistically the least likely to own one.  Studies show that one in five women will be the victim of a rape attempt at some point in their lives.  Over five million of them are targets of domestic violence each year.  The risks are especially great for those who are in their early 20s, are members of racial minority groups, or live in low-income areas. 

Males are twice as likely to own a firearm as females, even though men have a much lower risk of being targeted by criminals.  All of this points to the need for self-defense guns for women.  Even a physically diminutive lady can easily incapacitate or kill an attacker, if she has a gun and knows how to use it. 

Of course, the indisputable fact is that females as a group are smaller and have less muscle mass than men.  Thus, while final choice will vary greatly depending on the individual, the following are general guidelines for women to take into account when shopping for a firearm:

• Unless they intend to regularly clean, maintain, and shoot the weapon, they should probably buy a revolver. Revolvers are much simpler mechanically than auto-loading pistols, and more forgiving of neglect.  This makes them a better pick for those to whom guns are a necessary evil, not a favorite pastime.

• They will probably be happier with small-framed weapons. Again, there are plenty of exceptions to this.  Nonetheless, women as a group have smaller hands than men and may find large weapons difficult to operate.  Fortunately, there are plenty of choices out there for them.  Many manufacturers even have models specially designed for ladies, including Smith & Wesson, Charter Arms, and Rossi. 

• They will need to seek a balance between stopping power and recoil. Large, powerful weapons can be difficult for even physically strong persons to handle, due to the blowback from being fired.  Even the most powerful cartridge is useless if it doesn’t hit its target.  While opinions on the subject vary, it’s generally agreed that a weapon chambered for .38 Special rounds is a great overall choice for most ladies.  It offers respectable stopping power, yet isn’t so strong that it will knock the shooter on their tail or interfere with hitting a nearby target.
   
• So-called “hammerless” models are better than one with exposed spurs. Almost all women who carry a handgun keep it in their purse.  This is fine so long as they can retrieve it on a moment’s notice.  However, revolvers with external hammers are notorious for catching on zippers or strips of fabric. 

There’s a lot more to consider when deciding on self-defense guns for women.  Fortunately, the staff at Dury’s Gun Shop is happy to help you choose the right one for your needs.  Their decades of expertise with all sorts of firearms make them the experts to turn to, whether you’re looking for a hunting rifle, shotgun, or personal defense revolver or pistol.  Contact them today.

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