Great Review of Capitol Area Practical Shooters

Thank you to our new friend Troy Fowler for his refreshing take on IDPA and his praise to John and I.  Read with the Pictures at http://outdoortrog.posterous.com/idpa-practical-useful-fun

Troy Wrote:

Rolled out to my first IDPA match this weekend.   Well, actually my son shot, I was there for the writing and to see what this whole concealed carry "scenario" based shooting was all about.

From what I observed, John and Julianna Crowder, who run this particular club, went logical with the name.

Capital - The Capital of Texas - Austin
Area - They welcome shooters from Hither and Yon.
Practical - Absolutely the most practical "practice" I've seen
Shooting - ABSOLUTELY - cool weapons, nice folks, and lots of pops!

check out their website - http://www.caps-chl.com/

After a more than efficient safety and rules of the range explanation, it was time to rock and roll. 

To make you a practical shooter the IDPA rules state you must have your handgun concealed under a jacket, including spare magazines.

Not surprisingly you were required to draw your gun, safely, finger off the trigger, acquire the target and shoot for center mass.  Interestingly.....a perfect score is 0.  Meaning you hit the 10 ring every time - which is backwards...well, sort of.  Here's the logic of "0 = 10 ring" - you're shooting for time.  High scores and misses add seconds to your overall time which rolls up to an overall score.  There were five scenarios so a few misses on each one can stack up at the end of the shoot.  So 0, or no additional time means you are shooting straight.   The experienced shooters are fast, very fast, but they shoot straight too - it is definitely something to pay attention to - when you get serious.

Hey for all of you who might be intimidated by a "pistol match" remember where we started here.  My son is 13 and absolutely loves pistols.  The CAPS group was welcoming and very supportive, teaching Caleb how it is all done safely, yet allowing him to handle his weapon as needed.  Trust me he was at least two decades younger than anyone I saw and did fine.   I suggest you check out the CAPS folks.  They shoot at Best of the West in Liberty Hill every second Sunday.  Safety, Orientation at 8:15, hammer down at 9 am.  BTW - if you show up early they'll even let you help set up.....just like any club....help is ALWAYS appreciated!


Come get you some practical shooting.  What the heck did you get that concealed carry for anyway.  It is a HOOT!

LaRue Range Day 2011

I was very excited (and honored)  when I got the call from my buddy Sheldon Caruth of Texas Multigun requesting members from A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League volunteer for the annual LaRue Range Day at Best of the West Shooting Sports in Liberty Hill TX.  Texas Multigun has been a huge sponsor for our league this year, supporting us in many ways.  We were asked to return the favor by volunteering at the annual LaRue Range Day as hospitality, but it was more like another big boost of support for us.

Sheldon calls me up and says I need 10 women to drive around in carts and pass out water.  I put out the call for volunteers and 11 gals stepped up for what became a very long day in the sun and wind.  Our task sounded very simple, but when you put us women from AG & AG in charge of hospitality, it became so much more than just handing out water.

We had so much fun!  First we had figuring out how to drive the mules, which were a bit persnickety anyhow; we organized food delivery for the Range Officers and Vendors, and interacted with all the participants waiting in line to shoot the big guns!  We made new friends at our information booth, even signed up a new member on the spot!  (Welcome Jane S.) 

Several of the gals that volunteered just completed the Babes with Bullets camp, shooting AR15s for the first time.  They were eyeballing the demo equipment, and before the end of the day, many where planning an AR build of their own!

You might not think that our job of passing out water and soda was very important, but in the grand scheme we had an awesome job that made a difference for a lot of people that day.  Can’t wait till next year’s Range Day!

Women Outdoors Media Association

I am very proud to say I am a member of www.TheWOMA.com  I am on a new path to becoming a blogger... Feels kind of strange to take the snipits from facebook and turn them into stories that other people find interesting to read. 

This year I have discovered several blogs by woman who hunt, educate, participate in competitive shooting sports, "product test" equipment for women, etc and didn't know that many of their blogs are availalble at WOMA.  This website is a fantastic resource for finding female focused information about all things outdoors!

Fellow Austinite Rhonda Esakov is a featured blogger, and is a friend to A Girl and A Gun Women's Shooting League and Woman's Safety Academy Texas. 

Babes With Bullets Texas Camp

Late spring I sent an email to Babes with Bullets asking if they would consider adding another camp to the 2012 calendar.  I was surprised to get a phone call back asking if I could pull together a camp for November…. of 2011!  They had a Texas location that wasn’t going to work out but didn’t want to cancel the camp.  I didn’t even waste a breath to tell Kay Miculek “YES I can make it happen”!

Deb Ferns, the camp director made quick work of updating the changes to the online camp registration, and I got to work spreading the word via my A Girl and A Gun facebook page.  Within 6 weeks we were full and had women from all over Texas, 1 from Oklahoma, 1 from Florida and 1 from Virginia on the roster for the FIRST ANNUAL TEXAS Babes Camp!

One of the  many things that is special about the Babes with Bullets camp is that is all inclusive: retreat style housing, healthy lunch, catered dinner, range fees and loaner guns and equipment is all INCLUDED in camp fee of $675.  Patricia Cashion is a local member of A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League’s Leander Chapter and is a student with La Cordon Blue Cooking School.  She was hired on as our Chef for the weekend and made 3 delicious for us.  Knowing at the end of the day that there was a healthy meal that tasted sinful made a huge difference.  It allowed time for all the campers to share in community about all the events of the day, and I think the best part… listen to the funny stories of our instructor’s travels and life experiences in the wild, wacky world of competitive shooting.  A special shout out to Patricia as she has been hired as the Chef for two camps on the 2012 schedule! 

Thursday evening the campers arrived in Burnet at Lake Buchanan and settled in for our 3 day camp.  Being the camp host, I met Kay, Maggie, Athena and Lena early around 7:00am Friday morning at Best of the West Shooting Sports to set up.  It was kind of funny saying hello in the cold dark morning all huddled around trying to get the padlock off the equipment area.  By 8:00am the campers had all arrived and the fun began!  First order of business was passing out belts and holsters to those that needed to borrow or try something different.  Then it was on to a 1 hour range safety class going over the basics and expectations of the camp.  You could feel the excitement from the women in the room, they were ready to shoot!

This was a beginner camp so it was all about the set up a good foundation and getting the basics down.  For some women it was their first experience shooting a gun, others it was their first formal instructional course.  A few gals, this was their 2^nd Babes Camp and were there for a refresher of the basics.   Day one went by so fast, a lot of information was given out and you could feel that the women to want to learn more, but Patricia was at the condo cooking, so we were out of there right on time!  Day two and three were full of excitement, especially when we moved in to the rifle portion of camp.   There was so much to learn and the girls wanted to know more, and repeat the drill again… and again… but there wasn’t time or enough ammo for that!   Ladies usually think that shooting rifles is hard or has strong recoil, they were very surprised how smooth it is, and I could see the spark of a new love flashing in their eyes.  I have to say the most exciting part of the weekend was watching these women sight in the AR’s, learn to shoot and move and how to take long distance shots accurately.  By Sunday afternoon they were running and gunning competition style with handguns and ARs, safe to say… they were hooked!  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

My favorite part was being able to ask questions about technique and strategy on how to improve my shooting game from National and World Champion Shooters!  I totally get star struck when in the presence of “professional shooters”.  I told Kay in an email prior to camp that every time I see her husband (Jerry Miculek) at an event all I can manage to say is “how is Kay?”  Jerry was so cool, he sent along an autographed picture for me and Kay said next time I see him to run up and give him a hug.  We will see how that works out at SHOT Show! LOL. 

As Deb Ferns says “it is part adventure camp, part firearms training and part pajama party.”  Texas can’t wait till next year when the Babes are back in town!

Special thanks to our instructors:

Kay Miculek

Maggie Reese

Athena Lee

Lena Miculek

Deb Ferns

MVP: thank you to Texas Multigun for sponsoring the range facility fees for this camp.

This camp was made possible by the following sponsors:

Smith and Wesson

Otis

USPSA

Pro Video 4U

HiViz Shooting Systems

Atlanta Arms and Ammo

JP Enterprises, Inc

Sarfiland

Howard Leight

Nikon

Insight Technology

2011 USPSA Multigun Nationals!

My road to the USPSA Multigun Nationals is a bit unconventional, but that is ok, I like that!  I saw an opportunity to step way out of my comfort zone and grabbed it!  I got mixed feedback from my trusted friends in the shooting community that I wasn’t prepared for this and that working a major match was extremely hard work, all the way to you will learn so much and you can’t pass this up.  I can tell you it was the best decision I have made in a long time… sore feet and all. 

A call for volunteers went out across the country to help the understaffed match a week before the event.  I commented on a message board that it sounded like fun, wish I could go and that was all it took.  NROI Instructor Troy McManus messaged me back and said “come on”.  I explained that I am new to USPSA and not certified to RO a major match.  That didn’t stop the invitation, but instead welcomed me with open arms and said I that I they could use me somewhere.  So I booked a ticket and the next Wednesday was on a plane to Vegas!

My first of many new friends was Mike Carraher.  We meet up at the airport and right away he made me feel welcomed and was so nice to explain what I was to expect for the next 4 days.    I told him that he would be my favorite if we could find a Del Taco!  It became the joke of the week to keep me happy was to get me Del Taco.

Thursday morning was the staff meeting, it was so exciting to be involved and I didn’t even know what my job was yet.  Turns out I was to be a scorekeeper!!!  I love that job.  I was wonderfully paired with Fred & “Butch”.  I am sure they were not so thrilled to have a USPSA newbie on their stage, but they were very kind and helpful to me.   On the way back to the hotel for the required NROI course (National Range Officers Institute) was another stop at Del Taco, keeping me a happy girl.  I had the good fortune to meet another Nationals first timer Chris Palmer from Georgia.  We became fast friends and were able to share the experience as newbies together. 

Friday morning, or “Game Day” as Butch called it arrived with my first bit of nerves.  The reality of what I had signed up for hit me and I was a little scared and a lot star struck.  I got a crash course on the dos and don’ts, and off we went.  After the first squad, my nerves settled down and I began to really enjoy the experience.  I didn’t see myself as someone with authority, so I was careful to wait for instructions.  That worked well most of the time, except for a situation when competitors were too close to the pre-loaded shotguns and I found out that I was responsible for watching that area.  As the match progressed, I could feel the trust that Fred and Butch were feeling in me when they said “hey you are supposed to be in charge of that”.  Good to know! 

I was lucky enough to score keep the La Rue match last April hosted my Texas Multi Gun, and squad after squad I recognized shooters from that match.  It was fun for me to “say I remember you” and thrilled that they remembered me too.    There is definitely a proper way to interact with the competitors, and took ques from them on when and how to engage them.  There is an exchange that happened between me and each shooter when they sign their score sheet.  They were either happy or not with their performance, at which I could offer up kudos or remind them that it was still a better day than not shooting at all.  I made many new friends that way, and that felt very rewarding to me.  I enjoyed watching the dynamics of how each competitor prepared for the stage.   Some were very serious and quite, other serious but talkative, and a few just down right hilarious.  Besides the obvious friendships that these shooters have, the support of each other to do well was impressive. 

 It was very exciting to meet the Super Squads! I did my best to contain being star struck and not say anything stupid.  I can say without a doubt being able to RO this match was a huge benefit to me as a new competitor.  I had the opportunity to observe the best shooters in World plan a strategy and work the stage.   That kind of visual education is priceless as it helped me connect the dots in my brain on marksmanship and how to move the body in the most efficient way possible. 

These gals met for the first time
at USPSA Multigun Nationals!
Both are from the Vegas area
and are future competitors!

Looking at the match from the female perspective, there were not many gals around, but the ones that were there are completely awesome.  There were women there working hard with the set up crew, working as lead RO’s and several that competed.  The women in the stat shack were also experienced competitors, and it really hit home to me how skilled all these women are.  Not only do they run the behind the scene work, they are shooters as well.  It left me feeling inspired that the women in competitive shooting have a very bright future… and the sport needs us.  There were many women there in support of their husbands/boyfriends and kept the squads organized.  I asked some of the gals that were spectators if they were shooters too, and many of them said yes!  They were new shooters and not ready for a match of this caliber… yet!  These women are leaders regardless if they know it or not and I was happy to meet them. 

Working a major match is exciting, but is a really crazy thing to do.  Why on earth would anyone want to get up early and go to be late, be on their feet all day walking the stage hundreds of times, plus set up and break down over the course of 4 days?  In the middle of your braining telling your feet that the situation sucks and you can’t believe you volunteered for this, your eyes are already looking forward to next time to you can do it again because of the people you get to spend time with and the sense of accomplishment you feel by creating a great experience for the competitors. 

I am very happy that I decided to jump into this opportunity.  A special thank you to Michael Voigt, John Amidon, Kim Williams and Carl Schmidt for welcoming me to the USPSA family, and for the invitation for me to come back next year, with the requirement to get certified.  Too cool!    

Adventures At The Gun Show

Gun Shows

I have been working the Gun Show for 5 years now promoting my CHL classes.  As I was sitting behind my table last weekend “people watching” the thought crossed my how much the show is the same in terms of vendors and product, but how much the show has changed in who is attending…. Women!

It is typical to see the a few chicks following the dudes up and down the aisles with him shopping with a childlike glimmer in his eye, with her reward being some beef jerky, sugared pecans and maybe a piece of jewelry or a candle.  I have met my fair share of husbands and fathers that dragged the women in their life to my table so I could talk to them about classes and convince them that having a gun is not a bad thing. 

My favorite bait and switch moment was during the last election when the Sarah Palin shirts were really hot.  There was a vendor next to be that happen to be selling just such a t-shirt.  The husband who I had visited with several times during past gun shows got his wife to attend with him that day and got her next to my table by showing her this shirt.  It was my moment to take every objection she had and turn it into a reason why she needed to give me and my classes a chance.  She agreed to come to my CHL class the next weekend, and by the time we were finished with that 10 hours, she was already signed up for my next 8 hour new shooter course, and brought another family with her.  She is my one of my favorite clients and is now my friend.  It doesn’t really matter what her objections were, it was that I was able to connect with her woman to woman and explain the truths about what she was afraid of.

Getting back on topic here… I have noticed the numbers jump in women attending the show and who are actively shopping for a guns, concealed carry purses and best of all TRAINING!  There is a different feeling at the show, and I praise the women for it!  If you haven’t been to a gun show, I recommend the experience at least one time; it will open your eyes to the several options that are available to you for recreational and self defense firearms.

What age is ok to start teaching the kids about guns?

There is something very special about teaching our kids about the facts of life.  We teach them how to ride a bike,  play sports, to look both ways before crossing the street, don’t play with fire, stranger danger etc.   The topic of guns usually gets left out, except for the phrase “they’re bad… don’t touch it”. 

I love this topic and the opportunity to talk with parents about how they can teach their kids about gun safety, and become more responsible gun owners at the same time!  First let me say that our 2nd Amendment must be protected and the only way that can be done is to pass on the traditions of hunting, sport & recreational shooting and the ability to use guns for self defense to our kids or it will be lost to future generations.  With that said let’s get to it!

Parents must decide when their child is old enough to receive gun safety training.  A common question is what is the right age?  We started our boys with formal training at 8yrs old, but we started preparing them at 3yrs old.  Keep in mind that just because you start training at 8yrs old (or younger) each child will progress at their own speed.  Maturity has a lot to do with it.  Our older son was very comfortable learning how to shoot and demonstrated responsible gun handling skills early on.  He participated in competitive shooting and hunting by the time he was 9 yrs old.  Our younger son didn’t become comfortable with hunting and competitive shooting until he was 12.  I once knew a kid at 4yrs old that could shoot his 410 shotgun and drive a gator like nobody’s business.  It is all up to the individual kid. 

The NRA has a wonderful program called Eddie Eagle and teaches “STOP, DON’T TOUCH, LEAVE THE AREA, and TELL AN ADULT”.   The program is designed for children in preschool to 3rd grade.  There is a cartoon and workbook featuring Eddie Eagle that uses a song & dance with a great storyline to get point across about what to do if you child should happen upon a gun.     There is a full curriculum guide that includes several handouts, stickers and a certificate of completion.  The program is not designed to teach safe handling or marksmanship.  Formal training can include the Boy Scout merit badge for rifle and shotgun (which is great for the girls too, you can find the worksheets and topics of discussion online, or for kids age 10 & the NRA first steps or home firearm safety course.  If you are a parent that is new to guns as well, they are ideal classes for the entire family.  The best memories come from mom or dad taking their kid to the range and showing them how to use the sights and sharing the joy of pulling the trigger for the first time.

Parents should be positive role models for their children.  It is absolutely important that you are following the three rules for safe gun handling:

1.       ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. 

2.       ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

3.       ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. 

Additional guidelines are

}  Know your target and what is behind it

}  Be sure the gun is safe to operate

}  Treat every gun as if it was loaded

}  Check TWICE to be sure firearm is unloaded

}  Know how to use the gun safely

}  Use only the correct ammunition

}  Wear eye and ear protection

}  Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting

Bottom line, there are two major cause of gun accidents:  ignorance and carelessness.  Don’t be ignorant or careless about safe gun handling in front of your child, monkey see monkey do. 

Parents should help their children understand the difference between pretend and real life.    Our kids watch all these cop shows on TV and movies where someone get shot and just falls down and dies.  In reality being shot is a horrible, gruesome, ugly thing and we make sure our kids know it!  We also use these shows as teaching opportunities.  It is a game to point out all the poor gun handling skills, finger on the trigger, sweeping the muzzle of the gun towards another person.   My proudest moment was at a movie theater when my younger son who was 9yrs old at the time saw a huge display with a hot chick holding a gun.  He didn’t notice the hot chick; he noticed her finger on the trigger!

Do not keep firearms a mystery.  As with everything else, if you tell them they can’t have it, they will seek it out!  Whenever a new gun comes into our home, under our firm supervision everyone gets to see it, hold it, learn about it, and eventually shoot it.   It becomes another opportunity to practice correct gun handling skills and places the gun in our home environment and not something they only see at the range. 

Girl's Night Out at the Shooting Range!

There is a huge movement all across America, women are buying guns and going to the range in record numbers.   Some gals are just jumping in and hanging with the boys, while others are more timid and are looking for a support group to ease into it. 

The good news is there are many groups, leagues and clubs forming for ladies only to come out and learn to shoot in a fun, relaxed and safe environment. Depending on your  interests:  hunting, action shooting sports or self defense, Girl’s Night Out at the shooting range is a great way to make friends and form a support system to help you in your journey to being independent with your gun. 

CAUTION: GIRL’S NIGHT OUT AT THE SHOOTING RANGE IS ADDICTIVE!  I may only shoot a box of 50 rounds, but I can spend 2 hours at the range hanging with my girlfriends, then on to dinner afterwards.  Participating in the league at my local shooting range has enabled me to meet a wide range of women that I wouldn’t have meet in my normal business and networking circles.   For me, a few of my new relationships has lead to business development, another gal was elected event organizer and is bringing the group together in social events outside the range.  Real friendships are happening and it is really awesome. 

If you would like help finding a group in your part of town, email me at julianna.crowder@gmail.com  There are too many groups to list here, but I am more than happy to help you find one… or help you start one at your local shooting range. 

Revisting my Tiger Valley Experience

My first weekend of training was a level one carbine class.  I knew that I would most likely be the only girl in class and was ready for my fellow classmates not to expect much from me or my shooting ability.  So that morning I did my hair and make-up, picked out my shooting “outfit” and loaded up my gear, which includes a custom lavender AR-15.  The hair and make-up didn’t last long, but I looked good when I got there and pretended I was a badass Angelina Jolie character!  My husband John came along as my chauffer and cheerleader for the weekend.  It was wonderful bonding time for us!   Let me share this tip with you girls, there is no better turn on for a guy than a girl shooting a gun and doing it well!  As I expected I opened the door to the classroom and walked into an all male class.  I was met with smiles from my instructors and quick glances from the guys.   After the range safety brief we started the class by zeroing in our rifles to make sure we were hitting what we were aiming at.   The instructor pointed out how well I was doing and told the guys I was making them look bad!  I had an immediate confirmation that even though I didn’t know as many technical terms as everyone else, my lavender AR and I we’re going to do just fine!

What I wanted to gain from this carbine class is a higher confidence and build muscle memory with my AR.  My muscles learned after two days of training that before we take the level two class we will be going to gym and getting into shape!   I practiced drills getting on target fast and accurately, moving, getting down to the ground and shooting long range.  That was work and I don’t care who you are!  There is a phrase “train how you fight”… so I had on my “go to war gear” on and practiced how to move around with it.  Being a girl with a lot of curves it was challenging at times.   I came away from weekend #1 with pride, excited that I learned knew techniques and did them successfully!  I made friends with a few of the guys and was definitely part of the team.

The next weekend I returned to Tiger Valley for the Level 1 pistol class.  I went alone this time because I felt comfortable with my instructors and really wanted to step out on my own.  I spend a lot of time at the range helping others with their marksmanship.  I recently I realized I am having some issues that I haven’t been able to fix on my own.   So weekend #2 was my personal confidence booster!    As I did the weekend before, I walked into a class of all men but this time saw a few familiar faces from my shooting community.   There was another couple in class and I assumed that lady was along to watch her husband because she wasn’t dressed appropriately to spend two days at the range.  But to my surprise she took the class.  Remember the quick glances I spoke of before?  Well she got them for sure.   It was the third time she had ever held a pistol and did very well, and did it in a pair of low heel boots!  Her mental attitude was very inspiring and she didn’t let this very intimidating environment shake her!  I would like to add that even though she did fantastic , this kind of  class is not meant for the completely novice  shooter.  I would highly recommend taking the NRA First Steps course so you have an understanding of safe handling of the firearm and range etiquette before taking any class that teaches marksmanship. 

The two days I spent with my Glock 34 were wonderful.  It was like finding a new best friend!  I had marked improvement on my issue with trigger control and gained a new perspective on what your grip should FEEL like.   I can’t wait to get to the range this week and practice, and will miss my instructor saying “outstanding” every time I do it right.  I am so excited and inspired it is crazy! 

I am a certified NRA Firearms instructor and teach the TX CHL, so I feel very comfortable around guns in general.  My husband is also a firearms instructor and has educated me over the years.  But as we know there is only so much your spouse can teach you before you need to hear it from someone else.   No matter what your level with firearms is, taking a beginner course is always a good idea.  I was able to spend time on the very basics of shooting and put into practice the skills I need to draw my gun and shoot accurately.  If you can shoot fast but can’t hit your target…. It is time to take a class. 

Women Learn Differently Then Men... yah think!

Women’s Safety Academy Texas understands that women desire a different approach when it comes to firearms training. Women process information differently and have different needs when learning to shoot a gun.  This may surprise you, but in general women tend to be better shots than men, learn faster, and are safer handling firearms when taught in the right environment.  The right environment beings with an instructor who knows how to communicate the information in a way you can process it. 

When I was first learning to shoot, I had a great support system.  My husband is very knowledgeable and is a fantastic instructor.   Most of the time I understood what he was telling me, but a few times it led to major riffs in the peaceful waters of the Crowder home when I wasn’t getting the answers I was looking for, couldn’t grasp what we has telling me, or didn’t progress as fast as he expected me too.  Part of the disconnect was the dynamics of being husband and wife, but another part was his ability to relate to my learning process.  I have found some wonderful training schools but noticed that I was usually the only gal in the class, and the style of teaching is designed for how men learn. 

The “women’s demographic” is on fire right now and many instructors are expanding their programs accordingly.  August of 2010 I launched Women’s Safety Academy Texas for the same reason, but developed my programs from a different perspective.  I have an ability to translate the material into what I call “Julianna speak” when I pass it on to my fellow lady shooters.  Before becoming a firearms instructor, I owned a dance studio for 7 years, and being a trained dancer I learn kinetically, so I  teach women to shoot using kinetic methods.  I relate the techniques of shooting to everyday activities and motions, even to yoga and pilates.

Without the proper environment that addresses a woman’s specific need for instruction, she may leave the class without any confidence or retention of in what was taught to her.  That is when you hear her say, “I took a class, but I don’t remember can you show me again”.   She certainly doesn’t want to offer up to teach other women because she has no self-confidence in her own skills. She will be less likely to recommend formal training to her friends as well. How do I know this? Because I have been there!  I made it through my classes ok, retained some good info, but wouldn’t think that many of my friends would endure, let alone enjoy the class.

At Women’s Safety Academy Texas we teach women the correct techniques while addressing the specific learning styles of each woman.   Most importantly, we address their confidence level immediately.  You will leave with more than just the basic skills of shooting, an increased confidence, and be comfortable with your new shooting skills and the safety that knowledge provides.

Visit www.WomensSafetyAcademyTexas.com  to learn more about the classes we have available, which are taught by women for women. All classes offer a safe and enjoyable place for our women to learn the skills necessary to operate, handle, shoot and clean a firearm with confidence.

Questions and Tips For Buying A Gun

How to find the right gun, or maybe you are not sure you really like the gun you have. 

Think about all the needs you have for a pistol. Before you buy that pretty gun, let’s find out what your needs are. What do you want the pistol for?  Target practice, self-defense…or both.  If it is for defense, will you use the gun for home defense, car defense, concealed carry?    Do you plan to make shooting sports a regular hobby? Possibly plan to compete in action shooting sports?  Consider how it will perform doing these multiple tasks if you are only considering buying one gun.  Once you have identified what you need the gun to do, then you can narrow down what will work best for those needs. This will also help you determine the caliber and model of firearm you should be considering.  Speaking of choosing a caliber… will the caliber of ammunition be readily available and how expensive will it be?
How familiar are you with firearms?  You will need to spend time to get acquainted with your gun so you can be comfortable in its use, cleaning and maintenance, not just loading it and firing it.  If you are planning to depend on it for your personal safety, you should be willing to practice and get familiar with it!  Enroll in a formal training class.  You also must prepare yourself mentally to use your gun to defend yourself against an attack and in the worse case, be willing to take a human life.  In a life-and-death confrontation, you cannot afford to have a debate in your head on whether to pull the trigger or not.
Do you know the law? Are you willing to take the time to read the laws regarding firearms?  They are rather lengthy and can be tricky to understand. It is important that you know the State and local laws, and abide by them.  The best way to learn Texas law is to attend a concealed handgun license course, even if you don’t intend to apply for the license.  The course topics include: gun safety, proper storage options, and use for deadly force.  You are required to keep the gun “safe” at all times. That means you are liable for the firearm and it’s use by anyone (even a thief) so you had better be prepared to have a safe secure storage system BEFORE you buy.
Try Before You Buy – Go to a local range or enroll in a class with an instructor that allows you to try lots of different guns.  Remember it is not all about caliber, it is about how the gun feels in your hand.   Three things you are looking for:
1. The gun fits properly in your hand, able to reach all the controls
2. Sights easily align
3. You can handle the recoil.
Typically for self-defense you want the largest caliber you can COMFORTABLY handle.  Keep in mind that pistols of the same caliber or even manufacturer do not feel the same in the grip.  Each model has a different weight and feel, it is just like finding shoes, you might wear a size 8, but all size 8’s don’t feel the same.  Other things to consider is if you will being using the pistol as a carry gun is can you conceal it on your body and can you wear it on your hip or store it in your purse without it being too heavy. 

A gun is something that you shouldn’t compromise on.  You want a reputable firearm that will last, and will work for your specific purpose(s). You want a gun you can handle, you want a gun that you feel in love with, not one that you “fight” with or are frightened of.  Choosing the right gun makes a huge difference.  Most people do not get it right the first time, but you can by putting in the time to educate yourself!