Handgun Speed Dating- Take 2!
Delaware Tactical instructor providing some 1 on 1 instruction to a soon to be new gun owner.
Women’s Handgun Speed Dating has been a huge success every time we have organized it. Participants range from women who have never shot before to women who’ve shot for years, but still weren’t sure if the gun they purchased was the right one for them.
This event was about learning how to choose something that would work well for each individual when they are ready to purchase their first… or another, more suiting firearm for their needs.
For this event, several agencies came together to ensure there was a wide variety of handguns to try. Those with optics and those without. Compacts, sub-compacts, and full sized. Reasonably priced vs. some that were at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, they all had 2 things in common. Proven reliability and caliber.
As instructors well versed in ballistics we recommend 9 mm and above for self-defense, for many different reasons. Reliability, function, availability, and cost are factors to be considered.
Many gun shops will often recommend a revolver or a .380 for women. However, as proven time and time again on the range, those might not be the best options for you.
Revolvers - Myths & Truths…. A BRIEF Discussion
Myth 1: Revolvers never malfunction
Truth: They can and do malfunction. Pocket or purse fuzz, dirt, sand, or piece of paper can prevent the cylinder from rotating. Why would this happen? Move to myth 2.
Myth 2: You can just throw them in your purse.
Truth: While you can technically put them in a pocket or throw them in your purse, safety and reliability of that carry method are an issue. In addition, could something get lodged in the trigger if it’s just thrown in there? Absolutely. A good holster and purse designed for carrying are important. Besides, rummaging in your purse, looking for a free-range gun when faced with a threat (or searching for your keys) …. not a great plan.
Myth 3: They are easy to use.
Truth: Indeed, most are simple. Load and press the trigger. That being said, the trigger pull is often very heavy to make sure the trigger is not easily pressed and every shot is intentional. If choosing a revolver for self-defense, just understand that ammo capacity and reload time can be an issue, especially if faced with more than one attacker or an individual who isn’t living in reality due to drugs or a mental health crisis.
Why Not .380
More expensive than 9 mm
Harder to find when ammo supplies are low
There are only 2 brands of .380 ammo that are tested and shown to work as intended
Most handguns chambered in .380 have more felt recoil/are more snappy than the majority of 9mm handguns due to frame size
Most .380 handguns are smaller framed, giving you less to hold onto and making it more difficult to get accurate followup shots due to a combination of grip size and shorter barrels. Plus, most only hold 6 -8 rounds, which is a topic of discussion for another day!
** There are a few new handguns that are chambered in .380 and designed so that recoil management is much easier. You should absolutely look at handgun reviews on YouTube and do your research prior to purchasing ANY firearm.
Taking all of this into account, we are not here to tell you NOT to purchase or carry either of these. Instead, we simply want you to be aware of these issues so that you can be informed of the downsides that you don’t often hear when shopping and be ready to train with what you do choose.
Our next Women’s Handgun Speed Dating event will be held in a few months. Keep an eye on our public FB page and check in with the events section on our website periodically. We are hoping to get another one on the schedule for June!
HUGE HUGE HUUUUUGE shout out to Delaware Tactical, StandByME Security, and all those who spent the day volunteering to make this happen!
