Girls With Guns: 7 Considerations for Female Firearm Ergonomics

Women as nurturers and caretakers are naturally wired for safety, but in the male-dominated world of firearms, getting the right ergonomics for girls with guns is important for both safety and comfort. 

Here are seven things all women need to consider about firearm ergonomics:

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1. Comfort. This is supremely important and ties in with safety. If someone else picks out your gun and it doesn’t fit well in your hand, you will not shoot it well. Generally letting a spouse or friend either buys or encourages you to buy a gun you have never tried before is a bad idea. Women can consider buying a gun like buying a bra — only you know how it fits and how comfortable it is.

2. Size. Gun stores often have displays of little pink or purple guns designed to appeal to women, but the key word here is "little." Inexperienced shooters often think that because these guns feminine and small, one will be the perfect gun for them. However, that is not likely true. Little guns can have much more recoil than one would expect and that can intimidate or even turn off completely a new shooter.

3. Capacity. The smaller the gun, the fewer number of rounds you can carry. That could be an issue for girls with guns that find themselves in a situation to use them.

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4. Texture. Many firearms are made with textured side panels, but some shooters prefer to add additional texture for added grip. This is purely a personal choice, but also something that, in addition to assisting the grip, could be used to "bling out" your gun and make it more personal.

5. Triggers. Firearms have different triggers, some lighter, some heavier. Newer, inexperienced shooters particularly shouldn't choose something with a very light trigger, which takes very little resistance to fire.

6. Sights. Girls with guns have the option to add sights, which can help line up the shot with the target. Some even help with seeing a target in the dark.

7. Dominance. Most guns accommodate right-handed shooters, but many manufactures have started putting the magazine release on both sides, or making an adjustable magazine release so the owner can put it on whichever side is her dominant hand side.

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