"That Gun's Too Big for You!"

RPGamingGirl · September 26, 2011, 12:28 PM

First a little backstory:

I was driving through the country the other day and came across a big, bright, shiny shooting range. I have no immediate need to visit a range, having a big back yard and no neighbors close enough to bother, but i thought what the heck, i could go in and see what they had to offer.

The guy behind the counter seemed nice: an older guy, Vietnam vet from what he said, and he did obviously know his stuff. I asked about his CCW, tactical, and self defense classes. We engaged in some friendly conversation, he asked what i did for a living (i'm a housewife) and what i was interested in firearms-wise.

However, a few things he said were a bit...well, contradictory. But not blatantly so. Example: I live just over the state line, and i mentioned that i had tried to buy a handgun in his state before, but was surprised to learn that it wasn't legal for a non-resident. He said, "That's not true at all! You can absolutely buy a firearm in this state if you're a resident somewhere else. I ship all over the country!" But he didn't specify that he couldn't sell me anything but a hunting rifle and hand it to me over the counter that very day. I think he should have mentioned that specifically.

He's running a business and he's also a dealer. I totally get that. He has classes and merchandise to sell, and that's really tough in rural America. But the whole thing kind of reeked of salesman-ness and that made me a little uncomfortable.

Then he asked what i shoot at home (i obviously wasn't carrying), and i told him i have a Sig Sauer SP 2022. He actually winced and said that was way too big for me. I was shocked, because i have absolutely no trouble at all carrying, chambering, shooting, or cleaning the thing. And i'm only vaguely interested in concealed carrying. Also, i'm not exactly a small lady at 5'6" and about 150 lbs.

Having never prepared a retort for such a statement (because no one that knows me has ever even joked that my gun was too big), I told him, "Well it seems to shoot just fine," but he proceeded to bring out several .380s for me to look at. I did politely look them over and handle them, and ask a few questions because i was trying to figure out why i "needed" one of these tiny things (which do not fit comfortably in my big-for-a-chick hands, btw), and the best i can figure is that he is one of those guys that really pushes concealed carry (which i admittedly couldn't do with my SP 2022), and/or wanted to sell me something.

So what do you think? Honest guy making an honest living? Should i be offended? Was he right? Discuss, please.

Jim Watson · September 26, 2011, 12:41 PM

It is certainly not legal for him (or anybody) to sell a handgun directly to an American Commoner from a different state. And since the subject was handguns, the fact that he could sell you a rifle or shotgun was not relevant.

I wonder what he would have done if you had whipped out the money for one of those little .380s. Backpedaled fast, if he were smart.

I know a number of Lady shooters, mostly through IDPA. All have learned that pistols are kind of like dogs, the big ones are usually friendly and manageable, the little ones are yappy and nasty-mean.

Favorite quote: I let an inexperienced woman shoot a variety of guns with basic instruction. She did best with the .45 and said "I've got to show this target to my ex-boyfriend. He is a deputy and says a .45 is too big for a woman."
Of course I had cheated. The loads were light and the gun was fully accurized. Hard to miss with once she understood sight picture and trigger squeeze.

overkill0084 · September 26, 2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Of course I had cheated. The loads were light and the gun was fully accurized. Hard to miss with once she understood sight picture and trigger squeeze.

Oddly enough I've never found it particularly hard to miss things with even my most accurate guns.

Quote:

...pistols are kind of like dogs, the big ones are usually friendly and manageable, the little ones are yappy and nasty-mean.

Well stated.

Quote:

Then he asked what i shoot at home (i obviously wasn't carrying), and i told him i have a Sig Sauer SP 2022. He actually winced and said that was way too big for me.

This comes up a lot. I would ignore it and go with works for you. I've seen some very small women shoot really large handguns really well. My step-mom for intance could shoot a Contender VERY well and was usually contending for match wins while my Dad & I were simply trying for class wins (Hunter's Pistol Silhouette.)

hermannr · September 26, 2011, 01:31 PM

Shoot what you like, and don't take any offence from anyone for anything is the best way.

Remember, you can TAKE offence, but no one can GIVE offence unless you allow them to.

tony pasley · September 26, 2011, 01:47 PM

My daughter has ran into some of that is to big your you lady types until she empties her 45 into the target. She just laughes at them.

olcrazyed · September 26, 2011, 01:57 PM

"Way too big" is relative. I'm 5'9" and even when I was a 150# 19-year-old, I was carrying the M-60 and shot my issue .45 in brigade level competetions. As a considerably older, fatter man, I routinely shoot my .44 Mag Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" one-handed with full house loads.

As far as out of state buying, he said that he could sell to you "...if you've got someone for me to ship it to..." implying, at least to me, one FFL to another which is completely legal.

Now, maybe his sales pitch would have used a little work--in your place I would have replied, "I dunno, I've been shooting it regularly for____ years and it seems to fit nicely."--but he was more than likely on the up-and-up.

Were you in KS, OK, or AR?

ed

B. Lahey · September 26, 2011, 03:00 PM

My significant other greatly prefers my colt 1911 .45 over the nasty little popguns. She has named my .380 LCP "the mean little bastard."

She shoots my full-size Sig 9mm as well as I do, but is not very good with a small revolver (yet).

Stereotypes and knee-jerk reactions are frequently way off base in our sport.

AirForceShooter · September 26, 2011, 03:01 PM

My daughter is the same as Tony's.
Pulls out her .45 and drills a target.

If she's in a nasty mood she'll look at a guy that says her gun is too big and ask if he thinks the same thing about her boobs. She's from New York. What do you expect.

You should have smacked him up side the head with his little .380.

AFS

mete · September 26, 2011, 04:31 PM

In the past especially before WWII it was a common comment that women have a very delicate nervous system so should not even think about shooting anything bigger than a 22 !!

That kind of comment reminds me of a metallic silhouette shooter who was no more than 5'2" lightweight who shot her M29 as well as the average guy !
Learn how to handle recoil and the other factors , pick a gun that fits you , practice , and make the guys walk away grumbling !

zfk55 · September 26, 2011, 04:58 PM

Just ask my son. It's never too big!

Webleymkv · September 26, 2011, 05:13 PM

As far as sales across state lines, there may have simply been a misunderstanding there. You can indeed buy a handgun from another state, but the handgun must be shipped to an FFL in your home state and you will fill out the 4473 and go through the NICS check there.

As far as the gun being too big for you, well I just really don't know what to say about that. I suppose perhaps he meant that the gun was too big for a CCW, but I've known many people who had no trouble routinely carrying guns the same size or larger than your Sig. If he meant that the gun was too big for you to shoot well, then he's obviously incorrect. I have found that you cannot judge what a persona can or cannot shoot just by looking at them. I've known slightly-built women who could handle a .44 Magnum without issue and big burly men who couldn't shoot anything more than a 9mm.

vytoland · September 26, 2011, 05:39 PM

there are all kinds floating around out there. the nuts i just put on "ignor"

mehavey · September 26, 2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

.... i have a Sig Sauer SP 2022. He actually winced and said that was way too big for me....

Just give your best Ziva smile.....

mehavey · September 26, 2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

.... i have a Sig Sauer SP 2022. He actually winced and said that was way too big for me....

Just give him your best Ziva smile as you quietly whisper the words "...opinions vary !"

armoredman · September 26, 2011, 08:22 PM

My boss at the indoor range I worked at was very female, a wonderful woman of about 5 foot nothing, and her carry gun was a 44 Special revolver. We also had a very special competitor in our IDPA style matches who walked with great difficulty after having survived a broken back years before, also about 5 foot nothing and 100 pounds soaking wet. Her carry pistol was a full size 1911, and I personally watched her clean many a target with it.
So if I had been standing near you two when that was said, you would have heard a snort from my direction.

JimPage · September 26, 2011, 08:52 PM

The dealer lacked personal skills, but he was correct that he could sell to anyone even from another state. The caveat is that he has to ship/transfer the gun to a dealer in the buyer's home state. From that point it is the home state dealers responsibility to see that the buyer is legal and to follow the home state's laws.

**Mike Irwin** · September 26, 2011, 09:44 PM

"So what do you think? Honest guy making an honest living? Should i be offended? Was he right? Discuss, please."

Probably sniffed a bit too much Agent Orange because he's surely not making any sense at all.

DaleA · September 27, 2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

and he did obviously know his stuff. I asked about his CCW, tactical, and self defense classes. We engaged in some friendly conversation

I think I'd take the above and forget about being offended.

Plus he took out the toys and let you handle 'em. That has to count for something.

It might be fun to come back with the Sig and shoot a target or two for him but I'd only do it if I thought it would be fun. And be prepared, it STILL might not change his mind that the pistol is too big for you.

cambeul41 · September 27, 2011, 05:42 AM

When my size 4 wife was shopping for her first gun, a 300+ lb sales man tried to sell her a .22 (WMR or some such?) revolver. I was a bit put off by his condescension, but was later told by the shop owner that the salesman carried one himself because he believed in it and disliked shooting anything larger than 9 mm.

aarondhgraham · September 27, 2011, 08:26 AM

But not just because they are female.

In several cases I have made the same recommendation to males.

It's when I start explaining how a semi-auto pistol works,,,
If their eyes start to glaze over when I show them how to rack the slide,,,
They are definitely prime candidates for my "A revolver might be the gun for you" speech.

It really doesn't have anything to do,,,
With whether they have a Y chromosome or not.

My friend Jane paid attention to my initial lesson on semi-auto's,,,
So I let her fire every one I have in my cabinet,,,
I also let her fire all of the revolvers as well.

She made her own decision as to what gun to buy as her first weapon.

The gun shop guy was making a fundamental error in judgement,,,
But it might have been his personal experience driving him.

Who knows why his attitude is this way?
And in reality, who cares why.

Deal with him in the future or not,,,
It's your decision where to spend your money.

Aarond

P.S. Take your Sig in someday and destroy a target for him.

.

meatgrinder42 · September 27, 2011, 09:12 AM

I once said the same thing about my fiance and my .357. When we were still just dating she wanted to shoot it and I was kind of worried about it, but gave it to her anyway. Me and a buddy stood back and watched as she took aim at a soda can. The hammer dropped and the can flew and hit the ground, then she shot again and the can bounced up and landed down, she hit it twice more (making it 4/6 hits). Me and my buddy stood there going

as she handed it back and said as she walked by, "My daddy has a .44..."

Since seeing that I don't believe in the phrase 'that gun is too big for you' unless it's a toddler.

TailGator · September 27, 2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

she handed it back and said as she walked by, "My daddy has a .44..

You were wise to propose.

My daughter is a college student and took an anti-gun journalism-major friend to a range for a journalism assignment. The clerk did a good job going over safety (although my daughter had already done it with her friend) and teaching the basics of stance, grip, sight alignment, and so on, but seemed to be dismissive of my daughter's statement that she was an experienced shooter. My daughter was quite polite, then when he ran the target out to 5 yards for the "beginners" she put 10 straight rounds into the 10 ring (with .22LR - it was, after all, her friend's first time shooting). The clerk's jaw dropped open, and my little darling just said, "I told you - my dad takes me shooting." The resulting article in the campus paper referred to my daughter as the writer's "dead-eye friend." The clerk is probably congratulating himself on what a good teacher he is.

dabigguns357 · September 27, 2011, 10:54 AM

This is the very reason my wife hates gun stores,she used to go in and try different ones to see which one she likes only to be told she needed this one or that one.My wife can and will make up her own mind and she does a very good job of reminding them of this.

The last straw came when a guy kinda threw an lcr across the counter and told her she need it instead of what she wanted.She told him not so politely that if she had wanted a revolver she would have asked him for one,she then left.You have every right to be upset,it's your choice and your money if you so choose to.

BTW here is what my wife C/C most of the time,it's a Glock 23 and she loves it.

RPGamingGirl · September 27, 2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

pistols are kind of like dogs, the big ones are usually friendly and manageable, the little ones are yappy and nasty-mean.

That's been my experience too. The weight of the larger gun makes it easier to use, not harder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

Of course I had cheated. The loads were light and the gun was fully accurized. Hard to miss with once she understood sight picture and trigger squeeze.

That's not cheating! That's having appropriate equipment for the situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by overkill0084

My step-mom for intance could shoot a Contender VERY well and was usually contending for match wins while my Dad & I were simply trying for class wins (Hunter's Pistol Silhouette.)

Women seem to be naturally better when it comes to accuracy, with or without a lot of experience. At least from what i've seen, and anecdotal evidence i've heard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermannr

Remember, you can TAKE offence, but no one can GIVE offence unless you allow them to.

You make an excellent point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony pasley

My daughter has ran into some of that is to big your you lady types until she empties her 45 into the target. She just laughes at them.

So i need a BIGGER gun, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olcrazyed

As far as out of state buying, he said that he could sell to you "...if you've got someone for me to ship it to..." implying, at least to me, one FFL to another which is completely legal.

I didn't even think he meant another FFL. He certainly didn't say that! I should have known i couldn't just buy one in another state, but since it only takes about 10 minutes in my state (MO), from a pawn shop or gun show, i figured it could still be done the same day by a licensed dealer. Clearly i'm overestimating the technology.

Quote:

Now, maybe his sales pitch would have used a little work--in your place I would have replied, "I dunno, I've been shooting it regularly for____ years and it seems to fit nicely."--but he was more than likely on the up-and-up.

I've only had the gun for a month, so he probably would have told me i had no business shooting at all instead, lol.

Quote:

Were you in KS, OK, or AR?

AR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by B. Lahey

Stereotypes and knee-jerk reactions are frequently way off base in our sport.

Amen to that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirForceShooter

If she's in a nasty mood she'll look at a guy that says her gun is too big and ask if he thinks the same thing about her boobs. She's from New York. What do you expect.

Lol, sounds like someone i need to hang out with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mete

In the past especially before WWII it was a common comment that women have a very delicate nervous system so should not even think about shooting anything bigger than a 22 !!

lol, guess it's unreasonable to expect all of society to evolve at the same rate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zfk55

Just ask my son. It's never too big!

OMG cutest thing i've seen all day; thanks for sharing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webleymkv

As far as sales across state lines, there may have simply been a misunderstanding there. You can indeed buy a handgun from another state, but the handgun must be shipped to an FFL in your home state and you will fill out the 4473 and go through the NICS check there.

You're right; it could have been that he assumed i understood what he meant. I would have preferred the process explained though.

Quote:

As far as the gun being too big for you, well I just really don't know what to say about that. I suppose perhaps he meant that the gun was too big for a CCW, but I've known many people who had no trouble routinely carrying guns the same size or larger than your Sig. If he meant that the gun was too big for you to shoot well, then he's obviously incorrect. I have found that you cannot judge what a persona can or cannot shoot just by looking at them. I've known slightly-built women who could handle a .44 Magnum without issue and big burly men who couldn't shoot anything more than a 9mm.

He would have been right if he meant it was no good for CCW on me. Here's what it looks like on my hip:

As i said before, i'm not a small girl! So i don't know where the heck i could hide it, lol. (PS, sorry the image is huge; not sure how to resize with bb code)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mehavey

Just give your best Ziva smile...

Just give him your best Ziva smile as you quietly whisper the words "...opinions vary !"

lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by armoredman

So if I had been standing near you two when that was said, you would have heard a snort from my direction.

I kind of think, had ANYONE been in the room, there would have been a bit of that. And if anyone that knew me had been there, there would have been outright laughter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Page

The dealer lacked personal skills, but he was correct that he could sell to anyone even from another state. The caveat is that he has to ship/transfer the gun to a dealer in the buyer's home state. From that point it is the home state dealers responsibility to see that the buyer is legal and to follow the home state's laws.

I do lean toward thinking it was a lack of social skills and professional negligence rather than him purposefully misleading me. Thought i'd ask around though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Irwin

Probably sniffed a bit too much Agent Orange because he's surely not making any sense at all.

Oh snap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleA

Plus he took out the toys and let you handle 'em. That has to count for something.

It might be fun to come back with the Sig and shoot a target or two for him but I'd only do it if I thought it would be fun. And be prepared, it STILL might not change his mind that the pistol is too big for you.

Oh i definitely appreciate that he took the time to show me some guns and talked to me rather than just blowing me off completely; he could have done that!

And i have thought a lot about paying for some range time just to prove him wrong. He'd probably find something i wasn't doing right though; i've only been shooting seriously for about a month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cambeul41

When my size 4 wife was shopping for her first gun, a 300+ lb sales man tried to sell her a .22 (WMR or some such?) revolver. I was a bit put off by his condescension, but was later told by the shop owner that the salesman carried one himself because he believed in it and disliked shooting anything larger than 9 mm.

He did say the .380 was what he carried, so maybe it's a personal bias only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarnoldhgraham

It's your decision where to spend your money.

True, true. And there could have been many reasons why he gave me the advice/sales pitch he did. If i go in again, i'll grill him on it. And then show him how awesome i shoot my Sig.

armoredman · September 27, 2011, 09:51 PM

RPGaming girl, upgrade that holster if you can afford it.

You can carry quite a big sidearm with the right setup, and that is only good with car coats.

Good solid pistola, will serve you well.
Good holster and good gunbelt will really help you out a lot - I reccomend High Noon for both.

September 26, 2011, 12:28 PM	#1
RPGamingGirl Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW MO Posts: 34	"That Gun's Too Big for You!" First a little backstory: I was driving through the country the other day and came across a big, bright, shiny shooting range. I have no immediate need to visit a range, having a big back yard and no neighbors close enough to bother, but i thought what the heck, i could go in and see what they had to offer. The guy behind the counter seemed nice: an older guy, Vietnam vet from what he said, and he did obviously know his stuff. I asked about his CCW, tactical, and self defense classes. We engaged in some friendly conversation, he asked what i did for a living (i'm a housewife) and what i was interested in firearms-wise. However, a few things he said were a bit...well, contradictory. But not blatantly so. Example: I live just over the state line, and i mentioned that i had tried to buy a handgun in his state before, but was surprised to learn that it wasn't legal for a non-resident. He said, "That's not true at all! You can absolutely buy a firearm in this state if you're a resident somewhere else. I ship all over the country!" But he didn't specify that he couldn't sell me anything but a hunting rifle and hand it to me over the counter that very day. I think he should have mentioned that specifically. He's running a business and he's also a dealer. I totally get that. He has classes and merchandise to sell, and that's really tough in rural America. But the whole thing kind of reeked of salesman-ness and that made me a little uncomfortable. Then he asked what i shoot at home (i obviously wasn't carrying), and i told him i have a Sig Sauer SP 2022. He actually winced and said that was way too big for me. I was shocked, because i have absolutely no trouble at all carrying, chambering, shooting, or cleaning the thing. And i'm only vaguely interested in concealed carrying. Also, i'm not exactly a small lady at 5'6" and about 150 lbs. Having never prepared a retort for such a statement (because no one that knows me has ever even joked that my gun was too big), I told him, "Well it seems to shoot just fine," but he proceeded to bring out several .380s for me to look at. I did politely look them over and handle them, and ask a few questions because i was trying to figure out why i "needed" one of these tiny things (which do not fit comfortably in my big-for-a-chick hands, btw), and the best i can figure is that he is one of those guys that really pushes concealed carry (which i admittedly couldn't do with my SP 2022), and/or wanted to sell me something. So what do you think? Honest guy making an honest living? Should i be offended? Was he right? Discuss, please.

September 26, 2011, 01:47 PM	#5
tony pasley Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Location: western north carolina Posts: 1,641	My daughter has ran into some of that is to big your you lady types until she empties her 45 into the target. She just laughes at them. __________________ Every day Congress is in session we lose a little bit more of our Liberty.

September 26, 2011, 03:00 PM	#7
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	My significant other greatly prefers my colt 1911 .45 over the nasty little popguns. She has named my .380 LCP "the mean little bastard." She shoots my full-size Sig 9mm as well as I do, but is not very good with a small revolver (yet). Stereotypes and knee-jerk reactions are frequently way off base in our sport. __________________ "A human being is primarily a bag for putting food into; the other functions and faculties may be more godlike, but in point of time they come afterwards." -George Orwell

September 26, 2011, 03:01 PM	#8
AirForceShooter Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Sarasota (sort of) Florida Posts: 1,296	My daughter is the same as Tony's. Pulls out her .45 and drills a target. If she's in a nasty mood she'll look at a guy that says her gun is too big and ask if he thinks the same thing about her boobs. She's from New York. What do you expect. You should have smacked him up side the head with his little .380. AFS __________________ 'Qui tacet consentit': To remain silent is to consent.

September 26, 2011, 04:31 PM	#9
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	In the past especially before WWII it was a common comment that women have a very delicate nervous system so should not even think about shooting anything bigger than a 22 !! That kind of comment reminds me of a metallic silhouette shooter who was no more than 5'2" lightweight who shot her M29 as well as the average guy ! Learn how to handle recoil and the other factors , pick a gun that fits you , practice , and make the guys walk away grumbling ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

September 26, 2011, 12:41 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	It is certainly not legal for him (or anybody) to sell a handgun directly to an American Commoner from a different state. And since the subject was handguns, the fact that he could sell you a rifle or shotgun was not relevant. I wonder what he would have done if you had whipped out the money for one of those little .380s. Backpedaled fast, if he were smart. I know a number of Lady shooters, mostly through IDPA. All have learned that pistols are kind of like dogs, the big ones are usually friendly and manageable, the little ones are yappy and nasty-mean. Favorite quote: I let an inexperienced woman shoot a variety of guns with basic instruction. She did best with the .45 and said "I've got to show this target to my ex-boyfriend. He is a deputy and says a .45 is too big for a woman." Of course I had cheated. The loads were light and the gun was fully accurized. Hard to miss with once she understood sight picture and trigger squeeze.

September 26, 2011, 01:31 PM	#4
hermannr Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 730	Shoot what you like, and don't take any offence from anyone for anything is the best way. Remember, you can TAKE offence, but no one can GIVE offence unless you allow them to.

September 26, 2011, 01:57 PM	#6
olcrazyed Junior Member Join Date: September 22, 2010 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 5	"Way too big" is relative. I'm 5'9" and even when I was a 150# 19-year-old, I was carrying the M-60 and shot my issue .45 in brigade level competetions. As a considerably older, fatter man, I routinely shoot my .44 Mag Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" one-handed with full house loads. As far as out of state buying, he said that he could sell to you "...if you've got someone for me to ship it to..." implying, at least to me, one FFL to another which is completely legal. Now, maybe his sales pitch would have used a little work--in your place I would have replied, "I dunno, I've been shooting it regularly for____ years and it seems to fit nicely."--but he was more than likely on the up-and-up. Were you in KS, OK, or AR? ed

September 26, 2011, 04:58 PM	#10
zfk55 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2009 Location: Lost Prairie Montana Posts: 391	Just ask my son. It's never too big! __________________ www.swissproductsllc.com An'' ole' Brer' Rabbit, he set in de bushes, he watch an' he wait, lay low an' he don' say nuffin'

September 26, 2011, 05:13 PM	#11
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	As far as sales across state lines, there may have simply been a misunderstanding there. You can indeed buy a handgun from another state, but the handgun must be shipped to an FFL in your home state and you will fill out the 4473 and go through the NICS check there. As far as the gun being too big for you, well I just really don't know what to say about that. I suppose perhaps he meant that the gun was too big for a CCW, but I've known many people who had no trouble routinely carrying guns the same size or larger than your Sig. If he meant that the gun was too big for you to shoot well, then he's obviously incorrect. I have found that you cannot judge what a persona can or cannot shoot just by looking at them. I've known slightly-built women who could handle a .44 Magnum without issue and big burly men who couldn't shoot anything more than a 9mm.

September 26, 2011, 05:39 PM	#12
vytoland Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 614	there are all kinds floating around out there. the nuts i just put on "ignor"

September 26, 2011, 08:22 PM	#15
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	My boss at the indoor range I worked at was very female, a wonderful woman of about 5 foot nothing, and her carry gun was a 44 Special revolver. We also had a very special competitor in our IDPA style matches who walked with great difficulty after having survived a broken back years before, also about 5 foot nothing and 100 pounds soaking wet. Her carry pistol was a full size 1911, and I personally watched her clean many a target with it. So if I had been standing near you two when that was said, you would have heard a snort from my direction.

September 26, 2011, 08:52 PM	#16
JimPage Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Rome, NY Posts: 941	The dealer lacked personal skills, but he was correct that he could sell to anyone even from another state. The caveat is that he has to ship/transfer the gun to a dealer in the buyer's home state. From that point it is the home state dealers responsibility to see that the buyer is legal and to follow the home state's laws.

September 26, 2011, 09:44 PM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"So what do you think? Honest guy making an honest living? Should i be offended? Was he right? Discuss, please." Probably sniffed a bit too much Agent Orange because he's surely not making any sense at all. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 27, 2011, 05:42 AM	#19
cambeul41 Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 101	When my size 4 wife was shopping for her first gun, a 300+ lb sales man tried to sell her a .22 (WMR or some such?) revolver. I was a bit put off by his condescension, but was later told by the shop owner that the salesman carried one himself because he believed in it and disliked shooting anything larger than 9 mm.

September 27, 2011, 08:26 AM	#20
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I have made that recommendation to some ladies as well,,, But not just because they are female. In several cases I have made the same recommendation to males. It's when I start explaining how a semi-auto pistol works,,, If their eyes start to glaze over when I show them how to rack the slide,,, They are definitely prime candidates for my "A revolver might be the gun for you" speech. It really doesn't have anything to do,,, With whether they have a Y chromosome or not. My friend Jane paid attention to my initial lesson on semi-auto's,,, So I let her fire every one I have in my cabinet,,, I also let her fire all of the revolvers as well. She made her own decision as to what gun to buy as her first weapon. The gun shop guy was making a fundamental error in judgement,,, But it might have been his personal experience driving him. Who knows why his attitude is this way? And in reality, who cares why. Deal with him in the future or not,,, It's your decision where to spend your money. Aarond P.S. Take your Sig in someday and destroy a target for him. . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

September 27, 2011, 09:12 AM	#21
meatgrinder42 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2011 Location: Good Ol' Wisconsin Posts: 327	I once said the same thing about my fiance and my .357. When we were still just dating she wanted to shoot it and I was kind of worried about it, but gave it to her anyway. Me and a buddy stood back and watched as she took aim at a soda can. The hammer dropped and the can flew and hit the ground, then she shot again and the can bounced up and landed down, she hit it twice more (making it 4/6 hits). Me and my buddy stood there going as she handed it back and said as she walked by, "My daddy has a .44..." Since seeing that I don't believe in the phrase 'that gun is too big for you' unless it's a toddler. __________________ When I die better bury me deep, two .45s layin' at my feet, An M16 across my chest, tell Chesty Puller I did my best

September 27, 2011, 10:54 AM	#23
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	This is the very reason my wife hates gun stores,she used to go in and try different ones to see which one she likes only to be told she needed this one or that one.My wife can and will make up her own mind and she does a very good job of reminding them of this. The last straw came when a guy kinda threw an lcr across the counter and told her she need it instead of what she wanted.She told him not so politely that if she had wanted a revolver she would have asked him for one,she then left.You have every right to be upset,it's your choice and your money if you so choose to. BTW here is what my wife C/C most of the time,it's a Glock 23 and she loves it. __________________ it's better to have a gun on your hip than one to your head

September 27, 2011, 09:51 PM	#25
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	RPGaming girl, upgrade that holster if you can afford it. You can carry quite a big sidearm with the right setup, and that is only good with car coats. Good solid pistola, will serve you well. Good holster and good gunbelt will really help you out a lot - I reccomend High Noon for both.