November 3, 2011

Hi There!

Today I have two questions that came from Cornered Cat fans. Let's get to those first, then I will fill you in on some other exciting news.

Best First Gun?

Question: What gun do you recommend for the first time concealed carry person and why?

Although I can give you a list of guns you might want to consider, I really don't recommend specific guns to people. I'm all about educating people to choose their own best gun for concealed carry. Everyone has slightly different priorities, different lifestyles, and different plans. As tempting as it might be to think so, there really is not a "best gun" for every woman, or for every new shooter, or for everyone who wants to conceal carry. There's only a gun that's best for you, in your specific circumstances—and you are the only person who can parse the variables well enough to find it.

I know that's a little discouraging, and would love to tell you, "Oh, just get this ____!" But you'd figure out pretty quickly that the gun someone else picks out for you doesn't always / often / usually fit your own needs as well as a gun you pick for yourself.

That said, I like to steer people interested in concealed carry away from super-tiny lightweight guns unless they are already experienced shooters, and away from full-sized heavy guns unless they have the budget to buy a "learn to shoot" gun and a carry gun. Most new shooters looking at concealed carry will be best served by choosing something mid-sized and mid-weight.

One hugely important variable for a defense gun, often overlooked, is gun fit. See http://corneredcat.com/Trying_On_a_Handgun/ for info about that. It matters because when you are shooting under stress, the gun's natural alignment in your hand makes a big difference in whether you're able to hit with it. You don't notice fit that much when slow-firing at an unmoving target, but when you are in a hurry and concentrating on other really important stuff, it's good to have a gun that "naturally" wants to hit where you want it to hit.

For more information, you can find a fairly detailed chapter in Cornered Cat: A Woman's Guide to Concealed Carry about how to pick your first gun, especially your first gun for concealed carry.

Carry the Same Way?

Question: Should you carry the same way most of the time? I have a bellyband and a holster for inside the pants. I like both ways—should I pick one and stick with it or does it matter?

The short answer:Yes, but…

The longer answer:Yes, it's an excellent idea to carry your firearm in the same place and by the same method every time. Unless you have a lot of time and are very dedicated to practice, you'll find it easier to master your drawstroke from just one carry method than from many. It's also a little easier to select new clothes with just ONE carry method in mind, rather than choosing things that have to work for two or three different methods. At least one older police officer of my acquaintance tells the story (of another officer on his department—he swears it wasn't him!) about an officer who was mugged while he was off duty and wearing plain clothes. The officer reached for his firearm, which he expected to find on his right hip, and then he frantically patted the area several times before he remembered that the gun was in a shoulder holster instead of its usual location on his hip. The story ended well when the bad guy ran off, but the officer swore he would never again wear a firearm anywhere but "where it was supposed to be." So there are a lot of advantages to carrying in the same location every time.

On the other hand, most of us back here in the real world have a hard time sticking with just one carry method because we like to wear different looks sometimes! When you change carry methods—and especially when you use a belly band—always check to be certain your draw will work with the outfit and method you choose. It's surprisingly easy to position a belly band where it's difficult to get to the gun when you need it. If you regularly move between two different methods, remember that you will need to practice both methods safely in dry fire (see www.CorneredCat.com/Dry_Fire_Safety for more about that). When you get dressed, or when you leave the house, make a habit of consciously telling yourself where the gun is—that way, you're less likely to waste time if you need to draw it.

Cornered Cat in Memphis, TN

On February 18-19, 2012, I will be teaching a Cornered Cat class for women. This two-day class provides 18 hours of classroom and range instruction about concealed carry, taking students from the shooting basics through intermediate skill levels. Discussion topics include how to choose and use holsters for concealed carry; gun safety; the self defense mindset; and legal aspects of using deadly force in self defense. On the range, we will review the basics of defensive handgun work, beginning with fundamentals but moving quickly to more advanced techniques. Students learn to draw from concealment, reload, clear malfunctions, use cover, shoot with one hand only, use alternative aiming techniques, and shoot while moving. Prospective students must be familiar with their own firearms and be prepared to fire 500 rounds during the weekend. For complete details or to enroll in this class, visit Rangemaster at www.Rangemaster.com or call (901) 370-5600.

It's often difficult to find firearms classes geared for women who are past the basics and ready to learn more. In this class, I make sure my students have a very firm grounding in the essentials and then help them reach higher skill levels than they ever have before. But that's not the big thing. The big thing: my specialty is helping women find their own best carry method—the one that really works with the way you really live. At the end of this class, you will have a much better understanding of the available holster and concealment options, and will really understand how to fit concealed carry into the lifestyle you want to live. 

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Stay safe,

This is what you'll get:

Updates — When a new article is posted or an old article is updated on Cornered Cat, you'll be the first to know.

News — There's a lot of interesting stuff going on in the world. My position gives me access to stories that otherwise get buried by the general tide of information. I weed the clutter out and share what's relevant to the concealed carry woman.

Announcements — Up-to-the-minute information about upcoming classes or seminars sponsored by Cornered Cat and her associates.

Training and Carry Tips — It's all about learning how to carry comfortably, how to shoot accurately, and how to defend yourself successfully. I've come across a lot of good ideas and I'd like to share them with you.

Recommendations and Reviews — I have been blessed with the opportunity to get my hands on a wide variety of products, and I'm looking forward to telling you about the best of these.

Questions — Sometimes, students ask great questions, with answers that really deserve a wider audience. Think of this as your chance to "listen in" on my classes and seminars!

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