Is this uncommon?

Question

I was looking at handguns a while back, and I asked the guy who worked at the gun store what was a common handgun for women to carry. He started showing me all these 22's, and small caliber guns, which are fine, but i was looking for something a little bigger, and asked how bad the kick was on a 9mm. He said that it was more than i might expect, and inquired as to what all handguns i had shot.

I replied that i had used a 45 revolver, a 1911, a 357 revolver, and a 357 snub nosed revolver.

He was all shocked, and started confirming what i had just said to my husband, like i was a kid telling stories or something. ( I was 19 at the time)

I would have thought that seeing as where he worked, he would be used to seeing women who were proficient with a wide variety of handguns.

Is this out of the ordinary?

Answer 1

I have found a certain percentage of gun people, maybe a bit larger than in other past-times, are very condescending to newbees.  More so to females, but often snooty to males as well.

BUT (and this is a BIG but) while there may be more people like that involved in firearms than other past-times, they are STILL A MINORITY OF SHOOTERS.  Most are eager and happy to spread their knowledge, their sport, and the self-defense discipline.

So you ran into a sexist and/or s****. jerk.  Just forget his store's address.

There are lots of decent folks who will treat you right.  Give one of THEM your business.

Answer 2

Ya.

Answer 3

It is not all that common to see a woman who is proficient in several of the heavier calibers of handguns.  The store clerk's reaction was not what it should have been.  You are an adult and he should have been listening to you instead of turning to your husband for comfirmation.  Right or wrong, the fact is that until more women get out to the range, shooting will remain a "man's sport" and women will be treated as second class citizens.  it isn't right but it is the way of the world.

Personally, I commend you on your abilities with the handgun.  I would be proud to shoot with you any time and anywhere.  Your husband is quite fortunate to have a wife who shares his interest in the shooting sports.

Unfortunately, until women are better represented in the shooting sports you will just have to be prepared to run into people who find it incredulous that you are a skilled shooter.  Just smile and whip their butt on the firing line.

Answer 4

Sorry about the jerk. Maybe you should take your business somewhere else. I have never heard of a .22 being pushed as a carry gun. I could see him offering a .38 or .357 snub if you happened to have a small purse with you just for the small size not caliber. I have seen many women handle my .45 ACP better than I do (maybe beginners luck). Find a place that treats you with respect and recommend it to your friends.

Answer 5

He shouldn't have hinted at anything, just started showing you .380's and 9mm. Carry guns are commonly smaller calibers because the guns are. Despite the macho hype, guys get tired of lugging big honkin' .45's every day of the week, too.

Gun dealers are a lot like auto parts guys, you commonly work with pro's and the general public. You get to see and hear a lot of interesting stuff, not all seems to match up to what the storyteller seems to be. But you don't diss a customer for it.

He could have just handed you a Glock and had you rack the slide. No problem for you. Sorry he wasn't a pro at waiting on the public. Keep it in mind when you buy, and then come back later looking for accessories - maybe he'll get the hint.

Answer 6

remember, at some sporting goods stores, the new employee goes to wherever there is an opening. That means the employee might be an expert at bikes, but gets stuck in the waterski section because bikes is well staffed (by the gun guy, the fisherman, and the ex-tennis pro) and the the guy who golfs every weekend gets transfered to firearms because his schedule best matches the schedule of the guy who quit out of frustration because he's been stuck in the firearms department for 3 years when he really wants to be selling the water-skis.

Answer 7

You will notice that SOME people that work at gun shops are the "mall ninja's" and think they know more than you when actually the opposite is true many times. I am still pretty young and some gun shop owners or workers don't treat me nice until I get to talking with them and they realize how much I do know and that's what I reccomend because if they like you they will remember you every time you come in and will help you out. Where I am from there are quite a few women who do shoot and they get treated nicely and it is not at all rare to see as many women (married or single) by themselves at a gunshop as their are men.

Answer 8

It seems it isn't hard to find a fool. Also, I bet he's on salary, not commission!

Answer 9

I think he was sincere and just making sure that you were properly equipped with the best caliber at that time by pre-qualifying you by asking your husband to verify it.*

Answer 10

Sounds like the definition of a pig to me.

I have only seen this in a few dealers.

Most that I know would have asked you what caliber you where looking at then showed you the "common" for that caliber.

I would have just left the store with a "Too bad he is such a pig, I liked that (insert gun name)"

Answer 11

Not where I'm from! That is, it's common for women to use handguns of most calibers. What is uncommon is for a clerk at a gunstore to be such a butt hole. Such a man that insults customers is bad for business.

Answer 12

The guy was just a butt, plain and simple.

Answer 13

Just a smart butt , he probaly has'nt  shot as many guns as you and was just jealous.

Answer 14

If it is any comfort, you are not alone.  I got some very strange looks when I turned up at the range with my 1911 in 45 ACP, my 1873 Army in 45LC and my Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 Mag.  They got even more surprised when I used home loaded P + P's in the Ruger (I'm only 5'2" and 110 lbs).  Keep at it hon, we'll convince 'em in the end!

P.S.  It upset some of the guys that I was better than them, too.  I didn't tell them my Dad taught me to shoot, and he was a Colonel in the US Army, and a weapons specialist!

Answer 15

Where I live it is EXTREMELY uncommon to have a female treated like that. More and more women are getting into shooting sports and any respectable gun shop knows that. It is rude not to mention down right demeaning to have been disrespected like that.