17 Must Haves for Women Who Shoot Guns
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This blog post is for women who shoot or want to shoot! A female NRA pistol instructor discusses women’s range gear: guns for females, range bag ideas, electronic ear protection, ear plugs, eye protection safety glasses, range safety, a medical emergency kit, owb holster, double magazine pouches, gun cleaning kit ideas, gun range outfit woman style (e.g., belt and range pants), and other target shooting ideas and gun enthusiast gifts for women! #womenwhoshoot #targetshootingideas
Knowing what shooting range gear to buy can be time consuming and challenging. There are a lot of choices!
It’s a blessing to have a knowledgeable friend (especially an instructor) to guide you!
I have curated a list of “17 Must Haves for Women Who Shoot,” to save you time and money (through trial and error) so you can be empowered sooner than later!
women’s shooting range gear list
#1 Firearms: For more information about finding the right gun for you, you can read To Women Who Want to Purchase A Firearm But Don’t Know Where to Start!
#2 Outside the Waistband (OWB) holster: When you take pistol classes, which I suggest you do, you usually draw from an OWB holster. Your OWB holster has to fit your model firearm and accommodate your needs (e.g., shooting righty or lefty). I like Blade-Tech OWB Holsters!
#3 Magazine pouches: are also used in classes; it’s a “pouch” that attaches to your belt to store your extra magazines. Whichever magazine pouch you choose, make sure it is compatible with your model magazines.
#4 Extra Magazines: I was told by an expert to buy the best magazines I can afford. If a magazine is not working properly, it can cause gun malfunctions. Make sure your magazines fit your model firearm and meet the magazine capacity requirements of your state (e.g., maximum of 10 rounds per magazine in New York).
#5 Concealed Carry Belt: With regards to belts, the belt’s width should fit the belt clip of your holster. Your holster should be secure and stay in place, so you get a consistent grip with each draw!
#6 Shooting Range Pants: Jeans are fine, but I prefer shooting range pants with belt loops and lots of pockets!
#7 Target Ammunition: is for target shooting, and is less expensive than defensive rounds (e.g., ammunition used for concealed carry or home defense). It’s important to use the appropriate type of ammunition for your intended purpose.
#8 Dummy Rounds: Many instructors ask you to bring dummy rounds to their classes. It is a tool primarily used to see if you are anticipating your shot. Don't forget to order the proper size round for your firearm (e.g., 9mm or .40, etc.).
#9 Magazine Loader: This tool makes loading magazines easier and less messy!
#10 Shooting Range Targets: These shooting range targets make a different color “splat” to make it easier to see your hits from farther away.
#11 Shooting Range Eye Protection: You may want eye protection that come with different lenses for both indoor shooting ranges and outdoor gun ranges.
WOMEN’S GUN RANGE EAR PROTECTION
#12 Women’s Gun Range Ear Protection: The Earmuffs below are slim fit and electronic; they protect your ears from gunfire, but you can still hear people talking. This is especially helpful when listening to instructors.
#13 Ear Plugs: For sensitive ear, you can double up with earplugs underneath your Earmuffs.
WOMEN’S GUN RANGE BAG
#14 Women’s Gun Range Bag: You’ll need a Gun Range Bag to carry your gear (e.g., eye and ear protection, gun, ammunition, etc.) to the gun range.
#15 Cleaning Kit: In case of a malfunction, you may want to have your cleaning supplies at the shooting range. Even if you do not bring your cleaning kit to the shooting range, you will need one at home.
#16 Emergency Medical Kit: Although it’s more common to use a Basic First Aid kit (e.g., Band-Aids) while at the shooting range, all shooters should be prepared to be their own first responder! I recommend having a tourniquet in your gun range bag and learning how to use it! For more information, you can read this blog post titled How to Apply a Tourniquet!
#17 Shooting Range Timer: Practicing with a timer at the shooting range will help you get faster for target shooting competitions and self-defense situations. As seen in the Texas Church shooting in December 2019, 3 people died in 6 seconds (and one of them had a firearm, he did not draw from his holster and get on target fast enough).
These “17 Must Haves for Women Who Shoot,” were curated by a female firearm’s instructor, so you can save time and money (through trial and error) and be empowered sooner than later!
Which are your favorite target shooting must haves? Comment below!
You may also be interested in reading the following blog posts:
If you know a woman who is interested in shooting, then please share this blog post with her!
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About the Author: Lori Corini is an attorney admitted to practice law in the state of New York, an NRA Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer, a NYS licensed armed guard, and Director of Safety and Security and a Board Member at her Church.