#Women

When it comes to functional tactical garments, women in the military, law enforcement, and the civilian world are left with limited choices, many of which are adapted versions of gear originally designed for men. For example, plainclothes options often lack sufficient belt loops for attaching holsters or lack concealment options. For uniformed personnel, anatomical differences between men and women change the way armor, armor carriers, and undergarments are designed. The end result can be uncomfortable, poor-fitting garments that can lead to fatigue and reduced effectiveness. To combat some of these issues, the U.S. Army is designing a tactical bra for female soldiers that will be flame retardant and provide specific design features that focus on comfort and utility.

Editor’s Note:  The following article is from OutdoorHub Author Morgan Rogue.  Morgan is a homesteader with a good deal of firearms experience.  Morgan writes for OutdoorHub while also being the founder of Rogue Preparedness where she helps people get prepared for emergencies and disasters, as well as thrive in any circumstances.

Recently I was asked to crank out yet another ”best guns for women” article. I cringe every time I see that sort of title, because the truth is, guns don’t care what sex you are. In more than eight years of instructing and 15 years of daily carry, I’ve learned (and it’s confirmed by US military research) that there is little predictability between gender and the dimensions of hands or fingers. Four of my female students prefer the largest of the modular backstraps on their pistols. Two male students have fingers so short that they struggle to reach the trigger on a sub-compact Glock 43. And if you think that color is all a woman is looking for in a gun, please don’t waste precious time here.

STOP MANSPLAINING GUNS TO WOMEN #stayinyourlane

Tactica Defense Fashion just announced their new leggings designed specifically for concealed carry.  Tactica Defense Fashion is dedicated to empowering women to carry firearms while remaining fashionable.  It’s no secret that concealed carry for women is… well, to steal a feminine phrase, “it’s complicated.”  The new Concealed Carry Leggings are just one of Tactica’s fashionable solutions to daily carry options for women.

Alps OutdoorZ introduced a new hunting pack that is specifically designed to match the frame of a woman’s body. Called the Monarch X, the new backpack is a serious hunting bag with a host of features including:

When it comes to guns designed for women there is a definite theme. They tend to be painted pink or purple, sized like a youth model, and a bit lacking overall. Because of that I have a tendency to feel some skepticism when presented with a women’s gun, but today at Franchi’s booth that changed. Franchi’s new Catalyst line for women isn’t your stereotypical women’s gun.

Russian and Arabic language news sites are reporting that the Russian MTs-116M sniper rifle has been seen in use with Syrian Arab Army forces, specifically female fighters. The rifles, based on the successful MTs-116 target/hunting rifle, are equipped with 5- or 10-shot detachable box magazines, similar in pattern to those used in the famous Dragunov SVD designated marksman rifles. Accordingly, the sniper rifles are chambered for the 7.62x54mmR Russian cartridge, the oldest military small arms cartridge in the world that has been continuously in service with its parent country.

Why do women buy guns? How many guns do they buy? What kinds of guns do they buy? Those and other questions found answers with the release of a new NSSF report on women and firearms. The report itself is available to NSSF members and the media through their blog, but GunsandAmmo.com have released their own analysis of the report, which helps shed light on common stereotypes about guns and the women who own them:

Houston, Texas, based photographer Shelley Calton recently decided to document the rising number of women who carry concealed handguns in a photographic series she aptly named “Concealed.” Calton is a native of the Houston area and recalls growing up around firearms; her father kept a pistol in the bedside table for home defense, and shooting tin cans was a common enough event which she participated in along with her two sisters. But as Calton got older, guns became less a part of her life, and it wasn’t until the day a rather concerning story was relayed to her that her interest was renewed.

On Legally Armed America, three ladies shoot and review four .380 acp pistols. They look at a Ruger LCP, S&W Bodyguard, Colt XSP Mustang and the Glock 42.

The NRA has teamed up with Natalie Foster and created a tv series focused toward females and shooting. This episode discusses and explains aspects that seem to be concerns for first time female shooters. I think it is a great resource. Any helpful information that can help get more women to the range is great. Back in NY, I volunteered to help with Ladies Day at the Range with my shooting club. I enjoyed teaching women to shoot and get over their nervousness and any hesitation with firearms. Share this video with any women in your life who are still gun shy or taking their first steps into the world of shooting.