Being a first time handgun buyer I felt very intimidated just walking into the gun store. I wasn’t sure what kind of firearm I wanted, how much money I wanted to spend let alone the make and caliber (my husband and I talked before we went and he suggested a .22 to learn on but the decision was completely up to me). When we walked into the store the men behind the counter didn’t acknowledge me and immediately set out talking to my husband.
Honestly, this really bummed me out. I was so proud of going through the pistol safety course and just taking a step towards getting a gun that I thought the men behind the counter would be at least a little excited for me too. Not that I was expecting high fives or a parade I just thought they would be a little more encouraging and interested.
After much consideration I went back and I wound up getting a Walther P22. Taking the advice of one of my girl friends I picked the gun that “felt like a glove” in my hand.
I’ve been to the range a few times now and have had a great time with Walther so far. I’ve learned that Walther does not like all .22 ammo and prefers CCI Mini Mag ammo. I’ve also learned that I need to bring more than 100 rounds to the range…100 goes by too quick!
Walther and Me 
I’ve always wanted a Sig Sauer P226. 🙂
I had no idea what a Sig Sauer P226 was so I had to go look it up! Carried by U.S. Navy Seals, Texas Rangers and other elite professionals…sounds and looks pretty awesome to me. Start saving your pennies!
Congratulations on your purchase! My .22 pistol (Ruger mark III) is my favorite gun: cheap to purchase, cheap to shoot, reliable, accurate and fun.
If it’s any consolation, I often get treated like an unwanted guest at the gun shops and I’m a guy. Granted, being a gal adds another layer to the onion, but gun shop clerks are some of the rudest in the retail business. The experience reminds me of being a not-so-hip teenager in the record shop bashfully taking my selections to the counter. The disdain comes from the same place: a perceived superiority over an intruder to their territory.
Shrug it off until you find someone you can deal with. Until then, have fun and stay safe!
CinSC
Thank you! I’m glad I started with a .22 for the same reasons cheap to shoot and tons of fun. Reliable as long as I’m using the CCI mini mags (Walther is picky) and my accuracy problem lies with me not Walther!! I’ve heard from a few other men that they have been treated poorly in gun shops as well. All we can hope is that the gun shop owners are reading about our complaints and are planning to make a change! I’ll be sure to do a follow up post the next time I make it to a gun shop!
Reblogged this on Rants and Raves and commented:
Please take the time to check out this blog. It’s about a woman’s journey into the world of gun ownership.
I’ll admit, when reading about her experience with the gun shop, I got a little pissed. It’s ass hats like those guys that give a lot of gun owners a bad name. Buying a gun, especially your first gun, should be a very pleasant and educational experience. Please, if you’re a current gun owner, help out someone who comes to you for answers. Don’t act like you know everything or you’re above someone because they don’t know what night sights on a pistol are. The more gun owners we have, the better.
The good news is that everyone that I’ve run into so far online has been nothing but supportive (both the men and women), and most of the people that I’ve run into at the range have been friendly which has been great and also pushes me to continue to move forward. Thank you again for your support, I appreciate it!
Congrats on making the first steps to responsible gun ownership!!
Please keep us updated on your progress!
Will do! Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be sure to check out your blog soon!
The story was frustrating and encouraging at the same time. I hate to see anyone treated like this, but I too often hear folks either talked down to or as though they’re dealing with a used car salesman at the gun shops. I’m excited to hear you stuck to your guns (wink wink) and entered the world of gun owners. You’ve even motivated me to go buy my first .22, I’ve only been looking for the last year. I guess you could say I’m not an impulse buyer.
The encouraging part of your story was more along the lines with the direction my partners and I decided to journey down. Your story is one of the many reasons we started Gunway.com. We want to change the image of guns and gun owners. We want to help people learn and share their experiences to in turn help others discover their own firearms and outdoor world.
Well, I do hope your experiences get better and better, and I can’t wait to read more about your adventures.
Thank you for the support! I’m glad I didn’t let the experience hold me back, I’m having so much fun with Walther and find going to the range relaxing. Let me know what kind of .22 you wind up getting!
I completely agree that it is important to share experiences and educate people; there is no doubt in my mind that we can all learn something from each other. The misinformation and bias out there about guns is unreal. On a more positive note I must say that the people that I’ve met at the range are completely different than the men behind the counter. Of course I haven’t ventured up to the range by myself yet…perhaps that should be one of my next experiences!
First off I am male, but I felt just as intimidated on my own first time gun purchase. Tho one thing I decided to do was to buy from a BIG corporate owned store. (ie: Cabela’s, Bass Pro) For the simple fact the employees there HAVE to be courteous and accommodating to every customer per store policy. You have more power in there as a customer as oppose to a ma and pa gun store (not to take away business from the small business, tho this is a problem they created.)
I just feel that a first time firearm buyer will have a much more relaxing time at a big store.. and the prices often are similar to the small shops.
Unfortunately the closest Bass Pro is a few hours away, and I don’t even know where a Cabela’s is.
I haven’t given up on finding a local ma and pa gun store! I just need more networking time at the range to see what my other local options are.
I love the whole basis behind this blog.
I started a youtube series on gun store attendants so trust me I know what you mean.
wrong link. Sorry.
You need some hybrids in there like the old fart/commandos!
I’m definitely going to take your advice about enjoying the process!
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