"Women should carry small/pink guns"
Walk into any gun store as a woman, and you'll likely be steered toward the "ladies' section" — tiny pistols in pink, purple, or teal. The message is clear: women need smaller, cuter guns.
This isn't advice. It's marketing disguised as guidance. And it could make you less safe.
The Problem with "Small" for Women
- Smaller guns have more recoil. Physics doesn't care about marketing. A lighter gun means more felt recoil with the same ammunition. That "little gun" kicks harder than its full-size counterpart.
- Smaller grips are harder to control. Women generally have smaller hands than men, but that doesn't mean tiny grips are better. A gun that's too small is harder to hold, aim, and shoot accurately.
- Less sight radius = less accuracy. Compact guns have shorter barrels and less distance between front and rear sights. This makes precision shooting harder, not easier.
- Low capacity limits your options. Many "women's guns" hold 5-7 rounds. In a real defensive situation, more rounds means more options.
- Color has nothing to do with capability. A pink gun shoots the same as a black one. But the salespeople who push them often prioritize aesthetics over fit and function.
Don't shop by color or size assumptions.
The firearms industry has historically designed for men, then pink-washed products for women instead of actually designing for women's needs.
What Actually Matters
Fit matters more than size. Function matters more than color.
- Grip fit: Can you reach the trigger comfortably? Can you wrap your fingers around the grip? Hand size varies — try before you buy.
- Recoil management: A slightly larger gun may be EASIER to shoot because it absorbs more recoil.
- Slide manipulation: Can you rack the slide? This is where grip strength actually matters — and there are techniques to make it easier.
- Trigger reach and pull: Can you press the trigger smoothly without shifting your grip?
- Purpose: Home defense? Concealed carry? Range practice? Different purposes = different ideal firearms.
The right gun for you isn't the one marketed to women. It's the one that fits YOUR hands, YOUR strength, YOUR purpose, and YOUR carry needs.
Don't let anyone tell you what you "should" carry based on your gender. Find a range that lets you try before you buy. Work with instructors who ask questions instead of making assumptions.
Learn to Choose for Yourself
Fierana teaches women how to evaluate firearms based on fit and function — not marketing. Make informed decisions. Not gendered ones.
Join the Founding Circle