BOOK REVIEW: The Handgun Guide for Women

As a longtime shooter (for approximately 55-years now) I've read my share of books about the various aspects of firearms, ownership and shooting. I've been primarily focused on hunting and the shotgun sports, but when concealed carry became law in Ohio tactical shooting entered the picture. As a member of the Outdoor Writers of Ohio, I've been asked to judge writing contests and review many publications. I usually decline to do book reviews for several reasons. However, when asked to review The Handgun Guide for Women, by by Tara Dixon Engel, I jumped at the opportunity. Why? I've never read a book targeted solely at women.

Women are the fastest growing segment of the shooting sports. As a veteran hunter education instructor I've taught a number of female shooters. I've helped introduce both younger girls and women to hunting and shooting. The list includes my daughters and daughter-in-laws. Many things, such as the parts of a firearm, do not change just because of the gender of the owner. Many other things are such as gun fit, weight, recoil and build to effectively conceal a handgun do change. So how did this book measure up?

I quickly appreciated the quality photos to present all aspects of the handgun. I also appreciated the "Gun Girl Tips" in throughout the book. They are nice tidbits from the author speaking directly to the reader. The author briefly explains her background from a liberal anti-hunter into a passionate promoter of the Second Amendment. She doesn't dwell on the fact but it is important to the reader to understand her perspective in presenting the material.

She quickly moves to the nuts and bolts of the handgun. I especially enjoyed the upfront explanation of what a handgun is and, just as importantly, is not. Experienced shooters understand this and take it for granted. However, there is a great deal of misinformation in the media about firearms so it is good to lay this foundation. I also liked Chapter 2 explaining why guns and gals go together. Additionally chapter 3 was a favorite to point out what new shooters may not understand about firearms. Or perhaps why what is presented on television is so often just plain wrong.

Perhaps my favorite chapter was Chapter 10, How to Visit a Gun Store. I grew up in a time when visiting the gun store was a rite of passage into manhood. The store of my choice was the Prindle family-owned Famous Sporting Goods in downtown Xenia. I never thought of a gun store as a place to intimidate anyone perhaps because of my experiences as a youngster. It was, and still too often is, a male domain. If you don't understand the language it may seem as if everyone is speaking Greek. Increasingly, gun stores understand the importance of the women's purchasing power and cater to it. My daughter, who helped review the book, explained, "Gee Dad think about the first time as a very young man and your bride asked you to stop and pick up some intimate feminine products at the grocery. You probably didn't know where to look or what she meant." Point taken.

Even though my daughter grew up around guns, she thoroughly enjoyed the book. She commented that she learned things or read things that made her stop and think more about some subject. Her copy was returned rather "dog eared". She liked the way the author introduced the subject of each chapter and provided a summary at the end. Don't just read this book and put it on the shelf. It's a book that may best reside in a new shooters range bag for additional reference. It is written to be reviewed and used. For instance, the new shooter can quickly look at the photos of proper grip just to ensure they have it correct at the range.

My daughter summed it saying, "I enjoyed reading the book. It presents the technical aspects of handguns without getting bogged down in technical details. It is focused on why things are the way they are and important items are well explained. She presents what we are going to learn and summarizes the chapter to provide a final review. The author has done a solid job of walking the ladies, or any new handgun owner, through the maze of firearms ownership and shooting. It is well worth the time for any new handgun owner to read this book perhaps even before purchasing a handgun."

Firearms sales were high throughout the year and especially during Christmas. Perhaps there was a new handgun for a special lady in your family. Perhaps the woman simply went to get a gun. However it may have happened, "The Handgun Guide for Women" will provide key information on getting the right start shooting. That, combined with quality NRA Basic Pistol or concealed carry classes from a qualified instructor, is sure to give any lady more confidence in carrying and using her handgun.

The book is available through Zenith Press, Amazon.com and other book stores.

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Zenith Press (October 23, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0760348537
ISBN-13: 978-0760348536

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Foundation and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year, the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year and the 2014 Ohio NWTF Outdoor Writer of the Year.

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