Popular Posts

12/17/2012

A Real Conversation

By Gabby

In Atlanta, I think we straddle the line between the Gun-Control advocates and the Second Amendment defenders. As a born and raised New Yorker but a self proclaimed "gun-girl" I believe I have the capacity to see both sides. I hear everyone calling for the country to have a real conversation of the issue, but all I see is each side talking amongst themselves.

Yesterday, a friend and I conversed thusly after I posted the following image:
a conversation about guns
And everyone came away from the conversation a little more knowledgable. Now I'd like to keep it going, if we can.


12/16/2012

Defined: assault weapon

"The military definition of an assault weapon is a fully automatic weapon. The military defined it long before the Armalite-1 was made the Armalite-1 was the first (AR) later Armalite sold their franchise to Colt who took the design and beefed it up and created the AR-15. So if assault weapons were defined as full auto weapons before the platform of the (AR) which is not fully auto, how is it an assault weapon."
-ArmedCandy FB Fan "Danny Hudak"

12/15/2012

Defined: class III

Class III items in the gun store generally include, fully-automatic firearms, suppressors, and short barrel rifles. The waiting period on these items is extensive, the price is high, and the paperwork is detailed.

12/13/2012

Defined: machine gun

A machine gun by military definition is any weapon capable of firing more than one shot when the trigger is squeezed and requires a stand that it attaches to.
-ArmedCandy FB Fan "Justin McClain"

12/11/2012

Atlanta Adventure

By Gabby

gun-girls take Atlanta
Gun-girls can be pretty serious about firepower, but when they're not on the range, they have fun just like every girl. So, when I heard that my friend Natalie of Girls Guide to Guns, would be passing through my little southern town, I started a list in my mind, of the best parts of Atlanta that I might show her.

As you may have read, we met and became friends through the Girls Gun Getaway weekend this past June. Of corse we would enjoy going to the range, but we've already spent plenty of trigger time together. Sometimes, girls just need to hang out and be girls... without wearing hearing protection!

12/01/2012

Glossary: Accidental Discharge

Accidental Discharge is a misnomer. Guns don't go off on their own, someone has to pull the trigger. So if someone pulls the trigger, how is it an accident? Simply, it's not! If a gun fires without the handler's intention, it is a Negligent Discharge.

11/27/2012

Slide Rack Simplified, Review: Slide Pull

By Gabby


Slide Pull by Brass StackerI often hear that the best option for a woman with weak hands or without full hand and finger dexterity, is a revolver. I have never fully agreed with this line of thought. I believe there must be a better option, since revolvers only offer limited capacity and are generally chambered for rounds that create extensive recoil.

11/23/2012

Great Read: My Body My Choice



My Body My Choice:
A Woman’s Right to Bear Arms

By
Nancy Keaton
 of Girls Just Wanna Have Guns with Regis Giles
11/21/12

ArmedCandy is not a political organization, but when talking about firearms, it seems politics are unavoidable. Not only does this mean that I keep our writing within certain guidelines, but I am also careful with the articles I recommend here. That being said, this link will take you to a site that is very political. Some of their opinions, I agree with, and some I do not. This particular article speaks to women's personal choices, and to me, these should not be the concern of politicians.


Be sure to tell them, "ArmedCandy Sent Me!"

Thankful
©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

11/22/2012

Gifts for Gun Girls

By Gabby

give a safety kit to a new gun girl this holiday season

Less expensive than a firearm, but just as vital to her range bag, safety equipment is often the first items in which a new shooter will invest.

11/20/2012

Hurricane Sandy & Preparedness

Introduction

By Gabby

First Responders
Hurricane Sandy put much of New York and New Jersey in a state to which they are not accustom. People whose attitude can most often be described as, "I don't nuthin' from nobody" suddenly had to call for help. ArmedCandy's own, Lauren, works for the New York Fire Department, and as I watched her facebook feed during and after the storm, I got a sense of the chaos that was occurring.

In the hope of pulling some small amount of wisdom from such a tragedy, I asked her to share with us a little about arming oneself against looting, gas rationing and general preparedness.

11/18/2012

Advice: Concealed Carry Revolver

Revolver-purse-carriers, here is a warning:
Little floating items like coins, lint and hairpins in your bag, can get stuck in the moving parts of your firearm (especially between the cylinder and the frame) and cause malfunctions. Clean out your purse and use a holster that keeps your gun  covered and stops it from bouncing around with everything else in there.
- Gun salesman (m/late 60s)

11/13/2012

Tsk Tsk Salesman, Tsk Tsk

By Dana

Female and One heck of a shotgunner!
Last weekend at our ladies shoot I fired a 12 gauge shotgun at some stationary clays. I had no problem hitting each one or with handling the shotgun at all and I absolutely LOVED it! I was told last weekend that its “hard to miss” with a shotgun but still it was fun and now I want one.

I was feeling pretty disheartened after the election results so to make me feel a little better I went to a certin big box retailer to pick up some ammo and since I was there figured that I’d check out their shotguns. I really don’t know anything about shotguns like which brand I should get so I was happy to see 5 or so men in the sporting goods area decked out in their camo so I decided to ask if any of them had a shotgun.

11/12/2012

Growing As A Shooter III

By Gabby

trigger timeWhen last we talked (in Growing as a Shooter Part II) I was about to seek out a "Shot Timer". My thinking was, "I just need to shoot faster!" as well as "I need to put two quick shots accurately center mass". However, I was unaware of some major fundamental elements that would help me achieve my goal. When given the unlimited time to align my first shot and then my second, I could usually put them with in 2 inches of one another (at a distance of 10-15 yards), but when pressed for time, my second shot was rarely where I wanted it. What was I doing, or not doing, before that second shot?

The simple answer is: after my first shot, I no longer had precise control of the gun, therefore, I could not recover quickly and make a meaningful second shot.

11/11/2012

Defined: cold range

When entering a cold range, all firearms should  be unloaded with the slide locked back and the magazine removed. The only loaded guns should be those on the firing line, that are pointed down range.

11/08/2012

Advice: Glock grease

Just bought a new Glock and wondering about that copper colored goo on the inside? Its called "Glock Grease" and every new Glock is packaged with it. They say you should give your new Glock it's first cleaning only after all this stuff disappears.
-Gun Sales Person (20s/m)

11/06/2012

Advice: field strip

When I purchased my first gun, after all the paperwork was finished, I asked the guys behind the counter,
  "How do I clean it?" They looked at me, and with complete seriousness said,
  "Go on YouTube." At first I thought the guy was just being lazy, but I have since learned that this really is the best answer. If a gun store employee shows you how to do this himself, he takes a risk of scratching your new gun, or popping you (or himself) with tight new spring (yes, I did, and it hurt). Sure, you can have a gunsmith do the job, but then how will you learn?

Every gun is slightly different and though most breakdowns are simple, you should take the time to learn your own firearm, in and out.

I've sifted through tons of videos and compiled a list of the best field strip demos available. Let me know if you find better or if you think I should add a specific brand or model.

Click here to read about my learning experience in regard to cleaning my first gun.

10/24/2012

VIPs at the Range

& what they taught me

By Gabby

Last Night:
I can't sleep! Tomorrow is a big day for Sandy Springs Gun Range, and, since I am a lucky member of the team there, it's an exciting day for ArmedCandy as well!

The Zac Brown Band will be coming in for some trigger time and I'm so excited I could just bust! Not only are they one of my favorite bands but they are a bunch of local guys which makes the visit especially sweet. I remember when they played dive bars for $0 cover, and now they will arrive with not one but two security teams.

10/23/2012

Video: 50AE

I would not recommend pulling the trigger on any gun before you have worked your way up to that caliber. It's important to have learned a strong grip, arm positioning, and stance technique before approaching any new weapon system.

That being said, "hey y'all, watch this!" Seems like the proper phrase to be stated before shooting this monster of a pistol:

10/22/2012

Price & Gun Quality

By Gabby

Price & Gun QualityI can often be heard saying to new gun shoppers, "put aside about $500 for this purchase. You may spend a little more or a little less, but this is not a place you want to skimp." Well, here's a post by Caleb, at GunNuts Media, where he discusses some options on the very low end of the spectrum. Caleb's post is actually an extension of an article by Tim, another writer over at GunNuts. Tim did extensive testing of the Hi-Point pistol, which can be read here. These two guys know there stuff, so I'm going to leave you in their capable hands for a moment.

Aside from reading these thoughts on the inexpensive Hi-Point pistols, I'd like you to remember a few things:

10/11/2012

Girl's Gun Getaway - Still Feeling The Effects

By Gabby

I heard it at least five times within 24 hours of arriving at the Girls Gun Getaway ranch. "I don't have a whole lot of girl friends," one woman said quietly. Then another said it at dinner, and then later, I heard another agree. It wasn't a secret or something of which to be ashamed, but most of us were surprised to find ourselves in a group of women and were feeling cautiously optimistic.

the Girls Gun Getaway is still on my mind

I think my concerns were two fold:

10/08/2012

Does He Kiss His Mother With That Mouth?

By Gabby

shut yo mouth! I have said it before, and I still believe, Gun people are just the nicest folks! At first this discovery caught me by surprise, but I have now become comfortable in this knowledge. Maybe that’s why today’s events shook me so deeply. I consider my vocabulary solid and relatively extensive. I was raised to speak properly and with correct grammar. Though I know how to act in polite company, I am not one to gasp and clutch my pearls at a random cuss word among friends. I confess that until today, I never understood the outrage I have heard from women, over the term “C*nt”. As far as I could tell, it was just another “dirty” word to add to the pile. I gained a new understanding today, and I’d like to share.

As I was out shooting today, I happened to find myself within earshot of two men, who were talking about me. They didn’t know I was nearby and I did not linger in a transgression of eavesdropping, but I overheard one say to the other, “…she’s a F*cking C*nt.” Stunned, I walked away. In my wildest dreams, I can not imagine what I could have done to this guy, to enrage him to this extremity. Further, I am dumbstruck at the idea that I could unwittingly act in a way that deserved such a response. (I am willing to admit to acts that could be called “a little b*tchy”. These are usually performed out of anger or spite. It’s not pretty, but it’s rare, and I don’t consider myself any sort of angel.)

10/01/2012

Review: Maxpedition Jumbo VersaPack

By Gabby


Maxpedition Jumbo VersipakThese days, for the most part, I'm a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Some days I'll add sneakers and a hoody and head from Walmart to my favorite hiking trail; Other days it could be a tailored jacket, fabulous high heels and a walk down Madison Avenue. I'm not ashamed to admit that for each of these occasions, a change in handbag is required. For the days when this fashionista is feeling a little more rugged than polished, I have found a great option:
Meet Maxpedition!

I'd never heard of this brand until I began working at a gun range. I thought I had checked out every gear manufacturer available at Rei. (Don't get me wrong, I'm no hard-core mountain climber, but I've always been drawn to high-tech, well-designed, hiking/camping gear; Even while growing up as the ultimate City Girl.) However, Maxpedition's products aren't just tough enough for a weekend camping trip, they are ready for deployment.

9/16/2012

A TSA Rant

By Gabby

The TSA is a complete waste of money and is doing nothing to keep us safe.  As I meantioned in my post, "Flights with Firearms, A Finale," I do, and have done a decent amount of traveling, specifically, on commercial airines. So today's experience has me exceptionally concerned. 

Ok, maybe I need to go back and start from the begining...

I am on a Sunday morning flight out of Atlanta and there is a lot of people on the security checkpoint line.

9/09/2012

Who You Calling Paranoid?

By Dana

In the eyes of some of my friends and family, my new love of firearms and interest in personal safety, have changed me from fun loving, friendly, and “normal” to paranoid, fearful, and maybe even crazy.  How the heck did that happen?  Maybe those who now consider me "crazy" have forgotten the difference between being prepared and being paranoid. Let’s give them the benefit of e doubt and take a quick look at some definitions according to the iPad dictionary:

9/01/2012

Gun Show: New York State Style

By Dana

got your tickets?

I was super psyched to go to my first gun show this weekend.  We showed up about 15 minutes before the doors opened and the line to get in was very long, which I was glad to see.  There were some people in line who brought their rifles to try to sell, trade, or have appraised (think of a firearms version of Pawn Stars). The rest of us just wanted to get inside to look at all of the treasures the room had to hold.    

As expected a large majority of the people attending the gun show were men.  There were women in attendance but most seemed to be wives or girlfriends of the male customers or the dealers and not so much gun lovers themselves.    

Hubby and I had a little chat before going and agreed that we were really just going to look and not to buy.  Since we didn’t have something specific in mind we knew purchasing a gun without performing our due diligence first could be a really bad idea.  

8/21/2012

2nd And The City: A Series Begins

By Lauren

2nd And The City

This week I headed out to Queens, NY to pick up my "rifle/shotgun permit" from the licensing bureau. For those of you unfamiliar with New York City, this is no small errand. Once there, I was told that I am only allowed to purchase one long gun every three months.

"That's only four firearms a year!" I screamed, in my mind. However, my jaw must have hit the floor, because the clerk behind the counter gave me a confused look. I tried to explain to her that nowhere else in the USA does one need a permit for a long gun.  Now her mouth fell open.  She couldn't believe what I was telling her, (and this is a woman who issues firearm permits to New York residents.)  This just-goes-to-show, that when it comes to firearms, the citizens of New York City are out of touch with the rest of the country's "normal". (Then again, maybe this is how the powers-that-be prefer it.)

8/02/2012

The City Girl Who Liked Guns

Meet Lauren

By Gabby

I didn't know how lucky I was to have fallen in love with guns while living in Atlanta Georgia, until I talked gun ownership & concealed carry with gun loving NYers & north easterners. Those folks work hard for their arms rights!  After the Concealed Carry Fashion show, I began to wonder: What's it like for a girl in New York City who is curious about guns? Who can she talk to? Where can she shoot?  Meet Lauren. A New York City girl who is proving that guns and New Yorkers aren't completely like oil and water.


Come, in! We're Open

The City Girl Who Liked Guns

By Lauren

NYC is not the best place in this country to be a gun-lover, but with some great friends, family and support I have been able to expand my knowledge and training in the firearms industry. Growing up I was a tom-boy, and loved hanging out with the boys. I always thought that they had more fun. I loved sports and being outside and often played just to prove that I could keep up. I started shooting paintball guns when I was younger, but like most New York City kids, I grew up in an anti-gun household.  The only gun lesson I ever received was, "guns kill people”. 3

7/30/2012

Girls Gun Getaway: Reflecting

By Gabby

From Top: Beth, Julie, Barb, Shelley, Destinee, Marti, Anette, Lacey, Natalie, Gracie
Photos by Julie Golob
the girls

In many recent posts (and in more articles upcoming) you may find that I reference the Girls Gun Getaway, A LOT. The goal is not to make anyone jealous or gain popularity through name dropping.  Obviously, we had an amazing time, but for me, the weekend had a huge impact in an unexpected way.  I learned a great deal about women in general.  In some of my first conversations with each attendee I discovered that many of us had, in our everyday lives, avoided female friendships to a certain degree. Most felt it was the caddy-ness and drama that we were avoiding.  Yet in four days with 10 women, I made 10 great friends and felt no competition or spite on the ranch.

You may ask, how is that possible? And I'll never be able to definitively answer that. I can, however, offer some observations and opinions.

I noticed that all of us walked with a certain air of confidence. Every lady had excellent posture and carried herself as if she knew exactly who she was.  Of course, we can not attribute this to shooting guns, but that was our common ground...

Also, there was a great deal of teaching and sharing with one another on many different levels. 

I received an in depth education on hunting preparation, climbing through barbed wire fences and erecting a ground blind. I gleaned invaluable knowledge from inside the gun industry. We all enjoyed witnessing some impressive cooking skills. I was taught to properly handle shotguns. There was some sharing of skin care and fashion tips. I witnessed the rules and operating procedures for an outdoor range. A few of the girls unknowingly informed me that soft spoken doesn't have to equal meek.  Meeting other bloggers helped me better understand the importance of appreciating ones readers. And of corse, we got a basic, yet up close and personal, education on explosives.





And now, on with the show blog
©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC


                                                     

ArmedCandy also Recommends:

Beth
Sass Brass & Bullets
 
Julie
Julie Golob.com
 
Barb & Marti
The WON
 
Shelley Rae
Western Shooting Journal
 

Destinee
Fate of Destinee
 

Anette
30 Cal Gal
 
Lacey
NRA Womens Network
 

Natalie
Girls Guide to Guns
 

Gracie
Packing Pretty
 

7/29/2012

First Look: Concealed Carry Fashion Show

Packing Pretty has posted a little about the event here

7/28/2012

Save My Belt!!!

By Gabby

Inner & Outer layers of a Duty Belt
inner & outer duty belt
Working at the gun range, even just 3 days a week, has taken it's toll on my favorite black leather belt. It wasn't made for open carry of an all steel full size weapon. So I decided to see what was out there. I discovered that a "Duty Belt" is a two part system, an inner belt (usually somewhat soft, nylon) that one wears similar to a regular belt, and a heavy outer belt that attaches to the inner with velcro but carries all the gear slightly away from the body. Of corse this was not the belt for me, but a heavy duty nylon belt seemed like a great idea.

7/27/2012

Have Gun, Will Shop

By Dana

Come, in! We're OpenAfter attending the Concealed Carry fashion show this past weekend I am all types of motivated. I’m motivated to learn more about personal safety, to go to the range more frequently, to train, and most importantly feel comfortable enough to carry.  

Yesterday I was headed up to the range and needed to stop at the store to pick up some targets so I decided to bring Walther with me just to see how it felt.  

Walther was “unloaded” and I was wearing my jeans, and a belt, with Walther tucked snuggly inside of his holster on the inside of my pants, with my shirt over it.  Basically I would have had to use Walther as a club if it came down to it.  If there were any problems I didn’t plan on brandishing it; I was going to act like I didn’t have him on me at all and be the good little sheep that I typically am. Baaaa Baaa….

7/26/2012

Introducing A New Contributor & "Shoot To Wound"

ArmedCandy welcomes a new contributor: Dana of "Walther and Me"

Walther and Me Dana is from Upstate New York and is brand (spanking) new to the wonderful world of firearms. She began her blog, "Walther and Me" to share the lessons she was learning as a new female shooter in New York State. By sharing her thoughts with ArmedCandy readers, Dana hopes to empower women toward gun ownership, as well as make some new friends along the way. Join her as she journeys from fear to conceal carry and beyond.

Shoot To Wound

By Dana

Thanks to Cornered Cat's Facebook page, I just read this very interesting post on John Farnam’s Quips about "shooting to wound".  My husband has had the same conversation with me a number of times and reinforces why I should aim at the center of mass because that way I’d be less likely to miss when it would really count.   

The scenario: I’m home when a bad guy comes and busts in the door what do I do?  Here’s a better question what would you do?  

7/25/2012

My Friend, The Liberal

By Gabby

You know I don't get political, but ... Gabby and Friend

I have this one super liberal friend; I mean, she's a total lefty. But yesterday she sat and listened for ten minutes as I explained the joy of shooting full-auto and trying it with suppression for the first time. I explained to her how two parts of such a device are "Class III", therefore requiring two tax stamps, which is also part of their astronomical expense. This clarified why they are so rare and even more exciting to experience. She would almost never be willing to visit the range with me and seeing my gun in my home for the first time, actually gave her a mini panic attack. However, she listened, asked questions, and got excited for me in-spite of herself.  

We could use a few more people like this in the world! Most of use don't hold opinions that fall smack in the middle of any issue and even if we did, there would be plenty of people to argue against that view as well. However, by listening to each other, tolerating a differing perspective, and being a good friend, even when literally terrified, we might just see a smidgen of progress rather than stagnation and anger.

©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

7/21/2012

Advice: shotgun

"My preference for use in a defensive shotgun in an urban apartment or condo setting is to use #7.5 trap in lieu of buckshot. Slugs and buckshot can be a civil suit nightmare as they can easily breach adjacent walls and endanger neighbors and other family members. I discovered that #4 shot became a preferred load for me as opposed to 00 buck when a more powerful load was to be the load of preference. However, 00, 000 and slugs have their uses in various situations."

7/18/2012

Shotgun Fun

By Gabby

Unlike pistols, which I spent a lot of time exploring on my own, shotguns, were something, on which I felt, I should be instructed. I don't have a shotgun, and while my range rents a number of options, I felt it more appropriate to take on this long gun in it's natural habitat, outdoors. Many shotgun wielding friends were willing join me, but since the nearest outdoor range is more than 1.5 hours away, finding time proved difficult. Eventually, I opted to wait for the Girls Gun Getaway.
Boy am I glad I waited and got my first shotgun lesson from Packing Pretty in the flesh!
Packing Pretty & a 12ga turkey gun

7/12/2012

Conceal Carry Look Book

By Gabby

Men keep surprising me. This time they have taken an innocent and helpful blog post by my friend Packing Pretty, and gotten all worked up over it. The article is her version of a fashion "look book" but with specific items that may aid a woman in concealed carry.  Some felt the article insulted a woman's intelligence, others felt that focusing on fashion was distracting from the more serious topic of concealed carry.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all these chivalrous gentlemen for protecting us ladies from this nonexistent threat.  At ease, fellas.  We are just working out how to make ourselves comfortable in the awesome world of Firearms.

7/11/2012

Press

Atlanta Jewish Times

FIDF Atlanta Women’s Brigade at the Shooting Range

An Evening With Friends & Firearms

... "The event was coordinated by Ginny Adams, Development Associate of FIDF Atlanta region, and cosponsored by Rachel Simon – who developed a love for shooting from her dad and is now married to an Israeli soldier – and Gabby, creator of ArmedCandy, a website and product brand that uses social media to educate women about guns." ... [read more]
Atlanta Jewish Times
©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC


7/10/2012

Press

Women's Outdoor News

Women Blogger Series:

ArmedCandy — It all started with a date at the range


"Inspiration comes in many forms, sometimes when you least expect it. In this women gun blogger feature, Britney talks to Gabby — lover of animals, food, and all things Southern, about what sparked her  to create the blog “ArmedCandy.” ... [read more]
Blogger Profile by Womens Outdoor News
©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

7/09/2012

FIDF & ArmedCandy Make New Girl Gunners

By Gabby

Adi Halfon, a former combat soldier and current FIDF IMPACT! scholarship recipient, was trained on an M16, but had never shot a pistol
Photo By FIDF-Atlanta
Adi discovers the fun of pistols
A while back I posted an article entitled, "Why Jews Hate Guns". My concern in posting the piece was that it might inspire anti-semitism by pro-gunners who didn't realize that the article was really about anti-gun folks in general. Being a Jewish girl gunner myself I could have been offended, but since I grew up in New York City, I knew why the writer chose the title. Yes, the whole city inspires an anti-gun mentality, but I'm not sure it's a "Jewish" thing, and here's why.

7/06/2012

Flights with Firearms, A Finale

By Gabby

I may be, what some might call, a seasoned traveler. I've flown on domestic flights and  international flights, small planes & double decker jumbo jets. I've been in and out of the Delhi airport more than twice, and taken many flights over 11 hours long. I find the sound of jet engines soothing and the rumblings of take-off almost always rock me to sleep. I've had an passport from the time I was a few months old & took more than a few flights in utero.  I had the privilege of taking a military transport DC-10 and slept through most of the blindingly loud trip. I've even taken the controls and piloted a small four seater (with an instructor by my side) between take off and landing.  But today I crossed into a new realm of commercial flight. Today I completed a trip with a firearm.
travel

My first posts on this topic involved all the planning that went into this new adventure, but now that I am back home after taking my firearm on the "Girls Gun Getaway", I can say:
Flying with a firearm is a far less stressful proposition than it seems. Further, travelers might even discover that they and their luggage may be handled with more care because of the contents of the bag.

7/05/2012

Girls Gun Getaway: The Details

Want to see even more about the Girls Gun Getaway weekend? Here's a great recap! Well done JulieG

6/30/2012

Girls Gun Getaway: Pillow Fight

When we all arrived at the GGG ranch one of our first discussions was about our followers and how it was suggested that women couldn't have a proper slumber party, without a pillow fight. Well, y'all were right! However, we had to do it the our way.

6/29/2012

Friends in Arms: The Girls Gun Getaway

By Gabby

Upon entering the firearms community I received a surprisingly warm welcome, but nothing has surprised me more than the friendships I have formed with other female gun bloggers.  I have met these wonderful girls who are confident, sweet and have been exceptionally helpful to me as a new shooter.  In the past I have avoided friendships that inspire catty-ness and hurtful competitive behavior and have, therefore, just a few close girlfriends. In my short time as a girl-gun blogger I have significantly increased my total number of lady friends.  Any concerns I might have had about cat-fighting among women in the gun blog-o-sphere were instantly negated.  Our bond may have started with weapons, but it is wonderfully peaceful.

Girls Gun Getaway

(from left: Marti, Barb, Shelley, Anette, Gabby, Natalie, Lacey, Gracie, Beth, Destinee, Julie)


6/14/2012

Advice: full auto

MP5 3 round burst selector"Full-Auto is very inaccurate and can create a lot of muzzle rise. Take care to avoid causing damage to the range! Create short manageable bursts with quick easy trigger pulls, or use a gun with a 3 round burst option."
-overheard at the range

6/10/2012

Advice

"When loading a magazine for the H&K MP5 there is no need to push down then back, like you do with a pistol. Just push down and it will load up."
 -New Range Employee (m/early-20s)

6/08/2012

Have Gun Will Travel - Part III

By Gabby

Parts I & II can be found here.


Carrying, Driving, Staying
    Once I land, I will be renting a car and taking an extended drive to my destination. I am fortunate enough to be staying at a private residence where I know guns will be welcomed. I have checked that the destination state accepts my concealed carry permit using the link below.

6/07/2012

Have Gun, Will Travel

By Gabby

x-ray suitecase I am very excited to be planning a summer trip that will involve a fair amount of shooting.  Therefore, for the first time, I will have to fly, with a weapon. I will also be outside my home state (with my weapon) and handling weapons that belong to others.
I have asked some experts and have already received some advice, but I still have tons of questions left to research, so as I discover the rules and solutions, I will share with you, my process.


Packing
    One thing I know for sure, is that guns are not allowed in my carry-on. So I have set aside the funds to check a bag (both ways). A few professional gun women have informed me that I need a lockable box but I'm a details girl so this advice leads me to questions...

6/02/2012

Advice

"Dry fire twice as much as you shoot."
-Shooting instructor (m/late-30s)

6/01/2012

Advice

MP5 3 round burst selector Want to personalize your firearm, but unsure about a color?
"At least The enamel I can test drive. You can use crayon to fill in The writing to test out the color. If you don't like it, Hoppes and a brush will take it off."
-Amy Blackthorn, Armedcandy FB fan (f)

5/31/2012

Advice

"Getting a lot of malfunction from your semi-automatic pistol? You may not be giving your gun enough resistance to eject and feed properly. Try putting more strength into your grip, your wrists and your arms."
-Gun Enthusiast, instructor & Marine (3 guys in their 30s)

5/30/2012

Opinions needed: AC Hat

embroidered military hat

Focus group time:
Available in black & OD.
Logo on the right so folks remember to avoid hot flying brass.
What do you think?

©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/26/2012

Advice

"Wear a hat with a visor to keep brass out of your face."
-Gracie of Packing Pretty (f/20s)

5/25/2012

Contest

Memorial Day Contest

In honor of Memorial Day tell us how you remember, honor, celebrate and appreciate. Entries will be accepted through AC blog comments, Tweets, Facebook posts/comments, emails (through the AC site only). AC's favorite will win the "1000 like" box of goodies. (But we're all winners because we live in such a great country!) Goodies include an ArmedCandy T, IWB holster, a 1 lb bag of fresh delicious 2nd Amendment Coffee, a USA Carry T and USA Carry Decal.

Entrants must "like" the Facebook pages of ArmedCandy, Second Amendment Coffee and USA Carry.
Entries must be received by Tuesday May 29th, 2012 at 5am EST

Check out or sponsors:
Second Amendment Coffee  USA Carry
©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/23/2012

Great, Long, Read



"Why Jews Hate Guns"

By Rabbi Bendory of
JPFO & Alan Korwin of GunLaws.com
05/09/12
   Many parts of this article are hard to swallow, but it is a very interesting piece. On the whole I believe the authors target all anti-gun followers, not just Jews. Speaking as a member of America's Southeastern Jewish community, I believe that the article has forgotten about us altogether. Therefore, by leaving out this entire corner of the US, I contend that this article isn't really about American Jews at all.
   Also, I would not call the writers or the text "anti-semetic", but I would caution readers. The authors are obviously very angry with the anti-gun contingent, but some may read their work and focus that anger toward Jews in general. I ask that you fight this impulse because there are more "Shomrim" out there then you realize, and we are not all as quite as these authors believe.








©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/22/2012

Rant: Girls Holding Guns

By Gabby

Photobucket Pictures, Images and PhotosEveryone is entitled to their own version of fun, but frankly I'm sick of all the half naked women holding guns on Facebook and similar sites.  I don't take issue with people who want to look at women holding weapons.  I've said before, I see nothing wrong with taking sexy photos for your partner. People are entitled to look at whatever gets them revved up (as long as its legal).  I'm also not knocking XXX sites. That's where those photos belong.  My beef is with groups who portray themselves as gun enthusiast communities but who often post the afore mentioned images just to increase their follower count.

Many gun toting women have, at one point or another, run into a person who assumes we are less than capable of handling a gun, simply because we are female. When at the range, we'd prefer to impress with our skills than with our curves. At my range, where I know almost all of the employees, I appreciate the respect I receive.  Still, it would be nice to walk into a gun store and be treated more like an equal and less like a child who has wandered away from her daddy. The issue is, photos of bikini-clad models holding guns do nothing to help us be taken seriously as shooters. In many cases they perpetuate the idea that a woman with a gun is an uneducated hazardous joke and should only be considered in a sexual light.

I imagine some might argue, "We're not idiots. We can tell the difference between a serious female shooter and a model holding a gun." My response to these people would be, "Great! Then you're not the object of this rant." However, I have another concern and it affects all of us shooters;  The models in these photos are often improperly handling their weapons, with their fingers on triggers and the like.  This may mislead new shooters.  Do you want to slide into a lane next to a newbbie who doesn't know and follow the four rules? When groups represent themselves as a knowledgable source for shooting information and then display these pictures, people can get confused.

As for arguments about children stumbling across these images on Facebook and the poster's right to freedom of speech, I find these arguments misguided and unintelligent. It is the responsibility of a parent to protect an impressionable child. Further, freedom of speech does not have anything to do with Facebook speech and besides, just because it is legal to act in a certain way, doesn't mean said action is right.

Now that you've allowed me to make my points I release you to go and spend your days looking at naked people holding whatever gets you off, puppies, tire irons...whatever.  My only request is that, before you click "like" on another Sexy Gunner page, or "share" another bikini/gun photo, you consider our female shooting community as a whole.

P.S. As I delve deeper into the online/gun community I have had conversations, related to this topic, that reveal that many different perspectives are floating around out there. I fully intend to explore the topic from another slant in the very near future.




©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/21/2012

Great Read


Draw Your Weapon
By Nick at
Indistructable Training
05/16/12
Learning to draw your weapon can be as important as shooting straight. This article does a nice job of breaking down the steps, and showing us how to draw correctly. We can sometimes forget that using a gun for protection is much more than pulling the trigger. Practice all the steps and practice them often.







Be sure to tell them, "ArmedCandy Sent Me!"
©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/16/2012

Pink Guns are Just the Beginning

Recently my friend Gracie, of Packing Pretty, posted an article about pink guns. As per usz, I agreed with all of her points.  She has an amazing knowledge of guns, tactics and shooting.  Gracie is one bad a** gunner girl and I respect her a lot, pink gun and all... But if there's one thing I know, it's color.  

5/15/2012

Advice

"Know the law."
-Kate Krueger, Talking Guns Radio Hostess (f)

5/14/2012

Advice

"Replace you defensive ammo once a year."
-SWAT officer (m/31)

5/12/2012

Advice

"After gun shows people often find that they have bought a dud of a used weapon."-Cop (m/30s)

5/11/2012

Bra Holster Review

As some of you are aware, one of my goals with ArmedCandy is to bring to the market products for women that enhance the shooting and carrying experience. Some of these may be my own designs but many great products already exist. As I explore the currently available options, I share them with you, so that your hunt may be an easier one.
A note before you dive in: This review is of a product that is made for women. There should be very little need for male shooters to weigh in on this article. If you gentlemen do feel so compelled, please, keep it classy.
Thank you -AC
Ruger LCRI walked into the range and my test group was already playing with the Flashbang Holster and a Ruger LCRevolver.

5/08/2012

Press

Arizona Gun Radio

Kate Krueger's
Talking Guns

Kate Interviews Gabby Marcuus


[Listen to the Interview]
Kate Krueger
Photo courtesy of Talking Guns

©2012 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/07/2012

5/06/2012

Advice

"FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER."
-Range Mama (f/young at heart)

5/05/2012

Advice

"I've been shooting my FNX straight out of the box, for six months.  Haven't needed to clean or lube it."
-Marine (m/late-30s)