Women Shooters: Training vs Carry Pistol

I was at the range today with my missus, the recipient of a new Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro, a compact 9mm fitted with a Holoson RDS.  It fit her hand well, she loved the 15 round capacity and it should be noted that we spent lots of time with her trying other pistols out before she decided on this particular model.  I knew however that smaller carry pistols tend to be annoying to train with (when you get into higher round counts) but waited until we were at the range to see how this played out.

Roughly 50 rounds in, working presentation shots she lamented to me:  “This gun is snappy (referring to recoil) and tougher to shoot.”  Of course it is, it has a shorter barrel and smaller grip and does not manage recoil as well as larger guns.  Here is a picture of it in her hand.

SAI Hellcat Pro

I then handed her my Sig X5 Legion, here’s what that looked like.

Sig X5 Legion

She then fired a couple rounds and looked at me: “WOW that is SO MUCH BETTER to shoot!”  Exactly, it’s a larger heavier gun so it manages recoil and the grip gives one a larger purchase than the smaller compact variety.

The Bottom Line

Some of you are reading this and cannot wait to write “train as you fight” in the comments section.  To that I would quote a world class trainer with: “So if I’m supposed to train as I fight, should I train for a home invasion by showing up to the range in my boxers while barefoot?”

The idea is this.  Compact or Subcompact pistols are not great to shoot but they should be absolutely trained with.  However, use a larger full size firearm for the majority of the training and then transition to the smaller carry gun with a few holster drills at the end of the day, so that is the last thing experienced.  I’ve trained lots of folks out here in Colorado, women included and can tell you without hesitation…this technique works.  Have comments?  Leave them below.