Ladies, what would you like to see when you walk into a gunshop?

If you were shopping for yourself...

Exactly what I am looking for.



Yeah, I know that didn't help much, but I don't shop at gun stores much. I either go to gun shows, where 90% of everything is there, or I order online.

Yeah, that didn't help.

I'm looking at taking over a gun shop with an indoor range in the next month or so and I'd like to go to SHOT with something of a shopping list before going. I don't do gun shows often, they remind me of flea markets. I'd like to have a section geared towards woman since we ladies are buying more firearms these days then men are.

What I want is for anyone to walk in and think "THIS is what a gun shop should be." But I'd like other input rather than just what I like.

Guns that fit womens hands.
Both pretty and practical guns.

Have a good selection of accessories that are geared towards women. Not just pink. Have blues, purples and greens in there. Please don't offer just pink or black.


Those are my main gripes about stores. Mainly the color thing. It's silly, but I like things that are not pink and are not black. Blues and purples are hide to find, especially blues and purples that aren't kiddish or weird looking.

A gun shop with plenty of guns always gets my heart racing. As a woman what makes or breaks a shop or range for me is the staffing.

My wife says a woman working there would be nice instead of pushy salesmen that try to force their opinion on customers.

I'd like to see guns, but I'd love not to have to deal with the jerks who work at many of them.

Just for instance: If two women come in and are shooting 3" groups at 10-15 yards, and one male is shooting from one to the other of a 2'x3' target, please don't spend your time "teaching" the women to shoot. It's obnoxious, and of no help at all to the customer who could use a hand.

A wide, organized selection is all I look for.

And free cookies. ;)

My wife would like to see some Jimmy Choo and some Coach purses.

I can bet that disorganized and dirty gun shops would be a turn off. This seems to be very common with shops that have been around for a few years.

Yeah, I would love to see a clean shop

I agree with the other ladies. Clean, put together shop. Makes a customer feel more comfortable and gives the company a more professional reputation. Preferably a male and female there for assistance. Wide variety of weapons and their accessories. Knowledgeable staff should go without saying, and i wouldnt expect staff to know everything under the sun, but the more they know the better. I've been to a few places that have a hard time answering simple questions about popular makes and models. Oh, and carry ammo for the weapons you have in the store!!! Its so frustrating not being able to leave with a weapon AND ammo oh, yes, cookies too

Good, knowledgeable, trustworthy customer service will get me in the door and keep me, regarding any product or service. I like having a "go-to person" for my car, trips, real estate, etc. I want the same when I decide to purchase a gun or equipment. I am very lucky to have that, and I would purchase less or purchase elsewhere if I didn't feel comfortable with the staff.

If the range is clean and the restrooms are clean, that's a huge plus. I'd prefer a ladies room over a "one for all" room. I'll bring YOU cookies if I get all of the above!

All I want to see is sales people who don't treat me like a child. I don't need pink guns. I don't need purses. I just need someone who will give me accurate information and not call me "honey".
This being said... I would like to see some awesome FEMALE gun tshirts and possibly some non camo range bags / rifle and pistol cases.

And lights!!! If I'm gonna make a big purchase, I would like to see.

Mmmmm, hard to say. I've only bought guns in three places: one shop, through my arms dealer, and at a gun show.

If anything, I would like consistency of what this or that range safety officer says. After months at being at range, I had one tell me that I couldn't move side to side in the stall.....and I immediately went furious to the owner who cleared up the situation, told him I could.

But for the most part, either customer or staff, people don't mess with me much, probably because of the prowess I have about me.....or when I shoot, it is with signs that I know what I am doing. Ie, combat sling on the rifle, shoulder holster on, logbook, etc..

I am as I've been trained and only once have I come across a salesman who tried to counter that. He was selling, at a show, a concealable holster, I commented how there was no room for a spare magazine, and he responded that if I, as a civilian needed a spare magazine, I was in the wrong gun fight. I don't want to be in any gun fight, but carrying two spares is just basic to me.

The other thing is that I want to pick the size, not have them pick it for me. I pick carbines because they work for me better, but it is my choice.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
("You look surprised."––Roger after taking credit for her work, taking away the exhibit
"I don't know why because I'm FURIOUS!"––Prue, (w,stte), Charmed, "Something Wicca This Way Comes")

Pretty much what the other women have said, clean, bright, female friendly! (meaning that if all the employees are men, make sure they understand today's ladies...most of us who frequent gun shops know guns...not all, but the noobs are pretty easy to spot! NOT all pink is a very good one Compass...it seems like whether I am looking for gun "stuff" or motorcycle "stuff", all I can find for the ladies accessory side is pink! At 5'10" and not tiny I am just not a major pink person...Good luck!

This, being ignored or just treated like I must be stupid or in the wrong place because I am female just pisses me off, and don't ask me if I am with my husband or boyfriend either. The pink stuff is overdone too. I like pink but not on my guns.

If I was a woman..I would want to see a woman behind the counter that has a very good knowledge of firearms, holsters and other related gear designed for women...
oh wait. You have that covered.
Good luck PB..

More female sales reps, more pink-purples-and other color options not only for guns but accessories and such also, male sales reps who actually ask women what kind of experience they have with guns before assuming the answer is none and automatically treating them like they're incapable of understanding 'gun talk' on a male level, maybe even a price discount for women on products/range time to encourage more women to shop there...you'd be amazed how much extra business could be brought in just by building a women 'friendly' reputation. Hosting a women's day/night where female gun reps from manufacturers or training ranges come to talk to your female clientele about products and services that might appeal to them.

Not only pink for ladies' gear. I'm not big on pink, but LOVE purple. I also like blue, green, etc. Just because someone is a woman doesn't mean they like pink.

Male associates that actually listen to ME, not only my husband. I know what type of gun I like and while I value both their opinions, it's ultimately me who will be the primary shooter/carrier of the firearm. Unless you are me, you do not know what is best for me. Your wife might LOVE her revolver, but if I say I have shot them and don't like them? Don't keep suggesting them, while most women do like direction and suggestions, some of us DO know what we like and what we're talking about (like the ladies here on arf), so please don't second guess us.

Offer incentives for the ladies, such as a "ladies day" at the range, ladies get an amount or percentage off the range fee, ammo, firearm rental, etc. Another one would be "ladies only" for a couple hours every week, month, etc. where ladies can use the range without worrying about men harassing them or feeling intimidated by being the only women on the range.

Classes SPECIFICALLY for women, such as women's self defense in areas besides firearms (If I'm in close quarters, I'd be more hesitant to pull out my firearm/pepper spray, but wouldn't hesitate to make sure the guy can never have children) or a ladies only conceal carry class, while I can deal with the testosterone factor, other women might get intimidated by it and not want to take a class.

A WIDE VARIETY OF CONCEAL CARRY ITEMS FOR THE LADIES BESIDES PURSES! I absolutely HATE conceal carry purses, so maybe some holsters for the ladies? (If they make them)

A spa. I'd love to go shooting and get a pedicure or massage.

Oh, and chocolate.

My wife agrees with everything posted above

<wife taking control mwahahaha> I agree. Having a female face in the store is friendly and makes it a less intimidating experience. Even if she is just helping sell ammo or run the register, it's definitely a perk.

I like to see shiny things. I like to hold shiny things.


I do not like know-it-all clerks who puff their chests out and try to 'educate me.' Fortunately, having worked at RA, the local shops know me and leave me alone to coo over shiny things in peace.

I would never see my wife again.... She liked your input!!!

A knowledgeable and friendly woman behind the counter.

Oh. And non-judgemental staff. If I ask for a pink sling or a pink holster or whatever, I want to be treated just the same as I would if I had asked for a black sling. I've gone into gun shops before looking for a particular Black Rain sling with pink on it, and got the very sarcastically-said reply, "ohhhhh we don't have anything like that."

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.