Are Women Better Shooters Than Men?

2017-04-18T09:10:18-04:00

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Apr 18 at 2017 9:14 AM

2017-04-18T09:14:21-04:00

By virtue of the fact they have a square pelvis, it allows them more stable stance. BTW, why do think all Olympic shooting ports are segregated?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2017 9:30 AM

2017-04-18T09:30:42-04:00

I've known many a woman that can out-shoot men.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2017 9:34 AM

2017-04-18T09:34:29-04:00

That's what they say but that's not what I've seen..

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 18 at 2017 9:46 AM

2017-04-18T09:46:14-04:00

I can't answer the poll truthfully with the answers given. I am no expert when it comes to firing a weapon. I have a lot of knowledge in the subject though. I have seen 13 year old girl in a three gun shoot beat grown men! I have also tried to give instruction to a female that was hitting 8 rds out of 40 that would not change how she was shooting but couldn't understand why she wasn't hitting the target! I have also seen the same in males. " Well I have been shooting this way since basic" and I say well it is wrong because you are getting 12 out of 40! So there are both sides of the coin in both sexes! So I guess I will say equals!

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 18 at 2017 10:04 AM

2017-04-18T10:04:21-04:00

it depends on the level of Training and Practice... and some time they don't have the bad habits Guys Pick Up...
Thanks for the share...

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 18 at 2017 10:17 AM

2017-04-18T10:17:54-04:00

Looking at the highest level, Olympic sports are split between men and women. But take a look at Camp Perry. It's been a numbers game with males being the overwhelming demographic. Women shoot the same events. Also notice that there are awards for "high lady" and "high junior lady" and how their scores compare to males. As interest increases amongst females, I'd expect more scores cracking the top ten. I don't know if there's a difference between sponsorship support, but if it's like other sports, the money put into women is far less, hence a disadvantage. I haven't read anything that women have an inherent disadvantage physically or mentally when it comes to shooting sports. So I'd expect this issue to be just a matter of time and level of interest. Interest also includes the public that would encourage better sponsorship. Work in progress.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Apr 18 at 2017 10:24 AM

2017-04-18T10:24:40-04:00

In my observation, women tend to be more report and recoil sensitive. Once past that problem, they do quite well.
I recall shooting a .45 match with a female cadet from USMA. She was an accomplished .22 rifle competitor, and she carried that skill over to big-bore pistol.
Of course, I must mention that the legendary "sure-shot" Annie Oakley honored New Jersey (of all places) by settling here, spending 12 years in Nutley with her husband Frank Butler.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2017 10:42 AM

2017-04-18T10:42:27-04:00

If you're asking on average/by the numbers I have to say no women are not typically better shooters than men. If you want to compare more select groups (male vs female servicmembers/competition shooters/Olimpians etc.) then I just don't know off the top of my head. I also suspect that it varies wildly based on the type of shooting, the weapon(s) used, and most importantly the amount of training and practice the individual has.

tl;dr If you took 50 random men off the street and 50 random women I would bet that the men would outshoot the women.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 18 at 2017 10:46 AM

2017-04-18T10:46:01-04:00

Some are some aren't. As with most things it depends on the individual.

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Apr 18 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-04-18T12:18:23-04:00

But are they a better shot than the robot designed to shoot things?

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Apr 18 at 2017 2:45 PM

2017-04-18T14:45:06-04:00

I wouldn't say absolutely but my daughters motto when shooting is Don't run...you will only die tired!!! LOL She has a steadier hand and better eye than I do when it comes to handguns...rifles we are about the same.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Apr 18 at 2017 3:55 PM

2017-04-18T15:55:48-04:00

In years passed I served in a hospital Unit with roughly 50/50 men and women. My opinion is that practice makes one at least a better shot regardless of sex. Most of the best shots were experienced shooters, however it is just as important to practice the steady hold and sight picture rules taught in BRM, in order to be a good shot!

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Apr 18 at 2017 4:19 PM

2017-04-18T16:19:51-04:00

That depends on wether it is a military or domestic situation. My vote goes to domestic. They know exactly where to shoot.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 18 at 2017 4:24 PM

2017-04-18T16:24:18-04:00

Perhaps better marksmanship, how about when in combat, under fire? Never having served in a situation such as that, it's just a question for those that have.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 18 at 2017 5:31 PM

2017-04-18T17:31:37-04:00

No idea. Is there some form of evidence or study that might suggest that? There are a lot of factors that can determine how accurate you are with a ranged weapon and I've yet to here the gender argument ever be played.

Corrected vs uncorrected eyesight.
Normal blood pressure vs high/low blood pressure.

Hell... even seasonal allergies could play a factor and cause you to jerk a trigger.

But I've yet to hear anyone say that your genitalia plays a factor in your marksmenship.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Apr 18 at 2017 5:38 PM

2017-04-18T17:38:59-04:00

All the women I know who shoot are pretty darn good. I am always nice to them because I know how good they are and I do not want to find out who is the better shot; there is always that slim chance I might lose.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Apr 18 at 2017 10:07 PM

2017-04-18T22:07:16-04:00

There are some women I wouldn't want to get in a firefight with and some I'd feel safer in their line of fire than outside it. Firearm proficiency has everything to do with skill and practice and nothing to do with gender.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 18 at 2017 10:17 PM

2017-04-18T22:17:28-04:00

I would say Depends, The Soviet Female Snipers in WWII were Pretty Impressive.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 19 at 2017 12:02 AM

2017-04-19T00:02:45-04:00

I think, as had been stated it depends. MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy. I have seen many women who are very good, and many men too. I think, perhaps, we take more notice when women can shoot well, as we likely consider the Army, or Policing, a man's world, so we notice when a woman does well more so than a man. Or, maybe it is due to numbers - less women and more men that we notice women who are good shooters. I still believe it all depends on the individual, but good and bad.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2017 9:33 AM

2017-04-19T09:33:47-04:00

Well, I don't know about pistoleros, but Allstate sure thinks they are better drivers!!!

Response by SPC Nicholas Wood made Apr 19 at 2017 12:35 PM

2017-04-19T12:35:21-04:00

It all depends on the person shooting, I personally have never had a woman outshoot me at a range.

Response by MAJ John Adams made Apr 19 at 2017 12:44 PM

2017-04-19T12:44:29-04:00

Women are often much easier to teach because they listen to you and try to follow instructions. A lot of men are too focused on showing you how much they already know -- even if it's wrong.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Apr 19 at 2017 1:18 PM

2017-04-19T13:18:18-04:00

I worked with both male and female recruits on the range at Parris Island. And spent the better part of a career in Virginia DOC as a firearms instructor. Females can be taught to shoot as well as the males. It all comes down to the level of interest.

Response by SFC David Xanten made Apr 19 at 2017 4:11 PM

2017-04-19T16:11:08-04:00

I think it depends on the same thing that governs how good we get at doing our jobs, no matter what it may be. Experience and training.

Response by SCPO William Akin made Apr 20 at 2017 8:29 AM

2017-04-20T08:29:15-04:00

Who ever walks away from the gunfight is the better shooter..

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 4:49 PM

2017-04-20T16:49:23-04:00

Some probably are and some probably are not.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made May 5 at 2017 9:46 PM

2017-05-05T21:46:29-04:00

Typically woman shoot low in groin area on the range and according to FBI statistics

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Sep 1 at 2017 10:57 AM

2017-09-01T10:57:20-04:00

If any of you ladies take my basic firearms class please remember when I tell you to aim at the center of mass I am not referring to someone TESTICALS!! I know it was an accident I lost count of the times I have heard that one!

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Sep 1 at 2017 10:57 AM

2017-09-01T10:57:33-04:00

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Sep 1 at 2017 10:58 AM

2017-09-01T10:58:12-04:00

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Sep 1 at 2017 11:24 AM

2017-09-01T11:24:05-04:00

Working as a Marksmanship instructor... get 'em to consistently hit center mass & call it good. Having said that, ever been to Camp Perry? Having said THAT... the russkis had a woman sniper in WWII that was deadly, but i don't think she set any distance records.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Sep 1 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-09-01T12:18:58-04:00

It has nothing to do with gender. It is all about practice and natural skills. I think the reason you see more really good male shooters is that there are far more males into shooting than females.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 1 at 2017 1:22 PM

2017-09-01T13:22:03-04:00

Had a young lady take one look at my soldier field manual on how to sight in a rifle, and she was hitting the center with 9 out of 10 shots, 10th one cutting the line.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Sep 1 at 2017 1:28 PM

2017-09-01T13:28:24-04:00

I don't think it's gender. It is just the individual Male or female some people just can't hit shit. Like any other ability some people excel, some are average, and some just flat out suck no matter how much they practice they just don't have it.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 1 at 2017 1:33 PM

2017-09-01T13:33:37-04:00

A more factual way to ask the question is. "Are some shooters better than others?"
And the answer would be, well yes of course.
I have been out shot in long distance (1000~2500 meters) by a lady, and beat in a 3 gun match by a almost adult teenage girl, but I still out shoot many in long range, some in pistol, and some in shotgun (practical, not skeet or trap for which a blind child would be better at)

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 1 at 2017 4:17 PM

2017-09-01T16:17:22-04:00

Some are, some are not.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 2 at 2017 1:34 PM

2017-09-02T13:34:42-04:00

in my family my youngest daughter out shoots both of her brothers and has a slight edge over me as I'm old and needing glasses

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 4 at 2017 12:42 PM

2017-10-04T12:42:10-04:00

I encourage everyone to use the range. Its more pleasant watching a woman pull a 9mm out of a special holster built into her purse or a holster on her person and produce a nice tight shot group than it is to watch men do the same thing from a belt holster. At a recent family reunion we challenged Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins to shoot kernels of dry field corn off the corn cob with a 10-22 Ruger Rifle and the woman out-shot the men 2-1 after we gave them a very brief set of instructions on aiming the rifle. They brought no bad habits and listened. It was fun and the guys are still trying to live it down....ha ha

Response by PO2 Whitney Mulberry-Chaplin made Nov 10 at 2018 12:18 AM

2018-11-10T00:18:59-05:00

Its a regular thing for Army and Marines but for Sailors we get one chance im Basic to hit the range. I qualified right off with the starter 22. Then myself and 1 other female went on to the 45's. So a nice lil ribbon to wear. But then my 1st memory of shooting a rifle was at about 6 or 7 yrs old with my Dad.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2020 8:02 PM

2020-03-01T20:02:49-05:00

Funny story, granted it is a 203 story. Was a safety for a 203 range. Shot chalk rounds. Had a female chaplains assistant in my lane. Given the fire when ready, she would pick her target, let me know she was good, I said fire, she would drop her shot about 2-3 meters in front of her. She said she was afraid of the 203.
The chaplain showed up, asked how the assistant was doing, I told the chaplain what was going on and he got a new chaplain.
Now,, this could happen to anyone, just funny.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 3 at 2021 4:31 AM

2021-07-03T04:31:11-04:00

A local firearms safety instructor, who also coaches competitive shooters offered this:

Most men who come to think they already know how to shoot, but don't. They are instruction "resistant."

Most women who come to me, are ready to learn, do what I ask; and overcome any gun "shyness" in 25 rounds or less. I have them outshooting most of the experienced men (who don't listen) in 50-100 rounds.