ARMS & THE WOMAN Practical Accessories For Personal Defense The most useful personal-defense tool is the one you have with you when you need it. Women can be immensely practical, price-conscious shoppers, but they also like a product that looks like it belongs to them and is an expression of their personal style. More and more dealers are finding ways to provide women with invaluable personal-defense tools that are useful and stylish. At Shooter’s World in Tampa, Fla., Marketing Manager Whitney Payne explained the store’s women customers are primarily interested in personal defense, so the store offers classes and ladies nights to encourage women in the shooting sports. The range nights and classes give Shooter’s World a large percentage of lady customers who are looking for innovative firearm and accessory options. Inside-the-waistband holsters, the FlashBang bra holster and bellybands sell well to women at the store. “Bellybands are popular because they’re easily concealable and go with any outfit,” Payne said. “You also don’t need a belt like you do with inside-the-waistband holsters.” Shooter’s World primarily sells Galco’s Underwraps Belly Band. It’s popular because it can accommodate two firearms in two leather holster pockets, and there are smaller pockets for other accessories like spare ammo, a flashlight and wallet. It is also ambidextrous and comes in black or khaki. Other bellyband options from Can Can Concealment are a bit more whimsical. Their line consists of a variety of bellybands, garters and corsets featuring military- Lisa Parsons-Wraith grade elastic and special re-holstering tabs for additional safety. The Hiphugger bellyband models hold up to four small firearms and three magazines, while the Big Shebang model accommodates up to three large firearms (up to eight inches and 32 ounces) and three magazines. All of the holsters come in a black or tan base color, with your customer’s choice of detailing colors. The styling on most of the items is decidedly feminine, but they do offer a sports model that comes in basic black. Visit www.galcogunleather.com, www.cancanconcealment.com The Galco Underwraps Belly Band is a popular and practical personal-defense tool — which can accommodate firearms, ammo, flashlights or wallets. Add Glamour, Customization To Entice Customers The Packin’ Neat is another top seller at Shooter’s World. This product is designed for women who have never found the right purse holster, or for those who can’t bear to give up their designer handbags. The Packin’ Neat is a purse insert women can put in their own purses to keep a firearm safe and secure. This is a truly versatile product that not only organizes a woman’s purse, but, by changing the holster insert, will fit a variety of compact and subcompact pistols as well as revolvers. Five extra pockets hold cell phones, wallets and other items, making it easy for Pack’n Heat to move firearm and personal items from one bag to another. Pack’n Heat Dealers previously reluctant to jump into the purse holster arena because of concerns about handbag trends and styling can stock this highly practical solution to meet all of their customers’ needs. Accessories with a glamorous or colorful style are also in big demand at Shooter’s World. “Bedazzled ear and eye protection from Pack’N Heat is really popular,” Payne said. “They’re probably the most unique items that we carry.” This package consists of 23db-rated earmuffs decorated with genuine Czech crystal, and eye protection with matching crystal decoration. A wide variety of colors are available and patterns include cheetah, zebra, camo and ombre. Custom color firearms are a hot product. Shooter’s World offers Cerakote ceramic coating and women are some of their most enthusiastic clientele. “They want guns in pink, purple and even pink and purple plaid,” she said. One woman put her initials on all her guns, Payne noted, which seems like a great way to keep a significant other from “borrowing” a gun! At Shooter’s Vault in Phoenix, Ariz., Cerakoting guns is also a much sought after customization. Todd Linsenbach owns both Shooter’s Vault and a Cerakote business called Tactical Color Concepts. He said he currently has five guns in process, colored Tiffany blue and crushed silver. “We also offer three colors of pink — it’s amazing how much pink we sell,” Linsenbach said. Women really appreciate the custom touch of color, and he’s able to offer his Cerakote services to other dealers in the area, so it’s been a very profitable venture. Visit www.packinneat.com, www.packnheatproducts.com Bedazzled, colorful ear and eye protection provide women customers with elements of individuality and glamour. 24 MARCH 2015 Subscribe to SI DIGITAL www.shootingindustry.com
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