The ladies of Team Springfield share their favorite guns and a few tips in a recent interview I had with them. ~MC
Gear Up is sponsored by Springfield Armory
Kippi Leatham resides in Arizona where she shoots local USPSA matches. She officially retired from National & World competition in 2011 after the IPSC World Shoot in Greece.
(Team Springfield photo)
MC: What is your favorite Springfield gun?
KL: My Springfield Custom Shop 9mm 1911 pistol
MC: What do you do for fun or to relax besides shooting?
KL: I love to play golf, and spend time with friends and family. Family get-togethers usually involve playing some sort of game … Yahtzee, bowling, poker or other card games, and yes, we are all very competitive! If I really want to relax, heading to the beach is mandatory.
MC: What advice would you give someone looking to purchase her first firearm?
KL: Owning a firearm comes with serious responsibilities. Do some research, thinking and planning before you head to the gun shop. Consider taking an introductory safety/basic pistol class and/or concealed carry class before you buy (many businesses have pistol rentals). By doing this before, you will be armed with information that can help you find a pistol that better fits YOU and your requirements. And ask yourself some serious questions.
These are just a few questions to ask yourself … So, as you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when buying a gun. But it’s extremely necessary to educate yourself so that you are a responsible firearm owner from day one.
MC: What is your favorite shooting accessory you would recommend to other women?
KL: For me, the most important “accessory” is the pants I wear. Due to the curves that most of us women have and the importance of keeping the holster and magazine pouches in the same position, perfect fitting pants are a MUST! When I find a pair of pants or shorts that work for me, I buy several. (Right now, I love PRANA pants). In my opinion, there is nothing worse than wearing bottoms that are too high-waisted or not sturdy enough to support the belt, holster and weight of the gun and loaded magazines. It’s also not optimal to wear several different styles of pants because they reposition your equipment. I want everything to be the same, every single time I “Make Ready.”
The Williams sisters, Jalise, 14, who enjoys reading and Justine, 13, who likes to dance, reside with their parents in Utah. Both girls compete in USPSA and 3-Gun.
(Team Springfield photo)
MC: What is your favorite Springfield gun?
Jalise: My Springfield 1911 A1 Professional
Justine: The Springfield XDM 9mm 5 1/4
MC: What advice would you give someone looking to purchase her first firearm?
Jalise & Justine: Don’t rush into buying a gun. Go to the gun store and find something that feels good for you. Then head to the range and ask if anyone has that specific gun or guns you like and ask to fire them. After shooting them decide which one you are most comfortable with. That’s the one you should purchase.
MC: What is your favorite shooting accessory you would recommend to other women?
Jalise: I really like Oakley glasses and Dickies pants. (I’m not sponsored by either companies; I just really like their products.)
Justine: I think House of Hearing make the best hear protection you could ever buy. And I like Berry’s Bullets because they are great bullets and terrific people.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and GTM Original. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
