Ruger recently hosted a women’s training event at Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona, for 22 women – including employees from around the country, along with two board members, and me as the designated media person. It’s not the first time I’ve been included in a Ruger’s women’s training course, because I attended a similar event in 2014 where we trained with Ruger SR9s. During this course, Gunsite 150 Defensive Pistol, we shot the newly released Ruger Security-380s.
Sponsored by Ruger
As before, the three-day event ran smooth as silk, thanks to the efforts of Elaine Sandberg, Ruger’s Product Marketing Manager, and Sheri Scoggins, an administrative assistant at Ruger’s Prescott, Arizona, facility.
Attendees’ skills ranged from beginner to one outstanding marksman (Ruger board member, Becky Halstead, Brigadier General, USA, Ret.). However, Becky and her compatriot on the board, Sandy Froman (also an extremely good shot), along with some of the other more advanced shooters agreed that the refresher training benefitted everyone. Also, it’s heartening to watch the progress of new shooters – who went from not being able to draw and shoot to drawing and shooting quickly at multiple targets.
Most importantly, I could see the Combat Triad taught in each Gunsite training course and emphasized throughout the entire course, take shape among all the shooters. For the Triad, instructors emphasize mindset, marksmanship and gun handling. As Gary, our lead instructor said on day two, “You are gunfighters, ladies.”
I must also give a huge shout out to all three instructors – Gary Smith, Ted Ajax and Vince Morgan, They managed to combine professionalism while teaching the Triad fundamentals with wit, and at times, an extreme amount of patience. You can imagine what it’s like when 20+ women, many who were friends before this event, meet. Occasionally, the instructors had to focus on keeping the ladies on task.
I am compelled to give yet another shout-out to the tool, the gun. Released in December 2022, the Ruger Security-380 is a cousin to the Security-9. You can see its specifications in the sheet below.
One of its main attractive features is the Lite Rack system, just like on the 9, with “refined slide serrations, pronounced cocking ears and a lighter recoil spring.” None of the women on this course had any problems racking the slide on this gun.
We shot Winchester 380 Auto, 95 grain, full metal jacket ammunition. I believe we shot at least 7,000 rounds among us. There were very few malfunctions, and I heard absolutely no complaints about the guns or the ammo. I had no malfunctions while working through hundreds of rounds. We got three magazines each, which usually wound up being two 10-rounders and one 15-rounder (extended). Each gun comes with a 10- and a 15-round mag.
On the range, we shot from three to 10 yards with various drills. We practiced tactical and speed reloads, we did head shots, we shot under pressure of a timer at multiple targets. We had fun.
Here are a few reasons I decided to purchase this gun:
The other thing I like is the price: $369. Affordable and accurate – the two big A’s that always matter.
I came home and immediately ran through malfunction drills and the school warm-up drill with the hubs on our range. He and I took the 250 course a few years ago. He said, “I think you should keep going to Gunsite and come home and show me what you learned!” I agree.
Find out more about Ruger’s line of concealed carry handguns.
Check out the Security-380.
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
Excellent Barbara! What a great time with such wonderful ladies.
Great article! I also own a Ruger pistol in .380 ACP. Nice gun at a reasonable price.