Front view of the jacket

Smith & Wesson is no longer just handguns, rifles and knives. In response to the increased demand for versatile outdoor apparel, S&W released its first line of outerwear, including a dedicated collection for women. Why not, when an estimated 15-20 million American women own a gun and even more are giving hunting and sport shooting a try?

I recently acquired the Smith & Wesson Women’s Range Jacket just in time for the Outdoor Hub company trap shooting event. As an avid shooter who also happens to be a petite female, I was immediately happy to see that there was not much difference between the women’s jacket and the men’s equivalent. I get enough funny looks and joking jabs about my presence at the male-dominated shooting ranges! But it did include once nice feminine touch: a subtle floral print on the inside of the jacket S&W calls “Garden Camo.”

Although this jacket had the durable look and feel of the Carhartt jackets my husband and male friends wear, it was clearly designed to fit a woman. It tailors in at the waist while leaving enough room in the shoulders for a good range of motion.

One of the pistol concealment pockets

As I loaded myself up with two boxes of ammunition before heading out to the trap field, I utilized the variety of pockets located throughout the jacket, including a two-compartment pocket at each hip, arm pad pockets, two internal pistol concealment pockets, two front zip closure outer pockets, and lower front hand warmer pockets. I easily retrieved ammo for each shot from the snap and zipper pockets. While I occasionally had a difficult time zipping up the main double zipper at the front of the jacket, the zipper itself is strong and secure.

I felt comfortable and unrestricted while lifting my shotgun to take aim at the clay pigeons in the air. Although I did find myself fumbling a bit with the jacket’s collar while holding the shotgun in the crook of my arm, I either got used to it or forgot about it pretty quickly. It was a warmer October day at the Michigan outdoor range and I actually felt a little too warm in the jacket at times, which makes me think it would be great in chillier temperatures.

Quality

Durable construction with a cotton canvas shell and stretch gusset panels. The nylon canvas shoulders feature a water-resistant finish that I am sure will be appreciated during a cold rain. The attention to detail adds to the quality and value of this jacket. Features like the various pocket sizes and closures, branded snaps and zipper pulls and, of course, that discrete “Garden Camo” floral print lining make the Range Jacket unique and appealing.

Reliability

Smith & Wesson claims their jackets are designed to stand up to years of outdoor use. This seems likely, not only because they are made by one of the most well-respected firearm manufactures on the planet, but also because the look, feel and fit of this jacket make me think I will get a lot of wear out of it. 

Price/Value

Appropriate not only for the shooting range but a variety of other outdoor activities and jobs as well. That, in combination with the quality construction and attention to detail, makes the Range Jacket a worthy investment in outdoor gear at around $250 retail. 

Referability

The Smith & Wesson Women’s Range Jacket has that casual/worn look that is comfortable and easy to wear. I would recommend it to both chicks with guns and those just in need of a quality outdoors/work jacket.

Images by Candace McAuliff