Carry Guard Expo Seminar: Ladies' Top Concealed-Carry Handguns

by
posted on August 23, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
cge_seminar_2.jpg

The Ladies Pistol Project (LPP) was American Rifleman’s first in-depth look at the types of handguns that women prefer to operate. Thirty-five women of various levels of shooting experience fired and evaluated 18 different guns of various size, weight, action type and caliber. The data revealed that women prefer semi-automatic pistols to revolvers—as well as other compelling insights that should be required learning for anyone looking to introduce a woman to handguns. The Ladies Pistol Project article can be found in the current (Sept. 2017) issue of American Rifleman, or you can read it here.

Just concluded, the Ladies Pistol Project II (LPPII) expands the study to include information regarding preferred specifications—by women—for a semi-automatic handgun intended for concealed carry. In LPPII, 55 women fired and evaluated 24 handguns. 

What did we learn and which pistols were the favorites in LPPII? The answers will be revealed for the first time this weekend at the NRA Carry Guard Expo Seminar: Women’s Preferences for Concealed-Carry Handguns. The seminar is hosted by AmericanRifleman.org's Sr. Executive Editor Ann Y. Smith, who authored the article, and guest speakers NRA Publications Firearms Manager/Armorer Karie Thomas, and Donna Worthy, a retired Baltimore police officer and owner of Worth-a-Shot gun store and firearm training center.

In this session we will present specific data not only on the chosen pistols, but other factors that were not looked at in LPP, factors like the shooter's age, how frequently they go to the range, whether they are right handed or left handed, the price of the gunas well as including a few guns that we took a lot of heat for not including in LPP (Hint: Glock 19). The presentation takes on a more scientific approach, with very revealing and extremely useful data for all womenand menwho are looking for the ideal concealed-carry pistol.

   

For the convenience of CGE attendees, the free one-hour seminar will be offered at three sessions:

  • Friday, 1:30 p.m. Room 101CD
  • Saturday, 10 a.m. Room 101CD
  • Sunday 1:30 p.m. Room 101CD

If you are unable to attend, results of the LPPII will be detailed in an upcoming issue American Rifleman magazine and AmericanRifleman.org.

The Ladies Pistol Project was the subject of an American Rifleman TV episode, which will re-air on Sept. 6 on the Outdoor Channel. Watch a preview here.



Latest

AR on table with target
AR on table with target

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Lighter & Better: Savage’s Updated Ultralite Series of Rifles

Savage Arms kicked off 2026 by announcing a new generation of Model 110 bolt-action rifles, and now, the company has also introduced an updated series of Ultralite rifles.

Gun of the Week: Franchi Momentum Elite MULE

One of the latest entrants into the general-utility rifle market is Franchi with its Momentum Utility Lite Elite bolt-action rifle, also known as the MULE.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 11, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.