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

Allan Cors In Memoriam
Allan Cors In Memoriam

Past NRA President Allan Cors, 1936-2026: Liberty Takes A Loss

One of liberty’s champions, past NRA President Allan D. Cors died on August 10, 2026.

Moving to the Micro Red-Dot: An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks

After shooting open-sighted handguns for more than 40 years, the author's aging eyes finally caught up to him, and his concealed-carry pistol now sports a red-dot optic.

Record-Setting Number of Women Receive Free Firearms Training in Michigan

Across two days of free training at Recoil Firearms in Taylor, Mich., a record-setting 2,454 women were given hands-on instruction in the safe and effective use of firearms.

7 New Pistol Suppressors for 2026

For handgunners, having a suppressor makes range trips much more comfortable, and many new suppressors have been designed for maximum compatibility across today's most popular handgun styles and chamberings.

A Victory That Ends A Gun Registry

On August 5, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas held that key regulatory provisions of the NFA are unconstitutional as applied to certain categories of firearms.

Criminal Clues: Tips to Avoid Appearing Like a Soft Target

You don’t have to be the hardest target, but you don’t want to be the softest. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a target for a criminal looking for his or her next opportunity.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.