In 2015 when NRA conducted its first Ladies Pistol Project (LPP), a practical study designed to answer the perennial question, “what guns are good for women?” we had no notion that 11 years down the road—six Ladies Pistol Projects later—we would be still asking and answering that question, instituting our same methodology to understand what features women desire in their handguns.
.
LPP has now become an annual event replete with all the qualities that make it one of the most highly anticipated women’s events created by NRA: shooting, excitement, camaraderie, and the knowledge that these everyday women who are taking charge of their personal protection are doing something that has the potential to influence all women around the country. The latest LPP saw the largest number of participants to date—72 (with a 50-person waiting list). The women come from all walks of life, demographics and ages.
LPP6 is the fourth collaboration with Worth-a-Shot Firearms in Millersville, Maryland. If that name rings a bell, it’s because Worth-a-Shot President Donna Worthy was awarded NRA Women’s Golden Bullseye for “Woman of the Year” in 2023. Over two days (March 28-29, 2026) at Worth-a-Shot, the lucky 72 women devoted a full day to shoot and rate 18 pistols on their form and function, the results of which will be tabulated and published here on NRA Women, as well as American Rifleman magazine and American Rifleman TV (airing in Summer 2026). Since the recent completion of Donna’s six-lane range, it was the first event held entirely at Worth-a-Shot.
After focusing primarily on concealed-carry-sized pistols in recent LPPs, we redirected our attention to home-defense, wondering what ladies prefer to have on hand for protection should they have to respond to the proverbial bump in the night. Dubbed “The Nightstand Edition,” the ladies were given the opportunity to fire five rounds from 18 different full-size handguns (some new models but quite a few classics as well), and tell us whether they thought any of those guns were right for them. The women were given ample opportunity before firing the pistols to assess the various features they would be asked to rate once they finished their shooting exercise. As with all LPPs, the ladies were instructed that there is never a wrong answer, only what is “right for you.”
Of note, while our LPP participants in the past have expressed a general dislike of firing the smaller revolvers due to their snappy recoil, we reintroduced revolvers—full-size models—to this latest survey. Would the ladies change their minds about revolvers, at least for their nightstand gun, after firing the larger and heavier models that project less recoil? We’ll find out.
Do we yet know the answer to what pistols ladies prefer? Yes—and no—as the real answer is unique to each woman.
And while most of the semi-automatics were chambered in 9 mm, we incorporated a few calibers that women typically don’t turn to as their first choice when shopping for a gun: 10mm, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.
Results are currently being tabulated, but meantime, learn more about each of the 18 models we selected here:
- Canik METE MC9 Prime
- CZ P-10 C
- EAA Girsan Witness 2311 Brat
- Glock 19X V
- H&K VP9K
- Kimber Rapide
- Ruger RXM
- Staccato CS
- SIG Sauer P229
- Springfield Echelon
- Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0
- Smith & Wesson M&P10 2.0
- Walther PDP-F Series
Revolvers:
NRAWomen.com eagerly awaits the results of Ladies Pistol Project 6 and are grateful to its generous sponsors:
