Criteria to be considered as a “Ladies Choice Award” recipient includes: a women-friendly company that designs products that actually work well for women, are easy for them to use, perform as they expect, and understands that it is NOT about pink [although customization options are appreciated]. All products are tested by SFWA Master Certified Instructors for safety and application; however, it is the 100,000+ women who participated in 4-8 hours training courses offered by SFWA who determine the recipients. The products selected have proven to be of sufficient quality and design by women who have made the decision to purchase guns and gear for the purpose of personal protection as a civilian.
It is very important to note that other well-known top selling small concealable carry pistols often purchased for women [including those boasting easy to operate slides or light-weight concealability] and other newly released models are included the mix during training. Unlike most surveys that are offered on social media and in many industry publications, there is never a comprehensive selection of all carry options from which to choose. Interestingly, when testing other guns and gear that show up on social media as “favorites” among women, the criteria that increases the odds a civilian woman will prevail if attacked is missing. Repeatedly, women set aside guns that hurt their hands, are too big to hold on to in a physical altercation, or that they have previously purchased based on misinformation, and seek out the Ladies Choice Award winning products.
Sadly, women who rely on what others suggest consistently select products that increase the likelihood they will slow down their acquisition of a target or heaven forbid lose them in a fight for their life. The Ladies Choice Award winning product selections have the features and benefits that do not compromise the elements that will increase the odds of prevailing when seconds count. The result is that guns and gear that fit a woman with her unique qualities and lifestyle will provide the confidence and capability necessary to increase the odds that she will prevail in a self-defense situation. Of course, practice and training help bring the elements together when you are in a fight for your life.
More than 100,000 women who have taken a minimum 4-8 hour course from SFWA Master Certified Instructors contribute to the selection of the best guns and gear for women. The selections are not the "preferences" of SFWA, its instructors or its affiliates. No one is provided compensation or other forms of persuasion that will affect the non-bias selection of the award winners. Unlike most surveys that are offered on social media and in many industry publications, there is always a comprehensive selection of all carry options from which to choose for the Ladies Choice Awards. Often, manufacturers make alterations to their existing products or create products at the direction of SFWA that meet the needs of women.
![]() ![]() In 2015, more than 10,000+ women weighed in on what women really want! ![]() SFWA doesn't sell products, we put them to the test for quality and performance . . . and then share the most popular choices and why they truly are designed for the modern woman! Manufacturers who would like more information about getting a product included in the mix for future LADIES CHOICE Award consideration, please email: susan@mysfwa.com |
NV, Las Vegas 1/22/2015:
In
front of a standing room only crowd with a multitude of onlookers
sneaking a peek through the entryway, fifteen (15) awesome industry
leaders accepted 2015 LADIES CHOICE AWARDS for Guns and Gear for the
Modern Woman presented by Shooting for Women Alliance, a non-profit
501(c)3 nationally-renowned organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
"10,000+ women weighed in with all products being used during actual
personal defense related training classes, and the crème de la crème
rose to the top, explained SFWA Founder, Susan Carrichner.
Criteria to be considered as a LADIES CHOICE Award recipient include:
a women-friendly company that designs
products that actually work well for women, are easy for them to use,
perform as they expect, and understands that it is NOT about pink
(although customization options are appreciated).
All products are tested first by SFWA
Certified Instructors for safety and application; however, it is the
thousands of women who participate in 4-8 hour training courses offered
by SFWA who determine the recipients. The products selected have proven
to be of sufficient quality and design to be selected by women who have
made the decision to purchase guns and gear for the purpose of personal
protection. SFWA is not paid by any recipient to promote their
product(s) as LADIES CHOICE, nor does SFWA represent any of the
manufacturers. SFWA does not sell products or receive commissions from
the sale of products.
Important note:
Four other well known top selling small
concealable carry pistols often purchased for women from two leading
manufacturers were in the mix during training and women consistently
either refused to shoot them after feeling the recoil and bruises to
their hands or sold them to purchase LADIES CHOICE guns. Selections for
gear also included popular name-brands that were similarly set aside for
LADIES CHOICE gear.
Manufacturers of guns and gear receiving the much deserved accolades
included: Barnes Bullets, Beretta, Blackhawk Holsters, Black Hills
Ammunition, Breakthrough©, Designer Concealed Carry, LaserMax, Looper
Law Enforcement, North American Arms, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory,
Stealth Gear USA, Taurus, TKL Outdoors, and Walther Arms. "Women want
tools that work with their individual qualities that allow them to
perform instinctively, without compromise, and ultimately help increase
their odds of prevailing if they are attacked", Susan stressed.
"Each
product receiving an award had a common feature:
women
preferred them over competing products, even when compared with those
boasting to be female favorites or top sellers.
Sadly, many had already spent money on
other guns and gear advertised as 'best for women' . . . only to have
been disappointed for a number of reasons. These personal protection
products were favorites because of quality, style, reliability, function
. . . and the 'no-pain' factor. Yes, it is possible to find guns and
gear that makes it enjoyable to practice with the actual tools a woman
will rely on to protect herself!" Specific products receiving 2015
LADIES CHOICE AWARDS included those listed below.
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