Rebecca Waterman, the only female President of the National Muzzle Loader Rifle Association (circa 1933) and Terri Trowbridge, then Editor of Muzzle Blast magazine were in attendance. Terri was present at SFWA's first ever press conference at the SHOT Show in 2001, our first ever SFWA Ladies Luncheon at the SHOT Show in 2002, and SFWA's first ever national collaborative Ladies Conference in 2003, winning memorable prizes at each event! Terri opted to draw the lucky winners names at this first awards event letting others win the many door prizes provided by LaserMax, Barnes Bullets, Springfield Armory, Breakthrough, Flashbang and Stealth Gear USA! Terri became an SFWA Master Instructor in 2015 and is an awesome woman working in our industry for more than 30 years!
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 are included those listed below. Click to read their full story and you will discover those who have continued to receive the award. New awards will be presented at the 2022 SHOT Show in Las Vegas!
