Each year, the A Girl & A Gun National Conference brings together hundreds of women from across the country for a one-of-a-kind firearms training experience. This year, the event, ACCELERATE 2025, hosted 750 participants, each of whom went through a comprehensive Gear Check process. All firearms were function-checked, and every piece of gear was logged—giving us one of the most accurate, unbiased snapshots of what women are actually using, carrying, and training with in the real world.
This data is unlike anything else in the industry. No serial numbers or personal information were collected—just clean, honest insight into the brands and models women trust. As the largest firearms training organization for women in the U.S., A Girl & A Gun is proud to offer these metrics as a powerful industry benchmark for understanding the women’s firearms market.
Pistols: Trusted Brands and Optics Preference
At the 2025 A Girl & A Gun National Conference, a total of 1,028 pistols were logged during the Gear Check process. Among the major brands, several standout models emerged as favorites among women shooters. GLOCK, who was the Title Sponsor of the event, had another strong showing with the G19, followed closely by the G34 and G17. SIG Sauer’s P365 XL also ranked highly, reinforcing its reputation as a viable option for everyday carry and training. Walther’s PDP F-Series earned the top spot for the second year in a row across all brands, and far outpaced other Walther models, thanks to its ergonomics tailored specifically for women. Smith & Wesson showed a strong presence with a mix of Shield and M&P variants.
This data gives us a clear view of which models women are truly choosing to train and carry—based not on hype, but on performance, comfort, and reliability. When it comes to pistols, here are what women prefer:
Optics are a major trend, with pistol-mounted optics preferred by 55% of participants. Holosun dominates this category (66%), and red dot sights (62%) are favored over green dots (38%).
Most participants stick with stock triggers (88%), but when upgrades are made, Glock Performance and Apex Tactical are the top choices.
Holsters & Magazine Pouches: Reliability Matters
When it comes to gear that shooters trust, the data on holsters and mag pouches offers a clear glimpse into what matters most: reliability, versatility, and performance under pressure. Comp-Tac emerged as the top choice for holsters, earning 16%, followed closely by Black Scorpion with 13% and Haven Defense with 10%. Rounding out the list were trusted names like Blade Tech, Safariland, and We the People—each offering unique solutions for a variety of firearms and carry preferences.
Interestingly, many of the same brands dominate in the mag pouch category as well, suggesting strong brand loyalty and consistent performance across product lines. Black Scorpion led the way with 12%, with Comp-Tac (11%) and Haven Defense (10%) right behind. This overlap points to a trend: users are gravitating toward brands that deliver cohesive systems—gear that not only fits well but works well together.
Apparel: Tactical and Comfortable
In the battle of the belts, Nexbelt takes the lead by a landslide, favored by over a third of respondents (36%). Its blend of sleek design and sturdy performance clearly hits the mark. Black Scorpion (10%) and Kore Essentials (10%) follow, both earning solid marks for their innovative, shooter-friendly features. Brands like 5.11 Tactical (7%) and Blade-Tech (3%) round out the list, reinforcing the community’s preference for gear that’s tactical, tough, and purpose-built.
Pants tell a similar story of utility-driven loyalty. 5.11 Tactical dominates the field with 45%—nearly half of all participants. Their reputation for durability and range-ready comfort is unmatched. Duluth Trading Co. (12%) secures a strong second place with its flexible, functional designs, while Levi’s (7%), Wrangler (7%), and LA Police Gear (6%) show that trusted staples still have a place in the lineup.
PPE: Prioritizing Safety
The data on eye and ear protection reveals not just user preferences, but a clear trend toward high-performance gear. In the realm of eye protection, SSP Eyewear takes the lead with 17%, closely followed by Hunters HD Gold (14%) and Oakley (11%)—all brands known for blending style with ballistic safety. Wiley X and A Girl & A Gun-branded eyewear (from SSP) also stood out, securing 11% and 9% of eye pro, respectively, showing a strong tilt toward trusted names in safety gear.
On the hearing protection front, Walker’s dominates with a commanding 42%, while Axil (13%) and Howard Leight (12%) round out the top three. AKT1 Sport and Peltor Sport also made solid showings, with 8% and 4%. Together, these numbers paint a picture of a community that takes safety seriously—investing in gear that offers both protection and performance on the range.
Shotguns: Semi-Auto Favorites
When it comes to shotguns, participants clearly have their favorites. Beretta takes the top spot with 22% choosing the brand, trailed closely by Mossberg at 19%. Stoeger holds a solid third with 10%, while Benelli and Remington each earned the loyalty of 8%, confirming that trusted, time-tested manufacturers still dominate the field.
As for shotgun types, semi-automatics lead the pack by a wide margin, making up half the shotguns brought to gear check. Their popularity likely stems from ACCELERATE’s participants’ interest in multigun matches as well as home defense. Of course, A Girl & A Gun ladies also love clay sports, so hinge/break actions follow with 26%. Pump-actions come in at 21%, offering diversity for several uses and sports. Bolt-action shotguns are the rare birds of the bunch, with just 3% checking this less common style.
Rifles: Custom Builds and Precision Optics
ACCELERATE participants’ preferences with rifles reveal their involvement in defensive training and multigun and long-range competitions. Custom and hybrid rifles lead the pack, capturing 12% of rifles—a testament to shooters’ desire for personalized setups tailored to their needs. Among factory brands, Smith & Wesson (11%) and Ruger (9%) follow closely, with Stag Arms and Springfield Armory also earning notable mention.
When it comes to sighting systems, precision is paramount. Scopes emerged as the top choice, used by 42% of respondents, while non-magnified optics weren’t far behind at 39%. Iron sights, in contrast, are nearly obsolete among this group, with only 1% reporting their use. Within each category, clear leaders stand out—Vortex dominates the scope market with 54% of users, while Holosun leads among non-magnifying optics at 29%, signaling brand loyalty built on performance and value.
Sling preferences further underscore the emphasis on reliability and ergonomics. Magpul Industries is the overwhelming favorite, chosen by 59% of respondents. Blue Force Gear (11%) and Allen Company (4%) round out the top choices, though no other brand comes close to Magpul’s commanding lead.
Why This Matters
With these insights, it’s clear that the women’s firearms market is diverse, engaged, and fiercely loyal to the brands that deliver quality, comfort, and performance. This data offers something no other organization can: a comprehensive, unbiased look at what women in the shooting community actually use. It’s not based on sponsorships or marketing campaigns—it’s based on real-world gear choices made by 750 women who train hard and shoot often.
For manufacturers, retailers, and instructors, these insights are invaluable. For women shooters, it’s a validation of what works—and a great place to look for your next piece of gear.
A Girl & A Gun continues to lead the way in firearms training for women, and this annual Gear Report is just one of the many ways we support a strong, informed, and empowered shooting community.
— Robyn Sandoval, A Girl & A Gun