More than 72,000 NRA members filled the halls of the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas to explore the latest firearms, gadgets and accessories prominently displayed at the 153rd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits May 17-19, 2024. I was glad to be part of that crowd, as I logged over five miles of steps each day. My goal was achieved, visiting as many of the firearm manufacturers in the industry as I could in search of the newest and best-selling firearms for women. A few secured a spot at the top of my list.
With the announcement of three new revolvers, the Colt’s Manufacturing Company booth drew quite the crowds. Two of these wheelguns are designed for backcountry carry. The Colt Kodiak (above, left) is a stout .44 Mag. and ideal for big-game hunting and personal protection carry in demanding conditions. At 4.25”, this stainless-steel ported barrel minimizes muzzle lift and reduces recoil. The Colt Grizzly (above, right) is a hefty .357 Mag. revolver, with a 4.25” barrel, and made for portability, self-defense, and outdoor carry ideal for rugged conditions and adventures in the backcountry.
The Colt Viper caught my eye and felt good in my hands. The Viper is chambered in .357 Mag. and comes in two different barrel lengths, 3” and 4.25”. This revolver was engineered to reduce weight without compromising on performance, thereby improving concealability for everyday carry. Made from stainless steel, the Colt Viper ensures enduring strength, promising an impressive shooting experience with unwavering reliability. Its one-piece barrel, featuring a recessed target crown, guarantees pinpoint accuracy and steadfast performance in every shot. The walnut grips are a comfortable fit for female hands. This revolver was designed to meet the needs of recreational shooters as well as those who plan to carry, due to its smaller size and weight.
Canik was another manufacturer that drew crowds during the NRA Show, largely because of its METE series. Many of the gun’s features include a fiber-reinforced polymer frame, a loaded-chamber indicator, a choice of backstraps, a wide trigger guard, and integral accessory Picatinny rail. The Micro-Compact METE MC9 is fully ambidextrous with an ultra-thin 28 mm special design and high-capacity magazine structure. One of its appeals, thanks to its fully modular design, is that the handgun can be quickly disassembled and reassembled, including the trigger group, down to its smallest part.
Also, most optical sights can be easily attached to METE MC9. These firearms can be co-witnessed for use with both the optical sight and the classic rear sight, allowing the shooter to quickly engage the target. The METE MC9 featured the highest capacity pistol, as well as the gun with the lowest barrel distribution. Equipped with a single point white front sight and a plain black sight set as standard, the METE MC9 has an 81 mm / 3.18” barrel.
New features include easy in/easy out push pins and modular disassembly, a redesigned ergonomic beavertail, an angled rear sight edge for one-hand use, a co-witness optics ready slide cut, and a low-profile ambidextrous slide stop release for easier engagement during competition. This is another handgun that was comfortable to handle and fit nicely in my hands. The ease of operation, take-down, and options for accessories were the reasons this gun made my list.
Another handgun to which I was quickly attracted was the Savage Arms Stance. This is a thin and easily concealable micro-nine pistol. It has noticeable surface textures and a very comfortable grip. The pistol is designed to be comfortable when holstered, yet durable when needed. Some of the features of Stance include interchangeable backstraps to adjust the grip size, an ambidextrous magazine release and slide stop, a short and crisp trigger with a short trigger reset, and a Viridian E-Series red laser installed.
The Stance is an obvious contender to other striker-fired micro-compact firearms on the market today. Comparable choices are the Glock 43, the SIG P365, Springfield Armory Hellcat, and Smith & Wesson Shield Plus. Comparatively, the Stance is more budget friendly ($449.99), which in inflationary times, may be reason enough to make the purchase. It is lightweight and highly concealable. It manages recoil well, even with higher pressured ammunition. The Savage Stance is an ideal self-defense and concealed-carry choice.
The NRA Show experience would not be complete without a visit to Ruger, one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. Their products are American-made and the company offers nearly 800 variations of more than 40 product lines, across both the Ruger and Marlin brands. As the company celebrates 75 years in business, it prides itself as being a model of corporate and community responsibility.
Whether you are a revolver or a pistol fan, Ruger has something for everyone. There are several models of wheelguns to choose from. The .22 Ruger Wrangler is an excellent choice to work on your marksmanship skills and improve your shooting fundamentals. This is a single-action revolver, and the hammer needs to be cocked before each shot. There are two distinct "clicks" as it draws back and locks in place. The loading gate spins freely when the loading gate is open. Once the gate is closed the cylinder may not naturally line up, and the shooter is unable to pull back the hammer. I see this as an added “safety” feature, requiring the shooter manually roll the cylinder until it “falls” back into battery and is ready to shoot. It is for these reasons, as an NRA Training Counselor, this is my firearm of choice to introduce new shooters to the fundamentals of pistol shooting. Using a single-action revolver you are forced to slow down your moves and really focus on the aiming, breathing, holding, trigger press, and follow through.
The Ruger Security-380 Lite Rack was the pistol that grabbed my attention on the other side. I immediately understood why this gun was awarded the 2024 NRA Women Golden Bullseye for Handgun of the Year, and why it came out on top of the 5th Annual Ladies Pistol Project! This is a lightweight, compact and comfortable handgun ideal for conceal carry. The slide is easy to manipulate and was easy to grab with the refined slide serrations and “cocking ears.” There is a fiber-optic front sight and adjustable rear sight. Depending on the model, magazine capacity is either 10+1 or 15+1. You know you will have reliable customer service with a company that has been around for 75 years and counting!
Passing by the SIG Sauer exhibit, it was hard to miss all of the music and lights focused on a display sitting atop a pedestal. Curiosity got the best of me, and I had to see what all the excitement was about and why the crowds of women were gathering. I turned a corner and found myself standing in a roped-off line. I quickly realized I was about to meet Lena Miculek, Team SIG professional shooter and 8-time world champion. She was standing next to the pedestal, and I realized she was showcasing ROSE.
ROSE was developed by SIG Sauer and Lena Miculek, and the mission of this ROSE brand is to help encourage and inspire women to take on the responsibility of their own personal safety through education, training, and community. ROSE is an all-women’s program and pistol package designed by Lena Miculek. We’ve reported on the ROSE by SIG Sauer on this site several times, so I was glad to be able to see the kit in person.
Whatever motivates you to purchase a firearm, do your research and try it before you buy it. The decision is personal, and the choice of firearm should be made by the individual, based on how it feels in your hands and how comfortable you are operating it. Each model of handgun has a unique design, so recommending one depends on your intended purpose, whether for personal protection, open carry, concealed carry, competition, or practicing shooting fundamentals on the range. Visit a reputable dealer, or a show like the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to get your hands on as many firearms as you can to make the decision for yourself.
