There are so many options available when looking for your first (or next) carry gun.

The only answer we can give to, “What gun should I get?” is – TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. This is absolutely essential. What works for one person or comes highly recommended, may not be what fits your hand or what works for you. Rent from the range, shoot with a friend and try their guns. Don’t by sight unseen (or un-shot) or at the recommendation of someone else. This includes your husband, instructor, and the guy behind the sales counter. Try before you buy.

Here are a few things we encourage you to keep in mind as you explore your options:

1. Comfort and Fit

Try different gun sizes (subcompact, compact, full size) and even different grips, and see what fits best in your hand.

2. Size and Caliber

Are you looking for a compact everyday carry option that disappears under clothing? Something with more stopping power for high-stakes defense? Or a balance of both?

Can your hand fit around and manipulate all parts of the gun? Will you be able to do so one-handedly and ambidextrously (with training)?

Compact 9mm pistols are a popular choice for concealed carry due to stopping power, price and availability of ammo — but what’s right for one woman may not be right for another. You may find that a .380 is more manageable with less recoil, and choose to “bite the bullet” on higher ammo prices. Or maybe you’d like to beef things up a little bit with a .40 or .45 after seeing that you can handle the additional punch they pack, for the added stopping power. Do your research and try out your options.

3. Control and Recoil

Smaller guns might seem like an easy choice because they conceal well and fit into smaller hands. But they often have more recoil and feel “snappy” when they shoot. Where your shots land is more important than how your gun conceals. Test-fire and see what you can control comfortably and accurately. You want a firearm you can handle, and shoot on-target, in a real-world scenario.

4. Ease of Use and Reliability

Consider how easy it is to rack the slide, engage the safety, and perform basic operations. Simplicity and reliability are key, especially in high-stress situations. Some guns are harder to “break in” and manipulate. Others are designed with safety features that may end up a hindrance to the firearm’s operation (e.g. the S&W grip safety).

5. Training and Familiarity

The best firearm is one you’ve trained with. No matter what you choose, make time to practice regularly — dry fire drills, range time, and safety training are part of carrying safely and with confidence.

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Once you find the right firearm, the next step is finding the right holster — one that’s tailored to your needs and lifestyle. That’s where Moms Who Carry® comes in. From stylish prints to beltless clip options, we’ve designed holsters that allow you to carry confidently without compromising your safety, comfort or wardrobe.

Explore our holsters here → https://momswhocarry.com/product-category/holsters-mag-carriers/