Jen O’Hara, co-founder and CEO of Girls with Guns Clothing (GWG), is well-known for her knowledge and expertise in the concealed carry world. Her GWG brand partnership with Ruger gives her a valuable insight on the topic, so we asked her thoughts and recommendations for women to consider when choosing a concealed carry gun.
Sponsored by Ruger Firearms
What is your favorite Ruger concealed carry gun right now?
If I could only own one concealed carry gun, it would be the Ruger Max-9. It’s lightweight, at less than 19 ounces, has an amazing trigger press and the cool part about it is … it’s a great size and is still considered a micro-compact. You still have a double stack, but it “necks down” so it’s not as wide when you wear it. I’ve been carrying the Ruger LCP 380 pistol for about 10 years and I’ve recently replaced it as my everyday carry with the Max-9. It’s only slightly larger in size and weight, but you’re getting a lot more firepower with the Max-9, a lot more self-defense with a 9mm versus a 380. It’s also affordable at $439. This gun is hands-down my favorite if you’re talking 9mm.
What other guns do you recommend for concealed carry and why?
Because I am only 5 feet tall, sometimes I have outfits that I really struggle to make work while carrying my gun – even with a smaller framed 9mm – and that’s where the Ruger LCP 380 comes in. I wear a lot of leggings and this pistol is super lightweight at 9.6 ounces, which makes it easy to carry and hide well. I know a lot of women who love to wear leggings and this pistol is a perfect fit. I always try to accessorize around my firearm. Sometimes I wear a thigh holster that I use with a sticky holster when I am wearing dresses.
Do you see many women choosing revolvers?
I see both men and women choose the Ruger LCR because it’s rugged and reliable. You can drop that pistol in the mud and it’s still going to shoot. You don’t have to worry about racking a slide, you don’t have to worry about malfunctions; or if you have a malfunction, you just keep pulling the trigger. You don’t have to know how to clear a malfunction so sometimes for some shooters, and I find that typically with my older students, it makes it easier for them to be able just to pull the trigger and feel confident in that. It’s lightweight and it has a great grip that helps you limit the recoil from a .38 Special. Also, it’s a larger cartridge, so it has a little bit more stopping power in a self-defense situation.
Do you take classes?
I’m constantly training because I want to be better and so to do that as a firearms instructor, we have to continue our own training and education. I shoot on my own, but being challenged by other women and being in a group setting is good for everyone and it just makes you realize where you are with your skill set and how much better you can be. This year I trained at Gunsite with 20 other women whom I invited to learn how to conceal carry and draw using our Girls with Guns Concealed Carrywear.
What classes do you teach?
I live in Northern California and locally, I teach men and women concealed-carry initial classes, concealed-carry renewal classes, an intermediate holster class, NRA basic pistol, rifle and shotgun. I teach private classes, as well, and I’ve had some men in those classes, but it’s mostly women. I feel like those students typically want to build their confidence before they take a class. I’ve also taught several years in other states for Armed Women of America classes – rifle , shotgun and defensive pistol courses.
Do you have one last important piece of advice for women?
If you have an opportunity to get out there and get trained, do it! It could save your life. The world that we’re living in is so different and we need to be prepared for anything.
Find out more about GWG at their website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and GWGTV on CarbonTV.
Discover the world of Ruger firearms.
Nancy Keaton is a retired college administrator, president of her local gun club, competitive shooter and freelance writer whose work has appeared in A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League, "American Shooting Journal," "American Concealed," "Northwest Meetings + Events," and other publications. She enjoys writing about a wide variety of topics and interviewing ordinary people doing amazing things. To see a compilation of her writing, check out her website at www.nancykeaton.com. View all posts by Nancy Keaton
