Best Handgun for Women

What’s the best handgun for women? It’s a commonly asked question, but…is there such a thing?

The reason I chose, as a man, to write an article about the best guns for women is simple: most articles like this are trash. They’re all too often whipped up by people who don’t know what the hell they’re talking about, or they’re written specifically to hit specific SEO terms that include women, guns, concealed carry, maybe home defense…you get the idea.

They’re more to get clicks than to deliver current, relevant information.

I’m not saying they are written with malfeasance; they’re just written lazily (and mostly for traffic) more often than not.

I know many women who shoot. And while a couple of them own one a Lena Miculek Rose SIG Sauer P365, none of them carry a pink .38 special.

So, who am I to recommend the best carry handgun (concealed carry handgun. I mean) or even home defense gun for women? That’s a good question and one you should ask whenever someone suggests anything, especially regarding guns.

Let me explain. I teach a few firearm classes, most aimed at beginners and new shooters.

Women occupy the majority of my classes. In some classes, all the students are women. Once a year, I team up with a non-profit group of women to teach an exclusively female class. I’ve seen lots of women with lots of different guns. I’ve seen and worked with a wide variety of women wielding a wide variety of guns.

Here’s what I’ve seen, comparing those classes to those with males in them: the suitability of a particular gun for a particular female shooter is not particularly different from her male counterpart – all things (like knowledge, training, strength) being equal. It will depend on a number of factors consistent with individual training, and physical traits from strength to thumb length.

is not going to depend on plumbing. It will depend on a number of factors consistent with individual training, and physical traits from strength to thumb length.

A pistol that doesn’t work for a novice female shooter will rarely work for a male novice either. S&W 29s rule, but a male novice has just as much chance of taking a whuppin’ from that 44 Magnum recoil as a female does.

But I digress. The point is, I teach. I teach lots of women. But most importantly, I’m at least partially qualified to opine because I know the qualities of the best gun for women are the qualities that determine the best or worst gun for pretty much anybody.

Regardless, I don’t want you to just take my word for it. We’re going to bring the Well Armed Woman into it. That’s an organization that surveys thousands of women to see what guns they’re carrying (and considering why).

The guns women carry is valuable information—more so than the guns women buy. If someone carries a gun, they likely train and shoot with it, so it’s more than a purchase and forget. We are going to use the results of their survey to guide our list and I’ll provide commentary on the selections to help you find the your right choice.

Introducing The Well Armed Woman (TWAW)

Carrie Lightfoot started The Well Armed Woman after escaping a violent and abusive relationship. Her goal is to educate, empower and equip women with firearms, as well as provide training and the skills to navigate conflict.

Their website is the best resource for women looking to find the right skills, gear, and guns for concealed carry. There is an absolute ton of information for women looking to conceal carry. It’s written for women, by women, and can tackle the unique challenges women have with concealed carry.

If you are a woman looking for information on concealed carry, they are a great place to start.

TWAW’s Best Handgun Choices for Women

• SIG P365
• Glock 43
• SIG P238
• M&P Shield EZ 380
• M&P Shield
• M&P Shield EZ 9mm
• Glock 19
• Ruger LCP
• Glock 42
• Ruger LC9/LC9S

Best Guns for Women

1. SIG P365		Best Carried Handgun Excellent Size to Capacity Ratio Ergonomic Modular	Check Price
2. Glock 43		Compact Highly Reliable Massive Aftermarket	Check Price
3. SIG P238		Easiest Shooting Pocket Pistol All Metal Design SAO Only Design	Check Price
4. M&P Shield EZ 380		The Easiest Shooting Gun Easy to Manipulate Soft Shooting Larger than most 380 ACP’s	Check Price
5. M&P Shield		Proven Reliable Ultra Affordable Easy to Conceal	Check Price
6. M&P Shield EZ 9mm		Easy to Manipulate Low Recoil Accurate	Check Price
7. Glock 19		The Biggest Gun Carried by Women Perfect for Multiple Roles Rail For Attachments Very Easy to Shoot	Check Price
8. Ruger LCP		The Smallest Gun Carried by Women Superbly Small and Light Packs 6 Rounds of 380 ACP Easy To Conceal	Check Price
9. Glock 42		Glock Reliability in a Pocket Pistol Large Sights for a Small Gun Massive Aftermarket	Check Price
10. Ruger LC9/LC9s		One of the smallest 9mm’s Easy to Conceal Discontinued	Check Price

Best Handgun Specs

Below we have outlined the Specs for each of the handguns above.

Females choose the P365 for a concealed carry handgun more than any other pistol; truth be told, that is no surprise. Men also likely carry the P365 beyond any other gun, and it’s a top-rated firearm here at Gun University. SIG Sauer killed the single stack 9mm with the P365 by shoving a double-stack capacity into a gun the size of a single stack. An impressive feat, to be sure, and their innovation brought the gun massive success.

I adore the P365, and it’s my carry gun of choice 99% of the time. SIG Sauer unleashed a monster with the P365 and packed it full of features. We get high visibility metal night sights, an outstanding trigger, multiple magazine sizes, an easy to rack slide and outstanding ergonomics. The flush magazine holds ten rounds of ammunition but 12 and even 15 rounders are available.

SIG Sauers little P365 became an instant hit and now has a massive aftermarket to provide holsters, sights, triggers, and more for those who like to tinker. However there is no need to, because out of the box, it’s a ready-to-carry weapon.

SIG Sauers P365 Pros and Cons

Glock, Glock, Glock, everyone loves Glock. They make boringly reliable firearms for every task imaginable. The Glock 43 is their single stack, subcompact 9mm that’s quite small and carry friendly. The Glock 43 became an instant hit upon release because people know Glock. When you say Glock, people know they are getting an incredibly reliable gun you can depend on.

There’s no doubt about it; when you carry a gun for concealed carry, you most certainly depend on it. The Glock 43 gives shooters a lightweight and thin carry gun with Glock’s famed durability and simplicity behind it. Surprisingly the Glock 43 isn’t a snappy gun and is rather mild when you start slinging lead downrange. The slightly wide grip provides a little more cushion for the 9mm’s recoil.

It’s no surprise the Glock 43 is the second-place selection. Before the P365, there wasn’t a better gun for concealed carry. If you need a small, dependable, and easy-to-shoot gun, the Glock 43 is one route to take. You can buy and carry a gun out of the box when you need it. The Glock 43 gives you that plug-and-play experience. No mess, no fuss, no drama.

Glock 43 Pros and Cons

I’m not a huge 380 ACP fan, but if I had to pick one, it would be the SIG P238. Pocket pistols this size are usually tough to shoot and super snappy, but SIG made the P238 just plain pleasant. Maybe it’s the all-metal design or 1911 like ergonomics; maybe it’s New England magic, I don’t know. It’s just easy, accurate, and pleasant to shoot.

1911-lite describes this pocket pistol best. It’s a single-action-only gun with a miniature 1911 frame and slide to mimic John Browning’s favorite gun. Trigger-wise, it’s hard to beat a single action-only design. It’s super crisp and light, for accuracy’s sake. A good trigger goes a long way with such a small gun. SIG’s magic is in full effect here.

Sig pops on some proper sights that are both metal and night sights. Ringing steel and punching paper accurately is quite easy with these big sights. In my classes, the SIG P238 and 938 series are incredibly popular, and their users often shoot them quite well. That being said, I’m not a huge fan of manual safeties on my carry guns, but an SAO design requires it for safety’s sake.

SIG P238 Pros and Cons

The Shield EZ 380 is the first of many M&P Shield models on the list. The EZ 380 is one of the best newbie guns for a man or woman. Anyone with decreased hand strength will appreciate the Shield EZ 380. It’s superbly easy to rack, and anyone can do it. A lot of people with bad hand strength have issues with the slide of a pistol, but that’s not a problem with the EZ series. You also get a Picatinny rail for attaching accessories like lights.

Loading the magazines takes no effort, and a small nub pulls the follower down with the support hand to easily fit rounds into. Again, it’s effortless and lives up to the name EZ. Most 380s are small, but this particular model is a bit larger than most. That’s not a bad thing when it comes to recoil management though.

The bigger the gun, the easier it is to control. Shooters will easily ring steel with the S&W M&P Shield EZ 380. Big high visibility sights make their nest on the slide and catch the eye with ease. Controlling the weapon with a single hand is surprisingly easy and certainly a consideration for concealed carriers. As far as easy to use guns go, this is the clear winner.

M&P Shield EZ 380 Pros and Cons

Smith and Wesson’s Shield was the first gun to kick off the 9mm single stack craze. In 2012 these things went like crazy and people were buying them for well above MSRP. These days they are one of the best cost to quality ratio guns on the market. Millions of these things must have been sold by now. I see tons of Shields in my classes and they also succeed and provide most female shooters with a well-sized gun.

As a member of the M&P series, you can expect M&P performance. This is to say the trigger is okay, reliability is outstanding, and the ergonomics accommodate a wide variety of shooters. As a subcompact pistol, the Shield makes concealed carry easy. Stick it in a holster, slap it on your belt, and get on the move.

You don’t get anything fancy with the Smith & Wesson Shield, but it doesn’t need to be fancy. It shoots straight, chews through ammo reliably, and can be had for a real killer price. With so many made, it would be bizarre not to see it on this list.

M&P Shield Pros and Cons

A third Shield has hit the list in the form of the Shield EZ 9mm. Like the 380 variant, the 9mm version is easy to rack, easy to load, and easy to shoot. As this 9mm barks shooters experience very little recoil, more so than the 380 ACP version, but still very little recoil in general. If you can take that extra recoil, the 9mms ballistic potential is well worth it.

As the chosen choice of military and police forces worldwide, the 9mm round is a proven man stopper. Plus, the 9mm offers tons of defensive round options. Training rounds are even cheaper than 380 ACP rounds. The slightly larger nature of the gun allows for a Picatinny rail, which means attaching a light is plenty easy.

Big sights and ambidextrous controls ensure the 9mm EZ appeals to all. You poor lefties aren’t left in the cold by any means. Unlike the 380 ACP version, the 9mm is the size you expect from a single stack 9mm. A tiny bit bigger than the Shield, but far from tough to handle.

MP Shield EZ 9mm Pros and Cons

If Glock had a flagship firearm, it would be the Glock 19. This 9mm Glock dominates the market. Size-wise it’s perfect for a variety of tasks. You can conceal it, but it’s big enough to shoot accurately as well as easily. 15 rounds of 9mm give shooters plenty of defense capability. It’s a little bigger than average and will take someone dedicated to conceal carry to pack it every day. 

Modern Glock 19s wear Picatinny rails for light options, and the MOS series offers you the option of a red dot. The addition of either will increase size but also increase the gun’s capability. Once you start slinging lead, the larger size comes in handy. Recoil is minimal and anyone can control the gun. 

Glock 19s are easy to customize and the popularity has created a massive aftermarket. When you start shopping for holsters, you’ll find nearly every holster manufacturer makes a Glock 19 holster. While the Glock 19 isn’t for everyone, I certainly see the appeal. Glock 19s are well proven with Special Operations soldiers, Federal and local police forces. 

Glock 19 Pros and Cons

When you need a reliable pocket pistol, then the Ruger LCP is who you turn to. Getting smaller than the Ruger LCP takes you into rimfire territory. A 380 ACP gives you much more oomph and reliability than any rimfire. It takes a lot of practice to be good with a gun this small. Ruger’s LCP weighs 9.4 ounces, and that ensures you feel every little bit of recoil. 

When I say it’s “snappy,” I mean it. It’s not always pleasant and not a gun I’d suggest for new shooters by any means. The sights are diminutive and tough to use at any range beyond close. The trigger pull is rather long, but the later models have gotten a little better trigger pull-wise. Even so, this is a close-quarters gun, which is fine because concealed carry is a close-range affair 99% of the time. 

My experience with the LCP taught me it’s a reliable gun that goes bang every time the trigger is pulled. The LCP has been in production for over 13 years now, and it remains a popular choice due to its small size and big reliability. It’s not my first choice, but I understand the appeal. Ruger’s little gun is perfect if you have to dress in formal wear and need a small gun that’s easy to carry while wearing tucked-in shirts, skirts, and the like.

Ruger LCP Pros and Cons

Glock’s first single stack came in the form of the 380 ACP Glock 42. Glock took their plain black gun and shrunk it. Seriously, Glock may lack imagination, but like an AK, it seems to work in all size configurations. The little Glock 42 proved to be a pocket pistol-sized gun perfect for concealed carry. 

Small guns are easy to carry but often hard to shoot. The Glock 42 is slightly snappy but not completely punishing like the LCP. Big sights help ensure you can accurately shoot the gun. No nubs here; you get actual three-dot sights. Still, they are average at best plastic Glock sights.

Like any Glock, it runs like a reliable clock. When you need it to pew, it’s pews; it’s small, easy to carry, and I can see why the appeal exists. It’s a little small for me, but if you are a small person, it’s easy to carry. It’s also very easy to conceal in formal and professional attire where shirts are tucked, and clothes are often far from baggy.

Glock 42 Pros and Cons

Finally, we get to the 10th and final gun on this list, the Ruger LC9, and LC9S variants. These little guys come from the same family as the LCP but are slightly larger and in 9mm. They’re quite popular, and it’s not a surprise that people still carry them. 

Unfortunately, both the standard LC9 and LC9S were discontinued. With so many produced, they’ll likely still be on the market for some time to come. As pocket 9s go, these things hit hard on both ends. The thin handle gives you a good smack after every shot and lets you know you are handling a 9mm. 

The S variant is a striker-fired gun and has a much smoother trigger than the DAO LC9. Both models are reliable firearms and thin and light enough for daily carry. So it begs the question, if they are so great, why were they discontinued? Well, they were replaced with the EC9s, which are cheaper to produce and just as reliable and easy to carry as the LC9 series. 

Oh, and an important note here: on the subject of Rugers, The Ruger LCP II is another good option; it’s often carried in .380, but some folks (particularly those with hand injuries, arthritis, etc.) use the one chambered in .22lr.

Ruger LC9s Pros and Cons

Best Handguns for Women Buyer’s Guide

Well, first and foremost, there are no pink revolvers or revolvers in general. There is some old fudd lore out that claims all a lady needs is a 38 Special, as if women can’t handle semi-automatics. I don’t dislike revolvers, but snub nose revolvers are expert weapons. 

Look at this top ten list and tell me what you don’t see. 

Women can certainly be revolver experts, but the average woman or average man likely isn’t. It takes a lot of time and effort to get good with a snub nose revolver. You can spend that same time and ammo on an automatic and get exceptionally good at it. 

Chic Gaylord, master holster maker, once said, “No one should carry a snub-nosed revolver having a barrel of two inches or less without an average of 100 rounds a week in practice.”

In 2022 and you can carry a five-shot revolver with a 1.875-inch barrel and five shots, or a smaller SIG P365 with a longer barrel and ten rounds in the magazine. 

No 40 S&W either! 

Good ole 40 S&W doesn’t get any love these days, and not just in self defense circles. Police around the country are dropping it, and clearly, concealed carriers are dropping it like it’s hot. 40 S&W isn’t a bad round, but it’s a very snappy concealed carry cartridge. If you ever need a cheap gun, check the used section, and you can find lots of gently used Glock 27s. 

Question: Does size matter?

Answer: not from a gender perspective. A small frame shooter is a small frame shooter, no matter the interior plumbing.

Finding the Best Handgun for Women

(Are the Basics of Anyone Finding a Good Gun)

When shopping for a handgun, there are many things to take into consideration. From price and quality to availability in your area or online. It can be quite tricky deciding what is best suited towards meeting all of those needs with one purchase!

Here I have 4 important points that you should consider before making any purchase.

Purpose – What are you using the gun for? 

A home defense firearm can be as large as you want it to be. You’ll likely want a rail for a light and nice big sights that are easy to see. 

For daily carry, small guns are often better and easier to carry. Don’t go so small that you cannot reliably handle the gun. That being said, you’ll have to find the right balance for you. 

Reliability – Does the gun go bang every time the trigger is pulled? You want a gun that’s not ammo picky, that can fire and cycle without issue. A reliable firearm should also be able to withstand a relatively high round count as well. Hopefully this article will help you decide on a reliable firearm but if you’d like to do extra research, look for more reviews here at Gun University and similar unbiased websites. 

Ergonomics – How does the weapon fit your hand. Can you easily manipulate the weapon? Can you access the gun’s controls and load, unload, clear, and fire the weapon without difficulty? If not, maybe the gun is too small or too big for you. Poor ergonomics can lead to poor accuracy and even an unsafe experience. 

Ease of Use – Concealed carry guns should be easy to use. Nothing overly complicated built into its design. For me, that means no manual safety or magazine disconnect. For you, it might mean a button magazine release over a trigger guard magazine release, or maybe an easy to rack slide. Handling your firearm shouldn’t take an engineering degree. 

Armed Up

When I suggest a gun for a woman, I never suggest a gun I wouldn’t suggest for a man. You see, generalized selections based on gender are somewhat silly.

The best way to find the best gun for you is to go and try some out. 

Go to a rental range and see what fits your hand, what you can accurately and safely shoot, and what you can effectively carry and conceal. Everyone’s different, so it’s important to get out there and try some different handguns. Maybe the barrel length on what would have been your first impulse buy is too short. Maybe you decide you prefer a concealed carry weapon in 45 ACP with a smaller mag capacity to, say, a Shield Plus with smaller 9mm Luger bullets but more rounds. This is true for both genders.

Men are not inherently better than women at shooting. I’ve seen Tatiana Whitlock, Lena Miculek, and other women outshoot me by a lot.

It takes experience from women choosing guns in a male-dominated industry that can provide a starting point for new female shooters. The guns on the list are great places to start. None are bad guns and all have excellent reputations. 

Get armed, get trained, practice proper gun safety, and carry all day, every day. 

Recommended Reading

• How to pick a gun for the woman in your life
• Choosing the right handgun (NRA Woman)
• Female gun ownership on the rise