Best Handgun for Women
A Comprehensive Guide
Women are the fastest-growing population of concealed carry permit holders in the nation. But Women who want to protect themselves and their loved ones are often left with few options. Most guns on the market are designed for men, which means they’re too big for a woman’s hands or lack safety features that can be life-saving. The best handgun for women is one that fits your hand well, has safety features you can easily reach while under stress, and comes in a color you like. We have all the information you need to make an informed decision about what type of gun will work best for your needs.
GLOCK G43
$
459.99
$537.55
Out of stock
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Last update was on: Oct 07, 2023 10:52:03 PM
We have reviewed the five best handguns for women so you can make an informed decision about what gun is right for you. Our reviews include details on how these guns fit in small hands, recoil management, and other features designed specifically with women shooters in mind. You’ll find our top picks below, along with links to the store.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best handgun for women, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Handgun for Women
5 Best Handgun for Women (Ranked And Reviewed)
$448.00
$0
07 10 2023
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
$459.99
$537.55
07 10 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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from $
Specifications
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Caliber:
9x19mm
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Capacity:
6 Rounds
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Barrel:
3.41 Inches
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Weight:
20.64 Ounces
If you are looking for a compact, easy-to-carry 9mm pistol, the Glock 43 is an excellent choice. It offers a minimalistic design with no external safety or decocker, making it easy to operate. The slim profile of the Glock 43 makes it excellent for concealment, and women who find larger pistols challenging to manage will appreciate its size. It is a double-action pistol, which means it can be carried with a round in the chamber and ready to fire at a moment’s notice without racking a slide. The grip is long enough that the trigger finger rests on the middle of the face of the trigger.
The Glock 43 also features a large magazine catch that can easily be operated by women who have difficulty using smaller catches. The texture on the grip is very aggressive, which is fantastic for women who are concerned about recoil. The beavertail design helps prevent slide bites. The trigger pull is about six pounds, which is on the heavier side for a gun of its size. The safe action also provides a very high level of safety against accidental discharge, even when dropped.
Positive
- Ergonomic, minimalistic design for concealability
- Ease of operation; no external safety or decocking lever
- Long trigger reach, which is suitable for women with longer fingers
- Textured grip lets you efficiently manage recoil
Negatives
- Large magazine catch can be difficult to use in conjunction with concealed carry
- Relatively heavy trigger pull compared to other firearms in this size category
2. Glock 19
$539.00
$0
07 10 2023
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$639.99
$0
07 10 2023
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications
-
Caliber:
9x19mm
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Capacity:
15 Rounds
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Barrel:
4.02 Inches
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Weight:
30.16 Ounces
If you’re looking for something smaller than the standard-size handguns, the GLOCK 19 is an excellent choice. It’s chambered in 9×19 Parabellum and features a standard capacity of 15+1 rounds. The Glock 19’s exceptional durability, accuracy, and low recoil are an asset to any shooter—male or female. The Glock 19’s relatively compact size should feel very comfortable for shooters with smaller hands. It has a grip angle that is natural to point-shooting enthusiasts, making it easy to learn. The Glock 19 can be used effectively with most common defensive loads, though its high magazine capacity means it will typically exhibit more muzzle flip and felt recoil than smaller pistols.
Weapon manipulation with the Glock 19 is intuitive and smooth, making it an excellent choice for new and seasoned shooters. The standard length of the Glock 19’s trigger is shorter than that of a full-size gun, which can be very helpful for women who are still learning proper shooting mechanics. The only safety on this pistol is its internal firing pin block, which serves as an added layer of security. The modular backstrap system allows you to adapt the grip size to fit any hand quickly. This makes an excellent choice for shooters with smaller hands. The grip texture is very aggressive, making the gun easy to keep in hand while under pressure.
Positive
- Very comfortable grip angle for point shooting
- Easy to manipulate controls and smooth weapon manipulation
- Greater ammunition capacity than other pistols in this size category
- Easy to adapt the grip to fit frame and hand
Negatives
- Less concealable due to longer grip frame and greater capacity
3. Sig Sauer P365
$899.99
$0
07 10 2023
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$629.99
$0
07 10 2023
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications
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Caliber:
9mm Luger
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Capacity:
10 Rounds
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Barrel:
3.7 Inches
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Weight:
20.7 Ounces
Our third choice is the Sig Sauer P365, a micro-compact pistol that’s easy to conceal. It offers an excellent combination of size and capacity, with 10+1 rounds in 9x19mm Parabellum. This pistol’s small size makes it well suited for shooters who find larger handguns challenging to control. The P365’s grip will make the gun feel very small in your hand, which can cause some difficulty for shooters with larger hands. If you find this an issue, you should make sure to practice shooting with the Sig Sauer P365 extensively before heading out to the range.
Its low bore axis and slim design help reduce muzzle rise and allow the shooter to get back on target quickly, making it an excellent choice for quick follow-up shots when needed. The Sig Sauer P365’s slide has a low profile, which reduces its overall width. This helps make the gun easier to conceal and carry holstered in small spaces such as ankle or waistband holsters. The pistol has Sig Sauer’s excellent trigger, short and crisp. This gives the Sig Sauer P365 a very low pull weight that’s easy to manage for even inexperienced shooters.
Positive
- Excellent grip angle for point shooting
- Low bore axis and slim profile help reduce muzzle rise
- Compact size and slim design for excellent concealed carry
- Outstanding trigger with a short and light pull weight
Negatives
- The grip is minimal and may be challenging to use for shooters with larger hands
4. Sig Sauer P938
$799.99
$0
07 10 2023
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications
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Caliber:
9mm Luger
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Capacity:
7 Rounds
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Barrel:
3 Inches
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Weight:
16 Ounces
The Sig Sauer P938 is a sub-compact 9mm pistol, and it’s an excellent choice for concealed carry. The Sig Sauer P938 is light and compact, making it easy to conceal and carry smaller shooters. It’s chambered in a 9 mm luger with a standard capacity of 7+1 rounds. The Sig Sauer P938 is based on the 1911 platform with modern tactical features, which makes it an excellent choice for shooters familiar with that design. Its slim profile makes it easy to conceal, with an overall width of just 1.1 inches. This pistol is very comfortable for shooters with smaller hands, and even those with larger hands should find its grip ergonomics intuitive.
Since the Sig Sauer P938 has a small frame, it typically has more felt recoil than larger handguns. It will require more practice to become familiar with this gun’s handling characteristics, though the Sig Sauer P938 has a low bore axis that can help prevent muzzle rise during firing. This makes it easier to get back on target for follow-up shots. The single-action trigger on the Sig Sauer P938 is very crisp, with a short pull weight of around 3.5lbs. It’s almost impossible for new shooters to accidentally pull the trigger while carrying it cocked and locked, which reduces the risk that they’ll ever discharge their firearm when drawing or moving with it holstered.
Positive
- The minimal size makes it easy to conceal and compact for excellent Concealed Carry
- The ergonomics are intuitive, making it a good choice for shooters
- It has a crisp trigger with a very short pull weight
- The platform is based on a 1911 design with modern tactical features
Negatives
- It has more felt recoil due to its lighter weight
5. Kimber Micro 9
$899.99
$0
07 10 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
$882.99
$0
07 10 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
Specifications
-
Caliber:
9mm Luger
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Capacity:
6 Rounds
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Barrel:
4.07 Inches
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Weight:
15.6 Ounces
The Kimber Micro 9 is a subcompact pistol chambered in 9mm Luger with solid performance. The Micro 9 has an overall length of 6.1″ and a height of 4.07″, making it one of the smallest pistols on this list. Its slim profile makes it ideal for concealed carry and smaller shooters. The Micro 9’s grip is very thin and compact, making it easy to conceal and carry. The Kimber Micro 9 has zebrawood grips which are aesthetically pleasing while being surprisingly durable for a gun of this size. This pistol’s take-down is slightly different than most other handguns on the market, but it’s easy to learn with some practice. The Kimber Micro 9 has 3 dot sights that are simple to use, even in low light conditions or when moving quickly during target acquisition.
The Kimber Micro 9 has a 6 +1 capacity 9mm Luger. Its overall width is only 1.06 inches, making it very slim for its size. The Micro 9’s magazines are easy to load, and the pistol has an excellent single-action trigger that breaks cleanly at around 4 lbs of pressure. This makes it particularly easy for new shooters to use with accuracy. While the Kimber Micro 9 has a low bore axis, there’s still some felt recoil that inexperienced shooters may find uncomfortable. The sharp recoil of this pistol can be an issue for smaller shooters who lack upper body strength and control.
Positive
- Aesthetically pleasing with durable zebrawood grips
- Slim profile makes it easy to conceal and carry
- Excellent single-action trigger with a short pull weight
Negatives
- Sharp recoil can be an issue for smaller shooters
What To Consider While Buying The Best Handgun for Women?
When choosing the best handgun for women, several essential factors need to be considered. Here are a few factors that you should consider when selecting a gun for women:
Size and Weight
If you need your gun for self-defense, the pistol must be large enough to handle the cartridge that you’re using and that it will stop an assailant. Lighter handguns are easier to carry and conceal, but they have less stopping power than larger pistols with greater capacity. Additionally, women tend to have smaller hands, and some prefer firearms with a thin profile for concealment purposes.
Capacity
It’s essential to consider the caliber of your handgun and how many rounds of ammunition come in each magazine you plan on using for self-defense. While most pistols come with a single magazine that holds between six and 12 rounds, some new models only come with one magazine with room for eight or nine rounds before requiring a reload.
Appearance
Appearance is a factor that should be considered less than other factors, but it can still come into play for some women with smaller hands and stature. A smaller handgun will likely suit a woman’s body type better than a larger one, and this might also be the case if she has trouble wrapping her hand around a larger grip.
Accuracy
The best handguns for women will be those that fit comfortably into your hands and those that you can shoot accurately. Guns with a lower bore axis tend to have greater accuracy as the recoil energy has less distance to travel before it impacts the shooter’s aim. Having reasonable trigger control is another factor that can improve accuracy.
Trigger Control
A good trigger for a handgun has even motion with no hiccups during the pull. The pull weight should be 3-5 lbs to ensure an accurate shot every time, as any more will decrease the shooter’s confidence and skill over time. The length of the trigger should be as short as possible to avoid any fundamental or imagined mistakes during the pull.
Firepower
Women are statistically less likely to engage in a fight than men, so it’s essential to choose a gun that meets your own defense needs. If you live alone and have no family members near you, carrying a weapon with full capacity magazines might make sense. Otherwise, higher caliber pistols with fewer rounds per magazine are recommended for women who live in neighborhoods or cities where there is more of a chance multiple attackers could threaten them.
FAQs
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
It’s preferable not to carry a more significant or heavier gun if it is uncomfortable to wear or use. Women who live in urban areas tend to prefer smaller handguns that are easier to conceal, while women in more rural settings might find large pistols more comfortable for concealed carry.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
New, well-made handguns usually cost between $500 and $2000. There are many reliable handguns on the market for under or around $500, so it’s essential to do your research before purchasing.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
9mm is the most commonly recommended round because it’s light enough to carry but still heavy enough to stop an assailant when adequately aimed and shot from close range. A .380 ACP cartridge is more delicate and less potent than the 9mm, but these cartridges are usually smaller, allowing for smaller pistols.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The best handguns are usually light enough to carry all day comfortably, have a higher capacity magazine or at least one extra magazine for reloading.
Conclusion
The best handgun for women usually provides a comfortable fit, no matter the individual’s physical attributes. Women who want to ensure they have the best firearm should take their time shopping and look at several different models before purchasing. We hope our review of the best five handguns was helpful. We hope you find something that suits your needs and experience as a shooter.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
