If you’re in the market for a new handgun, you’ve probably heard it all. Thats to be expected though because these are some of the most popular and ubiquitous firearms ever made. The best handguns for women can help them protect their lives and properties. With various models out in the market, its hard to choose from; thankfully, I can help.
In this article, well review some the top 12 best in-class firearms for women, in terms of what their main uses are and how you can choose the right one for you.
Top 12 Best handguns for women
GLOCK 19
- The Glock 19 was named Best New Handgun at the 1988 SHOT Show
- The Glock 19 was named Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Handgun of the Year in 1998
- The Glock 19 was named one of Guns & Ammos Top 10 Concealed Carry Guns in 2014.
SIG P320 Compact
- Overall length of 6.7 inches and a height of 5.3 inches.
- Gun of the Year by the NRA in 2014 and 2015
- Used by law enforcement agencies across the country
SIG P238
- Great choice for women because it is lightweight and easy to handle
- Weighs 15 ounces and has a magazine that holds 6 round shot too light
- Won several notable awards for its design and ease-of-use, including the Editors Choice Award
KIMBER MICRO 9
- Great choice for women because it is lightweight and easy to handle
- Weighs 15 ounces and has a magazine that holds 6 round shot too light
- NRA Golden Bullseye Award for Handgun of the Year in 2014
SIG P365
- Small and easy-to-handle, but also powerful enough
- Made of polymer with a stainless steel slide, and comes standard with night sights
- Won numerous awards, including Handgun of the Year in 2018
GLOCK 43
- Semi-automatic, single-stack pistol with a standard magazine capacity of 6 rounds
- Gun has a polymer frame with a silver slide and weighs just 17.99 ounces unloaded
- Won numerous awards, including Handgun of the Year in 2018
S&W M&P Shield
- Small, lightweight and easy to hold. It has an ambidextrous thumb safety
- Very accurate, because the barrel has a stainless steel construction
- Recoil is reduced by an 18-degree grip angle
- Golden Bullseye Award from Shooting Illustrated Magazine in 2012 and 2013
S7W M&P 380 Shield
- Won the coveted Golden Bullseye Award from NRA Shooting Illustrated
- Gun is lightweight and easy to carry, so you can store it in your purse
- Barrel is 3.675 inches long, making it ideal for concealed carry
- Recognized by top industry professionals as a high-quality option
S&W M&P Bodyguard 38
- Award as one of Americas most recommended revolvers in 2014
- Self-defense revolver that is small and light enough for concealed carry
- Built-in laser sight
- Two inch barrel
- 5 round capacity
- Loaded chamber viewport
- Lightweight polymer frame
S&W M&P Bodyguard 380
- Great combination of size and features
- Assault Weapons Ban Compliance Award from the Gun Owners Foundation
- Easy-to-carry handgun that gives you the confidence
Walther PPS M2
- Great for self-defense
- Nice, affordable & small handgun
- Only weighs 26 ounces unloaded, and it has a 2.1-inch barrel.
- Made of steel and has a black finish on the slide and frame
- Rank #1 by Guns & Ammo in 2019 for “Best Handgun of the Year”
Ruger LC9S
- Won the NRA American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Award (in 2014).
- A short, light pull trigger, you can get off shots quickly and accurately
- An incredibly reliable gun
- Highly effective recoil-reducing barrel cam and low-mass slide
1. Glock 19
Women who want to get their concealed-carry on, look no further than the Glock 19. It is a good choice for most women because it is lightweight, has a small grip, and is one of the most reliable handguns in the world. The Glock 19 has won awards for the best pistol for all shooters, especially women.
The Glock 19 has a 15-round capacity, but if you have petite hands or are looking for an even smaller grip (and number of rounds), theres also the Glock 26 model that holds 10 rounds. Both have easy-to-load magazines and optional finger grooves to help with grip and control. You can choose from three backstraps that are designed to fit pretty much everyones hand perfectly. And when you’re done firing off shots, its easy to reload and clean thanks to the built-in access ports.
Notable awards:
- The Glock 19 was named Best New Handgun at the 1988 SHOT Show.
- The Glock 19 was named Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Handgun of the Year in 1998.
- The Glock 19 was named one of Guns & Ammos Top 10 Concealed Carry Guns in 2014.
2. SIG P320 Compact
The SIG P320 Compact is a highly customizable handgun, with a modular design that lets users change out the frame, grip, and magazine size. The striker-fired system has no external safety to slow you down its just point and shoot! Its also a lightweight weapon, making it easy for women to carry and handle.
With an overall length of 6.7 inches and a height of 5.3 inches, the compact model is easy to conceal, while still providing you with an impressive 15-round capacity. It also boasts two 15-round magazines so that you can quickly reload when needed.
Another great feature of the P320 Compact is its ergonomic grip design that allows for a firm hold without compromising comfort or precision. This gun was named Gun of the Year by the NRA in 2014 and 2015 and has been used by law enforcement agencies across the country since its release in 2014.
3. SIG P238
The SIG P238 is a great choice for women because it is lightweight and easy to handle, yet still packs plenty of stopping power. With its smaller frame, the SIG P238 is a great option for women who have issues with their grip, as they may find it more comfortable to hold than other models.
It only weighs 15 ounces and has a magazine that holds 6 round shot too light that you cant feel the gun in your hand, but not so heavy that it will weigh your purse down. Its also one of the best-looking guns on the market, in our opinion.
The SIG P238 has won several notable awards for its design and ease-of-use, including the Editors Choice Award from American Hand gunner and the Golden Bullseye from NRA American Rifleman.
4. KIMBER MICRO 9
Kimber Micro 9 is a great choice for women who want to be able to carry their firearm with ease. It is light, easy to use and reliable. This 1911-styled pistol features a lightweight aluminum frame, which makes it perfect for everyday carry. The Micro 9 also comes with a tool-free disassembly mechanism and a smooth trigger pull.
Not only can you use it for self defense its also great for target shooting, plinking, and hunting. Not only does it have a safety, but it also has an ambidextrous thumb safety. And not only does it come in four colors, but the finish is satin silver, so you can choose the color that feels most like you.
This model has been awarded the NRA Golden Bullseye Award for Handgun of the Year in 2014.
5. SIG P365
When youre a woman, its hard to find a handgun that fits your needs. You want something small and easy-to-handle, but also powerful enough to keep you safe when you require it. The SIG P365 is a 9mm handgun that delivers on all of these requirements.
This handgun has a 10+1 capacity and is designed for concealed carry. Its made of polymer with a stainless steel slide, and comes standard with night sights. The P365 has won numerous awards, including Handgun of the Year in 2018.
If you’re looking for something compact and powerful, this might be the firearm for you.
6. GLOCK 43
The GLOCK 43 is a semi-automatic, single-stack pistol with a standard magazine capacity of 6 rounds. It is notable for its small size and lightweight, which makes it one of the best concealed carry options available today. While it was designed with law enforcement in mind, the GLOCK 43 is also an excellent choice for self-defense.
This gun has a polymer frame with a silver slide and weighs just 17.99 ounces unloaded. Its barrel length measures 3.4 inches, and the sight radius is 5.5 inches long. The G43 possesses no interchangeable backstraps; instead, it uses a single piece that extends from the rear of the grip to just behind the trigger guard, providing a comfortable ergonomic fit for nearly any hand size without making the grip too large to conceal effectively.
Because of its small size and weight, the G43 offers fast target acquisition and minimal recoil. It has been approved by the FBI as well as numerous other local police departments across the country and is known for its superior accuracy even at long range considering how lightweight it is.
7. S&W M&P Shield
The S&W M&P Shield is one of the best handguns for women because it is small, lightweight and easy to hold. It has an ambidextrous thumb safety, which makes it accessible to lefties and righties alike. The gun is also very accurate, because the barrel has a stainless steel construction and the recoil is reduced by an 18-degree grip angle.
The Shield has won several notable awards, including the Golden Bullseye Award from Shooting Illustrated Magazine in 2012 and 2013, as well as being named one of American Riflemans Golden Bullseye Award winners for 2014.
8. S7W M&P 380 Shield
The S7W M&P 380 Shield was created by Smith & Wesson for women who want to take control of their safety and security. This gun won the coveted Golden Bullseye Award from NRA Shooting Illustrated, so its not just a reliable and versatile choice, its also one that has been recognized by top industry professionals as a high-quality option.
This gun is lightweight and easy to carry, so you can store it in your purse or keep it on your person without any trouble. It has a 6+1 capacity and is easy to load and easy to maintain. The barrel is 3.675 inches long, making it ideal for concealed carry or for use inside the home. If you have questions about usage or maintenance, the staff at Smith & Wesson are always happy to answer them!
9. S&W M&P Bodyguard 38
The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard has been on the market for more than 6 years and has already made a name for itself. This is a self-defense revolver that is small and light enough for concealed carry, but still packs a punch. It also earned the Women’s Choice Award as one of Americas most recommended revolvers in 2014. Some of the main features are:
Highlights:
- Built-in laser sight
- Two inch barrel
- 5 round capacity
- Loaded chamber viewport
- Lightweight polymer frame
The Bodyguard was designed to be easily disassembled without the use of tools or special instructions. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to get into gun ownership without getting overwhelmed by the technical side of things.
10. S&W M&P Bodyguard 380
The S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 offers a great combination of size and features that make it one of the best handguns for women. Its small enough to fit comfortably in your hand, but it packs a punch that helps you feel empowered when you carry it, and the optional laser helps you get a better aim.
It has been the recipient of a number of notable awards, including the Assault Weapons Ban Compliance Award from the Gun Owners Foundation. Since its introduction in 2010, it has been one of the top-selling handguns on the market, year after year.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-carry handgun that gives you the confidence to take control of your own safety, look no further than the S&W M&P Bodyguard 380.
11. Walther PPS M2
Ladies, if you’re looking for a compact, easy-to-use handgun that has been raved about by the gun community, look no further than the Walther PPS M2.
This gun is prized for its ultra-thin design and its comfortable grip and handling. The slide is made of stainless steel to reduce wear and tear so that your weapon will last you a long time. Its perfect for concealed carry, and its also great if you’ve got smaller hands the grip was designed to be manageable by all.
Its lightweight (at just 21.1 inches) but still packs a punch with a 6+1 capacity. And dont worry about jamming or misfiring the Walther boasts a reliable, straightforward design that wont let you down when it counts. But dont just take my word for it: the Walther PPS M2 has received accolades from some of the gun industry’s most trusted publications, including Guns & Ammo, which called it one of the best pistols ever made.
12. Ruger LC9S
Ruger is one of the most popular gun manufacturers in the country, and their LC9S is no exception. Built with a number of features that make it great for women, this baby has won the NRA American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Award (in 2014).
With a short, light pull trigger, you can get off shots quickly and accurately. Plus, its smooth trigger travel makes it easy to get off those quick shots without having to put up with a lot of annoying slack, which means you can be more accurate. Plus, its an incredibly reliable gun: even if you’re pulling it out in the worst conditions rainy or frigid temperatures you can trust that this gun will still work.
And, if you’re worried about recoil, don’t be! With a highly effective recoil-reducing barrel cam and low-mass slide, you’ll have all the help you need to handle even the toughest situations.
Final Verdict On The Best Handgun For Women
The trends and developments in the world are rapidly changing. Considering the fact that women are in more positions of power than ever before, a gun for a woman needs to be carefully considered. These guns were selected as the best for a woman because of their weight, accuracy, grip and range. Hopefully this list of the best guns for women has been helpful.