Anyone can find it challenging to shop for a handgun since there are so many models to choose from, so much false information to absorb, and so many different viewpoints that friends, salespeople, and publications like this one are throwing at you. The fact that so many speciality models are promoted as the best handgun for women adds complexity for women, but how can you tell the difference between the marketing hype and the reality?
For everyone, purchasing the ideal pistol ultimately boils down to a few key considerations. Regardless of your gender, factors like size, capacity, and dependability all matter. However, women may interact with these factors quite differently.
The main factors that women should consider when purchasing a handgun, some common misunderstandings that may be safely disregarded, and some of the most well-liked models for concealed carry are all covered below.
False Beliefs and Misconceptions
There is a lot of false information about women’s handguns in the firearms community. The majority of it is ineffective even though it is well-intentioned.
Small guns are necessary for women.
One of these beliefs is that ladies require small, small guns. It appears to stem from the notion that women are often smaller than men, hence a handgun must be proportionately smaller in order for women to carry and conceal it effectively. Something little will be less likely to print if you’re on the small side and want to wear it on your hip, but the truth is that almost anything can be carried if you’re willing to dress around it.
A lot of ladies decide to carry off-body in a bag or handbag. There is no denying that off-body carry permits the carrying of a full-sized firearm, even though its wisdom is occasionally disputed. Therefore, ladies don’t have to stick to small guns, especially because bigger guns are usually simpler to shoot.
Revolvers Should Be Carried by Women
The perceived simplicity of revolvers is a major factor in the long-held belief that they are the ideal concealed carry pistol for women. They take fewer steps to operate and have fewer controls than semi-automatics. Another widespread misunderstanding is that revolvers never jam, hence the operator doesn’t need to learn how to clear one.
However, the reality is completely different. Although revolvers are straightforward to use, this does not mean that they are simple to operate. The lengthy, hefty double-action-only trigger, small grips, and limited sight radius of snub-nosed revolvers make them some of the most difficult firearms to shoot accurately. Furthermore, anyone can become skilled in operating a semi-automatic and even resolve faults under pressure with even a small amount of practice and instruction.
A J-frame revolver is, of course, the best carry option in some situations, but that should be decided by the actual situation rather than some condescending adherence to simplicity.
Women’s Editions in Vibrant Shades
If you enjoy Robin’s egg blue, then by all means paint your rifle that colour. There’s nothing wrong with a great Cerakote job. However, an excessive number of weapons are advertised as the ideal little carry gun for ladies after being painted a vibrant colour and having their prices marked up considerably. Since the majority of these editions don’t alter anything, ladies can choose the normal model and receive a firearm that functions exactly the same for less money.
We normally avoid these kinds of rifles as a practical defensive weapon because of this, but if you value the aesthetics (some do look really good) and don’t mind the additional cost, you’re also not sacrificing performance.
Women Must Have Lower Calibres
It is a known truth that women are generally more sensitive to recoil than males. Men often have larger hands, stronger grips, and more forearm muscle. However, that does not imply that women should not or cannot carry a full-power cartridge. Salespeople all too frequently recommend.22LR or.22 Magnum as self-defence handguns, even though they are inferior to.380 ACP or 9mm Luger.
Recoil sensitivity is frequently a straightforward training issue that can be lessened or even completely eradicated with practice. Even with full-power pistol cartridges, we have found that a female USPSA competitor will nearly always outshoot the typical male handgun owner. Even though body mass and grip strength have their benefits, a person should never be deterred from selecting a more effective defence cartridge when a little additional range time is all that is required.
There are various ways to reduce recoil that don’t reduce your effectiveness, even for those who are really sensitive to it. For example, you can choose a heavier gun or one with a compensator.
Things to Take Choosing a best Handgun for Women
Before purchasing a new firearm, there are a few things that everyone should consider. Some, like ergonomics, ammo availability, and dependability, are absolutely universal. Others are more situational; for instance, a defensive pistol would undoubtedly be concerned about magazine capacity, but a target pistol might not be. These four qualities in particular need special consideration for women:
Dimensions and Mass
As previously said, a woman can carry a firearm of any weight or size. However, some sizes are more suited for particular uses than others. Size and weight will be important factors if you intend to carry your new weapon on you, especially hidden inside your waistline.
Effective concealment will be more challenging if your firearm is larger. Size can eventually start to negatively impact comfort as well, especially barrel length if you carry in an appendix position.
As anyone who has ever carried a full-steel pistol for a lengthy amount of time can attest, weight will typically have a negative association with comfort.
Of course, weight and size can be advantageous if you want to carry off-body in a handbag or other bag. Larger grips distribute the power of the recoil over a greater area of your hand, making it seem less harsh, while heavier handguns typically recoil more gently. Additionally, larger weapons usually have a longer sight radius, which can help with accuracy. However, if you want to attach a red dot, this is irrelevant.
Retraction
Although recoil is a significant factor for everyone, women typically find it to be especially significant. Your performance will suffer if you are unable to practise with your pistol frequently because of stiff recoil, which makes shooting it difficult. Additionally, flinching can be exacerbated by hard-recoiling firearms, which further reduces your skill.
Users should likely stick to a 9mm or softer calibre if they are not experienced with recoil or with shooting a handgun in general. However, even 9mm may be rather sharp in a subcompact or microcompact handgun, so those who have trouble managing recoil might want to think about a compensated pistol or.380. However, feel free to purchase that featherweight.357 if you’re a long-term shooter and are confident in your ability to manage it this is the best best handgun for women.
Capacity
Before making a purchase, anyone contemplating a pistol for self-defence should evaluate its ammo capacity. No one has left a firefight wishing they had less ammunition, even while it’s true that most defensive uses only entail a few bullets fired.
Although it’s statistically improbable that you’ll require more than a few rounds, exceptions do occur. There have been numerous instances of homeowners protecting themselves against several invaders at once in the past few years alone. However, a lot of carjackings and muggings are carried out by groups of people rather than lone attackers. It is preferable to have capacity and not need it than to require it and lack it if your aim is complete self-defence.
Fortunately, size and capacity are no longer at opposite extremes of a spectrum for many contemporary pistols. Numerous guns, such as the Springfield Hellcat and Sig Sauer P365, have small sizes and double-digit ammo capacities.
However, as with J-frame revolvers, some cartridge capacity may have to be given up if you really need the smallest handgun for your own concealing needs.
Size of Grip
This is somewhat related to the total size of a pistol, but not always. Although it is true that larger weapons typically have longer and more circumstantial grips, handguns can come in a wide variety.
Consider the 1911, for instance. Even though it is by all standards a full-sized pistol, its grip is incredibly tiny. On the other hand, despite being a small, the Glock 36 has a somewhat bulky grip.
Although there are some exceptions, like the Walther PDP F-series, most handguns are made to fit the typical size of a man’s hand, therefore grip size can be especially crucial for women. As a result, ladies with medium to small hands may find it challenging to hold several conventional handguns.
Grip size will be a crucial factor when choosing a handgun if you fall into such category. You will never be able to shoot your pistol to its maximum potential if you are unable to hold it firmly. An obvious liability for a defensive pistol is a large grip, which can also make it difficult to rapidly get a correct firing grip while drawing from a holster.
Best Handguns For a Women
There is definitely no one ideal handgun for everyone in this category, which comprises about 4 billion individuals. Selecting a handgun for women, especially one for defensive or concealed carry, is a very personal choice. However, a select few are more well-liked by women than others.
The Glock 43X
Regardless of the demographic, the Glock 43x is a very popular concealed carry handgun for women, And alos one of the best handguns for women but it works especially well for people with small hands. Any of Glock’s Slimline variants might be regarded to be similar; the only notable distinction between them is barrel length and grip.
All of the features that consumers have grown to appreciate and anticipate from Glock’s standard models are available in slimline variants. They are incredibly dependable, easy to use, and offer a huge selection of holsters, parts, and accessories in their aftermarket. It will be easy to find a holster even if you decide to add an optic and weaponlight.
As their name implies, however, they also provide slimmed-down grip profiles. The grip of the Glock 43x and 48 is the same length as that of a 19 but is substantially thinner. Users with small hands who struggle to form a correct firing grip on a Glock 19 will find this extremely helpful.
With a standard capacity of 10 rounds as opposed to the Glock 19’s 15-round standard, the 43x and 48 do experience some capacity loss due to the smaller grip size. But this is just one more instance where Glock’s amazing aftermarket proves its value.
Shield Arms provides all-metal aftermarket magazines that increase the capacity of the 43x and 48—all the way down to 15 rounds—by using a thinner magazine wall. Simply swapping the magazine catch is all that is needed to operate these magazines, which fit flush with the pistol grip and don’t increase the size or profile of the gun.
Users can have all the capacity and capability of a Glock 19, one of the most widely used carry pistols ever, with a grip that is more ergonomically suited to their needs with a Slimline Glock and Shield Arms magazines.
The Rose Edition Sig P365XL
With good cause, Sig Sauer’s P365 line of handguns is currently one of the most widely used concealed carry handguns in the nation. The smallest P365 magazine can hold 10 rounds, while the largest can hold 17. They are all compact, thin, and come in a variety of sizes, making them all carry-friendly.
The P365XL Comp Rose is the model that most appeals to us out of the several that are available in various sizes and configurations. As previously said, women’s handgun models are normally avoided, but the Rose is an exception because it differs from other models in more than simply appearance.
The main attraction is the integrated compensator; the P365XL Rose has a shorter barrel and apertures cut into the top of the slide to reduce recoil without the typical complexity of a typical comp. Threadlocker is not required, and there are no extra moving parts or set screws to mess with. Additionally, it doesn’t make the gun any longer than other XL models, which is a huge advantage for hiding.
Although the Rose model has a manual safety, none of the other versions have the same compensating sliding design. Although there is considerable disagreement regarding the advantages of manual safety on a concealed carry firearm, many users like the extra security they offer.
Along with rose gold controls and laser-engraved stippling on the grip, the P365XL Rose also includes training dummy rounds and a Vaultek safe for storage.
J-Frame Ruger LCR/S&W
Women who are looking for a concealed carry weapon are frequently advised to start with small, portable revolvers. The simplicity, compactness, and reliability (actual or perceived) of these small-frame firearms are cited by supporters as the reasons why they are ideal best handgun for women.
The reality is a little more nuanced. Among the most concealable firearms available are small revolvers, such as the Ruger LCR or S&W’s J-frame line. Compared to the hard corners of a semi-auto, they are easier to conceal and less prone to printing due to their small size and curved lines.
They are also very easy to use, but a contemporary semi-automatic like the Glock 48 isn’t particularly difficult either. Any user may learn to operate a revolver or a pistol with some practice, which is something you should do anyhow if you plan to carry a firearm.
There are certain unconventional advantages to revolvers that might be useful in some situations, especially small hammerless ones. Because they can be fired from within a pocket, unlike semi-automatics, hammerless revolvers are highly valued by cold-weather users who would find it difficult to pull a gun from a traditional belt-holstered position beneath a bulky winter coat. Additionally, they are less likely to jam when used near your person, whereas a semi-auto can snag on a fold of skin or clothing and not respond.
Small-frame revolvers have equally significant disadvantages. The.38 special models of the Ruger LCR and S&W J-Frame series each only hold five rounds, which is less than half the capacity of a P365XL and, depending on whether you choose to use Shield Arms magazines, either half or a third of the capacity of a Glock 43x.
Small revolvers can be challenging to shoot, especially for novices. Their small weight exaggerates recoil, their short sight radius hinders accuracy, and their heavy, double-action-only triggers need a lot of skill to learn. All of this results in a package that is simple to transport but challenging to shoot when necessary.
They are a very good choice for those who are already familiar with revolvers or who require the most concealable pistol available. S&W even sells the Ladysmith, a female-specific variant of the 642. With the exception of the wood handles and Ladysmith inscription on the right side, it functions just like other 642s, as is the case with many women’s variants.
S&W Shield EZ
Many women frequently have trouble racking the slide on a pistol, especially compact, concealable types. It may be difficult to charge the gun because of the tiny slides’ limited grip area and the recoil springs’ tendency to be stiff. Though Smith & Wesson also provides an alternate solution in the form of the Shield EZ, this can frequently be trained around.
The Shield EZ, a member of the Shield family of handguns, is specially made to be rackable. It is a great choice for training novice shooters because it has both a grip safety and a manual safety. It has a lengthy sight radius and moderate recoil to compensate for its slightly greater size compared to the majority of the other firearms on our list. Recoil in the.380 ACP chambering is especially mild.
The EZ, like all S&W Shield handguns, is incredibly reliable. Although it isn’t as well-known as the Glock 43x or Sig P365XL, it nevertheless has a strong aftermarket, especially for holsters.
The Shield EZ is the solution for individuals who have trouble effectively racking a slide or are sensitive to recoil.
The Glock 17
or a Sig P320. Or a S&W M&P, or any other compact or full-size pistol that you can conceal and fire well. In actuality, there isn’t an ideal class or group of firearms, nor is there a best handgun for women.
The human race is diverse. We all have distinct needs and desires, and we are all various sizes. There’s no reason not to acquire a full-size handgun if you like one, even though women’s handgun versions are typically small and pink.
Softer recoil, bigger magazine capacities, longer sight radius, and frequently a more robust aftermarket are just a few advantages of full-size pistols. Police officers typically carry 17s rather than 26s because they are just more convenient to use.
However, they do have a tendency to be much harder to hide. While some people will feel at ease with their pistol printing somewhat or with clothing that conceals it sufficiently, others won’t. The decision of what to purchase, shoot, and carry ultimately rests with you, and there are no wrong answers as long as you’re purchasing a reputable model from a well-known manufacturer. If you can’t hit the target with your gun, it’s the only wrong one.
Carrying a Purse Special Considerations
The use of purse carry is increasing in tandem with the popularity and prevalence of concealed carry. Although off-body carry is rather debatable, we won’t make any judgements on it here. However, you should be informed of the advantages and disadvantages if you’re thinking about it.
The main advantages of carrying a purse are its concealability and comfort. It’s said that carrying a gun on your hip is comforting rather than uncomfortable, and it usually holds true. The discomfort can be reduced or even eliminated with a lightweight firearm and an excellent holster, but that’s a rare achievement. Most people choose to forgo some degree of comfort in order to carry a firearm.
This soreness is eliminated with purse carry. You won’t ever have a safety scratch your side or a barrel dig into your hip. You won’t have back ache from the uneven weight on your hips or belt sagging.
It also makes complete hiding possible. You won’t ever have to worry about your shirt riding up or getting snagged and showing your gun when you carry a purse. It permits carriers to bring any handgun they like—you can bring anything you want as long as your purse is the right size. Instead of settling for a handgun they can conceal well but shoot decently, this enables ladies to select the one they are most proficient with.
There are significant drawbacks. Compared to carrying on your person, off-body carry is fundamentally less secure. Your bag must always be with you; it cannot be left at your desk or at a table while you dash to the lavatory or get something from another room. It presents a special liability for muggings; if your pocketbook is stolen, you will find it difficult to remove your firearm to defend yourself, and giving it up to the aggressor entails giving them a loaded weapon.
It takes a lot longer to draw your gun from a purse. When the precise location of your gun changes each time you reach for it, it is nearly impossible to develop muscle memory for your draw stroke. Purses move easily, unlike belt holsters, which makes one-handed and two-handed draws challenging and slow.
Final Thoughts
In the end, best handguns for women is much the same as the best handgun for everyone else: it’s the one you can conceal well and fire well. Even while the aforementioned models are well-liked and effectively address certain issues that many women encounter, don’t let us discourage you from carrying a pistol if you can shoot.
