What is the best handgun for a woman to own? During my time as a firearms salesman, I often had many women (or their boyfriends or husbands) ask what was a good beginner firearm is for a woman. As sexist and often uncomfortable as I initially thought the question was, as I began to sell more product, I found that a lot of women had difficulty with racking back handgun slides and such. Sometimes this is due to poor arm or hand strength, other times it’s a medical issue like arthritis. Sometimes what works for men does not always work for a woman. Our differences is what makes us unique.
Generally speaking, women are smaller and tend to have smaller hands. So, smaller subcompact guns are usually what is marketed towards women. This list will comply a couple of different sizes and types of firearms that are best suited for a woman.
The Ruger LCP II
The Ruger LCP II is a perfect starting gun for a woman looking to defend herself. Offered in both .22LR and .380 ACP, the LCP II holds 6+1 and 10 +1 respectively for the .380 and .22LR calibers. Its slide is very easy to pull back for its subcompact frame. It’s a good fit for someone with smaller hands and doesn’t want to spend too much. It retails for around $350 and if you’re lucky on holiday or large sales; sometimes around $250. The Ruger LCP II comes with a magazine and a pocket holster inside the box. During the height of the pandemic, the LCP II was a top seller.
For more details on the Ruger LCP II, click here.
Smith and Wesson EZ
The Smith and Wesson EZ has been briefly covered in a previous article that you can check out here. The clue is in the name; it’s easy. Built for the woman in mind, its easy to operate mechanics and simple slide, make it perfect for the woman with poor hand strength or arthritis. It holds 9 rounds and comes with several variations from color to choice of safety options. Smith and Wesson wanted to create a gun for people that had trouble pulling the slide of a handgun back, and the Smith and Wesson EZ was born! Available in .380, 9mm, and now .30 Super, the EZ has something for everybody.
If you want to know more about the Smith and Wesson EZ, tap the link, here!
Sig Sauer 365
One of the best choices for concealed carry. The Sig Sauer offers 11 rounds of 9mm or .380 in this small package. The 365 is a perfect tool for the woman looking to comfortably carry a firearm. Made with or without an external safety, the subcompact pistol is a popular choice among the concealed carry crowd. It also comes with 12+1 or 15+1 options as well.
If this pistol isn’t your style check out the 365x or the 365XL!
Glock 43/43x/19/17
The Glock 43 is a single stack, 9mm pistol. It holds 6 rounds and is very comfortable to carry. This Glock is similar to the 365. Another very popular option for concealed carry. It fits easy in a purse so its a good choice for women. This gun is a perfect choice for a woman with small hands due to its slim frame.
The Glock 43 has a variation: the 43x. The Glock 43x is a 10+1 round slim, compact 9mm. I’ve mentioned the gun in several articles.
Now, not all ladies have small hands. Above, are examples of smaller sized pistols, the Glock 19/17 would benefit the woman with larger hands. Shorter barrels lead to increasingly larger muzzle rise. Thus, a larger or compact pistol may be a better choice for some people. The Glock 19 and 17 models are used by law enforcement and militaries worldwide.
Smith and Wesson 642/638
Perhaps semi automatics aren’t your style? Smith and Wesson is a top notch manufacturer of revolvers. I personally carry a 638, which is a 5-shot, snub-nose .38 Special revolver with a shrouded hammer. The 642 is your classic snub-nose revolver with an exposed hammer. It is the preferred model of the two; however for concealed carry purposes you don’t need to worry about a hammer getting snagged on your clothing with the 638.
A lot of women tend to prefer revolvers because they don’t have to worry about a safety and the smaller revolvers like the 642/638 fits nicely in a purse or bag. They’re also easier to operate.
Kimber Micro 9
The Kimber Micro 9 was one of the more popular purchases in 2020. Based on the 1911, the micro 9 is a 9mm single stack subcompact pistol. As far as the price goes, these guns are not cheap. One of the attractive qualities of the Kimber model is the finish variations. If a woman wants a teal pistol to match her outfit, Kimber has got her covered!
Want to know more? Click this link here!
Like the Kimber model but don’t like the price? Check out the Smith and Wesson version, here.
No woman is built the same with the same tastes and preferences. If a smaller handgun isn’t what works for you; go with a larger frame. Before we close I want to talk about some honorable mentions.
The 1911
Perhaps this was a gun your dad or grandfather had growing up. The 1911 is a single stack 7-8 round semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45ACP. It was present in two world wars and countless other conflicts. It is a simple platform and a great full size handgun. The .45ACP packs a powerful punch to any would-be attacker!
Glock 22/23
The Glock 22 is a .40 S & W chambered full size handgun. It is what the police used for years until recently switching to 9mm based guns. The .40 caliber is between the 9 and .45ACP calibers. It packs a punch and is a very trusty pistol. It’s compact version is the Glock 23 which may be easier for a woman to carry inside her purse than the full size version. Contrary to popular belief, .40 S & W isn’t going anywhere for the time being, it’s still an amazing round!
Walther PPS
Another single stack 9mm. Now, you may know Walther from the Bond movies; however this is not that gun. Depending on which version you get, you can carry a 7, 8, or 9 round magazine full of 9mm! It comes out of the box with pretty nice sights and several magazines. Its a simple, comfortable shooter for sure.
In conclusion, when choosing a handgun in general, you should be the one who feels the most comfortable with it; not anybody else. Don’t let someone influence your decision on what to purchase. It’s got to feel comfortable to the woman using it! That’s why I always recommend getting out to the shooting range and testing out several types of guns before purchasing.