What are the best handguns for women out there? While the answer ultimately depends on the user, we have a few ideas on what would make a great concealed carry and everyday self-defense weapon for the ladies reading this now.
We’ve gone over some gun recommendations for women before and some of the most constant considerations have to do with the recoil and how easy it is to rack the gun. Next come compactness and discreetness. How easily can the gun be hidden? Surveys have shown that most women buy a gun for self-defense purposes, making concealed carry a key consideration when picking out the best handguns for women.
Other than those, there’s reliability. A good gun for self-defense is a gun that won’t fail you when he crucial moment comes. That’s why we’ve picked out these guns as best handguns for women.
TOP CHOICES
Best Aesthetics
Kimber Micro Bel Air Semi-Auto Pistol with Night Sights
- Ivory Micarta grip panels.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Ambidextrous design.
- 7+1 round capacity.
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Best Budget Option
Taurus G3c Compact Semi-Auto Pistol
- 12+1 round capacity.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Lightweight at just 22 oz.
- Very affordable.
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Best Overall
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol without Thumb Safety
- Easy slide rack.
- 8+1 round capacity.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Lightweight at just 18.5 oz.
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1Ruger MAX-9 Semi-Auto Pistol
The Ruger MAX-9 Semi-Auto Pistol is one of Ruger’s top offerings for concealed carry guns. This small gun packs quite the punch and a decent round capacity into a compact frame. It has a 9mm cartridge and comes in at just around 19 oz.
It has a slip-resistant textured handle made of black polymer that feels surprisingly soft in the hand. It may have something to do with the way it’s textured. Of course, this gun is designed for ambidextrous use so you’ll have an easy time with it whether you’re a left or right handed shooter.
PROS
- 10+1 round capacity.
- Black textured polymer grip.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Drift-adjustable rear sight.
CONS
- Some users report it shooting a little inaccurately out of the box, but this can be adjusted in a snap.
2Kimber Micro Bel Air Semi-Auto Pistol with Night Sights
The Kimber Micro Bel Air Semi-Auto Pistol with Night Sights is easily one of the most beautiful guns we’ve seen on the market in a long time. This gun has a distinctive Bakelite blue that just reminds you of a 1950s diner.
The gun has pristine ivory Micarta grip panels that nicely compliment the bright aqua blue of the gun’s frame. It has a 7+1 round capacity and is made for use by shooters of both handedness.
PROS
- Ivory Micarta grip panels.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Ambidextrous design.
- 7+1 round capacity.
CONS
- Priciest gun on this list.
3Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol
The Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol is a great option for ladies who already like other guns in the APX family of guns from Beretta.
This 9mm caliber gun is lightweight and compact, making it great for concealed carry and self-defense use by women. It also has a much lighter trigger pull compared to other guns in the APX series, making it good for even beginner shooters.
PROS
- Red-dot ready slides.
- Light trigger pull, especially compared to older models.
- Compatible with different optics plates.
- Modular chassis.
CONS
- No interchangeable backstraps.
- Does not come with an optics plate.
4Taurus G3c Compact Semi-Auto Pistol
Best Budget Option
The Taurus G3c Compact Semi-Auto Pistol is another 9mm gun that comes in multiple colors. It’s not quite at Kimber Micro 9 levels in terms of color and style options, but there are pretty decent colors available such as olive green.
Onto the practical side of things.
The Taurus G3c Compact Semi-Auto Pistol is a semi-automatic pistol weighing just 22 oz. Even at this weight and with a rather small frame, it manages to pack a respectable 12+1 round capacity. The front slide serrations make it relatively easy to control and at such an affordable price point, it’s one of the best beginner handguns for women on this list.
PROS
- 12+1 round capacity.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Lightweight at just 22 oz.
- Very affordable.
CONS
- Primarily designed for right handed operation.
5Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol
Best Overall
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol is an affordable handgun under $500 with a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
This gun is a semi-automatic pistol is just as easy to use as the other M&P Shield EZ guns so expect some pretty smooth handling with regards to racking, loading, and shooting. This variant of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol is great for beginner shooters but if you are one, you may want to opt for the variant with thumb safety because this one doesn’t.
PROS
- Easy slide rack.
- 8+1 round capacity.
- Semi-automatic pistol.
- Lightweight at just 18.5 oz.
CONS
- Mediocre sights.
- No thumb safety.
