10 Guns That Are Perfect for Women

If you have a wife or daughter, teach them to shoot. With civil unrest at an all-time high, self-defense guns for women are paramount than ever. Knowing the safe, proper way to fire a gun can save them in grave life-and-death situations.

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Top 10 Self-Defense and Concealed Carry Guns for Women

1. Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ

The M&P380 Shield EZ dominated the firearm industry in 2018 for its usability, functionality, and overall convenience. However, some seasoned female shooters found a .380 ACP too weak for their liking.

Smith & Wesson addressed this issue by following through with an M&P9 Shield EZ. It has a powerful, easy-to-control 9mm chamber, mild recoil, and a petite frame similar to its predecessor's. This small pistol easily fits in any purse or handbag.

Another cool feature about the M&P9 Shield EZ is it has smooth, high-quality components. The trigger feels crisp to pull, and the rack cocks smoothly.

2. Glock 19

Not many shooters advise the Glock 19 for women. While the Glock 19 weighs heavier than most concealed carry weapons, this double-stacked, 15-round handgun also shoots far more accurately. Many shooters even use the Glock 26 for shooting competitions.

Also, the Glock 26 has a customizable grip. You can adjust the modular backstrap so the grip fits snug and tight in either your left or right hand. Remember: comfort has a significant effect on accuracy.

3. SIG Sauer P365

The SIG Sauer P365 ranks among the best guns for women in 2021. They took the market by storm. In fact, both first-time gun owners and seasoned female shooters loved the SIG Sauer P365.

What made this semi-automatic, 9mm caliber pistol popular is its compact 10+1 round capacity. You would be hard-pressed to find any other pistol in its class with the same specs. Overall, it's light, accurate, and easy to shoot.

4. S&W M&P Shield

Shooters with small hands know the difficulty of shooting accurately with thick-gripped handguns. A weak, compromised grip makes for a terrible shot.

For those who have trouble grasping traditional 9mm handguns, try the S&W M&P Shield. It offers a tall, narrow grip measuring less than an inch, so rest assured that even teenage women with tiny hands can fire accurate, stable shots with this pistol.

5. Glock 43

The Glock 43 is a widely used single-stack, 9mm caliber pistol popular for its subcompact frame, narrow grip, and overall brand reliability. Plus, it has a short 3.50-inch barrel so shooters won't struggle with close-range shots.

Honestly, the only reason it did not rank higher on our list is the market introduced plenty of other praise-worthy models. But overall, this pistol definitely makes an excellent first-time gun or concealed carry weapon.

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6. Ruger LC9S

For first-time shooters who want a light, functional, and low-maintenance concealed carry weapon for self-defense purposes, try the Ruger LC9S. This 9mm caliber pistol has a small frame equipped with a 7+1 round capacity.

What sets it apart from other pistols its high-quality components. The magazine slides in like butter, you can easily cock the rack all the way to the back, and the trigger has a crisp pull. Many first-timers would find this pistol super-easy to shoot.

7. Ruger SR22

If you find the standard 9mm caliber options on this list too challenging to shoot, try the Ruger SR22. This .22 LR rimfire pistol popularized for its cheap ammo. You can use this for target practice as much as you want without breaking the bank.

9mm caliber guns are overall higher quality, but .22 LR caliber pistols are much easier to handle. They best suit beginners who do not have the confidence to hold a gun yet—much less fire one.

Plus, it has manageable recoil. You do not have to worry about your wife or daughter hurting their shoulders when they fire a gun for the first time.

8. S&W M&P Bodyguard 38

Most female shooters only have two options: pistols and revolvers. Pistols are nice since they come in many different models, chambers, and calibers, but for those who want simplicity and functionality, go for a revolver.

The S&W M&P Bodyguard 38 makes for a good self-defense revolver. Unlike other handguns in its class, the Bodyguard 38 has a streamlined, easy-to-operate mechanism. Most beginners learn to use the S&W M&P Bodyguard 38 in less than a day.

Plus, the S&W M&P Bodyguard 38 features laser sight shooting. First-timers can rely on these to fire accurate shots even in stressful, panic-inducing emergencies.

9. Ruger LCP

When it comes to small, compact guns for women, you would be hard-pressed to find anything smaller than the Ruger LCP. This .380 caliber handgun has a 6+1 round capacity and weighs less than 10 ounces. Even a teenage girl can carry this gun around with ease.

Apart from its excellent concealability, the Ruger LCP offers high-quality components. So while you might find a few lightweight competitors on the market, they won't have the smooth, crisp mechanism that this pocket pistol offers. Even a complete beginner will notice the difference in quality.

10. Springfield Hellcat

Shooters tend to overlook the Springfield Hellcat when choosing the best handgun for women in 2021. But keep in mind that this 9mm caliber pistol ranked among the best-selling pistols last year for a good reason.

Many loved the Springfield Hellcat for its high-capacity magazine. While other micro-compact 9mm caliber pistols range from 6+1 to 10+1, the Hellcat showcases a whopping 13+1 round capacity. Imagine firing these in one go!

Admittedly, the Springfield Hellcat does have a bit of a kick, which some newbie female shooters might dislike. However, a slightly stronger recoil is a small price to for the overall quality and reliability that the Hellcat offers.