Guns aren’t just for men; in fact, more women start shooting and learning to defend themselves every year. A consistent stream of news stories like this one, in which a mother held a home intruder at gunpoint to protect her children, show that if anything, guns can be one of the most valuable tools at a woman’s disposal.
With thousands of guns on the market, however, choosing the right one to purchase can seem overwhelming for women who aren’t familiar with firearms. Listening to advice from well-meaning spouses or male friends isn’t always helpful, since what works for them might not work at all for a woman with a different body type, comfort level, and defense needs.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GUN
Here is a sampling of the guns that many female shooters say are their
favorites.
5. Sig Sauer P365
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 10 plus one in the chamber
- Magazine Type: Single-stack
The P365 is a polymer frame handgun, so it’s light and easy to handle. It comes with X-Ray Night Sights and two magazines. One of the mags has an extended finger tab for women who need a bit more room for their hand.
It’s easy to conceal, packs more punch than a .380, and carries enough rounds to stop an attacker. It’s designed for everyday carry, and female shooters in the survey say they love it.
4. (Tie) Smith and Wesson .380 EZ Shield
- Caliber: .380
- Capacity: 8 plus one in the chamber
- Magazine Type: Single-stack
Tied for #4 was the S&W .380 EZ Shield, which boasts a smooth slide. Many women have a hard time racking their handgun’s slide, and the EZ Shield makes it easier to do so. It’s also larger than the Sig Sauer and will be slightly harder to conceal but still great for everyday carry.
Where the Shield really shines, however, is in its price. It retails for under $400, making it a great choice for a new shooter who’s trying to get her feet wet.
4. (Tie) Sig Sauer P238
- Caliber: .380
- Capacity: 6 plus one in the chamber
- Magazine type: Single-stack
Another Sig Sauer making its appearance on the Top 5 list is the P238, which is very small and easy to conceal just about anywhere, even wearing your favorite skinny jeans. The slide racks very easily, and its trigger pull is also smoother than many other handguns. If you’re looking for something other than basic black, the P238 also comes in many different colors and patterns.
3. Glock 19
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 15 plus one in the chamber
- Magazine Type: Double-stack
The Glock 19 isn’t just loved by women—it’s one of the most popular handguns on the market. The double-stack magazine means more capacity, and this one holds 16 rounds total. It’s a larger gun than many on the list, but Glock owners swear by their guns, and you may find that the Glock 19 fits you perfectly as well.
2. Smith and Wesson MP Shield
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 8 plus one in the chamber
- Magazine type: Single-stack
The S&W MP Shield spent several years in the #1 position on the survey, and part of the reason is because it measures less than an inch wide. That translates to easy concealment in all kinds of outfits. It also sports a longer grip than some of the smaller guns on this list, and while the slide doesn’t rack quite as easily as the Sig Sauer models listed, the MP Shield has a lot of satisfied women carrying it every day.
1. Glock 43
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 6 plus one in the chamber
- Magazine type: Single-stack
Taking over the top spot this year is the Glock 43, which is the smaller cousin of the Glock 19. It holds slightly less than half the rounds of the 19, but it’s also being carried by law enforcement and military personnel all over the world. It’s rugged, durable, and meant to be carried in a variety of environments.
Choosing Your Perfect Gun
Before running over to your favorite gun website and ordering any of the guns on this list, check out your local range. Many ranges have guns you can rent and try out; if you buy the ammo there, you can shoot the gun there either free or for a small fee. It’s important to hold the gun in your hand. Notice how it fits, whether you can rack the slide easily, and how it’ll fit wherever you choose to carry it. Once you choose a firearm, practice with it often. You never know when you’ll need your gun to save your life or that of someone else.