What Are the Best Handguns for Women?

When it comes to choosing a pistol for concealed carry, the possibilities are endless – it’s hard to know where to start. And for women, the factors that go into selecting a CCW seem to double.

Even though we can (and do) shoot the same guns that men do, there are still a few aspects that women, specifically, have to consider when making a choice for everyday carry. (Hint, it has nothing to do with the color pink…)

First, we have a few unique carry options that may influence which gun we want (think thigh, purse, and bra carry). Women’s clothing can also make concealing certain pistols more difficult, and our smaller hands may mean that the controls are hard to reach on some firearms. Recoil, caliber, and optics are also major elements to think about.

Above all else, reliability and functionality are what matter most when choosing a CCW. Beyond that, the best handguns for women are concealable, lightweight, and comfortable to shoot, while also having the features we want, like an accessory rail or a manual safety.

We all have different needs when picking a firearm for concealed carry, so we’ve compiled a list of the best guns for women of all time to help get you started. We’ve included a wide range of sizes, calibers, and styles, all handpicked by the women at Vedder Holsters.

So, without further ado, here’s our list of the top guns for women, and the reasons why we love them.

Sig Sauer P365

The Sig P365 is the top-selling pistol in America, and it’s no secret why.

This gun is perfectly tailored for concealed carry. It’s lightweight, compact, and concealable, yet still has a 10-round capacity. Plus, you can’t beat it in terms of accuracy and reliability.

It features Sig’s X-RAY3 day and night sights, a standard curved trigger, a Nitron-finished stainless steel slide, and an optional manual safety. For anyone looking for a higher capacity, extended double-stack magazines are also available that can hold up to 12 or 15 rounds.

Thanks to its concealable size, customization options, and highly-rated performance, the 9mm P365 makes an excellent pistol for women of all experience levels. And the best part is, it actually comes in a variation specifically designed for female shooters.

The Sig Sauer Rose, which comes in either a .380 P365 or a 9mm P365 XL, was specifically engineered for women, and is even designed with a rose-engraved grip and rose gold controls for a classy look.

Sig Sauer P365 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Sig P365 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard P365 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Ruger LCP Max .380

If lightweight and low-profile is what you’re looking for, it’s hard to beat the Ruger LCP Max .380.

This tiny-but-mighty pistol weighs a mere 10.6 ounces and somehow still boasts a 10-round capacity. It’s the smallest on our list, but don’t let that fool you. This gun is both high-performing and well-designed.

The LCP Max features Tritium front sights with a white outline that makes target acquisition easy in both high- and low-light situations, while its rear sights have a U-notch to make alignment fast and accurate.

This tiny pistol is built with Ruger’s Secure Action fire-control system, which includes an internal hammer and bladed-safety trigger. It has a reversible magazine release, a unique barrel cam geometry that reduces recoil, raised cocking ears, and deep slide serrations.

Finally, for anyone who finds this tiny Ruger difficult to grip, a 12-round magazine or optional finger grip extension floorplate add some length to make it more comfortable to hold. At the end of the day, this pistol is an ideal choice for IWB, pocket, or purse carry, especially if you’re looking for a small, discreet weapon.

Ruger LCP Max .380 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Ruger LCP Max .380 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of LCP Max holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Glock 43X

The Glock 43X is unarguably one of the best Glocks for concealed carry thanks to its concealable size and user-friendly features.

Designed with comfort in mind, this subcompact 9mm pistol features a Slimline frame and a compact grip length to make concealment easier. It has a 10-round capacity, a built-in beavertail, and a subcompact-slim slide that works well for a variety of users.

This classic handgun also has a shorter trigger distance than most and a reversible magazine catch, making it more accessible for more shooters. For safety, The Glock 43X is built with Glock’s Safe Action system, which includes three internal safety mechanisms.

The 43X comes with Glock’s basic sights, which can easily be upgraded if desired. Both compact and incredibly precise, this makes the perfect carry gun for anyone looking for a balance of functionality and comfort.

Glock 43X Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Glock 43X here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard 43X holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP

Springfield Armory’s Hellcat OSP is by far one of the best guns for women thanks to its high capacity, incredible accuracy, and premium features all packed into one micro-compact pistol.

This 9mm handgun boasts an impressive 11- to 13-round capacity with its standard and extended magazines respectively. Its small, 3-inch hammer-forged barrel is finished with a protective Melonite coating to protect it from wear and tear, and the entire thing only weighs 17.9 ounces.

As a bonus, the Hellcat OSP comes optics-ready and features a billet-machined rear slide deck to allow for a micro red dot sight. If optics aren’t your thing, no worries. This handgun also comes with Springfield Armory’s tritium-powered U-dot tactical sights.

You can get this pistol either with or without a manual thumb safety, as well as in a variety of colors and designs. At the end of the day, if you want a small, lightweight gun without sacrificing all the bells and whistles of a larger weapon, the Hellcat is the way to go.

Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact OSP here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Hellcat OSP holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Glock 26

It’s probably no surprise to see another Glock on our list. These pistols are always among the best concealed carry guns for women and men alike, and for good reason.

The Glock 26 is another subcompact pistol that was created to replace the small-frame snub-nose revolver. It was specifically designed for concealed carry or to be used as a backup weapon, and fits the bill well.

The G26 comes standard with a 10-round 9mm capacity but, like most Glocks, can be carried with up to 33 rounds with an extended mag. It also features Glock’s Safe Action system, which also offers drop protection.

This handgun was designed with minimum recoil, creating faster follow-up shots and more accurate target acquisition. Wrapping a small frame, strong design, and customizable options into one, this pistol is the perfect, reliable CCW.

Glock 26 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Glock 26 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Glock 26 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Smith & Wesson Equalizer

We couldn’t create a list of the best handguns for women without including the new Smith & Wesson Equalizer.

This pistol only recently appeared on the market, but it was an instant hit. The Equalizer was specifically designed to be more user-friendly than most, making it an excellent option for anyone who wants an easier-to-rack slide, lower recoil, and simplified trigger.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking these “EZ” features mean you’ll have to sacrifice functionality. The Equalizer can hold up to 10, 13, or 15 rounds, includes a Picatinny-style rail, and comes cut for optics. It also has a long sight radius, a new grip texture, and a loaded chamber indicator, all packed into a 22.9-ounce gun.

You can get this gun either with or without a manual thumb safety depending on your preference. The Equalizer also comes with a Maglula UpLula® magazine speed loader as an added bonus.

Smith & Wesson Equalizer Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Smith & Wesson Equalizer here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Equalizer holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

H&K VP9

In the gun world, size does matter. And if you’re not a “compact” kinda girl, the H&K VP9 just might be for you.

This full-sized, striker-fired 9mm pistol is known for its state-of-the-art trigger design and thoughtful ergonomics. Despite its full-size frame, this handgun is still a concealable size, weighing in at only 25.56 ounces.

The VP9 comes with a state-compliant capacity of 10 or a larger 15 to 17-round magazine. It features an extended Picatinny rail, an ergonomic grip, and ambidextrous controls.

It has a side-mounted drop safety but no manual thumb safety, and a 3-dot sight system. A newer version of this pistol comes cut for optics as well if that’s something you’re looking for.

H&K VP9 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the H&K VP9 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of H&K VP9 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

CZ P-01

The same features that make the CZ P-01 a popular choice for law enforcement and military use also make it one of the top handguns for women today.

Despite its large capacity and integral accessory rail, this high-performing pistol maintains a low weight of just over 28 ounces thanks to its forged aluminum alloy frame. Compatible with a variety of lights and lasers, the CZ P-01 also comes with accurate, fixed sights.

The P-01 also features a decocker for convenient hammer-down carry and a dust cover that adds weight to the front of the gun, reducing muzzle flip and increasing accuracy. As far as safety features go, this pistol has a safety stop on its hammer and a firing pin block safety in addition to the decocker.

The CZ P-01 is one of the most durable, reliable weapons on the market, and makes a great concealed carry gun for beginners and pros alike.

CZ P-01 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the CZ P-01 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard CZ P-01 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Glock 19

What list of “best guns” would be complete without the Glock 19? This classic pistol has been widely used by law enforcement for years, and the same features that make it an excellent backup weapon also make it great for concealed carry.

This compact 9mm is far from the smallest on our list but is still very much a concealable size. It has a large capacity of 15 and only weighs a little over 23 ounces. Plus, extended magazines of up to 33 are available for this model if you want to maximize your capacity.

Known for being exceptionally reliable, accurate, and durable, the G19 features Glock’s Safe Action trigger system, a locked breech, and a rough textured grip frame. It also has a modular backstrap, meaning you can customize it to fit your hand size, which is just one of the reasons it’s one of the best handguns for women.

It comes standard with Glock’s classic plastic sights, which can easily be upgraded. The 19 also has a short recoil and no manual safety, making it fast and easy to shoot.

Glock 19 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Glock 19 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Glock 19 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Kimber Micro 9

When it comes to micro guns, few are as well-known as the Kimber Micro 9.

This 9mm is small and lightweight thanks to its compact aluminum frame. But don’t let that fool you – this little pistol is known for its strength and resistance to the elements, making it perfect for everyday carry.

The Micro 9 is sometimes known as a miniature 1911, and it’s pretty easy to see why. It features a similar single-action trigger, thumb safety, and slide release, making it a familiar choice for anyone experienced with Kimber’s 1911 design.

This tiny but mighty CCW has a lowered and flared ejection port to help eliminate misfires. It is built with steel sights mounted in machined dovetails for added durability. Despite its small size, it has a relatively low recoil, making it a great option for women with small hands or those who want an easy-to-shoot yet low-profile carry gun.

Kimber Micro 9 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Kimber Micro 9 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Kimber Micro 9 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380

If asked what the best handgun for women is, a lot of people would point to the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380. This is another micro-compact weapon that’s ideal for women with small hands or who want a low-profile gun for ankle, thigh, or bra carry.

Chambered in .380, this sleek and compact pistol is every bit as durable as it is lightweight. Built with a high-strength polymer frame and a stainless steel slide and barrel, this gun is next-level.

The Bodyguard .380 has stainless steel adjustable drift sights, an external takedown lever and slide stop, and a manual thumb safety. It features a double-action fire control and an ergonomic grip, making it one of Smith & Wesson’s easiest-to-use micro-compact pistols.

This .380 has a lower, state-complaint capacity of six, and weighs a mere 11.9 ounces unloaded – small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

S&W Bodyguard 380 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the S&W Bodyguard 380 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Bodyguard 380 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Sig Sauer P320 XCompact

You really can’t go wrong with a Sig Sauer, and the P320 XCompact is no exception.

Think of this pistol as the little sister to the rest of the Sig Sauer P320 XCompact series. It has the same ergonomics and performance, only in a compact, concealable size.

This 9mm gun weighs a mere 25.3 ounces and has a capacity of 10 or 15, depending on your preference. It has a stainless steel frame and a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories.

The P320 XCompact comes standard with Sig’s X-Ray3 day and night sights, which perform well in low-light conditions, AND it comes optics-ready.

Combining an extended beavertail with a high undercut trigger guard, this pistol features a lower recoil than most in addition to its compact size. It also has a low-profile internal magwell and enhanced slide serrations, making it user-friendly all around.

Sig Sauer P320 XCompact Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Sig P320 XCompact here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard P320 XCompact holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Walther PDP Compact

The Walther PDP Compact is not only one of the best concealed carry guns for women, but it’s also a top choice for law enforcement nationwide.

This duty-ready compact handgun is chambered in 9mm and has a capacity of up to 15 rounds. It has a steel slide and a polymer frame that only weighs around 24 ounces, making it the perfect size for concealed carry.

The PDP Compact is highly ergonomic, featuring SuperTerrain slide serrations, a performance duty trigger, and an optics plate. It has a strong textured grip, making it easy and comfortable to hold.

And, while it comes standard with a fairly high mag capacity, this model is also available in a 10-round state-compliant model for those who need one.

Walther PDP Compact Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Walther PDP Compact here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard Walther PDP Compact holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Smith & Wesson J-Frame Model 642

If you’re looking to carry a compact revolver, look no further than the Smith & Wesson J-Frame Model 642.

The benefit of carrying a revolver is that they’re extremely user-friendly and don’t have a lot of moving parts. This makes them an appealing option for a lot of beginners, or those who just want to keep things as simple as possible.

This tiny pistol is built with a lightweight aluminum alloy frame that weighs just under 15 ounces and has an incredibly short barrel length of 1.88”. It has a capacity of five rounds and is chambered in 38 S&W Special.

This little double-action-only revolver features a fixed notch rear sight and a pinned black ramp front sight. It also has an internal hammer, which ensures a snag-free draw. Thanks to its 38 special caliber, this is also a fairly low-recoil option despite its small size.

S&W J-Frame Model 642 Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the S&W J-Frame Model 642 here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of standard J-Frame Model 642 holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Canik TP9 Elite SC

Last but not least, the Canik TP9 Elite SC certainly deserves a spot best on our list of handguns for women.

This subcompact 9mm is packed full of high-performance features, all contained in a 24.8-ounce synthetic frame. With this gun, you also have a choice between the standard subcompact 12-round, or you can upgrade to a 15-round compact option.

This pistol comes with day/night sight options and a micro red-dot interface cut into the slide. It also has an under-barrel accessory rail, allowing you to mount various lights and lasers.

The Canik TP9 Elite SC also features interchangeable backstraps and a reversible magazine release, and its internal parts are finished with a protective coating to ensure it holds up over time, even with regular use.

Canik TP9 Elite SC Specs:

To learn more about this gun model, check out the Canik TP9 Elite SC here. If you’re looking for a quality Kydex or hybrid concealed carry holster, take a look at our selection of TP9 Elite SC holsters here. For models with modifications or aftermarket accessories, visit our Holsters By Gun Model page to customize a holster for your unique pistol.

Tips For Choosing the Best Gun for Women

With so many great gun models on the market, how are you supposed to know which one is the one for you? We’re not relationship experts, but we do have a few tips for how to decide which is the best handgun for your needs and purposes.

Size Matters

While this one applies to everyone, it’s especially true for women’s guns: size matters when it comes to successfully handling and concealing a firearm.

Many women are automatically drawn to smaller, lighter pistols, thinking they’ll be easier to carry and control. While this can certainly be true, it’s important to note that “small” does not necessarily equal “easy to handle,” and “large” does not mean “impossible to conceal.”

On one hand, a pistol that’s too large can be bulky and difficult to hide, especially under the tighter-fitting clothes that women often wear. But, that doesn’t mean you have to pick the most compact option available. Most women have no trouble concealing anything from a micro-compact to a full-size pistol.

Smaller firearms also tend to have more felt recoil. Larger guns are heavier and typically have longer barrels, which helps reduce the overall “kick” you feel when firing, speeds up target acquisition, and helps improve accuracy. A smaller caliber can also help mitigate this issue in more compact weapons, which is why you see so many of them chambered in .380.

Beyond that, many people find that smaller guns are a bit uncomfortable to grip and, if you have larger hands, you may find reaching for the controls to be a bit awkward. On the flip side, if you have small hands, you may find it difficult to reach the controls on a larger gun altogether.

There is no right answer when it comes to the size of your CCW. It all depends on how you plan to carry it, what you plan to wear when concealed carrying, and how the gun feels in your hand. Don’t automatically rule anything out based on size alone until you’ve given it a try!

Think About What YOU Need

If this is your first time shopping for a gun, don’t let yourself get talked into something you don’t want. Purchasing a firearm is a very personal experience, and only you can say for sure what will work for you.

Women, in particular, often encounter pushy salesmen and well-meaning boyfriends and husbands who have very strong opinions about what you should buy (no, Gary, I don’t want to try concealing a 1911 in my skinny jeans!).

While these folks are usually just trying to help, it can feel pretty overwhelming to have so much information coming from so many different directions. These people often do have good advice, so definitely take it into consideration, but you should also come prepared with some deal breakers of your own.

Before you include other people in the gun-buying process, we suggest creating a list of the sort of things you want/don’t want in a firearm. What is your preferred caliber? Are you interested in adding any accessories to it? What size will work best with your preferred carry position? How large should its capacity be?

Again, listen to the advice of others, but don’t let them decide for you. Only YOU know for sure what will fit your needs!

Try Before You Buy

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few select firearms, the best way to figure out which one you want is to shoot them!

If you know a friend who owns one of the guns you’re considering, see if they’ll let you shoot a few rounds with it. Otherwise, many local shooting ranges rent pistols so you can test them out.

If neither of these options is feasible, at least head to a nearby gun store and put your hands on the models you’re choosing between. Hold them, aim them, pull the trigger. Really pay attention to how the grip feels, how the sights work, and how well you can reach the controls.

From there, it should be pretty easy to narrow it down to the gun you want based on feel, features, and price range.

Pretty Isn’t Always Good… or Bad

There’s a stigma often associated with pretty pink guns. On one hand, it can be super frustrating to have the associate at the gun counter automatically assume you want a colorful, girly pistol. On the other hand, if you want a pretty gun, you shouldn’t be deterred by those who automatically rule them out as low quality.

The way your firearm looks means nothing if it doesn’t function the way you need it to. But, if you can find a weapon that checks all the boxes and comes in your favorite shade of blue, go for it!

That being said, proceed with caution. There are plenty of manufacturers who make pretty guns that visually appeal to a lot of women, but aren’t designed well in terms of functionality, and may not be what you need or want at all.

At the end of the day, we don’t recommend shopping for guns based on appearance. Choose the pistol that best fits your needs in terms of function and design and Cerakote it later. That will give you a lot more color options, anyway!

Summary

Now that you know some of the best handguns for women on the market, it’s time to think about what it is YOU want in a CCW. Do you want a pistol with or without a manual safety? What caliber do you want to carry? How big do you want it to be? Do you plan to use aftermarket accessories?

No matter which gun you choose, you’ll need a quality concealed carry holster to pair with it. If you’re looking for a new IWB, OWB, or pocket carry holster, visit our Holsters by Gun Model page for Kydex holsters that are custom-made for your weapon of choice.

Interested in items beyond holsters? Check out our Resources Page for links to recommended products like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more, and browse our selection of apparel, and accessories at our website, vedderholsters.com.

If you’d like to connect with other like-minded women in the gun community, join our Facebook Group, Women of Vedder, for all things concealed carry and self-defense.

To stay up-to-date on all the latest Vedder Holsters content and offerings, check out our blog and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And be sure to visit our sister company, GeoGrit, for all your American-made minimalist wallet needs.