8 Best Handguns for Women [Reviewed]

If you’re a lady in the world of guns or considering becoming one, you’ve probably wondered which firearms are best for women.

Women are definitely capable of shooting the same guns as guys, but there are models that cater to women or work well for us.

Spoiler alert: they’re not all pink .22 LRs, the gun shop would have you think. (But if Barbie pink is your jam, there’s always Cerakote…)

In this article, we’ll review some things to consider when choosing a gun – stuff like handgun size and caliber – and run through our preferred models.

So, with that said, let’s dive into our top picks!

Women's Handgun Comparison Chart

Best Women's Handguns

1. Sig Sauer P365XL Rose - Editor's Pick, Best Concealed Carry Pistol for Women

Editor's Pick CCW Pistol

Sig Sauer P365XL Comp Rose

$1029

at Sportsman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1029 at Sportsman's Warehouse

GrabAGun (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Striker-fired
• Weight: 20.7 oz.
• Overall length: 6.6"
• Barrel length: 3.1"
• Width: 1.1"
• Height: 4.8"
• Capacity: 12+1

The Sig Sauer P365 revolutionized the concealed carry world, offering a double-stack design in a small, compact package. Sig has continued to build on that platform, even offering a model designed by world champion shooter Lena Miculek...just for women.

The Sig Sauer P365 Rose is a P365XL variant with a uniquely feminine look and rose gold accents. It boasts good ergonomics that work for a variety of hands and a crisp, clean-breaking trigger.

Even better, it comes with an optics-ready slide so you can mount your favorite red dot. But really, what sells the Rose (and its high price point) is its package. Not only do you get the P365 Rose, but you also get a nice pistol safe, training rounds, 2 magazines, a magazine loader, and access to the Rose community with videos from Lena and a network of like-minded women.

The P365 Rose builds on the P365 platform in the best ways. You get an easy-to-control pistol with manageable recoil. I carried it in both leggings and jeans in an AIWB and IWB set-up, and it worked well. Its larger grip area meant that I could get a full grip as I came out of the holster -- great for ensuring the pistol was secure.

All in all, the Sig Sauer P365 Rose brings so many cool features to the table that it's hard to pass up if you want the most bang for your buck.

Go read our full review of the Sig Sauer P365 Rose!

2. Walther PDP F - Best Ergonomics for Women

Best Ergonomics

Walther PDP F-Series

$649

at Firearms Depot

Prices accurate at time of writing

$649 at Firearms Depot

Brownells (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Action: Semi-Auto
• Weight: 23.2 oz. / 24 oz.
• Barrel length: 3.5" / 4"
• Overall length: 6.5" / 7.3" / 7.5"
• Width: 1.34"
• Height: 5.4"
• Capacity: 15rd / 18rd

In 2021, Walther released a pistol called the PDP, or Performance Duty Pistol, and it was a hit!

Walther knew they had a winning pistol, so they naturally improved it, creating a new version for people with smaller hands after measuring thousands of hands.

And it worked! The PDP-F was born! This version kept with the PDP's ergonomic design and super crisp trigger but with a smaller overall grip diameter and shortened length of pull (grip to trigger). Needless to say, it was a hit for smaller-handed shooters.

Interestingly, because of the grip's design, it still works really well for shooters with large hands, too. Paired with outstanding reliability, this is a favorite model around the PPT headquarters.

We've taken this to the range several times to evaluate it, and it's always a pleasure to shoot. Its size helps mitigate recoil, while its ergonomics worked for the ladies who tested it. The Walther PDP-F is a reliable and accurate model that performs well under pressure.

We've got a lot more info on this gun in our hands-on review of the PDP-F!

3. Springfield Armory Hellcat - Best Micro Compact for Women

Best Micro Compact

Springfield Armory Hellcat

$554

at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$554 at Midway USA

GrabAGun (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Action: Semi-Auto
• Weight: 17.9 oz.
• Barrel length: 3"
• Overall length: 6" / 7"
• Width: 1"
• Height: 4"
• Capacity: 11+1, 13+1

The Hellcat is similar in size to the Sig P365 but has a little more capacity. Springfield’s Hellcat packs a total of 13+1 in an extended mag (or 10+1 in a standard mag).

In addition to the extra rounds, it also serves up a variety of features like aggressive slide serrations, a loaded chamber indicator, a railed frame for lights, and a reversible mag release. Sights are also pretty nice with a high vis tritium green front and a Tactical Rack U Dot in the rear.

If you want to toss on a red dot, you can do that thanks to an optics cut.

In my experience, the Hellcat can feel a tad snappy, but that can be accommodated with training and range practice. Overall, it shoots well, has proven reliable, and easily slips into a holster. Just make sure you hit the range, get familiar with that recoil, and you'll be good to go.

For more info, head over to our Springfield Hellcat review.

What do you think of the Hellcat? Rate it below!

4. Ruger LCR - Best Revolver for Women

Best Revolver

Ruger LCR

$415

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$415 at GrabAGun

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR / .22 WMR / .327 Federal Magnum / .357 Mag - .38 Special / .38 Special +P / 9mm Luger
• Action: Double Action Only / Double/ Single Action
• Weight: 13.5oz - 17.2oz
• Barrel length: 1.9"
• Overall length: 6.5"
• Height: 4.50"
• Capacity: 5rd / 6rd / 8rd

Ruger’s LCR ends up on a lot of lists for good reasons – it’s a solid revolver.

Aside from being just a solid performer all around, it also brings a lightweight design. This is paired with an internal hammer design that makes for a snag-free concealed carry experience.

Further, its Grip Peg allows you to swap out grips – which really helps you achieve the feel you want. The trigger is a little heavier than a striker-fired pistol, but it's still easy enough. If you're a beginner, you shouldn't have a problem pulling it back.

What it achieves in ease it loses in accessories -- there's not a lot of room to add anything modern like lights/red dots. But if you just want a starter revolver or something clean and simple, the LCR is a great option.

We have a full breakdown of this one in our Ruger LCR review.

5. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ - Best Handgun for Arthritis

Best Handgun for Arthritis

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield EZ

$359

at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

Prices accurate at time of writing

$359 at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

GrabAGun (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP / 9mm Luger
• Action: Semi-Auto
• Weight: 18.5 oz - 23.81 oz.
• Barrel length: 3.7"
• Overall length: 6.7"
• Width: 1.04"
• Height: 5.05"
• Magazine: 8+1

If you suffer from arthritis or other issues that impact your hand strength, you don’t have to sacrifice self-defense. Smith & Wesson’s Shield EZ is designed for people who need a little extra help.

The EZ series builds on the original Shield line-up, which is already a solid performer. (I carried a Shield for years!)

Smith & Wesson takes it a step further, though, with an easy-to-rack slide. Like seriously easy to use. It also comes with load-assist magazines, making this a super user-friendly firearm.

If you’ve ever struggled to rack a gun, grab an EZ and see just how easy Smith makes it. My mom suffers from arthritis and nerve damage to her right hand, making traditional pistols extremely difficult to manipulate. I had her test the EZ Shield and she was able to easily rack the slide.

There are a lot of choices, and we like when a company brings some options to its lineup -- not to mention there's even a .380 ACP version!

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ .380 ACP

$424

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$424 at GrabAGun

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Check out our review of the Shield EZ (9mm & .380 ACP).

6. Sig Sauer P238 - Best .380 ACP for Women

Best .380 ACP

Sig Sauer P238

$699

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$699 at Palmetto State Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

Classic Firearms (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 380 ACP
• Action: Semi-Auto / Single Action
• Safety: Manual
• Weight: 14.9 oz.
• Barrel length: 2.7"
• Overall length: 5.5"
• Width: 1.1"
• Height: 3.9"
• Capacity: 6rd

The Sig Sauer P238 is one of my favorite micro-compact handguns.

It is my go-to in a dress or skirt where I’m using a non-traditional holster set-up like a belly band or thigh holster.

This Sig comes chambered in .380 ACP, so it can easily work as a backup gun, too, if you like to double up.

Its lightweight hammer-fired design is easy to carry and use. And it sports an external safety, so if that’s a must-have on your carry gun, you’re covered.

On the range, this gun brings a smooth shooting experience and is a great little plinker.

If you want the look and feel of the P238, but in a slightly large caliber. Take a look at the Sig Sauer P938. It’s very similar but boasts a 9mm chambering.

Check out our review of the P238 for more details!

7. Glock 43X MOS - Best Glock for Women

Best Glock

Glock 43X MOS

$499

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$499 at Palmetto State Armory

Guns.com (see price)

Classic Firearms (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Weight: 18.55 oz.
• Barrel length: 3.41"
• Overall length: 6.06”
• Width: 1.10”
• Height: 5.04”
• Capacity: 10+1

I know the Glock fanbois will come for me if there's not at least one Glock on this list. While I wrestled between the Glock 17, 19, and 43X MOS...ultimately, the 43X MOS won out.

This concealable 9mm handgun is a nice size for everyday carry and also comes optics-ready, so you can toss on a red dot.

Being that it's a Glock, it is super reliable and durable. We've had one for years, and it's still running like day one. The trade-off to that reliability, though, is ergonomics and a meh trigger. It's blocky and not super comfortable in the hand. There are better triggers out there, my friends.

That said, the Glock aftermarket is robust, so you can always do some tinkering.

Read our full review on the Glock 43X MOS here!

8. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 - Best Modern .380 ACP for Women

Best Modern .380 ACP

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0

$399

at Midway USA

Prices accurate at time of writing

$399 at Midway USA

Classic Firearms (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Weight: 9.8 oz.
• Barrel length: 2.75”
• Overall length: 5.5”
• Width: .88”
• Height: 4”
• Capacity: 12+1

We're in the midst of testing the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 and will have a full review soon. Early results look positive, so we figured the Bodyguard 2.0 deserved a spot in Honorable Mentions.

If the name "Bodyguard" has you recoiling with memories of the worst trigger ever created, you're not alone. Out of hundreds of gun reviews, the OG Bodyguard still reigns as my most hated gun. But don't let that deter you from the upgraded Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0.

This .380 ACP features a pretty ergonomic design, improved sights (tritium front and blacked-out rear), and, most importantly, an updated trigger. The newer trigger is both lightweight and crisp. Good news there!

While early tests show some snappiness, and we did have some issues with the firing pin on the first model we tested, it seems like an option for those who want a compact .380 ACP as a backup or for deep concealment.

Keep checking back for our full review soon!

How to Choose the Best Women's Handgun

First and most importantly, YOU should be the one picking the gun – not your partner, parent, sibling, or friend. Don’t feel pressured to go along with what works for someone else. You probably wouldn’t let them pick your shoes, so don’t let them pick your guns.

We have some tips below on how to choose the best women's handgun to get you started.

Consider Your Caliber

Though, yes, some of us started on .22 LRs, that doesn’t mean that every woman automatically needs to start there. If you feel comfortable with the idea of a .22 LR, rock on, sister! Just don’t feel beholden to that particular round. Same goes for .380 ACP.

I personally recommend and carry 9mm. I find it’s a decent round to start with. It offers mild recoil, especially when paired with a full-size or mid-size gun. Also, if that is the round you intend to carry later on, no time like the present to start training with it.

At the end of the day, decide where your comfort level lies, though. If .22 LR or .380 ACP seems less intimidating to start, go that route. No judgment.

Size Matters

Let’s bust the tiny gun myth once and for all…just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you have to sport a tiny gun. Smaller doesn’t mean more comfortable and, in some cases, can cause more issues than it solves (muzzle flip, increased recoil, etc).

So don’t let anyone talk you into the tiniest gun. Often, mid-size and even full-size handguns work better for first-timers because the size offsets the recoil.

Choosing the right gun for your hand shape and size is another important component. You are the only one who can decide what works and what doesn’t.

I suggest finding a local range that offers rental guns and trying a few out. See how it feels in your hand. Can you reach the trigger without rotating your wrist? Is the backstrap too large/too small, and does the gun come with the option to swap those? Can you reach the controls?

Going hands-on with a few options is the best way to figure out what will feel the best. And don’t forget a proper grip goes a long way! Be sure to brush up on that in our guide on How to Grip a Pistol.

At the end of the day, choose the gun that speaks to you, and don’t feel pressured into one that’s “perfect for the ladies.”

Revolver vs. Pistol

Women and newcomers to shooting are often pointed to revolvers for their ease and simplicity of use.

While, yes, they are super easy to use, generally speaking, there are some things to consider. Most revolvers are going to top out between 6, 7, or 8+1 in terms of capacity. That’s going to limit you, and reloads are not as quick as they are in pistols.

Also, some revolvers sport a really heavy trigger, which might make shooting it difficult and impact your ability to aim effectively.

Don’t get us wrong, we love revolvers, and sometimes they are the best choice, but, by and large, pistols end up working better for newbies.

Holster & Carry Options for Women: Dress for Success

Women’s bodies come in various beautiful shapes and sizes, but this means holsters and carry methods become very individualized.

Concealed carry comes with a lot of trial and error — figuring out what works for your body and life you lead.

While we have a whole article dedicated to the Best Ways to Carry as a Woman (with holster recommendations), let’s cover a few tips to get you started.

Women’s fashion is very diverse, and that means your CCW setup also needs to be. You’ll likely need to have a couple of options on hand to work with. But first, head to your closet and see what you wear most – that’s going to dictate where you carry and with what.

For instance, if you wear dresses and skirts in a professional setting, you’ll need to focus your search on thigh holsters, bellybands, and hybrids like the PHLster Enigma. If you’re a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal, you’ll have more options in terms of placement and holsters. You can check out our article on the Best Concealed Carry Holsters for some ideas.

Remember, a good holster will be durable and well-made and should ALWAYS do the following:

• Keep the gun securely in place until you intentionally draw it
• Prevent the gun from being fired while in the holster
• Offer the gun up in the same orientation/angle consistently
• Allow for a full firing grip on the gun

Safety Essentials

Now that you hopefully know which gun to get...make sure you're prepared for the range with eye and ear protection.

We spec-ed and sourced our combos to be the pinnacle of comfort and protection.

Our EXO passive ear protection has comfy gel cups that won't hurt your ears after a long-range session. Our DEFLECTORS glasses are wraparound, fully adjustable, and EN 166-rated for impact resistance.

ShellShock Protection Eyes & Ears Combo

$84

at ShellShock Protection

Prices accurate at time of writing

$84 at ShellShock Protection

Or upgrade to our complete beginner's pack with cleaning kit and shooting targets.

ShellShock Protection Tactical Starter Pack

$129

at ShellShock Protection

Prices accurate at time of writing

$129 at ShellShock Protection

How We Tested the Best Handguns for Women

To compile our list of the best handguns for women, we gathered the female staff at Pew Pew Tactical and asked them for their top picks based on the following criteria: features, ergonomics, accuracy, reliability, and value.

For hands-on reviews, we require each handgun to undergo 500 rounds at the range to evaluate accuracy and reliability (though most of these guns have seen upwards of a thousand rounds).

All handguns on this list have been tested, fired, or owned by a woman here at Pew Pew Tactical. We've also linked our hands-on reviews for each pistol we recommend that has an accompanying review.

We've run them through extensive range tests and drills to determine ergonomics, durabilty, and ease of draw from a holster. We also carried them for weeks to ensure they met our standards for concealed carry.

Meet the Experts

Lead writer and editor for this article is Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings. Jacki is an NRA-certified Basic Pistol and Refuse to be a Victim Instructor, as well as a concealed carry instructor. Jacki has her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical. Jacki is a pistol girl at heart, with most of her time spent behind handguns, having written over 2,000 reviews and articles for a range of publications, including Pew Pew Tactical, Guns.com, Recoil, ConcealedCarry.com, Concealed Carry Magazine, and the National Rifle Association.

Also contributing to this article are current Pew Pew Tactical author Elizabeth Bienas and former contributors Megan Kriss and Alice Jones Webb.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right gun is a lot like finding the right bra – you have to try a few before you land on the one that fits just right.

While this list is not exhaustive, and there are plenty of other suitable guns for the ladies, we hope we’ve given you a starting point in your pistol-purchasing journey.

Remember, testing guns out at the range is a great way to try before you buy! A lot of ranges offer special women’s events, rental guns, and even beginner’s classes where you can try out a variety of handguns.

Ladies, what’s your go-to handgun? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you’re looking for tips on CCW, check out the Best Way to Concealed Carry for Women or head to our Women’s Category to see all our female-centric articles.

Latest Updates

• September 2024: Added more info on how we tested the suggested handguns for women.
• May 2024: Removed Sig Sauer P365 and swapped in Sig Sauer P365 XL Rose.
• February 2024: Removed S&W 642, Sig Legion P226, and Glock 17. Added Springfield Hellcat & Ruger LCR.