How to Choose a Handgun for a Woman (2022) Full Guide

Laura Gangler
December 14, 2022

If you have noticed a lack of reliable resources for choosing a handgun, you’re not alone. As long as guns are still predominantly marketed toward men, finding the right firearm that meets our needs can be daunting. This resource cuts through the mansplaining and highlights the most important steps a woman should go through when choosing her perfect handgun.

Whether for self-defense or competition, you want the best handgun to fit your needs. With no fluff, and no time to waste, read on for my guide on how to choose a handgun for a woman.

Table of Contents

1 6 Steps in Choosing a Handgun for a Woman
2 Can Women Use Handguns For Men?
3 Other Factors to Consider
4 FAQS
5 Ladies, This is How To Choose A Handgun

6 Steps in Choosing a Handgun for a Woman

1. Determine Your Purpose

One of the most important factors to consider is the gun’s purpose. Identifying this will immediately narrow down the myriad of choices considerably.

For example, if you want a gun for personal protection or competitive shooting, the 9mm Glock 19 is a favorite because it is reliable and beginner-friendly. Plus its size lends itself to concealment in a handbag or a holster.

2. Find the Right Size

Visit a gun shop or gun show where you can size up a variety of weapons. If you hesitate to visit in person because you worry that the person behind the counter will treat you differently or be condescending because you are a woman, I encourage you to give it a shot. I have very rarely encountered that at my local gun shops and gun shows. If you do visit a shop where you aren’t treated well, find another. There are plenty of places that are happy to welcome women to the sport and will treat you as such.

Below are the standard gun sizes and their characteristics:

Full-size pistol – barrel length: 4.5 inches and longer; best for people with larger hands
Compact pistol – barrel length range: 3.5 to 4.5 inches; best for concealed carry
Subcompact pistol – barrel length range: 3 to 3.5 inches; the magazine having a form of grip extension

The CW9 by KAHR Arms is one of the first concealed-carry guns. Because it only has a seven-round single stack magazine capacity, this subcompact is slender at only 0.9 inches — a popular choice to carry concealed. This small-size firearm is also relatively affordable, although some find that the slide catches at times.

Size probably won’t matter if the gun will be used for home defense rather than carried with you because often full-size sidearms are often better at accuracy for a new shooter (and experienced shooters in a high stress situation). The Glock 19 comes with swappable backstraps, grip panels, and other accessories for easy customization and can use up to 33-round magazines if you need more ammo.

Find the best Ruger 10/22 trigger here.

3. Determine the Right Gun Caliber

The next factor to consider is the caliber. If the pistol is for self-defense and concealed carry, the majority of small firearms are chambered for .380 ACP or 9mm ammunition which are sufficient to stop attackers. The classic SIG Sauer P238 is a firearm chambered at .380 ACP with an all-metal frame. This is an excellent choice for a woman with small hands as it is only 5.5 inches overall yet doesn’t compromise on power, and it can easily fit inside your purse.

Most will agree that a .22 won’t stop an assailant, but a gun like the Walther P22Q is perfect to train with at the range.

4. Check If the Recoil Is Controllable

The higher the caliber, the stronger the recoil [1]. As ammunition goes up in size, more combustible material is required. Larger amounts of combustible material means larger force is created when you fire, which is the recoil you feel.

The good news is, this is controllable with the right firearm, a proper grip and the right stance.

Generations 4 and 5 of the Glock 19 have a dual recoil spring system that reduces force, making shooting more comfortable for most.

5. Check the Trigger, Grip, & Controls

The grip should be a comfortable width with your palm and wrists in line with the firearm. Measure the feel of the firearm as if you were to use it and nudge the trigger with the weight of your finger. Test the magazine release and inspect safety features such as protection against accidental firing, too.

6. Test Shoot It

Many people don’t realize that you can shoot most firearms before you purchase one for yourself. Most ranges have a variety of guns available for you to use. Once you have an idea of which firearms you are considering, visit a gun range (call ahead or check their website to make sure the ones you want are available) and test-fire them to find your favorite.

Can Women Use Handguns For Men?

The best handguns for men are also excellent pistols for women, but because a woman typically has smaller hands than men the grip must be comfortable. Some ladies prefer a more lightweight firearm, especially if they experience difficulty steadily shooting a heavier gun.

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Other Factors to Consider

Is It Wearable?

If you plan on carrying the firearm daily — whether concealed or open carry — you must be comfortable with the weight of the one you ultimately choose. The holster you choose should feel secure and not shift during normal wear. There are many options that make everyday carry comfortable and hidden for women.

Read: Best Pocket Holster for SIG P365

Is It Reliable?

There’s a reason why S&W, Glock, and HK are major manufacturers of notable firearms — their guns work without fuss. While it’s important to be armed with a reliable gun in stressful situations, it’s critical that you have the training and muscle memory to be able to use your weapon safely and effectively.

Does It Have an Effective Stopping Power?

If your firearm is for defense against attackers, effective stopping power is crucial (some calibers, like a .22, are not powerful enough to stop an attacker).

Is It User-Friendly?

There’s no other way to find out if a gun is user-friendly other than testing it. Study how it works: see if you can rack the slide and pull the trigger with ease. Also, test out which ammo you prefer.

FAQS

Do women need to personally check the handgun?

Absolutely! Without a doubt, you need to personally check the handgun to ensure it fits you and your needs, especially if it’s your first gun. Handguns are personal, and only you can be the judge if it’s a great fit for you.

Should women get a large or small gun?

Women should get a large or small gun based on the gun’s purpose and other factors. The trade-off for larger pistols is that they’re easier to manage, often have lower recoil, and are easier for many to shoot accurately. Smaller, compact firearms are great for concealed carry and personal protection but some have more recoil than you may expect, making them a bit harder to manage, especially in high-stress situations, and they usually hold fewer rounds of ammo.

Ladies, This is How To Choose A Handgun

Choosing a gun is a personal choice, and there is no “one size fits all” or “the best gun” for ladies out there. Whether it’s a Glock, a Luger, or an S&W, it’s important to be armed with the right information when it comes to choosing a handgun best suited for its purpose.

Do your research, consult other shooters, and run a few magazines through the firearm you’re considering. And if you want multiple handguns, by all means, go for it. Uphold the second amendment in style!

Here’s how you can buy military surplus.

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0734743X07000619

Author
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Laura Gangler

Meet Laura Gangler
Laura lives near Dallas, TX with her husband, James, and their two kids. She has been shooting and hunting since she was a child. Laura is passionate about helping women become comfortable with firearms and self-protection as well as safely introducing kids to the sport.