Choosing the Best Handguns for Women to Conceal Carry

When it comes to firearms that you can conceal carry, the number of options can feel overwhelming. We’ll delve into the different types of handguns you can conceal carry and which are among the best to help you decide which one is right for you. There are two main types for self-defense and conceal carry: a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol.

The Main Differences Between Revolvers and Semi-Automatic Pistols

Semi-automatic pistols account for the majority of firearms available and have the widest variety. Revolvers have a smaller selection but are considered easier to use for beginners. Instead of coming with a magazine, they have a cylinder with multiple chambers, generally holding 5-8 bullets. Some of the best concealed carry firearm companies include:

• Glock
• Smith and Wesson
• CZ
• FNH
• Heckler & Koch
• Ruger
• Sig Sauer
• Hellcat

Some of the most important factors for choosing a conceal carry handgun for women is to fit their needs including where they’ll be carrying their firearm, comfort, the pistol caliber, and the price.

Comfort

The comfortability of a conceal carry gun depends on several factors: your personal preference, the type of handgun you have, and your holster. If you are comfortable with a larger pistol in a purse, for example, you could choose a semi-automatic pistol such as the Glock 19. If you prefer a smaller handgun that fits snugly against your abdomen, ribs, thigh, or ankle, something like the Sig P365 might be a better choice.

If you are uncomfortable feeling your handgun against your body, you might opt for a smaller gun that won’t be as likely to shift against you, or you might choose a gun that can fit in different types of purses or bags. In all cases, you should be aware of how the gun feels when you shoot. If your grip feels weak or shooting hurts your hands, you should probably look into a different gun.

Location

If you’re concealed carrying at home, you might opt for a larger handgun because they often shoot more accurately. At work, running errands, or at a party, you’ll probably want to make sure your gun is completely concealed and fits with whatever outfit you’re wearing. A smaller revolver such as the Ruger LCR or LCRx might be a good choice in this scenario.

Size/Weight

It’s typically easier to conceal carry a smaller, lighter gun than a larger, heavier one. These smaller guns are easier to store and fit better in concealed carry handbags. It’s also worth keeping in mind that a smaller gun is harder for an attacker to grab from you, but the disadvantage of a smaller, lighter gun is that it will have a stronger recoil and less accuracy. While larger guns are commonly accepted as easier to shoot, heavier guns may prove a burden for people with less arm strength. The width of the grip and the length of the chamber can also affect your ability to shoot. Finding a gun that is comfortable for you to shoot and fits well in your grip can be a challenge, but it will be worth it in the end.

Pistol Caliber

Handguns that are built for smaller ammunition often produce less recoil and are more comfortable to shoot than those with larger ammunition. A larger caliber usually indicates that there will be more recoil because there’s more power behind the mechanism. The calibers which are easiest to shoot and are most common include:

• 9mm
• .380 ACP
• 38 Special
• 22LR

Most concealed carry guns use .380 ACP or 9mm ammunition, which are strong enough for self-defense and come with a relatively light recoil for more precision and comfortability. 9mm ammunition is also known as one of the most versatile calibers.

Capacity 

A revolver has a rotating cylinder, while semi-automatic pistols have magazines with varying capacities. The Glock 48, for instance, has 10 rounds of 9mm. The more rounds or chambers a gun has, the bigger it’s likely to be. Compact guns sometimes have double-stack magazines to add to their capacity, but most concealed carry pistols come with a single-stack magazine to keep them easy to hide yet sufficient.

Difficulty of Use and Recoil

Revolvers are generally considered easier to use than semi-automatic pistols because they are less complex. Instead of pulling a slide to load the gun, they are already ready to shoot once bullets are in the cylinder. Revolvers also lack a manual safety (unless you get one yourself), so you can shoot them without the extra step of removing the safety. However, everyone has their personal preference, and some may prefer a semi-automatic pistol.

The recoil is the amount of energy transmitted back to your hands when you fire a gun and is determined by caliber, weight, and size. Sometimes, a smaller gun with a less powerful bullet can have more recoil than expected. Several 9mm guns have varying recoils even though they all shoot the same caliber. The most important part when it comes to recoil is that it’s comfortable for you to shoot. If you tire quickly or feel pain, you may want to consider another type of gun and practice with it to make sure you can withstand the recoil.

Price

The price of a gun largely depends on its make and model, but you can generally expect to find concealed carry guns between $400 and $600. However, this does not include other necessary purchases, such as spare magazines, holsters, ear and eye protection, and a cleaning kit, so these are other factors you might consider in your budget.

Even if one gun is the best for you right now, your preferences may change over time, and that’s okay. Your safety and comfort is most important, so be sure to do your research beforehand and choose what’s right for you, even if you have to switch later. No matter which handgun you choose to conceal carry, it’s important to practice and feel comfortable with it.