Top Ten Firearms For Females: Your Best Shot for Personal Defense

Petite Guns ^ | Unknown | Content: Sarah L & Graphics: Chynna P

[Immerito]

Top Ten Firearms for Females

Content: Sarah L & Graphics: Chynna P

Personal defense means always having the means to defend yourself at any time and in any situation. With the continued rise in crimes and attacks against women, it's even more important for females to stand their ground and protect themselves. When pepper spray and stun guns are no longer enough to get the job done, it's time to look for a personal defense weapon that is more powerful and effective. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of what we believe to be the top ten handguns for female defense. Each of these handguns are light, compact and easy to carry whether it be in a pocket or a purse. With their easy operating capabilities and excellent power to weight ratio, these handguns will allow you to walk more comfortably and more confidently because your personal safety is something that should never be taken for granted.
Note: The following firearms are in alphabetical order
	Many female shooters prefer the 9mm Glock 19 pistol because of its simple design and lightweight build. The Glock 19 handgun uses nearly half as many components as other handguns, making it easy to operate and maintain. Glock 19 pistols are also designed with a high-tech polymer frame, making them 86% lighter than other steel frame handguns. Designed with safety in mind, the Glock 19 features the Glock Safe Action System, which uses three different safety mechanisms to help prevent accidental discharge. With its compact design and safe and reliable performance, the Glock 19 pistol has become a favorite among many female shooters.
For a compact pistol that is both safe and easy to operate, it doesn't get much better than the Heckler & Koch P2000 pistol. Featuring a LEM (Law Enforcement Modification) trigger system, the H&K P2000 compact pistol combines a cocked striker component with the ease of use of a double action hammer system, allowing you to quickly fire an additional round without having to pull the slide back to re-cock the pistol in case of a failure to fire. The 9mm Heckler & Koch P2000 comes with an ambidextrous magazine release and dual slide release lever, making it easy to be handled and fired by both right and left handed female shooters.
Small in size yet large in power is the Kahr Arms K9 Compact Pistol. Weighing in at only 15 ounces and 5.8 inches in length, the Kahr Arms K9 Compact is a double action only pistol that is known for its reliable performance and easy handling. Chambered for 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition, the Kahr Arms K9 Compact Pistol is equipped with a 3.6 inch barrel, manual safety, drift adjustable white bar-dot combat sights and a soft, textured polymer grip for a comfortable hold.
It never hurts to have a Guardian watching over you and with the North American Arms (NAA) .32 ACP Guardian Pistol, you can be sure there is always a Guardian by your side. The NAA .32 ACP Guardian Pistol offers the perfect combination of a small sized handgun with accurate performance and great stopping power. Only 3.3 inches high, 4.4 inches long and 13.5 ounces when unloaded, the NAA .32 ACP Guardian Pistol comes equipped with an Integral Locking System (ILS) safety that allows you to lock the hammer in place to keep the gun from firing, giving you an extra measure of safety and security.
Lightweight and compact, the name of the Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol) says it all. Chambered for six rounds of. 380 ACP ammunition, the Ruger LCP weighs an unheard of 9.4 ounces when unloaded and is only 5.16 inches long, making it one of the smallest and lightest pistols available. Since it first hit the firearm market, the Ruger LCP has been considered one of the most reliable and accurate compact pistols, making it the perfect pistol for female shooters that want a compact personal defense pistol that is easy to handle and conceal.
Another Ruger handgun that is worthy of our list is the Ruger LCR revovler. Chambering five rounds in the .38 Special +P caliber, the Ruger LCR features one of the most advanced revolver designs on the market, complete with a chemical-resistant polymer housing that holds all of the firing controls as well as a lightweight and durable aluminum frame. Weighing only 13.5 ounces, the small frame LCR is 6.5 inches long and features a pinned ramp front sight, U-notch integral rear sight and easy to hold Hogue grip for continuous comfort and control.
	The only thing that may be able to offer you more protection than an actual bodyguard is the Bodyguard 380 Pistol or Bodyguard 38 Revolver from Smith & Wesson. The newest line of firearms designed for personal protection, both the S&W Bodyguard 380 Pistol and 38 Revolver feature integrated laser sights for optimal accuracy and polymer frames and grips for a lightweight and comfortable design. The S&W Bodyguard 380 is a semiautomatic .380 ACP pistol that has a compact frame with a 2.75 inch barrel, overall length of 5.25 inches and weighs an incredible 11.85 ounces. The 38 S&W Bodyguard Revolver is the first polymer framed revolver to ever be built with integrated laser sights and is chambered for five rounds of .38 Special +P firepower. With its 1.9 inch barrel, internal hammer and overall weight of only 14.3 ounces, the S&W 38 Bodyguard Revolver may be small in size but is large in power.
Keeping it classy yet threatening is the Smith & Wesson Model 642 Centennial Revolver. With its pink synthetic grip and lightweight aluminum alloy frame, the S&W 642 Centennial Revolver is only 6.31 inches in length and weighs only 15 ounces when unloaded. Capable of shooting five rounds of .38 Special +P ammunition, the S&W 642 Centennial Revolver is equipped with an integral front sight, fixed rear sight and an internal hammer for a snag free design that is perfect for concealed carry and all day wear.
The Springfield XD 9mm pistol is another handgun that has found a home among female shooters due to its ease of use and overall safety. The subcompact Springfield XD 9mm pistol is equipped with an ambidextrous magazine release, loaded chamber indicator and the famous Springfield Ultra Safety Assurance (USA) Trigger System that helps prevent accidental discharge. With its natural pointability, easy no-tool disassembly and fast shot to shot recovery for quick follow up shots, the Springfield XD 9mm pistol provides female shooters with a comfortable and safe pistol that is as easy to fire as it is to maintain.
The Taurus Millennium Pro 111 Pistol is another light and powerful gun that fits comfortably in the hands of female shooters and features a single action/double action trigger, blue steel finish and slim polymer grip with a single stack magazine. The 9mm Taurus Millennium Pro 111 Pistol is one of the safest pistols on the market and includes Taurus' unique key operated security system that prevents the pistol from being fired or cocked and also prevents the manual safety from being disengaged while the security system is activated.

[Mr Rogers]

I have a Lady Smith I carry IWB. When asked why I got a “LadySmith”, I tell them I don’t want any “Misters” getting into my pants!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

save

[SkyDancer]

I carry a Beretta Tomcat in .32cal loaded with Glaser Safeties and Hydra-shocks with two mags. I like it because it’s double action.

[Uncle Miltie]

Well, 5 minutes before I saw this post, I introduced my 21 year old daughter to our home defense weapon, the Springfield XD 9mm subcompact. Pointing, wieght, balance, safety features and shooting all seemed fine.

However, she was completely unable to rack the slide. If she needs the second magazine, she’s hosed. She’s 5’ 6”, normal body build, college student who doesn’t get enough exercise. My wife is ever more petite. So, for that gun, while it will fire just fine for a woman, don’t expect them to be able to rack a new round unless they go the gym regularly.

[wardaddy]

642 PD smith and wesson

Fail proof and can shoot corbon loads

13 oz.....unobtrusive...but effective

My wife swears by hers...i dont piss her off

[ArrogantBustard]

I trust Captain Kangaroo's advice over Captain Keyboard Commando's.

But that's just me.

[Malone LaVeigh]

My wife loves her Kahr PM9

Mine does too. It's light, thin and easy to carry concealed. It fits her hand well and the recoil doesn't bother her. It also has almost twice the rounds as her previous gun, a S&W 632 .38. She also thinks it's cute, and that seems to be an important consideration for the gun toting women in my family (my daughter carries a SIG 232).

[goseminoles]

I disagree with the Glock 19 for women. I love the guy and carried one on duty. Its not a purse gun. The grip is pretty large and it is heavy with all those rounds.

[NavyCanDo]

I had a Tomcat follow be home from my last visit to the gun store. Best little gun I have ever fired. Doesn’t spank your hand like other minis, and has a very safe way of removing the loaded round when you want to put it in safe mode.

Beretta Tomcat 3032

http://www.berettausa.com/products/3032-tomcat-wide-slide/

[goseminoles]

Damn... guy=gun. Im not a queer. Just on a phone with auto spell... sheesh.. lol

[WayneS]

This gives me an idea on how to expand my gun collection!

WayneS (Handing Mrs. WayneS a plastic box containing the latest gun he wants... ...I mean, wants HER to try out to see how she likes): Honey, I bought another gun for you to try out! Maybe this one will fit you better than all those others. I sure hope so...

Mrs. WayneS (after examining/handling/shooting the weapon): I don't know, it's okay. I mean, I like it alright, but the grip's just a bit big for my hand. I just don't think this is 'the one'. I'm sorry, I know you put a lot of thought in to this, but it just isn't right for me...

WayneS: (trying to hide his ‘disappointment’): Okay. You're right. You absolutely should not compromise even a little bit on such an important decision. I want whatever gun you finally choose, to be absolutely perfect for you. I tell you what though, I'll just add this pistol to the gun cabinet, just in case you change your mind...

[TalonDJ]

My wife has 3 off that list.

Another one good pick is a Bersa .380

[NewCenturions]

As already posted, there are guns to fit every hand; semi-autos and revolvers in large frames and small , in dozens of calibres.
The best way to pick is to find the heaviest calibre you are comfortable with the best feel for your hand ( points the best).
The .380 autos, 9mm’s, and .38 Specials make very good guns for women as well as for men.
New advances in ammunition make all of these guns effective for self defense.
I got my sister a Bersa “thunder” .380 acp.
It rates as one of the best buys, points well, has 8 shots
and a smooth trigger.
The newer CorBon 80 grn. “DPX” round makes this a thumbs up.

[WayneS]

It’s a great little gun, and it’s virtually identical to my “Chief’s Special”, apart from having slighlty smaller grips.

[hiredhand]

Does she use a shock buffer in that little monster? :-) My wife wouldn’t touch the Colt Series 80 that I have and then I put a shock buffer in it and that tamed it down a LOT... makes a big difference in felt recoil. :-)

[ArrogantBustard]

LOL!

How many times, do you suppose, could you play that little scam before she figures it out?

[gigster]

The Ruger LCP would be very hard for some women to rack the slide. I recommend the Taurus 709 Slim. 1 inch thick, light weight, and 7+1 rounds of 9mm.

[freedomlover]

What you said. My ex-wife (still on good terms and who asks me for gun advice) carries a .38 revolver (actually an airlite 357 I gave her as a present). But she always carries it, and she goes to the range once a month.

I carry the identical gun, but with 357s in it. Yes it kicks like a mile with that grip, and will probably split the web on my hand, but I doubt I will notice.

Big talk about 45s is fun, but a 38 in the hand will beat a 45 (and its three companion mags) in the safe all day, man or woman. For home defense if you don't have a shotgun you are an idiot. And if I need more than 5 shots while walking around, I guess I am just SOL. But I will ALWAYS have 5 shots.

[BenKenobi]

Real men go Gator. ;)

[WayneS]

I see your point, but I have to wonder why he's been passed over for promotion so many times. I mean, 40+ years at the SAME rank?

Of course, "Major Kangaroo" doesn't have quite the same 'ring' to it...