Once you’ve acquired a New York concealed carry license, carrying a small firearm is completely legal and, in these rapidly changing times, even advisable. Defending ourselves and others when our lives are under threat is a basic human right. So long as the force used is proportional to the danger faced, self-defense is generally allowed, depending on the circumstances.

Women, in particular, can benefit greatly by carrying a concealed firearm because if there’s anything that levels the playing field in a life-or-death scenario, it’s a firearm.

Read on to discover some of the best small guns for women and what makes them so ideal for the job!

Women’s Self-Defense Guns

If you’re in the market for the perfect gun for self-defense, you’ll surely be pleased with the selection available to you. The only drawback to the mountain of options for self-defense is the inevitable choice paralysis faced when weighing one small gun against another. Before making a final decision, it’s worth considering what makes a gun fit for purpose and why some of them are better suited to women in particular.

There are three main considerations to take into account when looking into the best handguns for women. We advise our customers to give some thought to each, so their final choice encapsulates all three for the perfect fit.

Ease of Use

In general terms, ease of use refers to how well guns are designed. A personal defense firearm should be easy to use and not unnecessarily complicated in its construction. When it comes to an effective weapon, it’s best to avoid options that boast an array of superfluous bells and whistles.

When in doubt, remember that simple means effective. A gun is a tool, and overcomplicating its design will only hinder its proper use. A simple design makes it easier to operate and maintain, which is important if you intend to keep it in proper working order.

Concealability

Carrying a firearm for self-defense is best done without making it obvious. Poor habits or being careless while carrying concealed can and will bring unwanted attention to yourself at some point. Additionally, New York State law mandates that any firearm carried on your person be concealed. Of course there are exceptions to this law, but that will be discussed in future articles. (Please check your home state and local laws for concealed carry information)

With this in mind, choosing a firearm with an easily concealable form factor is a must. Discreetly carrying a pistol simply means you’ve got full access to it if you need it, but its presence on your person isn’t obvious.

Recoil

The explosive nature of the force generated to propel a projectile isn’t negligible, especially when accuracy is a concern. The larger the caliber of the gun, the larger the recoil. Small form factor pistols typically have more “felt recoil” because they have less mass, but they’re designed with accuracy and control in mind.

Before purchasing the model you’re interested in, take a trip to the gun range to feel its recoil. Familiarizing yourself with how it behaves when you pull the trigger will stand you in good stead should you ever need to use it in real life.

Lightweight Pistols for Female Gun Owners

We’ve compiled a short list of a few pistols that are easy to use, easily concealed, and have manageable recoil. For the purposes of self-defense, each of these options is much the same but has an edge over the others in one way or another, depending on what you’re looking for.

Glock 43

Glock is well known for their reliability, and when choosing a firearm for self-defense, reliability should be a primary concern. In a life or death situation, it’s imperative that your pistol can be relied upon to function as intended for obvious reasons.

This 9mm pistol is categorized as a “subcompact”, making it two sizes smaller than a regular pistol, and one less than a standard compact. If you’re in the market for a pistol with a user-friendly lightweight design with easily controlled recoil, this model is certainly worth a look.

Sig Sauer P365

Another 9mm, the ultra-compact Sig Sauer P365 is even easier to conceal on your person than the Glock. It also boasts a larger round capacity of 10+1 or 12+1, depending on the model.

It’s a small pistol by all accounts, but its size doesn’t affect its capability. Reviews praise the comfort of the grip despite its smaller form factor, making it another ideal choice for personal defense purposes.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ

Most of us who aren’t familiar with firearms will still have heard of the brand Smith & Wesson. Founded in 1852, the partnership is just as popular as ever due to its reputation for reliable firearms at a reasonable price. 

The M&P Shield EZ is designed from the ground up to be particularly easy to use from start to finish. Racking, loading, and shooting the pistol have all been streamlined as much as possible. The “EZ” in the name is no mistake and speaks to the ease of use this particular pistol offers in spades.

Its lightweight design and .380 ACP mean it has slightly less stopping power than the 9mm alternatives listed in this article, but the low recoil makes it an ideal option for people who value ease of use over destructive force. It’s also considered an “ultra-compact” option, making it one of the best for concealed carry permit holders and female gun owners.

Small Guns for Self-Defense

The small guns mentioned in this article are all a great choice for self-defense. While they might appear less impressive or intimidating than their larger counterparts, they’re also better suited to personal defense when you leave home.

At S&S Sales, we’re a father and son duo who care passionately about providing competitive prices for regular guys and gals looking for quality firearms. We’re proud to say we’ve been doing just that since 2010 and continue to give the “big box” stores a run for their money.

If you have any questions about the pistols mentioned or concealed carry for women in general, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to hear from you.