The Three Best Concealed Carry Weapons For Women

As with anything firearm related, there are going to be some things that we can all agree on that make one concealed carry weapon better than others, and there will be some aspects that simply fall under the category of personal preference. With this in mind, what are the three best concealed carry weapons for women on the market today?

Based on the idea that women prefer a concealable sidearm that is lightweight, slim, and easy to shoot, we have determined that the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro, Sig Sauer P365, and the Sig Sauer P238 were the most practical and comfortable firearms on the market.

Choosing A Concealed Carry Firearm

What makes one gun great for some women may not necessarily suit all women, which is why it is important to make sure your next concealed carry weapon fills some of the basic requirements that will make it effective in any self-defense situation. 

Most importantly, you will want to consider how the gun fits in your hand and on your body, the whole point of a concealed carry weapon is the ability to successfully conceal it.

Since women generally have smaller frames than men, a smaller weapon that is easier to conceal and operate with smaller hands is warranted. This means you want something with minimal printing, or visibility, through clothing. Something where you can easily rack the slide, accurately look down the sights, operate the safety and magazine release, as well as pull the trigger is ideal.

Specs to consider include:

• Position you will holster/carry the weapon
• Handling, including grip, weight, and length
• Additional sighting options
• Magazine capacity
• Weight
• Profile/print
• Caliber

This list is by no means exhaustive but rather highlights some of the basics that you should consider when purchasing a concealed carry weapon.

Sig Sauer P365

The P365 should be on every woman’s list of concealed carry weapons to test out because it checks so many boxes of an effective concealed carry weapon. Its compact size and slim design make it easily concealable on most body types, it is super lightweight, and it even comes in multiple magazine sizes.

Pros & Cons

This concealed carry is the total package with a large magazine, slim profile, and lightweight. The large magazines that are available will give every gun owner more than enough peace of mind to feel comfortable carrying this weapon around as a self-defense tool.

It is compact, feels great to hold, and is accurate for those who are experienced in carrying a sidearm. This being said, first-time gun owners may need to spend some extra time practicing at the range to get used to its weight vs. size ratio as some users have reported trouble shooting accurately at longer distances.

Pros:

• Compact
• Ergonomic, great for small hands
• Accurate
• Plenty of aftermarket modifications
• Semi-auto
• Can hold up to 15 rounds
• Double-stacked magazine

Cons:

• May be too small for women with larger hands
• Initial quality control issues
• Ineffective with a weak/unsteady grip

Springfield Armory Hellcat

The Hellcat is Springfield Armory’s most popular micro-compact handgun, especially as a concealed carry option, and rightfully so. Don’t let the “micro-compact” title fool you though, this 9mm has more stopping power than a .380 and boasts an 11-round magazine that can be bumped up to a 13-round extended clip to keep you safe in any situation.

While this handgun is the largest on the list, it is a far cry from being a large weapon, and it can be easily concealed on most women’s frames. The large magazine and slim grip make it a favorite, especially for those who use an IWB (inside waistband) holster or choose to carry it in their purse.

Pros & Cons

Since the Hellcat is a 9mm, you can always be sure that you won’t have any trouble finding ammunition on the shelves. This is extremely convenient for people who need or want to spend extra time practicing at the range to improve their draw and accuracy.

The main flaws with this weapon relate to its trigger design, though these flaws have been worked out in newer versions like the larger Hellcat Pro. The trigger can jam, which is definitely something that you don’t want to have to consider with a concealed carry weapon that needs to be reliable at a moment's notice.

Pros:

• Holds up to a 13-round magazine
• Readily available 9mm ammo
• Short trigger reset

Cons:

• Tendency for the trigger to jam

Sig Sauer P238

The P238 is the smallest firearm on this list, both by caliber and physical size, but that isn’t necessarily a drawback when it comes to a concealed carry weapon. This handgun’s compact design and lightweight feel make it easy to accurately wield and conceal on even the smallest frames.

This pint-sized .380 comes standard with a 6-round magazine but can be equipped with an extended 7-round clip to give you a little added security in self-defense situations. 

Pros & Cons

This firearm excels as a concealed carry weapon because of its small size, making it easy to wield and hide, but the equally small magazine size may leave some gun owners feeling like this leaves them exposed.

When we say this handgun is small we aren’t exaggerating, which is what makes it such a great fit for women with smaller hands. This is what also makes it a great option for carrying in your purse or in an IWB holster.

Pros:

• Compact
• Lightweight
• Commonly available ammo
• Reliable
• Easy to clean
• Very little recoil
• Easy to wield

Cons:

• Smaller magazine
• High MSRP

Final Thoughts

Any of these firearms will make an exceptional concealed carry weapon for the majority of women. The real difference between them? Magazine, weight, and overall length. Women who don’t mind a smaller mag and have smaller hands should consider the P238. If a large magazine is necessary for your peace of mind and you don’t mind a weapon that is a little longer and heavier, consider the P365 or the Hellcat Pro.

One final note, you should always see how the weapon fits on your body. People come in all different shapes and sizes, and therefore what is easy to conceal on one person may not be so simple on another. Fractions of an inch, in relation to any dimension of a firearm, can be the difference between a visible and invisible print on your body.

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