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.

Article Feedback

waj
8/28/2010 8:25:53 PM
i,for my better benefit, find the ruger lcp .380 the ideal weapon for my safe outlook. my daddy ,a marine, introduced and showed me how to use it, and the concealed choices, size, and power gives me what i need when i need it. semper fi to ya.

JG79
8/3/2010 5:47:42 AM
I have since replaced my Glock 19 with an XD45 because my wife loved the Glock 19 so much. She''s medium sized with medium to small hands and the 19 fits her perfectly. It''s very hard to beat the reliability and simplicity of a Glock. For her carry gun we opted for the Ruger LCP. It''s small, lightweight, and also has good reliability and decent power. The Crimson Trace laser grip is a great addition also. I''d highly recommend both firearms to anyone, especially women.

KTGriff
7/16/2010 11:15:00 PM
My husband and I are both prior Marine Corps, and we enjoy our modest gun collection. For a long time the only pistol we had was an HK USP 45, which was heavy as hell for me at first, but I got used to it when he was deployed. I liked the grips and the decocking safety. Wonderful to shoot, too I was an aircraft mechanic so I had the shoulders to hold it up. I had to give in to the fact that I have smaller hands, so when we had saved for another pistol we opted for the Walther P99 in 40. What a great pistol! No physical safeties and hammerless, loooong ambi mag release, interchangeable backstraps and ergonomic. I heard that women have problems shooting the Glock, something about small wrists and a light gun frame creating stove pipes from the recoil. I''d like to say that no such thing has happened with the Walther, and I sure wish you''d add it to the list. If you get the chance, look up the Walther slim for concealed carry. Thanks!

Keith P oldcsa@hotmail.com
7/11/2010 3:32:03 PM
Interesting article. My wife is interested in a Glock 31 .357 SIG. She shoots my S & W 629 .44 magnum quite proficiently a law enforcement friend recommended the 31 for her. The difference between a Glock 31 & 32 is approximately 0.50 . I believe 15 rounds, night sights and an optional laser sight be should plenty for her personal safety.

Mary
6/30/2010 8:19:30 AM
I just bought the S&W Bodyguard 380 and I love it. It''s easy and comfortable to shoot. Every female should be armed and prepared.

Ben
6/29/2010 1:50:58 PM
I''ve been shooting handguns for years and although I''m not a female, I can attest to the performance of the 9mm Springfield XD. XD pistols are some of my favorite and I would trust mine in a self defense situation.

Stacey
6/28/2010 11:02:39 AM
I like that there were some pink pistols included on the list. Personally, however, I own a Glock 19 and have always been a fan of Glock pistols. I''ve been considering getting a second handgun, so this list was very helpful. Thanks.

Mark
6/28/2010 11:00:22 AM
Good list. I looked this over with my girlfriend. She owns the Ruger LCR, so needless to say she was happy to see it made your list.

SG
6/27/2010 4:38:37 PM
The XD 9 is my personal favorite, and the LCR in .38 Special would also make an excellent choice as well. Xd''s are extremely easy to operate, disassemble easily for cleaning, and come with all kinds of great accessories. My only complaint is that I would love to see Springfield include an extra magazine with the gun. The LCR, for one, is a revolver, so you can''t go wrong. I have talked to several people about it and none has had any complaints so far.

Dan
6/25/2010 7:41:07 PM
Where is the TAURUS P709 Slim? My wife loves hers. Fits her hand well and she shoots it well. She can work the slide of the 9mm gun, with some practice. I just wish the sights were better. I know its a self defense gun and sights are somewhat optional when point of aim at short distance is most likely use. But plastic sights with marginal adjustability should be fixed by Taurus.

Ashley
6/22/2010 2:21:03 PM
This is a good list with a wide range of choice. I''ve heard of many of these handguns but was happy to see some that I wasn''t too familiar with. Personal protection is important, especially for women in today''s society. This list is a good starting point for anyone looking to invest in a handgun for protection.

Ashley
6/22/2010 2:20:54 PM
This is a good list with a wide range of choice. I''ve heard of many of these handguns but was happy to see some that I wasn''t too familiar with. Personal protection is important, especially for women in today''s society. This list is a good starting point for anyone looking to invest in a handgun for protection.

AM
6/22/2010 2:12:35 PM
This list is pretty good idea, especially for women who are looking for a self defense weapon but don''t have much experience with firearms. I like how it shows that women aren''t just stuck with choosing between big, bulky, manly guns ]though, being a woman myself, those are what I prefer[. It seems like I am always meeting people who recommend Glocks.

KK
6/22/2010 1:55:02 PM
I''ve personally never been a big fan of pink guns so I am please to see you guys have avoided them for the most part. The Ruger LCP is definitely one of the best self defense handguns for the power and the price not to mention the easy to conceal size. Overall I think this list is great, of coarse to each his own and there will always be other handguns that women may prefer over these top 10.

KK
6/22/2010 1:54:45 PM
I''ve personally never been a big fan of pink guns so I am please to see you guys have avoided them for the most part. The Ruger LCP is definitely one of the best self defense handguns for the power and the price not to mention the easy to conceal size. Overall I think this list is great, of coarse to each his own and there will always be other handguns that women may prefer over these top 10.

BILL wlwisht@aol.com
6/12/2010 10:25:58 AM
I belong to a shooting club and i along with ten of my shooting buddies have Smith Wesson 40 & 9MM Sigma VE. As of yesterday i''ve put 5000 of 40 through my Sigma using all different brands of ammo and i never had a miss fire or a stove pipe. My other friends using their Sigma 9MM also said the same thing that they never had any problems using mixed brands of ammo through their Sigma for the money that they cost i thing that this gun is a great dependable gun please don''t count it it''s just a great great gun for the money.

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