Best Handgun For Women (Complete Guide)
What is the best handgun for women? This post will cover exactly that. I will go over the best handguns for women and the different types and cailbers that are perfectly suited for women.
If you are a woman and decide you want a handgun to protect yourself, the choices and options might feel a little overwhelming.
Don’t worry, this article will give you the knowledge to let you choose the best handgun for you.
Whether you want one for home defense, concealed carry, or just to sleep better a night knowing you have one, this post is packed with information to help you find the perfect gun.
This article is a detailed and complete list of the best handguns for women.
Best Handgun For Women
There are so many good options regarding modern firearms, especially handguns. I feel like we are living in the golden era of firearms technology, and with a very competitive market, companies continue to produce handguns that are smaller, more reliable, and hold more ammo.
This is great for women, especially because there are a lot of great choices, and you are not limited to only a few handguns. Also, most of these will also be good for concealed carry. Concealed carry handguns are usually smaller and more compact.
Different types, calibers, and sizes of handguns are available, but all of these are handguns for women and are marketed as concealed carry handguns.
Another mention is that I push new shooters towards striker fired pistols when they start out. These are easier to get used to and simpler.
Because the concealed carry market has exploded recently, there are more options for women to get one of these concealed carry handguns.
Also, this list also doubles as the best concealed carry handguns as well. The best concealed carry handguns tend to be smaller, simpler, and reliable, which is why they are great for women too.
If you are new to guns, I first recommend always taking a firearms safety class and becoming familiar with guns through proper training. Safety first. You do not want to hurt yourself or someone else that you do not intend to.
Here is a list of NRA Training Classes if you are interested.
Sometimes it can be intimidating to go to a male-dominated hobby or event as a woman, especially as a beginner. My wife felt this way and found a group of women training and teaching newcomers, making them feel less intimidated and welcome.
Check out The Well Armed Women website and look for local meetups in your area.
Next is always to know and follow all of the laws in your area. Some states and counties will limit what types of guns you can own in your area.
Local gun stores should know all of these and are glad to help and inform you, but this is your responsibility.
Lastly, once you buy a gun, there are no returns because it is now considered used. You could always sell it back at a loss, but you must be sure of what you buy.
Someone else might recommend a gun that isn’t right for you, so it is always a good idea to go to the gun range and rent a few to see what you like and are comfortable with before purchasing.
If a gun company is specifically marketing their product as handguns for women, this doesn’t mean you are limited to those marketed that way.
Best Overall Handgun For Women
My top recommendation and overall pick for the best handgun for women is the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm.
It wins because of the size, price, usability, versatility, and reliability.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is one of the best handguns for women because of its size. It is a compact pistol that will fit comfortably in the hands of women while not being too small.
It is truly the perfect size and can be well suited for concealed carry while being great for home defense as well.
This pistol has a few different versions, but the most popular is now the “M2.0” or the “Plus.” Smith & Wesson now even offers this pistol in an “EZ” model, which means the slide is easier to pull back and chamber a round.
The Plus version has a few extra upgrades. The sights are fiber optic, meaning they contrast more and are easier to see. The original M&P Shield is no longer in production but can be found used. (This is still what I carry personally)
The original is now the M2.0 version and has an upgraded grip texture that is more aggressive and allows you to securely hold the gun in your hand.
The two cailbers that I recommend are .380 and 9mm. I would try and push most women to the 9mm version because the ammo is cheaper and easier to find. Also, 9mm is a slightly larger round but also has less recoil and is less snappy when shooting.
This gun comes either with or without an external thumb safety which I know most women are concerned about with guns. So the option is up to you; they even make left-handed and specific state complaint models.
Another great reason this is the best handgun for women is that they are extremely reliable and are easy to clean and maintain. The M&P Shield is trusted by many people as their first line of defense because you know it will work and function properly.
What’s included with this gun are two magazines, a cable locking device, a box, and the owner’s manual. This gun also has a ton of upgrades, accessories, holster options, and aftermarket support.
Just about every holster company makes a specific product for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.
The next reason why I recommend this as the best handgun for women is the brand and price. They are very affordable and are sold at every gun store. Parts and extra magazines are easy to find, and Smith & Wesson guns have a lifetime warranty.
The only downside to this pistol is that the magazines have stiff springs and can be harder to load. This is common on small compact guns and doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. The stiffer springs ensure that the ammo is properly fed into the chamber and aid the gun’s reliability.
A simple way to solve this issue is to use a magazine loading assistance tool like the Maglula UpLULA Universal Pistol Magazine Speed Loader. This is the best speed loader and works great for any gun, not just the M&P Shield, so I highly recommend picking one of these up.
These pistols come with 2 magazines in the box. One holds 7 rounds of ammunition, and the other holds 8 rounds of ammunition.
Another cool thing about this specific pistol is that there are versions with laser sights already installed.
If you want the best handgun for women and don’t want to read any further, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is the perfect gun for women. You will not be disappointed if you pick one of these up.
If you want to keep seeing what’s out there and need to see more options, then keep reading. Every handgun on this list is a good pick; you cannot go wrong with any of them.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
If you already have an M&P Shield and are interested in increasing the performance and getting the most out of the pistol, you might want to check out the Best Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Upgrades & Accessories.
I do not recommend upgrading anything until you have shot a few hundred rounds through the pistol and are comfortable with it.
Best Handguns For Women
If you are on a strict budget but still want a quality piece, these handguns listed below are in various price ranges. If you are purchasing your first handgun, plan on spending about one thousand dollars in total because you will need more supplies than just the handgun.
Remember that you still need to purchase ammo, cleaning supplies, a holster, and possibly a safe handgun. All of these need to be factored into your budget.
Ruger LC9s
The Ruger LC9s is a great pistol if you are on a budget. It is less expensive than other similar guns and still a great shooter.
The “s” is the newer version of this gun with some updates. This gun can also be bought with updated sights that have been changed to fiber optic sights that are brighter and easier for the eye to pick up.
Ruger also makes a Pro version and a model that comes with a laser sight on it.
The slim 9mm pistol is a great option for women because of how skinny the grip is on the pistol. It is a single stack, so it holds 7 rounds in the magazine, and with another round in the chamber, it brings the maximum capacity of 8 rounds total.
This handgun is also one of the best handguns for women because it has safety features. These have an external thumb safety that protrudes out of the side that is very easy to see and feel.
It has red coloring on the safety to visually identify whether it is on or off. A good saying to help remember if the safety is on or off is “you see red, your dead,” which means if you see the red coloring, the pistol is ready to fire. This is standard across all firearms.
This pistol also has a loaded chamber indicator. This small metal hinge sticks up when a live round is loaded into the chamber. There is also a red color on this part as well.
This gun also has a split trigger safety. This prevents the gun from firing if it is dropped accidentally. These are intended for the user to have a proper grip and trigger pull for the gun to fire.
The final safety feature on the Ruger LC9s is called a magazine disconnect. This means that if no magazine is inserted into the handgun, it will not fire even if a round is loaded into the chamber.
Some people believe that the magazine disconnect safety feature is a little too much, but it is also a reason why women love this gun because they tend to be newer to firearms and these features help them understand the operation and get used to handguns quicker.
When I used to work behind the gun counter, women always gravitated toward the Ruger LC9. It’s lightweight and just seems to fit right in girls’ hands.
The slide is also easy to pull back or “rack” in order to load the gun.
The biggest selling point with the Ruger LC9s is its slim profile, lightweight design, and safety features, making it a perfect choice for concealed carry.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Ruger LC9s
Springfield Hellcat
The Springfield Hellcat is a newer handgun on the market and one of the best choices for self-defense and as a concealed carry handgun.
This handgun was designed from the ground up to be the perfect concealed carry handgun, making it one of the best handguns for women.
One of the standout features of this pistol is the ammunition capacity that it holds. It is chambered in 9mm and holds 11 rounds in the magazine, which is very impressive for a small compact pistol.
The Springfield Hellcat is also very comfortable to shoot and hold, which the grip texture design. It has the perfect amount of aggressive stippling that makes it feel very secure in your hand and also helps manage the recoil while firing.
This gun also has some really great sights on it. The rear sight is a “U Shape” that helps you aim quickly and accurately.
The front sight is a bright dot with a small amount of radioactive tritium, so it glows in the dark.
The Springfield Hellcat is the first handgun on this list without an external thumb safety, but it has other safety features and designs.
The split trigger safety prevents accidental firing while keeping the trigger pull smooth, and a loaded chamber indicator lets you see if there is a live round in the chamber through a viewing port.
Normally Springfield handguns will come with a grip safety. A grip safety is what you see on 1911 pistols and are unnecessary in my opinion. A grip safety ensures you have a good grip on the gun before it fires, but with a trigger safety, you do not need a grip safety. So don’t worry about a grip safety.
This gun is the perfect size to fit most women’s hands, and Springfield guns are reliable and accurate.
Some people find this gun to have a little more kick and recoil while shooting it compared to other small compact 9mm handguns. I haven’t personally noticed this, and one thing to mention about any handgun is that there is a certain amount of recoil with all of them.
The more you shoot and practice, the more you will be able to manage and use it. The recoil will always increase as the gun gets smaller with a shorter barrel.
I highly recommend this gun for women and do not think you would regret getting one of them.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Springfield Hellcat
Walther PPS M2
The Walther PPS M2 is a handgun that you do not want to overlook. This pistol is one that is great for women because of its simplicity and mild recoil.
There are no fancy bells and whistles, which makes it just a great and reliable handgun, especially for a concealed carry handgun.
There is no thumb safety that might be a red flag for some women, but it also means it is one less thing to worry about or to snag on.
The Walther PPS M2 is another compact 9mm extremely reliable handgun. The slim design is clean and sleek. The slide is easy to pull back and rack to load the gun, making it a great choice for women.
8 rounds of 9mm ammo in the magazine, plus one round in the chamber, will give you a total of 9 rounds of ammunition.
The trigger pull on the PPS is one of the best out of any gun on this list.
The magazine release button is a little further forward than other guns, so if you have very small hands, this might be slightly uncomfortable and annoying.
Also, I have heard women say that the magazine pinches their palms when reloading, so it is something to keep in mind.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Walther PPS M2
Sig Sauer P938
Another good option is the Sig P938 pistol, now, this gun is a little different from the previous ones I recommended because it uses a different firing mechanism.
All the previous pistols were called striker fire pistols. This means the firing pin is spring-loaded and released when the trigger is pulled.
The Sig Sauer P938 has a more traditional design with a hammer. On this mechanism, the hammer hits the firing pin when the trigger is pulled, and these types of guns are more complex than striker fired pistols.
Because of this, I recommend this gun for women with some more experience and not to complete beginners. The trigger pull is also very short and light.
These pistols are very well made, and these usually catch people’s eye because of how custom and unique each different sub-model is. There are countless different colors, grips, sights, and variations of this gun that Sig Sauer produces.
Some people consider these Sig Sauer pistols as more of a collector’s piece but don’t be fooled, they are very reliable and capable with proper training.
These guns are chambered in 9mm, hold 7 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber, and are carried in the “cocked and locked” configuration. This means that the hammer is cocked back, and the safety is on.
This mode of carrying might be uncomfortable for some women, but with training and experience, it can be a good option. Not my first pick for concealed carry but many men and women choose it as one of their concealed carry handguns.
All of the Sig Sauer P938s come with night sights that will glow in the dark for about 10 years before they lose their illumination.
I can not stress this enough, try and rent all of these guns before you buy one. Do not get stuck in the mindset of choosing a handgun strictly on looks. See how each one feels and shoots in your hand.
So again, I do not recommend the Sig Sauer P938 for newbies and beginners but for women with a little more experience behind them.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Sig P938
Glock 43X
One of the most popular guns on this list is the Glock 43X. Glocks have long held the title of some of the most reliable handguns in existence.
A great thing about Glocks and the Glock 43X is that it is extremely simple. Nothing fancy, but they work and go bang every time you pull the trigger. Most law enforcement agencies issue Glocks to their officers.
This specific model that I recommend for women is a great balance of firepower and size. It’s not too big and not too small.
The Glock 43X is a 9mm single stack pistol that holds 10 rounds of ammo in the magazine plus one in the chamber, and because of how popular this gun is, you can purchase aftermarket magazines that will hold 15 rounds without changing the profile of the gun. This is amazing.
You can click the link if you want to purchase the Shield Arms Glock 43X 15-Rd Magazines or check the current prices.
Keep in mind that having 15 rounds of ammo in the gun will increase its weight of it, making it heavier for concealed carry.
One turn-off that might sway women from buying this gun is that there is no external thumb safety. However, three different internal safeties ensure this gun will not fire until the trigger is pulled.
Another bonus to the Glock 43X is that it is perfect for home defense and concealed carry. The size is honestly perfect, and the round capacity makes this one of the best “do everything” handguns for women or anyone.
I personally own one of these pistols and will recommend it to anyone. It shoots great, is a reliable handgun, and feels great while aiming and shooting.
One of the other selling points is that because they are so popular, many accessories, holsters, and parts are available just about everywhere.
The trigger pull is smooth and very consistent.
Sometimes you can find this handgun in a few unique color variations, but remember cosmetics don’t matter and function and purpose are most important.
If you want a simple handgun that you know will work when you need it to, then the Glock 43X is definitely a strong contender. Make sure you rent one of these if you ever have a chance.
This is another one of the best handguns for women.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Glock 43X
Sig Sauer P365
The final semi-automatic handgun on my list of the best handguns for women is the Sig Sauer P365. This is a newer gun on the market, but men and women have quickly fallen in love with it.
Sig Sauer is known for making a ton of different variations of their guns, and the Sig Sauer P365 has many different round capacities, overall sizes, grip types, and different sights in the lineup.
The Sig Sauer P365 Micro holds 10 rounds of 9mm in the magazine, and the Sig P365 XL holds 12 rounds of 9mm in the magazine.
They also came out with a .380 version, but I will still recommend the 9mm models.
This Sig Sauer handgun was designed as the perfect concealed carry handgun and is very small and compact. It is not a true single stack and is slightly wider than some of the previous pistols that I mentioned.
The overall dimensions and size of the gun are still compact so that it can be used for concealed carry comfortably.
One thing that is awesome about these Sig Sauer guns is that they are modular. Meaning that you can switch grip frames and even cailbers relatively easily.
The serialized portion of this gun is one of the fire control unit and not the frame. So swapping out parts is easy without purchasing a different gun, essentially. (Very smart on Sig Sauers part)
Another reason women will love this Sig Sauer is because of how simple and reliable it is. There is no external thumb safety but internal safety features.
I still cannot stress this enough, try to hold and shoot as many of these pistols as you can before you buy. What your husband likes and thinks you should purchase might not be the right handgun for you.
Even then if you can’t decide, just buy them all! Kinda joking but also kinda serious. The concealed carry market has too many to buy them all, but the options are good.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Sig Sauer P365
Best Revolver For Women
Many women decide they want a revolver compared to a semi-auto. Revolvers are the most reliable handguns; you do not have to worry about revolvers jamming.
Revolvers can still fail, but it is almost none existent, and this usually happens on very old guns that are not properly maintained.
The trade-off is that you are normally limited to 5 or 6 rounds, which take longer to reload, even with speed loaders. A speed loader also takes a lot of practice with revolvers to become proficient.
Revolvers don’t have thumb safeties but are usually double action, meaning they have a very heavy and long trigger pull. This means you will not pull the trigger by accident.
Before buying a revolver, always ask the gun store associate if you can dry fire the gun. I have seen countless times where older women lack the finger strength to pull a heavy double action trigger successfully.
Another thing most women don’t realize is that the snub nose short barrel revolvers have a ton of recoil and are not very fun to shoot. So with all of this being said, I tend to stray women away from small compact revolvers and recommend compact semi-autos, especially for beginners.
I usually don’t recommend revolvers for concealed carry just because there are so many other better options, but that doesn’t mean you cant use a revolver for concealed carry.
If you do decide a revolver is right for you, then there are two that I recommend.
Smith & Wesson Model 640
The smallest revolver that I recommend for women is the Smith & Wesson Model 640. It is built on the compact “J” frame and is chambered in 357 Magnum. Because it is a stainless steel frame, this will help mitigate some of the kickback when firing.
Now 357 magnum is a very powerful caliber with a good amount of recoil, and you can definitely feel it in this small gun with a short barrel.
The cool thing about 357 magnum revolvers is that you can shoot two different bullets through them.
They will also shoot the 38 Special round, a smaller, less powerful round. 38 Special is still a very capable round for self-defense too.
So that a bonus of a 357 Magnum is that you have a larger ammunition variety available.
The Smith & Wesson 640 is a 5-shot revolver with no hammer to cock. This means that it is a double action, and every shot has a long trigger pull.
With a double action only, it is designed more for concealed carry. The nice thing about not having a hammer on the handgun is that they often snag on clothing when presenting the gun and drawing from a holster.
Smith & Wesson makes some of the best guns on the market, especially revolvers. If you want a handgun with the primary purpose of concealed carry and want to keep it simple, then this is the revolver I recommend for that.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Smith & Wesson Model 640
Smith & Wesson 66
One of the final best handguns for women is the Smith & Wesson Model 66. Like the revolver above, it is chambered in 357 Magnum but will also shoot 38 Special.
The is on the larger “K” frame and is more of a well-rounded “do it all” revolver. It’s larger and holds 6 shots, so it is better suited for home defense but is still not too large to be used for concealed carry.
Now this revolver is both double action and single action. That means it has a hammer that can be cocked, so the trigger is a lighter pull. This is better for more accuracy while shooting.
It can also be fired from double action with the hammer forward for a longer trigger pull which is better for concealed carry and self-defense. Having the flexibility and both options is nice, but a hammer can easily be snagged on clothing.
This is also why a good holster is important for carrying a handgun. Even for women if they decide to carry in their purse instead of on their person.
These are made in a few different barrel lengths and finishes, and all have a stainless steel frame. The Smith & Wesson Model 66 is most commonly found in the matte stainless finish but also has a high gloss stainless finish.
The rear sight is adjustable, and the front sight is an orange blade that is very easy to see and pick up. The action is smooth, and the Model 66 is a great quality, very well-made gun.
Click Here to check the current prices and availability of the Smith & Wesson Model 66
Best Handgun Caliber For Women
Now on to one of the biggest debates, what is the best handgun caliber for women? I’m sure someone will disagree, but I think most people would say 9mm, and here’s why.
9mm is a very common and capable round. It’s a well-balanced round that is a good size to have enough stopping power while having good capacity in handguns.
It is easy to find and not as expensive as some other calibers, so you will be able to find it everywhere and shoot a lot.
The amount of recoil is also minimal compared to the 40 S&W calibers and the 45 ACP caliber. If you or a woman you know still thinks that the 9mm still kicks too much and does not like shooting it, I would say they just need more practice and trigger time.
I do not believe that 22LR is a viable round for self-defense. If you must go with a 22 caliber handgun, then at least get one in 22 Magnum.
If you want a revolver, then the 38 Special is what I recommend. You can also purchase a 357 Magnum and shoot 38 Special through it, so keep that in mind.
If a lot of this information seems overwhelming, just keep it simple and go with 9mm.
Best Handgun Accessories For Women
Hopefully, this article has helped you decide on what is the best handguns for women and what is more well suited for you.
Once your handgun is decided, there are more accessories that you will need, so don’t stop reading quite yet.
Best Handgun Ammo For Women
There are 2 main different types of ammunition for guns. Regular full metal jackets (FMJ) and Hollow points.
FMJs are a solid round that is often just referred to as “range ammo.” These rounds are cheaper to shoot and practice with but not good for self-defense.
9mm is a high velocity round, and if you ever have to use it in self-defense, you have to worry about over-penetration.
This means the bullet will pass right through whatever it hits and keep going, whether a person or a wall. That doesn’t happen in all scenarios, but it will happen more.
A hollow point is designed to cause as much damage as possible without overpenetration. This means when a hollow point impacts something, it deforms and loses energy.
Recently there is a new type of ammo on the market, and I call it a hybrid round. It has the penetration of an FMJ with the expansion of a hollow point. These are more expensive but awesome rounds.
Also, if you are new to firearms and buying ammo, you will see different grain weights on the boxes.
For example, a box on 9mm ammo might come in 115grs, 124grs, or 147grs. This figure shows how much the actual projectile weighs.
Don’t worry too much about this as a beginner, but I wanted to clarify this because most new shooters assume this is how much gun powder is in the cartridge, which isn’t the case.
Below I will link my favorite and recommended ammo for all of these categories.
(Click the links to check the up-to-date prices and availability)
Best Handgun Holster For Women
There are endless options when it comes to holsters, and women really have to decide on the holster based on how they dress. For instance, if you wear a lot of skirts or dresses, a holster on the belt wouldn’t work.
Also, I highly recommend that if you carry a handgun, you always carry it on your body. Carrying a concealed gun in your purse isn’t ideal because drawing the firearm is harder and slower.
I will recommend a few different holsters, but I could write an entire article on the best holsters for women, so I will keep it brief.
Inside the waistband (IWB) is the ideal and preferred method of carrying a concealed handgun. It is hidden and secure on your body, drawing the gun quickly. People will be unable to see the outline if dressed properly and in the correct style of holster.
Printing is when you noticeably see a handgun’s outline through clothing and want to minimize printing as much as possible.
Another great holster for women is a body band or a belly band. These are usually stretchy materials that will wrap around your torso with a pocket for your handgun. They are good while wearing skirts or dresses.
Try to stay away from universal holsters for IWB because you want the handgun as secure as possible, and an exact match will do this better.
Here are a few of the best holsters for women that I recommend.
(Click the links to check the up-to-date prices and availability)
Other Handgun Accessories
Other gear you will need if you are new to firearms is a cleaning kit, small gun safe, eye protection, and hearing protection.
Do not overlook getting this gear because it is necessary to be a safe and responsible gun owner.
Below I will link a few products that I recommend.
(Click the links to check the up-to-date prices and availability)
Why Should Women Own A Handgun?
A gun is an ultimate equalizer, and women have used it everywhere for self-protection. It is your right to defend yourself, and a handgun is the best tool to accomplish that.
An armed woman can successfully defend herself against home invaders or any attackers and an armed woman will sleep better at night knowing she is protected.
There is an old saying, “I would rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”
Your protection always falls on you. You are solely responsible for your own safety. If you live alone, are a single mother, or are in a dangerous area, you should always have a handgun for home defense.
I also believe the only way to stop someone with a gun is by someone with a gun. The police are minutes away when seconds count.
I have observed that women become more empowered and responsible when they arm themselves.
An armed woman has the greatest chance of survival in a life or death situation. Let’s face it, our world is dangerous, and you do not want to be the only person without a means to defend yourself.
After reading this article, I hope you have now become committed to exercising your rights and becoming a firearm owner.
The Gun Buying Process
I will briefly explain the process if you have never purchased a handgun before. Depending on your state, there are restrictions on what types of handguns you may purchase and how long the waiting period and age requirement is.
Always research, know, and understand all the local laws pertaining to firearms in your area. Especially handguns.
All gun sales must go through a Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer or FFL for short. This usually means a brick-and-mortar gun store. You can purchase a gun off their shelf and do the paperwork, background check, and waiting period.
The length of the waiting period depends on what state you live in.
If you order a gun online, they will ship it to an FFL near you, and you will go there to do the paperwork and pick up the gun. Most FFLs will charge a small fee to transfer the firearm, but the process is easy and smooth.
If you plan on using one of these as a concealed carry weapon, you will need to obtain a permit or license in most states. A concealed carry weapon license usually involves a class and a fee.
Also, a concealed carry weapon license is not recognized across states like a driver’s license. So you may have to get multiple concealed carry weapon licenses if you travel to multiple states frequently.
Concealed carry is a big responsibility, and I would suggest being very comfortable with shooting and understanding the operation of your handgun before using it for concealed carry.
Ammunition
Holsters
Accessories
- Maglula UpLULA Universal Pistol Magazine Speed Loader
- Shield Arms Glock 43X 15-Rd Magazines
- Handgun cleaning kit (9mm)
- Small Handgun Safe
- Eye Protection Glasses
- Hearing Protection Ear Muffs
Resources
Good information, I appreciate it!
You’re welcome! Hopefully, it helped you decide on which one to get.
As a woman who is a member of girl and a gun I would suggest the s&w EZ both 9mm or .380. They have longer barrel size for less recoil. Almost of the girls In my group have one.
The EZ is a great pistol, especially for women. When I worked at a gun store years ago, I remember a lot of new shooters struggling with pulling the slide back. The Smith & Wesson is one of the easiest pistols to rack the slide on and is a good option.