What is the best Sig Sauer pistol for women?

Written by Mark Buff, GunZee founder and CEO.

Female concealed carriers often have a different set of preferences than men when it comes to concealed carry guns. Women typically need handguns that offer a great balance of shootability, concealability, and reliability. Several Sigs make terrific concealed carry pistols for women.

Designed to fit women's hands comfortably, certain models also offer the perfect blend of accuracy and discretion.

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Let’s explore some of the best Sig Sauer guns for women and highlight important features to consider.

Sig Sauer P238

Sig Sauer P238

Image source: https://www.sigsauer.com/p238-two-tone-ca-compliant.html

Features	Details
Barrel length	2.7”
Overall length	5.5”
Weight (unloaded)	15.2 oz
Capacity	6+1 rounds
Caliber	.380 ACP
Action	Hammer-fired

The Sig Sauer P238, a single-action semi-automatic, presents an ultra-concealable and wieldy option for women seeking an easily managed but potent personal defense pistol.

A single-stack 6-round magazine coupled with the clean-breaking 7.5-8.5 pound single action trigger enables accurate follow-up shots during rapid firing. The all-metal frame soaks up recoil, promoting control.

The comfortable grip frame with rosewood or blackwood panels provides a comfortable, confident hold and helps mitigate felt recoil.

With a weight of just over 15 ounces unloaded thanks to its alloy frame, the P238's smooth profile won't weigh down a purse or waistband. Sig Sauer's dependability ensures out-of-the-box functionality and simplified maintenance.

For female shooters who prioritize shootability over ammunition capacity, the P238 perfectly blends potency and concealability.

“This gun [P238] fits my hand extremely well. I have medium hands for a lady… The slide was very easy to work (even my 90-year-old mom with arthritic hands could work the slide). The sites are easy to aim with, and I love that they glow at night. The trigger pull is short, so my hands do not start to shake before the gun goes off. The recoil is hardly noticeable.” —Deb, Well Armed Women

Sig Sauer P290

Features	Details
Barrel length	2.9”
Overall length	5.5”
Weight (unloaded)	20.5 oz
Capacity	6+1 rounds
Caliber	9mm
Action	Hammer-fired

The Sig Sauer P290 subcompact pistol offers women a low profile, 9mm concealed carry option. An ultra-slim hammer-fired double action-only platform, the single stack P290 comes standard with textured polymer grip panels to minimize size while promoting handling confidence.

Weighing in at around 20 ounces, the modest dimensions of this hammer-fired pistol suit easy cover in waistbands and purses. The smooth, corrosion-resistant stainless slide resists dents and dings during everyday carry.

By keeping the P290 slender and lightweight, Sig Sauer built a popular handgun for female shooters that focuses on portability without compromising accuracy or the stopping power of 9mm defensive loads.

Sig Sauer P365

P365-XL ROSE COMP ROMEOZERO ELITE.

Image source: https://www.sigsauer.com/p365-rose-xl-comp.html

Features	Details
Barrel length	3.1”
Overall length	5.8”
Weight (unloaded)	17.8 oz
Capacity	10+1 rounds
Caliber	9mm
Action	Striker-fired

The Sig Sauer P365 subcompact 9mm is a well-suited concealed carry pistol for women seeking serious firepower in a discreet package. The slim striker-fired frame houses 10+1 rounds while weighing under 18 ounces unloaded for easy carry. It shoots comfortably thanks to modest dimensions and a thoughtful design that reduces perceived recoil.

The P365's accurate sight system and smooth flat trigger enable precise shots when needed. Extended magazine capacity and controls deliver versatility without hampering waistband or purse concealment.

For female shooters who refuse to compromise stopping capacity but need a pistol that doesn't print, the P365 may just be the perfect handgun. It blends just enough power with the concealability needed for everyday carry.

Heather, on the YouTube channel USCCA, gives a great review of the P365. She loves it “because of its size, comfort, and easy ability to shoot. The size makes it easy to use for concealed carry.”

Sig Sauer P320 Compact

Features	Details
Barrel length	3.9”
Overall length	7.2”
Weight	25.8 oz
Capacity	15+1 rounds
Caliber	9mm
Action	Striker-fired

The Sig Sauer P320 Compact brings 9mm capacity in a concealable package suitable for women needing high capacity paired with portability. Weighing under 26 ounces unloaded, the striker-fired modular frame affords comfortable carry while housing 15+1 rounds.

Available interchangeable grip modules specifically cater to smaller hands for shooting confidence and control, further enabling accurate follow-up shots via the smooth, flat trigger. With an emphasis on flexibility, proven P320 durability, and adaptations addressing concealability requirements, the P320 warrants a look by female concealed carriers.

Some additional features include a durable, modular build adaptable to shooters' hands, optics-readiness to enhance sight acquisition, and acceptable weight for daily carry. These aspects make this model a versatile concealed carry gun that balances capacity with concealment for women's CCW needs.

Sig Sauer P938

Features	Details
Barrel length	3.0”
Overall length	5.9”
Weight	16 oz
Capacity	6+1 rounds
Caliber	9mm
Action	Hammer-fired

The hammer-fired Sig Sauer P938 offers a great micro-compact single-action pistol option that is viable for female concealed carry. Alloy frame construction keeps unloaded weight under 17 ounces for seamless all-day waistband or purse carry while housing 6+1 rounds.

Ergonomic wood or Hogue rubber grips are well-suited for smaller hands. A crisp, short trigger break boosts intrinsic accuracy when rapid firing is required. The P938 offers reliable, large pistol performance in the micro proportions that cater to female shooters who need a potent yet concealable 9mm.

Key features that make this pistol perfect for female concealed carriers include the lightweight durable frame allowing for confidence-inspiring control, as well as a tuned single-action trigger for precision shot placement. It also offers ergonomic grip options, ambidextrous safety levers, and a manageable slide release promoting intuitive operation.

Sig Sauer P365XL

Features	Details
Barrel length	3.7”
Overall length	6.6”
Weight	19.1 oz
Capacity	12+1 rounds
Caliber	9mm
Action	Striker-fired

The Sig Sauer P365XL packs an impressive 12+1 9mm capacity in a micro-compact striker-fired gun sized for female concealed carry. Weighing less than 20 ounces unloaded, the durable nitron frame lends a comfortable all-day waistband or purse carry capability, while bringing higher capacity to the 365’s svelte platform.

A short barrel paired with a taller grip keeps the P365XL shootable even for small hands. Key features include manual safety, optics readiness, a contoured flat trigger face, and extended controls that cater to female ergonomics.

For women unwilling to carry anything less than substantial capacity in a micro-package for easy concealment, the P365XL is an excellent choice. This high-value striker pistol blends potency with concealability and usability.

“The P365 XL is so much fun to shoot. It is easy to handle and easy to reload. Racking it is super easy so it might be worth a shot if racking is hard to do due to arthritis. The trigger pull on it is short compared to some of my other guns, but that made it easier to shoot it.” —Kristin, Well Armed Women

For women who carry using an IWB holster, check out our high-performance memory foam holster pad. You will appreciate the extra level of comfort!

How to choose the right Sig Sauer for female carriers?

With so many great Sig Sauer options on the concealed carry market today, it may be difficult to find the right model. Here are some important factors you should keep in mind before making your final decision.

Size and weight. Find a balance between size and weight, as a firearm that is too small may be difficult to handle, while a larger one may be more challenging to conceal.
Caliber. Consider your comfort level with the recoil and stopping power of the chosen caliber.
Trigger pull. Ensure that the trigger pull is comfortable and manageable for you.
Sights. Good sights are essential for accurate shooting, so choose a firearm with sights that you find comfortable and easy to use.
Action and safety. Familiarize yourself with the operation of the safety and ensure that it is comfortable and intuitive for you to use.
Customization. Consider which aftermarket parts or modifications (such as grips, triggers, sights, etc.) would help the firearm better suit your specific needs and shooting style. Sig Sauer pistols offer ample customization options.
Holster compatibility. Once you have selected a Sig Sauer firearm, it's essential to find a suitable CCW holster. Companies such as Flashbang offer concealed carry holsters specifically designed for women, providing comfort and easy concealment.

Sig Sauer handgun for women FAQ

What are the best handguns for women with small hands?

The best handguns for small-handed women feature single-stack slim-profile grips, multiple backstrap options, and easy-to-reach controls like slide releases and safeties to accommodate limited finger length. Top choices include the Sig P238, Springfield Hellcat, Glock 48, and Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield.

What gun size is good for women to carry?

The best for women are ultra-compact pistols with barrels under 3 inches coupled with overall heights under 5 inches and weighing around 20 ounces or less unloaded. The best gun size offers discreet, lightweight concealed carry pieces convenient for purse stow or waistband carry.

What Glock is the best for women?

The Glock 26 Subcompact is arguably the best Glock for women interested in concealed carry. Weighing less than 19 ounces unloaded, the 26 offers a 10+1 capacity in the highly shootable 9mm caliber. Its grip accepts full-sized double-stack Glock magazines from larger models for optional expanded capacity.

Durable polymer construction, proven reliability, and easy maintenance complete the 26’s resume as one of the premier Glocks catering to female concealed carriers who prioritize lightweight performance.

What is the best pistol for weak hands?

Excellent options for shooters with weaker hand strength feature reduced slide resistance, easy-to-reach extended slide releases, lighter recoil operation, and ergonomic grips with accentuated texture to prevent slippage.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Compact with its lighter recoiling polymer frame, easy-reach extended slide stop, and enhanced grip texture is a great example of a pistol well-suited for those with weaker hand strength.

Which is a bigger bullet, a .380 or 9mm?

.The .380 ACP (9x17mm) and 9mm Luger (9x19mm) cartridges both fire the same 9mm (0.355 inches) diameter bullet, but the 9mm Luger is the larger of the two overall.

The 9mm round is longer than the .380 ACP round. The .380 ACP typically fires lighter bullets (85-95 grains) compared to the 9mm (115-147 grains). The 9mm offers greater stopping power, higher velocity, and better ballistic performance compared to .380. It also has a wider availability, greater capacity, and is more affordable.

Why is the Sig P365 so popular?

The P365 exploded in popularity because it was the first pistol that finally gave concealed carriers what they had long hoped for: the ability to easily pack 10+ rounds of 9mm ammo in a legitimately compact and comfortable-to-carry pistol profile.

With its slim yet deceptively high capacity design, paired with innovations enhancing shootability and reliability, the P365 represented a breakthrough that consumers enthusiastically embraced as it better addressed concealed carry needs.

What is the most accurate Sig Sauer?

While plenty of Sigs have excellent accuracy, X-Five pistols are designed expressly for competitive shooting competitions. They feature upgraded triggers, barrels, sights, and ergonomic customizability. The attention to accuracy makes them among the most accurate polymer pistols regardless of brand.

What is the most feminine concealed carry pistol?

The Sig Sauer P238 and Smith & Wesson EZ 380 stand out as two of the most feminine concealed carry pistols. Blending aesthetics with ergonomics, these two models accentuate pink accents and grip textures tailored for women.

What are the best home defense pistols for women?

For home defense, full-size pistols with higher ammunition capacity, heavier weight for recoil management, and weapon-mounted light compatibility best equip women to confront threats at home. The Sig Sauer P320, Glock 17, and Springfield XD Series suit most women's needs.

What features help make a handgun comfortable for beginners to shoot?

Certain features will help make a handgun comfortable for beginners to shoot. These include:

Manual safety lever promoting safe handling
Grip frame designs and textured grip surfaces enabling a confident firing grip
Lighter trigger pulls around 5 pounds requiring less finger strength
Lightweight polymer frames soaking up felt recoil

What makes a handgun customizable for women's needs?

The most customizable handguns allow women to tailor components directly impacting comfort and shootability. This includes things like swapping grip frames and grip surface textures to fit smaller hands, adjusting lighter trigger pull weights, adding optics front sights, and attaching integrated laser sights and lights based on personal defense strategy.

What should women look for in a reliable concealed carry handgun?

Women should choose reliable concealed carry handguns offering durable components like corrosion-resistant finishes and quality steel magazines. Also, look for design features that enable safe handling such as decocking levers and manageable trigger pulls between 4-6 pounds. Textured grips provide a secure, comfortable grasp when precision and performance matter most—giving shooting confidence even in high-stress situations.

About the Author

About the author: Mark Buff is the founder and CEO of GunZee. He is an ardent firearms enthusiast and has been carrying concealed for more than 15 years. He created GunZee to solve his own problem: that of uncomfortable KYDEX holsters. His patented GunZee memory foam holster pad makes inside-the-waistband carry super comfortable.