The Well Armed Woman's Top 10 Guns of 2022

Women are still making a big dent in annual handgun purchases—but what are they buying? Here are 10 of the most purchased handguns by women in 2022.

by posted on March 20, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Twaw Top 10 2022 Lede 3 (1)
Walther PDP-F image courtesy American Rifleman

It’s one of our favorite topics: Which guns are women buying? While it’s impossible to know what handgun each and every woman in the United States has purchased in the past year, we can be confident that surveys and samplings produce reliable information that give us a general idea. That’s why we got so excited when The Well Armed Woman announced the findings of its 6th Annual Survey of Women Gun Owners.    

In this year’s Top 10 list (based on purchases made in 2022) you’ll recognize many familiar models, as many are making encore appearances—and not necessarily in the same order as they’ve previously appeared. A few have even been on this list since the inaugural survey. Some models fell off; others climbed on board, like the made-for-women Walther PDP-F. There was also a three-way tie for seventh place which, interestingly, shows SIG Sauer's now-discontinued 1911-inspired micro-compact pistol is still a popular choice among women.

The Well Armed Woman founder Carrie Lightfoot also offers insight into this year’s survey results, pointing out that even though a few well-known brands didn’t have a gun appear in the top 10, they are making inroads with new models that are finding favor among women, including certain revolvers, and models in Taurus’ G Series. See more of Carrie’s analysis here. And after you're finished, avail yourself of the hundreds of gun reviews of some of the most popular brands and models, all posted by women who have purchased and used those particular handguns.

Without further ado, based on TWAW's survey, here are The Well Armed Woman’s Top 10 Handguns of 2022:

 

1. SIG Sauer P365 (9mm)

 

2. S&W M&P9 Shield EZ (9mm)

3. S&W M&P380 Shield EZ (.380 ACP)

4. Glock 43X (9mm)

5. Glock 19X (9mm)

 

6. Springfield Hellcat (9mm)

7. Three-way tie:  S&W M&P Shield 9 (9mm)/Walther PDP-F (9mm)/SIG Sauer P238 (.380 ACP) 

 

8. SIG Sauer P320 (9mm)

 

9. Ruger SR22 (22 LR)

10. Kimber Micro 9 (9mm)

 

 

 

 

Latest

Hamlin Pavlich Interview Atlanta Annual Meetings
Hamlin Pavlich Interview Atlanta Annual Meetings

Pulling No Punches: Katie Pavlich Interviews NRA EVP Doug Hamlin

Pavlich poses the tough questions on national gun politics and the state of the NRA.

Quick Tip: Bending Over with a Slung Gun

You dropped something at the range. How do you pick it up safely while keeping your long gun out of the dirt?

Join an Exclusive Interactive Town Hall with NRA EVP & CEO Doug Hamlin

This exclusive event will provide important updates about the NRA and its efforts to protect and promote Second Amendment rights.

Interlimb Interaction

All of the safety rules are important, but rule No. 2 is partially based on a physiological phenomenon that involves how your limbs work in tandem.

The Armed Citizen® June 20, 2025

An attempted domestic assault ended with the aggressor being dropped off at a hospital—with multiple gunshot wounds. 

New Guns 2025: Ruger LCP MAX with Manual Safety

Two models are offered with a left-side safety; one model also comes with a magazine disconnect and loaded chamber indicator.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.