If you are looking for a small, easily concealed pistol that comes in pink direct from the factory, you are in the right place! You have a number of choices, varying in price from less than $250 to $700. I compared 10 different concealed carry—or pocket pistols—all with pink frames that are similar in size and function. Six are available in .380 ACP, while four are in 9mm. The biggest differences in the comparisons—the two pistols made by SIG Sauer have night sights, metal frames and operate single-action only; the two choices from Diamondback have slides that do not lock open after firing the last round, and the Taurus’ 738 TCP has a surprisingly low four-pound trigger pull.
| Bersa Thunder 380 |
Ruger LCP | Ruger LC380 | Taurus 738 TCP | SIG Sauer P290RS | SIG Sauer P238 | Diamondback DB9 | Diamondback DB380 | Beretta Nano BU9 | SCCY CPX-2/CPX-1 | |
| Caliber | .380 ACP | .380 ACP | .380 ACP | .380 ACP | 9mm | .380 ACP | 9mm | .380 ACP | 9mm | 9mm |
| Price | $356.64 to $481.20 | $308.20, $321.94 for purple | $362.25 | $284.15, $318.19 for white | $415.85 to $484.77 | $615.85, $658.00 for rainbow | $299.56, $312.51 for Muddy Girl camo | $270.83 to $329.95 | $381.40 to $398.00 | $247.25 |
| Barrel | 3.5” | 2.75” | 3.12” | 3.3” | 2.9” | 2.7” | 3” | 2.8” | 3.07” | 3.1” |
| Capacity | 7 rounds | 6 rounds | 7 rounds | 6 rounds | 5 rounds | 6 rounds | 6 rounds | 6 rounds | 6 rounds | 10 rounds |
| Sights | 3-dot | Fixed | 3-dot | Fixed | Night sights | Night sights | Adjustable | Adjustable | 3-dot | 3-dot |
| Safety | External manual thumb | No external | External manual thumb | No external | No external | External manual thumb | No external | No external | No external | No external |
| Length | 6.6” | 5.16” | 6” | 5.25” | 5.5” | 5.5” | 5.60” | 5.2” | 5.63” | 5.7” |
| Height | 3.6” | 3.6” | 4.50” | 3.75” | 3.9” | 3.9” | 4” | 3.8” | 4.17” | 4” |
| Width | 1.3” | 0.82” | 0.90” | 0.87” | 1.1” | 1.1” | 0.80” | 0.75″ | 0.90” | 1” |
| Weight | 20 ounces | 9.4 ounces | 17.20 ounces | 10.2 ounces | 20.5 ounces | 15.2 ounces | 11 ounces | 8.8 ounces | 17.67 ounces | 15 ounces |
| Trigger pull | 8 + lbs. | 8 lbs. | 7 lbs. | 4 lbs. | 9 lbs. | 7.5 to 8.5 lbs. | 5 lbs. | 5 lbs. | 5.7 lbs. | 9 lbs. |
We put a few of these guns through their paces at the range. For our reviews, read these articles:
- Pink Pistols: Bersa Thunder .380 with Pink Crimson Trace Lasergrips
- Range Report: the 9mm Beretta Nano
- The Diamondback DB9 — The Ultimate Concealed Carry Solution
- SIG’s Light 9mm, the P290
- Thoughts on the Pocket Pistol and Everyday Carry—The SCCY CPX 2
Before jumping right in when purchasing a handgun for self-protection—even though I have been told that if it wasn’t for pink guns, a reader would have never started shooting—I always advise to never buy a gun just for its looks. It is always smart to try a variety of handguns to see which one suits you best before making a final decision. However, all of these 10 contenders get solid reviews. If you are in the market for a small, easily concealable gun and dead set on getting a pink one, I hope this quick comparison chart helps you with your decision.
The one thing I am looking for is the slide force required to rack a round into the chamber. I got her a nice Walther model PPK/s 380 but she doesn’t like the force required to pull the slide. I bought a spring kit for the gun and installed a 20 lb pull force spring. It was still to strong for her. Who makes a pistol for an elderly woman with weak hands. She can shoot the Walther just fine but can’t pull the slide back.
My wife has a ccp and she has a Ruger LCR (with pink grips), but, this revolver has too much recoil for her to effectively manage and so she has chosen to carry my S&W model 34 kit gun in 22lr, Because I think this caliber is a poor choice and I own several of these others, I have tried to change her to a shield 9mm or a Glock 26. The problem she has is that she has no strength to operate the slide. We have tried different techniques and various weapons, but she just can’t operate the slides of most 9mm or 380’s. I would like for her to carry a more substantial caliber, But for now 22lr is her choice. Do you know if there are any reviews on the ease of use of small carry pistols from a woman’s point of view. I know she would be interested…
@ Jack Evans: I know you stated she has no strength to operating the slide and has attempted different techniques, however I thought I’d post a link to a possible solution by CTD Suzanne.
She wrote a step-by-step teaching that rather than trying to rack the slide, you hold the slide still near your chest and instead you push the lower receiver forward then release the slide.
In addition, I’ve posted two more links to guns from female’s point of view. Hope this helps:
CTD Suzanne: You Can Rack A Slide. It’s Technique, not Strength.
http://dev-migrationctd.pantheonsite.io/rack-slide-its-technique-strength/
Shooting Illustrated: The Right Gun for a Woman, According to Women
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/29117/the-right-gun-for-a-woman-according-to-women/
Youtube: Selecting a First Handgun (woman’s perspective)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B68ILSzggTc
Got a SCCY CPX-2 in black and silver for my wife before i saw it in pink. Great gun – shoots great,, put a laser on it and she loves it. Like the 10 round capacity and the power of the 9mm. Would have gotten her pink if I saw it, but really think the black and silver looks more intimidating than pink anyway. Can’t beat the price for a great gun.
For the $ you can’t beat the SCCY, I have a Gen2 in all black.
I wonder if you have ever done a review on the EAA Witness Pavona Polymer Compact in 9mm. in the Fandango pink color?
I know it’s not the best round for defense, but my wife’s first defensive carry was a pink Walther P22 (.22LR). Plus my son already owns a licensed .22 silencer (suppressor) for his cammo’d P22 so it adds to the fun whenever we take it out together at target practice.
I bought the pink/silver Taurus 738 (.380) for my better half and she loves it. As stated in the article, the trigger pull is great and it eats hollowpoints like candy. The Hornady pink tip “breast cancer awareness” rounds compliment it perfectly.
What ever you do, don’t accidently drop one in the wood or desert areas.
You’ll never find it again. Pink is one of those colors that are extremely hard to detect at long ranges. If you don’t believe me, look up the “YEHUDI” Project of World War II. The Color in question is called “Mountbatten Pink”.