best concealed carry guns for 2018

10 Best Concealed Carry Guns of 2018

If you're looking to conceal, your search for the right gun just got a lot easier.

When you do decide to start carrying, it's imperative that you have a gun that suits you.

The most important part of picking out a concealed carry gun is finding one you're comfortable with, whether it's a full-size, a compact or a subcompact.

You can't go wrong with any of the following 10 handguns.

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1. Ruger LCP 2 .380 ACP Pistol

When it comes to concealing, a pocket pistol is as small as you can go. In the .380 ACP. caliber, the Ruger LCP 2 is a very small, flat-profiled pistol. With a six-rounds magazine, plus one in the chamber, this is a gun you can rely on. This great gun is comfortable to carry in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster.

2. Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield

A very popular pistol for concealed carry is the 9mm-chambered Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield. This model has a thumb safety, along with a seven- or eight-round magazine, plus one in the chamber. The barrel and slide are stainless steel finished in the Armornite matte black. This handgun is perfect for personal protection.

3. Sig Sauer P365 Nitron Micro-Compact

The Sig Sauer P365 has taken the small pistol to a higher capacity over other models. It sports a standard 10+1 capacity of 9mm ammunition, meaning you're prepared to take follow-up shots if needed. It also features a stainless steel slide and an overall length of 5.8 inches and width of only 1 inch.

4. Ruger EC9s

Ruger also offers a 9mm pistol that can hold seven rounds, plus one in the chamber. It is only one inch taller and longer than the popular Ruger LCP 2 pistol. You can buy it in this unique turquoise green, or you can stick with standard black.

5. Ruger Security 9

The Ruger Security 9 pistol offers a larger 15-round magazine, plus one in the chamber. This one can be purchased with a Viridian E-Series Red Laser and is also chambered in the 9mm cartridge. This pistol would also be great to have in a safe place in the house with the larger-capacity magazine.

6. Ruger LCR Revolver

I wouldn't leave out the revolver fans. The Ruger LCR revolver offers a lightweight option perfect for self-defense. It comes in a long list of different calibers, such as .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum, .327 Federal Magnum, 38 Special +P, .357 Magnum and 9mm. You can even buy this revolver with a pink Hogue Tamer Monogrip.

7. Kahr PM9

The stainless Kahr PM9 has been a personal favorite of mine for years. Holding six or seven rounds, plus one in the chamber, this 9mm pistol is accurate for its size. It packs flat, too, making it an all-around great choice. When paired with night sights this pistol is certainly a winner.

8. Glock 42

When Glock slimmed down, the diet was quite impressive. The now-slim .380-caliber pistol holds six rounds in the single-stack magazine. If you need to go bigger, you could choose the Glock 43 in 9mm, which still has the single-stack magazine and slim-framed engineering. This pistol is just as reliable as any other Glock, making it a solid choice for concealed carry.

9. Colt Defender .45 ACP Pistol

Sometimes there's nothing like a Colt 1911 .45 ACP pistol on your hip. That's certainly a great caliber for stopping power. It's a lot easier to tote a .45 around when it's the smaller Colt Defender pistol. It's also available in 9mm if you want something a little lighter.

10. Colt Cobra Revolver

The famous Colt Cobra revolver is now back. This reintroduced .38 Special +P revolver is all business, too. Many seasoned law enforcement officers might remember carrying the originals as backups. The all-steel revolver has a rubber grip that's been repositioned for better recoil management. Sporting an external hammer allows the shooter to shoot single-action for better accuracy. In a defensive situation, always shoot with a double-action trigger. The speed difference just might save your life.

Do you like articles about the outdoors? Click here to view more articles by Eric Nestor. You can follow him @ericthewoodsman on Twitter, The Classic Woodsman on Facebook, and @theclassicwoodsman on Instagram.  You can view more Nestor Photography photos at Nestor Photography.  

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