A concealed carry license deserves a worthy handgun. Here are 10 optimal choices.
Americans enjoy a right that citizens of many other countries do not-the right to carry firearms. However, choosing the best concealed carry gun can be a challenge.
We stacked up 10 guns against each other to bring you our top carry handguns based on stopping power, weight, ease of use, and price. There's a wide variety in the compact pistol market, and we're helping make sense of it.
Using a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, you'll be able to compare the best to the best. For this particular article, we've only covered compact handguns.
Glock 26 Gen 4 (9MM)
The Glock 26 was designed for concealed carry. It has a small frame and short barrel that make it easy to hide anywhere on the body - and it also packs the power of 10+1 rounds of 9mm.
Even with the small frame size, the Glock 26 retains the same width of a full size Glock. This allows the shooter to get a better hold and much more control over the firearm.
It is a smaller firearm in general, and the internal parts have been moved closer together, but the Glock 26 is still a Glock. It boasts the same proven and well known reliability. With a plant in Symerna Georgia, these fine pistols are being made in the USA as well as being imported from Austria.
Portability: 4
Ease of Use: 5
Weight: 3.5
Affordability: 2
Stopping Power: 3
Springfield Armory XDs (.45 ACP)
The Springfield XDs .45ACP is one of the best carry guns on the market. It has a single stack magazine which will hold 5 rounds of .45ACP, and of course you can add an extra round in the chamber.
If you can't protect yourself with 6 rounds of .45ACP, you shouldn't be carrying a gun! With it's slide made of forged steel and a polymer lower, this gun is made with incredible quality that will never let you down.
The Springfield XDs .45ACP is only 1" wide - which is why we gave it a 5 out of 5 for concealability.
Portability: 5
Ease of Use: 3
Weight: 3.5
Affordability: 1
Stopping Power: 4
Smith & Wesson M&P 40C
We can't say enough about the Smith & Wesson M&P compact series, and the Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W is the highlight. Reliable, accurate, and easy to carry, we gave the M&P .40C a 5 out of 5 portability factor. It comes standard with a trigger safety and optional thumb safety (if you prefer some added safety features), and is an affordable concealed carry gun.
Portability: 5
Ease of Use: 3
Weight: 4
Affordability: 3.5
Stopping Power: 3
Ruger LCRx .38 Special
The Ruger LCRx .38 Special is the latest in the Ruger LCR line. LCR stands for "Lightweight Carry Revolver" - and the entire LCR series comes with Ruger's patent-pending trigger system. This reduced friction trigger system is uniquely designed to give the double-action shooting mode a smooth, even trigger pull, which will result in more accurate shot placement every time.
Ruger has been asked to make a LCR pistol with an exposed hammer to enable single-action mode, and they listened. The Ruger LCRx .38 Special is a dream gun and the answer to a lot of prayers.
Portability: 5
Ease of Use: 5
Weight: 4.5
Affordability: 3.5
Stopping Power: 4
Taurus PT111
The Taurus PT111 is a fantastic conceal carry firearm. The compact design of the frame and 13-round capacity make it a great gun to tuck under a shirt or waistband.
The Taurus PT111 also features an awesome gripping surface on the frame of the gun in order for you to have a confident hold. The external features include a manual safety, slide stop, and a tear-down bar much like that of a Glock.
The best feature of the Taurus PT111 is the double-action/single-action mode. When the slide resets the internal striker to get ready to fire the next round, the trigger is then in single-action mode. If the round fails to fire, the PT111 automatically switches into double-action mode - which will allow you to strike the same primer again. This feature could potentially save your life if you were ever faced with a light primer strike in an emergency situation.
Portability: 5
Ease of Use: 4
Weight: 3
Affordability: 5
Stopping Power 2.5
SCCY CPX-II
When it was new to the market, the SCCY CPX-II showed itself as one of the most affordable carry pistols on the market - which is why we gave the CPX-II a 5 out of 5 on affordability. This slim, lightweight, easy to use 9mm pistol has a magazine capacity of 10+1 rounds - which has more than enough stopping power for you.
This gun is super comfortable to hold, a pleasure to shoot, and a fantastic carry firearm for the price. Coupled with SCCY's excellent customer service and lifetime warranty, you can't go wrong!
Portability: 5
Ease of Use: 4.5
Weight: 3.5
Affordability: 5
Stopping Power: 2.5
Beretta Nano
The compact 9mm Beretta Nano is a great little carry gun with absolutely nothing that will EVER get stuck in a holster or purse. There is no external safety lever, teardown lever, or slide lock to get stuck anywhere. The size and weight of the Beretta Nano makes it a perfect handgun for concealed carry - and the 9mm round can stop just about any threat to you or your family.
Portability: 4.5
Ease of Use: 2.5
Weight: 3
Affordability: 3.5
Stopping Power: 2.5
Bersa Thunder .380
The Bersa Thunder .380 is a super carry firearm for any occasion. This gun would literally fit in your pocket!
It carries 7+1 rounds of .380 ACP, and only weighs 23 ounces. It has both single and double-action trigger modes, and the single action trigger is only 4 pounds - which means a crisp, clean shot placement every time. This gun also features an external thumb safety for added protection while carrying. It has great ergonomics and is ideal for a self-defense gun.
Portability: 4.5
Ease of Use: 2
Weight: 3
Affordability: 3.5
Stopping Power: 2
Springfield Armory XDM Compact .40 S&W
The Springfield XDM Compact is another fantastic concealed carry pistol - and you can have your choice of carrying either 11+1 rounds of .40 S&W ammo, or 16+1 rounds when you carry the extended magazine.
This gun is a bit pricier than some of the other guns, but it sure is quality. It's 6.26-pound trigger pull makes this gun a dream to shoot - and it's extremely accurate.
The overall length of the XDM is only 7", which makes it a very easy gun to tote around.
Portability: 4.5
Ease of Use: 3.5
Weight: 3
Affordability: 1
Stopping Power: 4
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40 S&W
No "top carry gun" list is complete without adding one of the best carry guns on the planet - the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. It comes in both .40 S&W or 9MM and is slim, lightweight, and accurate.
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is one of the top selling guns in America right now. The 6-pound trigger pull makes for a crisp and accurate shot placement, and the sights on top of the gun are fantastic. Due to the demand for these guns, the M&P Shields are hard to find - if you see one, nab it up for the perfect concealed carry gun!
Portability: 4.5
Ease of Use: 3.5
Weight: 3
Affordability: 3
Stopping Power: 3.5
