10 Best Conceal Carry

Here are the best 10 choices.

Most Americans enjoy a right that citizens of many other countries do no, such as the right to carry firearms. Choosing the best concealed carry gun can be a challenge. Here are the best 10 compact firearms based on stopping power, weight, ease of use, and price. For the purposes of this article, calibers aren’t the topic. The next article will cover calibers. 26 (9MM)

The Glock 26 was designed almost specifically for concealed carry applications. It has a small frame and short barrel that make it easy to hide anywhere on the body, plus it also packs the power of 10+1 (more with accessories) rounds of 9mm. 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. The release can easily be switched from right to left for shooter convenience (on later models). It is a smaller in length, and the internal parts have been moved closer together, but it is still a Glock. It boasts the same proven and well known reliability.

Springfield XDs (.45 ACP)

The Springfield XDs .45ACP is one of the most popular carry guns on the market. It has a single stack magazine which will hold 5 rounds of .45ACP, and one round in the chamber. Its slide made of forged steel and a polymer lower, to which the majority of the firearms making up this list are composed of. The true ambidextrous magazine release, and slide cut make for an easy transition from right to left shooting.

Smith & Wesson M&P 40C

The Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W is the highlight for the series. The beefy recoil spring is what gives the Smith & Wesson such reliable, accurate, groups. It does come standard with a safety and optional thumb safety (if you prefer some added safety features), and is an affordable concealed carry gun. The pistol does allow magazine release to be switched from left to right, and does have left and right slide release making this a sound ambidextrous shooter. Ruger LCRx .38 Special

The Ruger LCRx .38 Special (Yes a wheel gun) is one of the later 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- 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 easier to manipulate than their big brothers, making this pistol ideal for small hands.

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.

SCCY CPX-II

Fairly new to the market, the SCCY CPX-II is one of the most affordable carry pistols on the market. This slim, lightweight, easy to use 9mm pistol holds 10+1 rounds of 9mm. 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.

Beretta Nano

The 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 for concealed carry – and the 9mm round can stop just about any threat to you or your family.

Bersa Thunder .380 ACP

The Bersa is conceal carry firearm for any occasion. This gun 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.

Springfield XDM Compact .40 S&W

The Springfield XDM Compact is another fantastic carry gun, and can carry either 11+1 rounds of .40 S&W, 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 is extremely accurate making it a dream to shoot. The overall length of the XDM is only 7”, which makes it a very easy gun to tote around. Again with Springfield it is a true ambidextrous magazine release, and slide cut make for an easy transition from right to left shooting.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40 S&W

No list would be complete without adding one of the best conceal carry guns. The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, comes in both .40 S&W and 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.

Honorable Mention Walter PPK .380 ACP

The PPK became known as the “Go To” gun of one James Bond. Who forget the tuxedo clad, Aston Martin driving Brit from “Man with a Golden Gun”, or “ A View to A Kill). One must apricate the simplicity of the Walther PPK. The trigger action is double-action, first-shot, and the operating action is a simple blow-back without the complication of a locked breech. The barrel is about 3.25 inches long, and it is heavier than the new breed “poly” guns weighing in at just over 23oz. (unloaded). The recoil is light, and the pistol is also very accurate. The double-action, first-shot pull is long and smooth and most useful at conversational range. The single-action press is smooth and crisp at just under 4 pounds, which makes the trigger action an aid to accurate fire. A slide- mounted safety and de-cocker are part of the design. Pressing the de-cocker down safely lowers the cocked hammer and, if left down, the lever operates as a safety. The fit and finish of the Walther PPK is excellent. The hand fit is good, and while a large hand may be a little cramped, the pistol fits most of us well. The 7- round magazines are high quality, and the magazine release is positive. My pistol came with two magazines. One features a finger-rest extension that makes it a better fit for larger hands. The checkered grips give your hand good adhesion when firing. That is important because the hand must be stable when firing the pistol and operating the double-action trigger. The PPK’s slide does have a reputation for “Slide Bit”, by keeping a solid grip and the web a little lower, you can avoid that problem.