Best Carry Handgun - Nothing captures changing trends in the handgun market better than compact carry pistols – and for good reason. These mid-sized pistols are ideally sized to fulfill both the duty and concealed carry roles. They can handle 90% of the tasks of their full-size big brothers, but disappear under a t-shirt.
Three of our five picks are shining examples of medium-sized carry guns, sharing favorable dimensions, a 15-round magazine capacity, and excellent ergonomics. The other two are ideal if compromises have to be made to accommodate capacity limitations and restrictive clothing, or if deep concealment is required.
Best Carry Handgun
In general, the following models offer the highest ratio of concealment to shooting ability and are just as suitable for your bedside table as for concealment inside your belt.
Best Concealed Carry Gun
The story behind the X-Compact is interesting. On a sunny New England day, two instructors from the SIG Sawyer Academy decided to build a new concealed gun. One held a stripped X-Five gripping module securely in the field, while the other made his cuts haphazardly with a hacksaw. When the plastic dust settled, the frame was cut to accept P320 15-round compact magazines and the dust cover was cut to fit the subcompact slide assembly. It may not have been pretty, but a powerful carry gun was envisioned.
SIG Sauer has refined the design and what you see in front of you is the result of this work. It has a bobbed back strap; a deep, beveled undercut trigger guard; a crisp, flat trigger that snaps at 90 degrees; A flush-mounted 15-round magazine with the ability to accept 17 and 21-round reloads - and more.
Without a doubt, SIG got it right with the factory model RX, with a deeply milled slide and recessed suppressor height iron sights for the Romeo 2 red dot. This is a competition pistol super concealable that ticks all the boxes. Check availability here.
The current king of the hill remains Glok 19. Even in a fiercely competitive market, Glock has managed to fend off all challengers, effectively defending its title as the best concealed pistol currently available, perhaps the best general purpose pistol. the world I'm not a Glock fanatic, I'm just saying it like I see it. Unlike competitors who stumbled first, Glock nailed it the first time.
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The current 19, now in its fifth generation, is undoubtedly the best model yet. Subtle changes from generation to generation make it clear that Glock is attentive to the needs of its customers.
In factory form, the latest iteration now includes many of the popular aftermarket additions and modifications that owners have traditionally made. These include a slide cut for optics, slide forward serrations, match-grade barrel, flared magazine well, aggressive grip texture and an excellent trigger - at least for a percussion pistol . The only substandard components on the gun are the slide and dovetail guards that the Glock has as sights. Check availability here.
While a double-stack compact pistol is still too big, a new class of pistols called micro-compacts are a good compromise. They are capable of carrying 10-15 rounds of 9mm ammo in a small concealable package. Whether you prefer OWB, IWB, AIWB, pocket carry, ankle carry, or out of body carry, these guns can do it all.
The latest addition to this new segment is Springfield Armory's Hellcat micro-compact carry gun. The Hellcat is an all-new design for the Springfield, and it may be the best yet. Two versions are available: one with iron sights and one with combination iron sights for the popular Shield RMS-C footprint. If we had the choice, we'd choose the red dot model, which gives you the closest thing to a rifle in your pants.
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Testing revealed that the Hellcat is capable of 5 round groups under 1.5 inches at 25 yards, which is great for a gun designed to fit in your pocket. Springfield nailed the Hellcat's ergonomics and shooting ability, and undoubtedly has success on its hands. Check availability here.
The new Q4 SF (Steel Frame) is the little brother of the best competition model, the Q5 Match SF. Steel alloy frames are on the inside and polymer on the outside. A number of metal-framed attackers have either hit the market or are on the way, and our best guess is that we're going to see more of them. Why? The weight distribution of the steel frame dramatically reduces felt recoil and improves shooter performance, with a mix of materials that can produce a sleek yet effective grip frame.
The Q4 SF strikes a balance between a high performance racing gun and a compact gun. I thought the original Q4 Tac did the same thing, but the steel frame makes it better in every way - and feels like a sports car when burning multiple targets. The gun is so well balanced.
The Q4 SF is available with traditional iron sights or as an optics-ready model using a tip plate system that features an integrated rear sight. Combine that with a front sight of the proper height and you have a sight set that will witness most electro-optics (as all CCWs should). Check availability here.
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While the model name is certainly a mouthful, Smith & Wesson struck gold with their Shield Series and (almost) their Shield .380 EZ. Not all people who wear concealment are the same, and as such, not all handguns should be, at least in the eyes of Smith & Wesson.
As a tip of the hat to people with less hand strength, S&W developed the EZ model. Everything about EZ is designed to be, well, easy. As in an easy-to-mount slide and easy-to-load magazine, it is easy to maintain and clean. Adjusting pitches is also easy with the included 3⁄32-inch hex wrench.
The .380 automatic chambering created skepticism and reluctance from buyers, as the cartridge is considered anemic in most subcompact pistols, which the EZ is not. S&W has filled this gap by offering the model in a 9 mm more suitable for self-defense. Although the pistol only holds 8 rounds, the M&P9 Shield EZ is worth considering, especially if you or someone you know is looking for an easy to use and concealable handgun for self defense.
Outdoor Life is dedicated to covering the safe and responsible ownership of firearms for hunting, recreation and personal protection. We only participate in affiliate advertising programs with trusted online firearms retailers. If you purchase a firearm using the links in this story, we may earn a commission. When someone walks into a gun store looking for their first concealed firearm, it can be scary. The gun market is full of great transportation options for people. Over time, people usually find what works best for them. When I worked behind the gun counter trying to help people find a concealed firearm they liked, I always split it into two categories.
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The first category would be considered all-weather guns, or guns that anyone can pick up and carry, whether it's 40 degrees outside and overcast or sunny and 75. These guns are generally small guns which are sub-compact or micro sized guns. I usually throw the Glock 43, SIG Sauer P938, P365, XDS and Shield into this category. These guns are easy to conceal and comfortable to carry, but aren't too compact in terms of capacity. Where they lack in capacity, they make up for in weight and ease of portability. These guns are very easy to carry around all day. Your true gun enthusiasts will also say it's a lazy man's carry option, but to that I say it's better to be armed than to leave your gun at home.
The second category I keep guns in is called three season guns. These handguns are usually full size guns or large compacts like the Glock 17, M&P, XD, full size SIG 320, P226 and guns of that size. I consider these guns three season guns because they are big frame guns. They are hard to hide when it comes to hot summer days. These large framed handguns are generally best suited for the fall, winter, and spring months. During these months, you wear more layers and can conceal full-sized weapons much more easily. I know a lot of people really like to wear a belt outside in the colder months because it's more comfortable and in the summer a coat hides a lot more than a thin t-shirt.
Don't get me wrong, there are always exceptions to the rule and this is no different. The Glock 19, for example, is a good example of where people carry it year-round, even though it holds 15 rounds and is slightly larger than a single-stack compact handgun. People will find ways to hide their favorite weapons and so, I say go for it! Try new options and case options. Having a good case will solve many of your problems, as a really high quality case will provide extra support and comfort. I usually choose ANR Designs as my go-to case maker because they make great cases that last.
If you take it constantly
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