Get the Best Concealed Carry Gun That Works for You

We may not want to live in a world where we have to pack heat to stay safe, but here we are. Carrying a defensive firearm is your right (in most states), and carrying concealed is the best way to do it. But how do you figure out what the best concealed carry gun is for you?

Whether you’re new to guns or you’ve spent your whole life shooting, carrying concealed is a unique challenge. Only you can find your ideal mix of comfort, power, and capacity, but we can at least point you in the right direction with a few of the best guns on the market.

To narrow down the possibilities, you must prioritize a few features. The good news is, these days, there are more small guns on the market that are comfortable to shoot and train with and comfortable in the holster than ever.

What’s the best size for concealed carry?
Since on-body carry is ideal, let’s focus on compact or smaller pistols. Full-sized pistols offer better performance, but they’re more challenging to conceal. Tiny pistols disappear under a tank top, but they’re difficult to shoot well, and they sacrifice capacity in pursuit of being small.

What’s the best caliber for concealed carry?
You’ll notice that most of the guns on this list are chambered for 9mm. It’s effective, affordable, you can find ammo everywhere, plus a bunch of rounds will fit into a small magazine. Of course, some people still prefer .45 ACP, .380 can get the job done, and .22 LR for self-defense is a thing for some folks, but there’s a reason militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world swear by 9mm, and why so many transitioned back to the chambering after their dalliance with the .40 S&W.

What features should a concealed carry gun have?
An increasing number of people are mounting red dot optics on their concealed carry guns. It’s wise to at least give yourself the option to use an optic, so look for a compatible pistol.

This is going to piss off the 1911 folks, but it’s best to go with pistols with internal or trigger safeties rather than thumb or grip safeties because the fewer things you have to manipulate in a crisis situation, the better. Striker-fired actions are famously reliable, simple to operate, and eliminate the need for an exposed hammer, which, even if bobbed, can snag on clothing.

That said, there are good reasons to deviate from compact, polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols that shoot 9mm, and those are included, too.

Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS

Frame size: Compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel length: 4 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $620.18

The Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS might not always be the best gun for concealed carry, but it is the standard against which all other compact pistols are compared. Glock’s “Perfection” slogan isn’t far off. The Glock 19 has been one of the leading concealed carry guns on the market since it was introduced.

The Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS is damn near indestructible, and its reliability is legendary. There are three safety mechanisms in Glock’s Safe Action System, but no thumb or grip safeties among them — all you have to do is get on target and press the trigger. Field-stripping this pistol for cleaning takes all of two seconds and doesn’t require any tools, though the trigger must be pulled to deactivate the striker so the slide can be removed, which some consider a safety problem. Be careful around these people.

The Gen 5 version of the Glock 19 adds stronger internal components and a more accurate barrel than its predecessors while eliminating the controversial finger grooves. Glocks with the MOS designation have optics-ready slides. You can mount red dots with four different mounting patterns with an adapter plate.

Begin your search with a Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS. If anything doesn’t feel right, branch out and find a pistol that checks that box. Thanks to endless aftermarket support, you can also modify the Glock 19 to your heart’s content with extended magazines, better sights, and an upgraded trigger.

Glock 43X MOS

Frame size: Subcompact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel length: 3.4 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $525.99

If the only flaw of the Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS is being too big for your liking, you need a Glock 43X MOS. You still get Glock reliability, the option to add an optic and 9mm power, but in a smaller package that’s easier to get along with when you’re on the go.

This single-stack pistol keeps a lower profile than the Glock 19 with a shorter barrel and slimmer frame. The 10-round magazine is naturally restricted-state-compliant, and the grip fills the hand nicely. Folks with large hands find it much easier to shoot accurately than short, fat-gripped pistols, like a double-stack Glock 26 with the same magazine capacity.

Part of deciding on a concealed carry pistol is figuring out where you fall on the comfort-to-performance spectrum. The Glock 19 is a more capable firearm, but the Glock 43X MOS is easier to carry every day. If trimming some size and shedding five rounds makes the difference between carrying and not carrying, reach for this pistol every time.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0

Frame size: Compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel length: 3.6 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $625.99

When I talk to shooting instructors about their personal preferences, the brand that comes closest to rivaling Glock is Smith & Wesson. The compact version of the M&P9 M2.0 is easy to carry and every bit as solid as the full-sized M&P9.

The compact M&P9 M2.0 gets high marks for its grip texture, smooth trigger, and interchangeable backstraps to fit your hand size. You have the option to mount an optic on the newest versions, and the frame has an accessory rail for a weapon light. Aftermarket support is fantastic, so upgrading components and finding accessories is easy.

If there’s a weak point on the M&P9 M2.0, it’s the sights — and it’s the same weakness Glock has. Basic three-dot sights are fine for the range, but you’ll want something better on your concealed carry gun. If you’re not slapping an optic on this pistol, look into a set of upgraded night sights, possibly with an adjustable rear sight. S&W’s Performance Center models solve this problem out of the box, and that brings us to…

Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 Shield M2.0

Frame size: Micro-compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1 (in the flush-fit magazine)
Barrel length: 3.1 inches
Optic-ready: No
MSRP: $538.99

Remember how the Glock 43X was just a little more carry-friendly than the Glock 19? It’s the same story with the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 and M&P9 Shield M2.0. This pistol goes to great lengths to be small, comfortable, and easy to conceal without making excessive compromises in terms of performance, which means it’s bigger than a pocket pistol, but not by much.

With a barrel length of 3.1 inches and a seven-round magazine, the M&P9 Shield M2.0 is borderline tiny. This micro-compact pistol is perfect for people who typically struggle with printing (meaning your pistol is visible through your clothing) but offers just enough real estate to get a firm grip and manage recoil.

This Performance Center model comes with an upgraded trigger, tritium night sights, and a ported slide to cut down on the pesky muzzle flip associated with stubby barrels.

Creating a pistol this small requires compromises, so the Shield isn’t perfect for every situation. It isn’t optic-ready, and the frame doesn’t have a rail for a weapon light. Capacity is limited at just 7+1. If those things aren’t deal-breakers, buy a Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield M2.0 and call it a day.

Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro

Frame size: Compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel length: 3.7 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $566.99

Springfield Armory made a splash with its Hellcat micro-compact pistol, but that pistol’s big brother is even better. The Springfield Hellcat Pro increases barrel length to 3.7 inches and magazine capacity to 15 rounds. Unlike the original Hellcat, you can’t shorten the grip length by using smaller magazines.

The Hellcat Pro is milled to accept red-dot optics with the Shield Micro footprint, and the standard U-dot tritium sights are better than most. Aftermarket support is still catching up, but you can find great holsters for the Hellcat Pro. Pistols with threaded barrels, manual safeties, color options, and state-compliant magazines are available if you want them.

The trigger could be smoother, and pistols this small are always snappy, but the Hellcat Pro makes up for it by being easy to carry, easy to conceal, and tough enough to be your EDC. A Hellcat Pro is currently serving as my test mule for handgun optic reviews, and I’ve put it through a lot of abuse. It hasn’t missed a beat after some nasty weather and repeated drops onto concrete.

Walther PDP Compact

Frame size: Compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel length: 4 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $611.99

Walther’s PDP Compact is a slightly scaled-down version of the full-sized PDP. That means you get a 4-inch barrel and 15-round magazines instead of a 4.5- or 5-inch barrel and 18-round magazines, but the platform is modular, so you can mix and match slides and frames to create exactly what you want.

The blocky Walther PDP Compact is more likely to print than other pistols on this list, but it’s a fantastic carry gun. What really sets it apart is Walther’s outstanding Performance Duty Trigger — I can confirm that all the praise from gun reviewers is valid.

The slide is optic-cut, and you can choose from different mounting patterns, but you’ll have to request the correct adapter plate from Walther (free of charge). The non-abrasive grip texture feels good in the hand and is very effective.

The PDP falls on the functional end on the spectrum of super-comfortable to outright duty pistol. Parts and aftermarket support aren’t on par with Glock and Smith & Wesson, but it’s a delight to shoot, and it works very well.

SIG Sauer P365 XMacro Comp

Frame size: Micro-compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1
Barrel length: 3.1 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $799.99

SIG P365 XMacro Comp — A SIG Sauer P365 XMacro Comp with a Holosun EPS Carry red dot and a Holosun P.ID HC gun light. *u/deej_ftw/Reddit*

The SIG Sauer P320 might be the most versatile pistol platform out there, and it can be made into a tremendous compact carry pistol, but the P365 has the edge as a concealed carry handgun. The P365 X-Macro Comp is one of the best-performing carry pistols out there, and it’s one hell of a buy.

At around $800, this is more expensive than many concealed-carry guns. That money will get you a slide that’s cut for an optic and includes a built-in compensator to tame recoil and keep you on target for faster follow-up shots. Tritium night sights are standard, as is an accessory rail on the frame. The big news, though, is 17+1 capacity — a noteworthy advantage for a carry gun of this size.

The SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp’s trigger is similar to other SIG striker triggers — a little spongy — but many people (including many who shoot better than me) like them. Printing can be an issue with this pistol because of the extra grip length and an oversized beavertail. None of these points affects how accurate and reliable it is, though, and it’s a serious contender for people who prioritize magazine capacity.

FN Reflex MRD

Frame size: Micro-compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10+1, 11+1, 15+1
Barrel length: 3.3 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $659

Downsizing from a compact pistol to a micro-compact pistol usually involves some degree of sacrifice. Manufacturers just don’t tend to offer as many features in tiny pistols. One exception is the FN Reflex MRD, which is incredibly small, shoots like a premium pistol and requires surprisingly little force to rack the slide.

According to FN, “stacking tight groups on target with match-grade accuracy is instinctive” with the Reflex MRD. While I wouldn’t recommend pulling up to a pistol match with this gun, the cold-hammer forged barrel does have a target crown to increase accuracy, and barrels this short need all the help they can get. The standard sights include a tritium front sight, and the slide is cut for optics with the RMSc footprint.

For shooters who enjoy the finer things in life, finding a concealed carry pistol that satisfies their refined taste can be difficult. The FN Reflex might be one gun that’s easy to conceal and still feels great to shoot.

Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Compact OSP

Frame size: Compact
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel length: 3.8 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $610.99

Some of you are pulling your hair out after reading so many 9mm recommendations, and you’re being rewarded for your patience now because the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Compact OSP puts big cartridges in a small package.

It’s hard to find a pistol that combines compact size, double-stack .45 ACP magazines, and an optic-ready slide. This pistol offers all three using the Proven XD-M platform. It also comes with ambidextrous controls, a fiber-optic front sight, and a flared magazine well that can be replaced with a grip extension for increased capacity.

This burly .45 is a handful compared to the 9mm pistols here, and you’ll probably have to work harder to carry it without printing. But if you insist on carrying America’s cartridge every day, this is a great way to do it.

Girsan MC 14T

Frame size: Compact
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 13+1
Barrel length: 3.8 inches
Optic-ready: No
MSRP: $580.99

The Girsan MC 14T is a niche pistol that most people would look right past, but it deserves a place on this list for one simple reason: It’s accessible to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to use a pistol.

For people who have difficulty racking a pistol’s slide due to strength or dexterity issues, the MC 14 T’s tip-up action is a game-changer. You can load 13 rounds into the magazine and drop one into the chamber without wrestling a heavy recoil spring. When it’s time to fire, .380 ACP delivers adequate stopping power with minimal recoil.

Girsan gave the MC 14T a frame-mounted accessory rail but no place to mount a red dot. It has an exposed hammer and a thumb safety (at least it’s ambidextrous), which aren’t my favorite features for a carry pistol. I also wish Girsan offered a state-compliant model. It’s not perfect, but it’s an important pistol that lets more of us carry responsibly.

Another option in this category is the Smith & Wesson Shield EZ line of pistols. These guns don’t use a tip-up design, but they do require less significantly less effort to rack the slide than a standard M&P.

Honorable Mention: SIG Sauer MCX Rattler

Frame size: SBR
Caliber: .300 AAC Blackout
Capacity: 30+1
Barrel length: 5.5 inches
Optic-ready: Yes
MSRP: $2,542.99

Let this be your friendly reminder that off-body carry is a thing, whether some people like it or not. If you’re going to stuff your concealed carry gun in a backpack, you might as well take advantage of the extra space by packing a SIG Sauer MCX Rattler. This gun’s legality as a CCW option may vary depending on where you live, but it’s definitely a sweet truck gun whether you can legally carry it concealed or not.

Lugging around the extra heft of the MCX Rattler will get you a 5.5-inch barrel, familiar AR-style controls, and a magazine with 30 rounds of potent .300 AAC Blackout on tap. Add a suppressor and stuff the magazine full of subsonic ammo to get the most out of your Rattler. If that’s a good enough setup for Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone when he’s sending feral hogs to pork chop heaven, it’s good enough for whatever shenanigans you get yourself into.

These days, figuring out whether a brace makes the MCX Rattler a pistol or a short-barreled rifle in the eyes of the ATF is more complicated than it should be. That means you’ll be filling out a stack of paperwork, forking over extra cash for a tax stamp, and waiting for approval before you can take possession. On the other hand, you can skip the brace or add one after you complete the process to own an SBR.

Ammo, Holsters, and More

No matter what concealed carry gun you chose, you’re going to want something better than cheap ball ammo in the tube. If you don’t have specific defensive ammunition in mind already, check with your local police department to see what they carry. Keep some on hand but feel free to train with the cheap stuff so you get lots of quality reps without blowing the budget.

Think about how you’ll be carrying and what holster options are available before you commit to a particular pistol — and just accept at the gate that you’re going to go through more than one holster before you find the right one.

There are a lot of options out there, but it’s hard to go wrong with a Kydex holster inside the waistband at the appendix position. Not all pistols enjoy the same level of support from holster manufacturers, but you can start by checking out brands like Tier 1 Concealed and Safariland.

If you’re going to carry off-body, take size into account and make sure you can find a bag and firearm that work well together. Something like the Eberlestock Switchblade or one of the low-vis bags from 5.11 Tactical is a great way to carry your EDC gun and everything else you need to get through the day.

Finally, remember that competence comes from the range, not the store. Seek professional training, and practice what you learn often. I’ve heard that we don’t rise to the occasion; we fall to the level of our training; those are wise words to live by.