5 Best Concealed Carry Handguns

handgun for concealed carry

When selecting a handgun for concealed carry you want to find one that is reliable, easy to shoot, comfortable to carry, and chambered in an acceptable self-defense caliber. When it’s all put together it leaves big shoes to fill. In this article, we are going to look at the top 5 best concealed carry handguns.

Kahr CW Series

Kahr Arms CW9 9mm Pistol

The first gun on the list is the CW series by Kahr Arms. Kahr Arms makes premium handguns and have been used by law enforcement officers for years as a choice duty back up weapon. Their quality control is excellent, and their firearms have proven themselves to be hardened and reliable through years of field service.

Kahr’s parent company started as a leading provider in CNC (computer numerical control) tools and applications for engineering, and have taken that expertise into their manufacturing.

The CW series was designed from the ground up to be a concealed carry handgun. This series is built on a slim, lightweight compact frame and can be chambered in .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

The most important aspect of this gun is the fact that you can get a full 4 finger grip on it even though it is a compact frame with a thin profile, helping to manage recoil a bit more. It is also no secret that your grip plays a huge factor in accuracy. While many personal defense situations will be so close that taking aim isn’t even an option, it’s impossible to rule aiming out entirely. Therefore, having a gun that you can draw and shoot accurately can be a significant advantage.

Glock Sub-Compact

Glock Concealed Carry holster

The next gun on the best concealed carry gun list is the Glock Sub-Compact line of handguns. The name Glock has become synonymous with reliability and durability, and for good reason. Glock pistols have been used all over the world in some of the worst conditions imaginable.

Glocks are one of the most popular duty guns for law enforcement agencies throughout the nations. Glock Subcompacts are also a very popular backup gun for officers, and have become one of the most popular concealed carry guns on the market.

Bottom line is that Glock Subcompacts are reliable, accurate, and rugged guns that have a small profile and are carried by people in all walks of life on a daily basis. They would make a very nice concealed carry gun for almost all shooters.

Glock’s pistols are great for many different folks, looking for guns chambered in a host of different calibers, and available in different frame sizes, single stack, double stack, etc. Overall, you can’t go wrong with one of Glock’s concealed carry handguns.

M&P Shield

Smith and Wesson MP shield 45

The Shield is a designated concealed carry handgun from the Smith & Wesson Military and Police (M&P) line. The Shield is a single stack version of the mainline M&P handguns and was designed for concealed carry with a major priority being placed on making the gun lightweight and having a slim profile.

Most shooters can get a full grip on the Shield, which of course helps with accuracy and follow up shots. The gun is available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. It is also available with a host of extra features such as Crimson Trace lasers, fiber optic sights, and safeties.

Being designed from the ground up for concealed carry, the Shield is an extremely comfortable to carry handgun. It’s lightweight and fits nicely into
most common carrying positions. Most shooters seem to be accurate with the Shield, and it handles very nicely with recoil held to a minimum. It has also proven itself to be reliable through both user and commercial testing.

The Shield is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a new concealed carry gun but really shines with shooters looking for a gun that hides well under clothing or needs to be carried for long hours.

Ruger LCP .380

Ruger LCP Pocket holster

The Ruger LCP, or Lightweight Compact Pistol, is a small, lightweight concealed carry handgun that has been around for many years and has gained a significant following amongst gun owners. Manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company and weighing only 9.6 ounces, the LCP is a very easy to conceal weapon for concealed carry.

Ruger has been known for their quality and craftsmanship for years, and the LCP is no different. Even though it is one of their cheapest firearms they manufacture, it is still held to their high-quality control standards.

The LCP would be a safe and suitable carry gun for just about anyone. The recoil is manageable, the accuracy will come with experience, and the stiff trigger acts as a safety.

So if you are looking for a new concealed carry gun, the Ruger LCP line is one to consider. It has been manufactured for over 10 years, giving plenty of time for the “kinks” to be worked out, and has proven itself as a reputable firearm.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard Series

5 Best Concealed Carry Handguns

Another Smith & Wesson line makes the list, this time it’s the Bodyguard series. Small frame revolvers have been carried for personal defense for many years by many people.

The Bodyguard is lightweight and allows for discreet carry and hides well. It is a J-frame, hammerless design which ensures a snag-free draw. It is a five-shot revolver and has a short 1.875-inch barrel.

Through user testing and reviews, the new Bodyguard revolver has proven to be a very reliable, accurate, comfortable to shoot, and easy to carry handgun. It would be an excellent choice for any new shooter since the revolver does not have any safety, and is basically point and shoot.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a new concealed carry handgun, it is a very personal decision. This list is not intended to tell you what to buy, but rather show you some of the top 5 best concealed carry handgun options currently on the market and educate you about them.

In the end, the gun that you choose should fit you well and you should be able to shoot it comfortably and accurately. It should be a gun that you will shoot often and want to practice with. No matter what the weapon is, shooting it often and in different situations and scenarios is what will really matter if you ever need to use it to defend yourselves or others.

After you make your choice, make sure you check out one of our leather concealed carry holsters, like
the Roughneck, so you can carry in comfort.