Are you in the market for a new hidden carry firearm? This article will discuss the top concealed carry firearms currently on the market. Deciding to carry a hidden weapon is a significant choice that should not be underestimated. It involves both exercising a fundamental American and, in my opinion, a human right. However, it raises moral, legal, and philosophical dilemmas that many of us are unfamiliar with.

With that goal in mind, I aim to assist you not only in selecting the appropriate firearm for you but also in providing guidance and readiness in various aspects.

We’ll take a look at some of the legalities of concealed carry, discuss the pros and cons of revolvers and semiautomatic pistols, and I’ll give you some lessons I’ve learned while carrying myself.

Is It Legal for Me to Carry?

Before embarking on this journey, the initial question to consider is whether you have the legal permission to carry where you reside.

For most of us, the answer is or can be yes. But you need to make sure. I strongly recommend the USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws by State. There are a few websites that offer this feature, but USCCA’s is one of the most up-to-date and easiest to use.

Click on your state and then read all about what permits you might need, where your permits are valid, and additional laws about carrying such as in bars, at work, and more.

The Law Is The Law, Read It All

Read everything carefully. Not everything is black and white and you’ll often run into things that are simply… odd.

For example, I live in California. Something that comes up often as a concealed carry weapon holder is “can I drink at a bar and carry a gun?.” The response largely hinges on your specific location, but in my case, the answer is a firm “maybe.”

Interestingly, California does not have a law prohibiting carrying a concealed weapon (CCW) in a bar or restaurant as long as alcohol consumption is not involved.

However, when applying for a permit, I must sign an agreement stating that even with my permit, carrying in a bar or any establishment primarily serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption is not permitted.

Thus, although I may not face criminal charges for carrying a CCW in a bar (as long as I abstain from drinking), there is a risk of losing my permit if I do so.

Such nuances are crucial to understand. 

Even if you manage to avoid detection in your daily routines, violating these obscure regulations could complicate matters if you ever need to defend yourself.

Magazine Capacity, “Expanding” Bullets, and More

If you’re new to firearms, pay attention. Some states have laws limiting how much ammo you can have in your magazine. Normally the limit, if there is one, is 10 rounds. But that isn’t universal.

If you live in a free state, you won’t have to deal with this issue. However, it’s always wise to verify the laws to ensure accuracy if you’re uncertain.

As you might have guessed by the subtitle, this also goes for “expanding” bullets. Normally, that means a ban on Hollow Point rounds. Nonetheless, it’s essential to verify your local laws for accuracy.

And in case you’re wondering, yes — these laws are stupid.

And yes, this is another one of those where it’s unlikely you’d be caught normally — but it is absolutely something that will be looked at after a defensive gun use.

There is a lot of case history across the United States that even if you’re clear of the shooting, you can still be charged for breaking other laws.

Open Carry Vs. Concealed Carry

Open carry means exposing your firearm and people can see it. Think of a uniformed cop or security guard, their firearms are open and exposed.

Concealed carry means people can’t easily see your weapon. It’s really that simple.

If you want to know what makes good open carry guns, that is another article. We’ll focus on concealed carry here.

I always recommend maintaining a concealed position that allows quick access to your weapon without compromising concealment.

For some, that means the appendix carry inside the waistband. 

For others, the small of the back is best.

But for me, I like to carry on my strong side slightly in front of my hip.

Your preferred carry position will influence the choice of the right gun for you. For instance, if you plan to carry in an ankle holster, opting for the largest gun available may not be practical.

If you want to carry at your appendix with your muzzle pointed at the family jewels, maybe you’ll feel more comfortable with manual safety on your gun.

Keep these things in mind when choosing your carry gun.

What Is And Should You Be Concerned About “Printing”

“Printing” is how much your firearm causes visible bulges or outlines under your clothing, typically resembling the shape of the gun.

The degree of printing can vary widely—from subtle enough that only a keen observer might notice you’re carrying a gun, to pronounced enough that even someone with poor vision could discern it. 

It just kind of depends.

Printing isn’t necessarily a major issue. In fact, most of the time when your gun is printing, it may feel and appear much more noticeable to you than it actually is to others.

However, this doesn’t mean you should completely disregard it either. Minimizing printing as much as possible is always preferable.

You can reduce printing by choosing your clothing wisely—shirts with intricate patterns can help conceal the shape of the gun, as can loose and baggy clothing. A high-quality holster is essential.

Your personal physique also plays a role. If you have a slim build, your concealment options may be more limited. Conversely, if you have a larger frame, you can potentially carry a larger gun more effectively.

Ultimately, don’t let the fear of printing dictate your life. If your concern about printing leads you to overhaul your entire wardrobe, adopt extreme diets, or settle for a firearm you don’t like, it’s not worth it.

Is “Printing” Illegal?

If you read enough concealed carry or CCW forums, you’ll encounter opinions suggesting that even printing constitutes “open” carry. While there might be some obscure jurisdictions where this is enforced, it hasn’t been the case in any place I’ve visited, researched, or explored.

Printing is not illegal. However, accidentally exposing your firearm can be, depending on the circumstances. This often occurs when reaching for something overhead or bending down to pick up an item.

When reaching up or down, it’s common for your shirt to shift and inadvertently expose your weapon. In the vast majority of places, this isn’t illegal; at most, you might receive a surprised look from someone passing by. In more gun-friendly areas, you might even get a positive reaction like a high five.

However, there are some places where this is a violation of your permit restrictions. It’s crucial to thoroughly read and understand your local laws to ensure compliance. 

Modifying Your Concealed Carry Gun

This is a contentious issue within the CCW community. I align with one perspective, but I’ll also present why I could be mistaken. It’s important to consider all sides.

First, check that it is legal for you to do so. Review local laws or consult with your permit issuing authority. Even if it’s permissible on a state or city level, not all issuing authorities may approve of it.

Assuming it is legal where you live, should you do it? Two huge reasons why some CCW trainers advise against modifying your carry gun is because it can be less reliable and modifications might be used against you in court if you had to use your gun.

There is some merit to these arguments, but I disagree with both. 

If quality parts are used and installed correctly by a knowledgeable individual (like a gunsmith or yourself with sufficient experience), and if the modified firearm is thoroughly tested at the range, it can be just as reliable, if not more so, than a stock firearm.

For instance, both my heavily modified Glock 19 and Beretta 92FS have proven their reliability through thousands of rounds without malfunctions. 

Regarding the argument that modifications can be used against you in court, I have not seen this proven either.

The concern is that a prosecutor might portray modifications as making the gun “more deadly” or “more aggressive,” suggesting you were “looking for a fight.”

While adding overly aggressive features like punisher skulls might support such claims, choosing functional modifications that enhance performance should not pose legal risks.

For years, I’ve challenged CCW experts to provide a single case where a prosecutor successfully obtained a conviction based solely on legally modifying a firearm. I have never been shown one, but I have disproven several. 

A legal shooting is legal regardless of whether or not you have a slightly lighter trigger, night sights, a red dot, or a stippled grip. 

How your gun might look to a jury is something you should keep in mind. Do you really want to try to defend your punisher skulls or “Get Some” engraving? 

Revolvers Vs. Semiautos

This is an age-old debate. Like 9mm vs 45 ACP, cats vs dogs, or baby back vs. St. Louis-style ribs.

Here is the honest truth — it depends. 

Personally, I am very much in favor of semiautos for concealed carry, and I have a long list of reasons why. But I’ll do my best to give you all of the whys and wheres so you can make your own choice.

Revolvers

The two biggest reasons people choose revolvers are pretty simple actually.

First, they require almost no hand strength. If you can pull a trigger, you can use a revolver. If you have a compromised grip, this might be your only option.

Second, it’s what they are most familiar with. Older generations, especially, tend to prefer revolvers due to their long-standing use and training with them.

If either of these reasons resonates with you, then a revolver might be the right choice for your concealed carry. For everyone else… keep reading.

People like to carry revolvers for their simplicity and reliability. But the thing is…internally, revolvers are quite complex. The internal mechanisms, often referred to as “clockwork,” resemble and function similarly to traditional clocks, and they are just as intricate.

They are reliable until something goes wrong. When something goes wrong, revolvers are almost impossible to fix in the field. Almost anything that takes a revolver out of the fight is critical enough to render it useless until a gunsmith can fix it.

My biggest gripe about revolvers though is ammo capacity. 

Most CCW-style revolvers only hold 5 or 6 rounds. Larger ones can carry 7 or 8, but those aren’t as common. More than 8 is basically unheard of in a defensive caliber.

The Glock 19 I carry has 15+1 loaded with a 20-round magazine as my reload. To do that with a revolver I would have to carry 5-speed strips or speed loaders.

A positive that is reasonable but I would also say is kind of useless is that you can just keep pulling the trigger if your cartridge doesn’t fire. 

While this is true, it’s a very niche positive that will effectively never happen if you use decent ammo.

Semiautomatics

My two big reasons for choosing a semiauto, other than all of the cons I’ve listed against revolvers, are ammo capacity and modifications. 

Both reasons were touched on, but let’s dig deeper.

Depending on the gun you choose you might have magazines that hold 7 rounds or magazines that hold 20+. Generally speaking though, a semiauto has at least 10 rounds of 9mm per magazine.

Reloading with a magazine is always easier and faster than a revolver unless you put an incredible amount of time into revolver training. 

Even so, once you get past the first reload or two — semiauto wins due to volume. Reloading with 10, 15, 20 rounds per reload is just so much more than 5 or 6 at a time with a revolver.

That said — it’s effectively unheard of to ever need that much ammo as a civilian. The FBI says that most civilian shootings are resolved with just 1-3 shots fired. 

So why carry 35+? Personally, because I can. A second magazine is as much for redundancy and to solve any malfunctions that might occur as it is to carry extra ammo.

Since I’m already packing a spare mag, why not make it one that holds more ammo than I’ll ever need.

The legality of modifications I’ve talked about also, but let’s talk about it a little more.

Every change I’ve made to a carry weapon is meant to make the weapon shoot better in my hands so that I can be faster, more accurate, and safer.

Be it removing the magazine safety from my Bersa to changing the slide on my Glock 19 to add a red dot, every change had a purpose and every change was for the better.

All of us are different. We have different hands, eyesight, skills, and needs. Finding a gun that is perfect right off the shelf is a tall order.

With any popular semiautomatic pistol, you have an aftermarket that helps you customize it to fit your needs. Maybe this just means some Talon Grips or maybe it means entirely new internal parts.

Other reasons to choose a semiauto is that they are thin, easy to carry, crazy reliable, easy to use, accurate, and come in every caliber flavor you could think of.

Strikers, Hammers, Safeties, and More

Yet one more thing to think about! Do you want a striker-fired or hammer-fired gun? Do you want manual safety or not? How safe is too safe?

Strikers and Hammers

If you’re just choosing between a striker-fired gun like a Glock or a hammer-fired gun like a CZ P01, it really doesn’t matter. There is no major gain or loss between the two systems.

Some people like hammers so they can ride it with their thumb while holstering up, but that is a super minor consideration.

However, if you’re looking at a question of double-action/single-action (DA/SA) Vs. a striker-fired gun, then it’s something to talk about.

DA/SA guns are great and I love them. The first trigger pull is long and heavy while the double-action cocks the hammer before dropping it, but after that, the pull is crisp and light single-action.

Upside of this is that follow-up shots can be fast and very accurate. The downside is that the trigger requires more training to get good with. But once you are good with DA/SA, your shooting as a whole will improve a lot.

Striker-fired pistols offer a consistent trigger pull for every shot, which promotes quicker proficiency development due to its uniform feel.

In my opinion, this factor should be considered with lower priority. If you find a handgun that fits you perfectly but is DA/SA when you prefer a striker-fired model, it’s not a significant enough obstacle to deter you from choosing the perfect fit.

It might take some more training to get used to the new feel, but that is easier than shoehorning a gun you don’t like.

Manual Safety, Trigger Safety, Drop Safe — Are We Safe Yet?

The biggest choice you will have for a concealed carry gun is getting a manual safety or not. If the gun you choose is something like a 1911, you must have a safety since it is a single-action only firearm.

However, for firearms like the CZ P01, Beretta 92 series, and others, you often have the choice between a manual safety or a decocker-only mechanism. Even some striker-fired guns may offer models equipped with a manual safety.

For the past 20 years or so the trend has shifted away from manual safeties, they require more training, can stop you from firing under stress, and are generally just not needed due to modern firearm design and safety methods.

Personally, I never carry a firearm with a manual safety engaged. My DA/SA handguns are always carried with the hammer down, and my striker-fired guns do not have safeties at all.

The only time I use a safety is when my gun is off-body and that is rare since it isn’t a method I carry with often.

If you’re on the fence, I would recommend against a manual safety if you have the option.

“But if I don’t have a safety, how is my gun safe?!“

Most brands do it slightly differently, but any modern gun is drop safe at the very least. This means it won’t go off if you just drop it.

Firearms like Glocks incorporate multiple internal safeties to prevent accidental discharge or firing if dropped.

One of these safeties is the trigger safety, a straightforward mechanism designed to ensure the trigger cannot be pulled unless gripped properly.

Firing pin safeties mechanically block the firing pin from moving forward until the trigger is pulled.

And the drop safety holds the firing pin back until the trigger is pulled.

Thanks to these safety mechanisms, modern striker-fired firearms are among the safest models ever produced.

Concealed Carry Calibers

This is a discussion I’m hesitant to dive into, but it’s worth addressing.

Right off the bat — I recommend 9mm. If you’re looking for a straightforward suggestion, there it is.

However, if you prefer .45 ACP, .40 S&W, or .357 Magnum, feel free to choose what suits you best.

Bigger calibers like those I just mentioned might have more “stopping power” as some people put it and that can result in greater lethality, but not always.

Shot placement is far, far, far more important than caliber, firearm, or tactics. A miss is a miss no matter what. You can poke a lot of holes in the human body and they will be just fine so long as is didn’t poke something important.

But hit the right spot and even a meth-crazed bodybuilder will drop from a tiny bullet.

9mm offers excellent ammo capacity, effective lethality with modern bullet designs, manageable recoil, and a wide range of ammunition choices for both carrying and training.

Bigger calibers mean more recoil. This makes follow-up shots slower, good hits are harder to achieve, and forces you to carry less ammo.

While it’s true that larger and more powerful calibers can cause more physical damage per shot, the notion that this always ends conflicts more quickly is debatable.

Destroying a major artery means it is destroyed. There are very few cases where an artery would have been destroyed using a .45 ACP but left intact by a 9mm bullet.

Dead is dead. Bigger calibers don’t make the dead guy dead-er.

I would much rather have more ammo, better placed, and faster hits.

However, there is a hard minimum. Just because smaller can get it done, doesn’t mean super-small can. 

From the testing that I’ve seen, .380 ACP or .38 Special is as small as I would go. I strongly do not recommend anything like .22 LR, .22 Magnum, etc.

Defensive Ammo

I practice with FMJ ammunition due to its affordability, but I always carry high-quality defensive ammo. There are several reasons for this choice.

Good defensive ammo has higher quality control and is more reliable. It’s normally nickel or aluminum plated for better extraction and less corrosion. And the bullets are designed to expand in soft tissue thus helping to prevent over-penetration and delivering a more lethal hit.

Whatever caliber you choose, get good ammo to go with it. Don’t just grab a bag of Walmart half-off mystory loads.

I highly recommend:

• Federal HST
• Sig Sauer V-Crown
• Hornady Critical Duty 

Best Concealed Carry Gun

Now that we’ve gone over a LOT of information about how to pick a carry gun, let’s dig into the best CCW guns we recommend!

1. Smith and Wesson 642 J-Frame

One of the classic CCWs, the J-Frame snub-nosed revolver is still a perfectly viable choice today.

While this wouldn’t be my first choice of concealed carry, it would be my first choice of a revolver.

Smith & Wesson have been making revolvers for carrying and duty use for a long, long time. These firearms are known for their durability and reliability, ensuring they will perform when needed most.

I have so much faith in these guns, a .38 Spl Lady Smith 642 J-Frame is what I bought my mother as her first CCW.

Rated for .38 Spl +P ammo, these aren’t pea shooters. They are also snappy in the hand and can wear you down over a day of training.

They are compact, easy to conceal, straightforward to handle, and as accurate as you can get.

S&W also offers them in a wide range of models that include with or without manual safeties, laser grips, and more.

If you want something with more punch — take a look at the 640 line, basically the same gun but chambered in .357 Magnum.

2. Taurus G3c

Taurus hasn’t always garnered much respect in the firearms community, largely due to past issues with quality control.

The thing is though… the G3 and G3c are just outstanding guns. I was as shocked as anyone, but Taurus has really knocked it out of the park with these guns.

The G3c is a more compact version of the G3, retaining all of its impressive features in a smaller package.

Since the G2, Taurus has implemented significant design changes that have elevated it from a good carry gun to a great one.

These improvements include Glock-style iron sights that are compatible with aftermarket Glock sights, an enhanced finish resistant to wear from holster use, 12-round magazines, and unparalleled reliability.

It is awesome to see Taurus step their game up and design such a solid shooter for such a great price.

Take a look at the complete hands-on review!

3. Glock 19 Gen 3/4/5

The Glock 19 might be the CCW. If you’re not sure what to get and really can’t choose, get a Glock 19. 

It’s compact enough for easy concealment by most individuals yet provides a full grip and excellent shooting ergonomics, making it a versatile and well-balanced firearm.

Best of all, to me, is that the aftermarket support for the Glock platform is unmatched. Sights, triggers, slides, frames, and everything else can be changed, improved, or customized to fit your needs perfectly.

You’ll never be short on parts either since it’s one of the most popular guns ever made.

While I personally recommend the Gen 5 for its enhanced features and adjustable grip inserts, any generation of Glock you choose will serve you well.

4. Glock 43X

If the Glock 19 feels a bit too large for your needs, the Glock 43 and 43X are excellent alternatives. They are single stack, slimmer, and easier to conceal, both becoming highly regarded options.

Personally, I strongly recommend the 43X over the 43. While the 43 came first, the 43X really has a number of improvements that make it stand out.

The biggest of those improvements is the fact that it holds 10+1 9mm with a standard magazine.

And being only barely bigger than the standard 43, it’s a huge gain for a little weight.

Otherwise — both guns are what you would expect with a Glock. Glock sights, Glock reliability, Glock feel to them.

Outstanding value in all respects.

5. Sig Sauer P365

Every once in a while there comes a gun that changes everything. Colt Single Action Army, the 1911, Glock. I don’t think the P365 was on par with those innovations, but it did make a huge splash in the concealed carry space.

The first to market with 10+1 rounds of 9mm in a size footprint that normally only held 7 or 8 rounds, the P365 gives you a lot more firepower while staying sub-compact.

Extended magazines slightly enlarge the gun but boost capacity to 12 or even 15 rounds.

Since the debut of the P365, several subsequent models have been introduced.

My favorite is the P365 XL, a slightly larger version of the base gun. It fits large hands perfectly and adds the ability to add a micro red dot.

6. Springfield Armory Hellcat

The P365 was the pioneer, but Springfield applied lessons learned from it to create an improved firearm.

Springfield’s Hellcat holds 11+1 rounds with flush-fitting magazines, has options for micro red dots, and is simply a juggernaut of a sub-compact pistol.

Known for its reliability, strong market support, and exceptional shooting performance, the Hellcat stands out as an excellent firearm, period.

Extended magazines get you 13+1 rounds of 9mm and it still sits as a super easy to conceal sub-compact.

Oh, and it comes in FDE. Hell ya.

7. Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield 2.0

I really don’t have anything bad to say about the M&P Shield 2.0, but I also don’t have any major selling points to give you.

It’s a great gun. Easy to use, easy to shoot, reliable, and a great EDC gun that I think everyone would do well with.

But there isn’t really anything standout about it. It wasn’t the first or the best, it isn’t the smallest or the largest, it’s just a very good, reliable, always there kind of gun.

It’s my Johnnie Walker Red. Always there for you, never demands much, and is a friend in good times and bad. But I don’t break it out for the in-laws.

Like the Red label, it’s also almost always easy to find in stock. Even when Glocks are all scooped up or Sig’s are overpriced, Smith & Wesson has the ability to make sure they are there when you need them.

Something else I can point to is the M&P brand. S&W’s whole line of M&P firearms is outstandingly made and rock-solid with great QC to back them up.

If S&W is willing to put a gun in that line, it’s because they believe in it and will support it.

The other great thing is that it comes in a LOT of flavors. With or without a safety, with or without a laser built-in, the Shield line has a ton of options.

We have a complete hands-on review of the Shield, take a look for a ton more details!

Final Thoughts

The most crucial factor in choosing a firearm is ensuring you actually carry it. If you dislike carrying a particular gun, chances are you’ll leave it behind when you need it most. A firearm left at home serves no purpose.

Equally important is training with your chosen firearm. If you don’t enjoy shooting it, you’ll likely neglect training sessions. Opt for a firearm that you’re comfortable carrying and shooting regularly. Once you prioritize these two aspects, everything else naturally falls into place.

You should also look into things like CCW insurance, holsters, and belts! These articles will get you started:

• Best Concealed Carry Insurance
• The Best CCW Belts
• Best CCW Holsters