Unsure which concealed carry handgun best suits you? Here are our top picks. We’ve tried all the popular models and selected our favourites.
What is the best gun to carry concealed? Spoiler alert: There isn’t a.
What is the best concealed carry weapon that I can use?
Carriers come in all sizes, shapes and levels of skill. It may come down to the clothes you wear that day.
All of these factors result in different market feedback which is reflected by the sheer number of guns available.
How We Tested The Best Concealed Carry Hand Pistols
This review was done by the entire Pew Pew Tactical Team, including freelance writers. Each writer contributed their own opinion based on body type and hand size. Each gun on the list has been tested by our team and is in their possession. We have shot and carried dozens and selected our favorites on the basis of reliability and ergonomics.
Our team is made up of a diverse group, including former military personnel and law enforcement as well as NRA and CCW Instructors.
These are the handguns we’ve carried and some of our favorites.
Best CCW Handguns
1. SIG Sauer P365 Series: Best Concealed Carry Gun Overall
Sig Sauer P365 Pros & Cons
Pros
- With extended mags, 10+1 9mm can be expanded to 15+1.
- Tritium night sights
- Excellent grip
- Size and weight of the object make it possible to control.
Cons
- Fit tight with a full magazine and one in the chamber
- The thumb may rest on the slide stop, negating last-round slide hold open
Sig Sauer P365 Specs
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action : Double Action Only/ Semi-Auto
- Weight: 1.11lbs, 17.8oz
- Barrel Length: 3.1in
- Overall length: 5.6in
- Magazine Capacity : 10+1 rounds
Sig is leading the charge in micro-compacts with its highly successful P365 Series.
The guns are only a little over an inch in thickness, but they can hold anywhere from 10 rounds (P365) up to 17 (X-Macro).
These guns have been voted the top by many gun owners around the world. They are known for their excellent ergonomics, OEM night sight, solid accuracy, and reliability.
I have both the base P365 as well as the P365XL. I find that even though I carry a variety of guns, I always return to these two models for concealed carrying.
The guns are easy to use and fit well in my hands. They are also very accurate. Here are some targets shot with my P365XL, equipped with a carry.
Our founder, Pew Pew Tactical, also carries the XL version.
It’s hard to argue with a compact 12+1 9mm that always goes bang!
The P365 is also one of the best-supported guns in the market due to its modularity, and the rapidly growing aftermarket.
2. Springfield Armory Hellcat – The Best Micro Compact 9mm for Concealed Carry
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pros & Con
Pros
- The best way to conceal your identity
- Texturing that is aggressive
- Easy to shoot
- Great iron sights
Cons
- The size of the hand may be too small for those with larger hands
- Aftermarket support is lessened
- The micro-compact that is snappier than others
Springfield Armory Hellcat Specs
- Caliber: 9mm luger
- Action: Semi-auto
- Safety No
- Weight: 1.15lbs
- Barrel Length: 3in
- Overall length : 6in or 7in
- Trigger Pull: ~5.5lbs
- Mag Capacities: 11+1 rounds, 13+1 rounds
Springfield Hellcat, like the P365 is another excellent option for anyone looking for a micro compact.
The P365 has a standard capacity of 11+1, which gives it an advantage in terms of capacity over the base model. But that’s not everything.
As a P365 user, I was unsure how much I’d like the Hellcat. After shooting a few examples and versions, I can confirm that the Hellcat is a great camera.
I think the Hellcat’s tritium and U-notch front sight are the best factory sighting setups available. If you don’t like that, you can add a red dot to the models with optics.
I have found the trigger to be more consistent with different guns. The accuracy has been excellent for me whether I’m doing 7-yard Mozambique Drills or 40-yard Dicken Drills.
The Hellcat is a great choice because of its aggressive grip texture, crisp trigger, 13-round mags that can be purchased as an option, and solid overall performance.
After extensive trigger-time behind the P365 and Hellcat, I am confident to say “Pick the one that feels the best.”
3. Walther PDP Compact: Best Compact 9mm for Concealed carry
Walther PDP Compact Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great trigger
- Ready for Optics
- Amiable
- Very accurate
Cons
- High bore axis
- Ordering Optics Plates through Walther
Walther PDP Compact Specifications
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Weight: 1.78lbs
- Barrel Length: 4.6in / 4in
- Overall length: 7 5/8 in
- Magazine Capacity : 15+1 rounds
Walther is a favorite of Pew Pew Tactical and for good reason.
The PDP Compact is a true Glock 19, size, compact gun. It can be used as a duty weapon or concealed carry gun.
The Performance Duty Trigger is what sets the PDP apart from its competitors. It’s a crisp, 4-pound trigger that has a clean break and almost no overtravel.
You get a pistol with an optically-ready trigger that is reliable, accurate and ergonomic.
My personal preference for concealed carry is the compact 4-inch barreled model with 15-round grip module.
The PDP’s design can be traced back to the P99. The PDP’s operating system core has been tested for more than 25 Years.
These guns are the best of their class when it comes down to it. One of my favorite duty weapons is a 4-inch PDP equipped with a Holosun 508T.
4. Ruger LCP max – The Best.380 ACP for Concealed Carry
Ruger LCP Max 380 ACP Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10+1 rounds of.380 ACP
- Super lightweight 10.6 oz
- Tritium fronts for decent sights
- A good value for money at about $400 on the street
- What our Editor carries on athleisure Days
Cons
- Hates steel-cased ammunition and needed to break in 200 rounds
- Snappy Shooter that requires disciplined trigger fingers
- Needs an instrument to strip the field
Ruger LCP Max Specs
- Caliber : 380 ACP
- Action: Single-Action
- Safety No
- Weight: 0.68lbs
- Barrel Length: 2.58in
- Overall length: 5in
- Mag Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
When you carry a concealed weapon, you may want to make sure that your gun is hidden.
Ruger LCP Max is the answer.
Even though we live in a world where tactical is everything and extremes are everywhere, I still feel that small carry pistols have an important (pun intended!) role to play.
The LCP is perfect for me because I can carry it in my pocket or tuck it away when I need to.
Eric Hung, founder of Pew Pew Tactical, describes the gun as having “the perfect combination of size, weight and capacity for a concealed carry.380”.
The LCP Max is 10.6 ounces and less than an inch thick. The LCP Max is 5.17 inches in length, 4.12 inch tall and can hold 10 or 12 (extended) rounds.
5. Kimber K6s: Best Concealed Carry Revolver
Kimber K6s Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reliable
- Design snazzy
- Smooth trigger
Cons
- Need a speedloader for efficient loading
- Little aftermarket support
- It may not fit larger hands
Kimber K6s Specs
- Caliber: 357 mag – 38 Special / 38 Special
- Action: Double Action Only / Double/Single Action
- Weight: 1.44lbs
- Barrel Length: 2in / 3in / 4in
- Overall length 6.6in, 7.6in or 8.6in
- Magazine Capacity : 6 rounds
Kimber surprised the world when it released the K6s, arguably their best-ever gun.
I know revolvers have become a little dated but I still love to use them and they are very effective. A well-fitted revolver exudes elegance and gives you the peace of mind to know that it will work when you need it.
When I first picked up a K6s I almost melted.
It felt like I was holding a mix of an old-school Smith and Wesson with a Ruger feel, but with slick modern styling. It took me some time to realize that this was a Kimber .
These guns weigh 23 ounces and are the lightest 6 shot HTML357 revolvers available. They’re also great for concealment.
The sights are clear and snag free, the trigger works well, and the build is of the highest quality.
These guns are not only well-built, but also beautiful and shoot well.
Kimber offers K6s in 2, 3, and 4 inch barrel lengths. The 2 and 3 inch variants are available with either exposed hammer or hammerless (DASA).
The price of this revolver reflects the superior quality.
6. Staccato CS – Best High-End Concealed Carry Gun
Staccato CS Pros & Cons
Pros
- Accurate
- Increased longevity
- Reliable
Cons
- Price
Staccato CS Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action : Semi-Automatic, Single Action
- Width: 1.45in
- Height: 5.6in
- Weight: 1.44lbs; 22.7oz
- Barrel Length: 3.5in
- Overal Length: 7.1in
- Trigger Pull: 4-4.5lbs
- Magazine Capacity: 16, rounds
The Staccato CS stands out from the rest because it’s the only firearm on the list that costs more than $1,000.
What do you get for your money?
The concealed carry gun is a single-action, ultra-crisp trigger with a 4-pound weight, with a barrel and frame that are hand-fitted. It also has a flat-shooting.
Staccato, the leading 2011 manufacturer (formerly STI), has years of experience in building the CS.
Here I will be level. Is it the best gun in the list? Arguably, yes. It’s not for everyone.
I give the gun high marks in many categories, but it falls short on overall value. Guns such as my Cajunized CZ75 D PCR or Walther PDP Compact achieve comparable results for much lower money.
It is a very popular choice among those who are looking for a top-end firearm. The majority of the cost is spent on hand fitting and the precise manufacturing process. Sean, our resident content manager, has a machine that is reliable and smooth.
The CS is a slimmer, more compact version of its larger brother, C2. It has a 3.5″ match grade bull barrel, and can fire 16 rounds in 9mm.
Staccato CS are optics ready, so you can get even more speed and accuracy out of a gun that is already blazing fast. This is the pocket rifle you’ve been looking for.
7. Springfield XD Elite OSP.45 – Best.45ACP for Concealed Carry
Springfield Armory XD Elite Compact OSP 45ACP Pros & cons
Pros
- Optics Ready
- 10+1 capacity
- CCW size
Cons
- Some people may have a problem with the safety of their backstraps
- Hefty Recoil
Springfield Armory XD Elite Compact OSP Specs
- Caliber : 45 ACP
- Action : Double Action Only
- Height: 4.6in
- Width: 1.2in
- Weight: 1.56lbs
- Barrel Length: 3.8in
- Overall length: 6 8 in
- Magazine Capacity : 10+1 rounds
45 ACP, despite its association with older guns and older people, is not dead.
The Springfield Elite OSP is a great option for shooters who like this caliber.
The Elite XD M line has some amazing features. These include an improved META flat face trigger, a removable flared magwell, fully ambidextrous control, and an optically-ready slide.
The XD Elite OSP has a barrel that is 3.8 inches long, but it holds 10+1 rounds in.45 ACP, which is more than most 1911s or single-stack.45s.
Sometimes I like to have a gun with more power,, but not always. It’s okay to want features that are modern on guns other than 9mm.
Why Springfield? It’s because I searched high and low and almost nobody offers a.45 ACP with these features and in this configuration. Double-stack.45 ACP, compact and ready for optics? Please sign me up. It also comes in 10mm!
This is the gun for you if you like to shoot big bullets from small guns.
8. Canik TP9 – Elite SC – Best budget concealed carry gun
Canik TP9 Elite SC Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great trigger
- Accurate
- Enjoy great value with accessories included
- Optics-ready
Cons
- The micro-compact is wider than the majority of other compacts
- High bore axis
Canik TP9 Elite SC Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Width: 1.45in
- Height: 4.6in
- Weight: 1.55lbs
- Barrel Length: 3.6in
- Overall length: 6.7in
- Magazine Capacity : 12+1 or 15.
Although micro-compacts are the most popular, not everyone wants a gun that is ultra-thin. Some people prefer a shorter barrel than the standard compact 4-inch barrel.
There is still a strong argument to be made for a basic sub-compact pistol, especially one that is as good as this Canik TP9 Elite SC.
I have a few sub-compacts and I like them because they feel more “substantial” than micro-compacts.
Canik’s TP9 line, which is derived from Walther guns, has been a big success in recent years. The Elite SC features Canik’s renowned good triggers as well as great accuracy and reliability.
The Walther PPQ SC was one of the best sub-compact pistols I’ve ever used. It is not surprising that the Elite SC, which is suspiciously similar, is on par, if no better, with it.
The TP9 Elite SC is equipped with a 3.5 inch match grade barrel, phosphorous front and rear sights, ambidextrous slides, and a slide that can be cut to accept Shield RMS/RMSc dots.
Standard flush-fit magazines come with 12 rounds, but extended 15 round magazines are also available.
The Elite SC is a good option if you’re looking for something that is easy to conceal, but not too thin. It’s cheap, as well!