Covid-19 Update: Stock has gone crazy, and some dealers have given up. We are not among them. The best emergency measure is this, our own live links to our partner sites.
These guns are in stock, right now, and you can buy them with your magic credit card. And if this really is the end, you’ll never pay it back. So you win, kind of…
- Palmetto State Armory – Good selection in stock.
- Sportsman’s Warehouse – 9mm handguns back in stock now!
- Bass Pro: Awesome selection of guns in the crisis.
- Euro Optic – Showroom closure means a ton of guns in stock.
- Primary Arms – Lesser known dealer with some great 9mm pistols in stock.
- Sportsman’s Guide – The standard guns, Glocks etc. Some left.
Now on with the original show…
If you are looking for the best concealed carry gun, then chances are you’re looking at 9mm pistols. If not, you probably should be.
There are still folks doggedly clinging to the 45 ACP and I can see the attraction of the 230gr hollowpoint. We have even done a list of the best 45 ACP CCW handguns here.
But 9mm has closed the gap and the increasing popularity of 9mm means the ballistics technology has come on in leaps and bounds. So there really isn’t that much of a gap anymore and it still holds that massive advantage when it comes to capacity.
Now, what is the best concealed carry gun for sale in 2020, and why?
1. Glock 43x
- Price: $449.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.39 inch
- Total Length: 6.5 inch
- Weight: 1lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Let’s just get this out the way. The Glock 43X is pretty much the perfect handgun. It’s the best 9mm concealed carry pistol overall and it has displaced the Sig P320 Compact as our EDC. And we don’t even like Glocks.
Glock lost our confidence with previous generations as the Glock rivals simply got better. Now the striker fired Glock 43x has simply swept the snappy little Sig and co aside. It’s the total package.
The Perfect EDC Handgun, By The Numbers
For 90% of people, this is the perfect EDC. The Glock 43x is the best Glock on the market, and it might just be the best gun on sale in 2020. It isn’t exciting, but it is near perfect.
A massive industry in Glock parts & accessories somehow made up for the fact that the gun simply wasn’t sharp enough in stock form. Glock triggers were a laughing stock up to Gen 4, but Glock seems to have taken on board some constructive criticism for Gen 5.
Glock 43x: The Best Glock in 2020?
The Glock G43x is a better gun than we have seen from the Austrian manufacturer in some time. Generations even.
Now the stippling is just enough, the serrations on the slide actually work, the short trigger is actually a joy to use and the recoil is perfectly controlled. The loaded chamber indicator is a nice touch as well.
The G43x is also exactly the right size and shape, so it’s just a great concealed carry pistol.
The Best Glock For Sale in 2020
All Glocks might look the same, basically, but the G43x stands out for us as the absolute best Glock you can buy right now. High praise indeed.
It’s a landmark gun for us, where Glock stopped doing nothing wrong and started doing everything right. We’re not the only ones that think this way…
Buy your Glock online right now at the best price.
2. Sig Sauer P365 Nitron
- Price: $499.99
- Caliber: 9mm
- Total Length (Inches): 5.8
- Height (Inches): 4.3
- Weight: 1.1lb (Unloaded)
- Barrel (Inches): 3.1
- Capacity: 10+1 / 12+1 with Mag extension
The Sig Sauer P365 Nitron is the best concealed carry gun for sale in 2020 if you want a real subcompact. It really is that simple.
It’s a work of genius, in terms of ergonomics and packaging, and you have to wonder how much smaller a gun could realistically get and still be functional.
It was easily the best subcompact 9mm pistol by a mile and it has swept the board with our CCW honors list since it went on sale.
Finally it has yielded the top slot to Glock’s best work in years. But that’s just because it can be too small, too specialist, for some of us. And this is a carry pistol competition, not a quest for the smallest gun. It has to work, well.
9mm Stopping Power in .380 ACP Body
This is basically the same size as the smaller .380 Auto handguns for sale, but it gives you the 10+1 rounds of 9mm that seems to be the new standard in terms of gun control laws in the Commie states.
Extended Magazine Offers Staggering Capacity
The double-stack magazine is more of a staggered mag than a true double-stack, but that helps the slimline P365 Nitron keep it’s maximum width to just 1 inch.
The only issue for some people is the lack of a proper safety with such a small gun that fits so snugly in the palm of your hand. As well as getting larger hands round it all. Then there is the recoil, which is a little strong for a 9mm.
For the recoil, we recommend the DPM 3 Spring recoil reduction kit,m which fights muzzle rise and is a definite upgrade. That’s in our custom Sig P365 parts, accessories & upgrades post.
The size will always confound some people. That’s why there’s a Sig P365 XL. But at least the safety issue is fixed and you can have peace of mind with one of the smallest 9mm pistols on the market.
Special Editions Almost Won the Day
Sig has lost the top spot to the slightly larger Glock. But then Sig basically fixed that issue with the Sig P365 XL that you can buy for around $600.
The longer barrel tames the recoil of this 9mm and it simply fits larger hands better. It also looks amazing and it’s a nicer experience all round. Obviously, it isn’t as easy to conceal…
Sig also has the P365 SAS on offer, which strips the dot sights completely and replaces them with an FT Bullseye fiber optic set-up that works like a crude red dot.
It’s hopeless at long distances, but it makes target acquisition simple and easy up close and personal. That intriguing sight is also set into the ported slide. We like that, because this is the start of an interesting custom Sig P365.
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3. CZ 2075 Rami
- Price: $574.99
- Caliber: 9mm
- Barrel: 3 inch
- Total Length: 6.5 inch
- Capacity: 10+1/ 14+1 Optional
- Weight: 1.57lb
Some people want to carry a gun with a hammer and a frame safety. They want a metal gun, too, some of them. If that is you then the CZ 2075 Rami is the best 9mm subcompact handgun in the world, bar none
It’s not the obvious CCW handgun, but it is a stunning gun with a 10-year track record of success, reliability and decent accuracy.
You also get the choice of Single Action or Double Action, so you can go proper operator and opt for Condition One. You can also just draw and fire with the long double action.
Or you can make sure your firearm is totally safe and there’s absolutely no chance of an accidental discharge. That can be useful in church, or a hospital…
It’s effectively a scaled-down version of the all-conquering CZ 75 B that is still one of our favorite full-size 9mm guns for sale. So you know this is a great handgun.
1911 Look, Browning Hi-Power Action
The mini 1911 look extends to a perfect beavertail that means slide bit isn’t happening and you can get high up on the gun. When it’s this small, that’s even more important.
This could actually be my favorite 9mm CCW, although I have to concede the P365 is technically superior. If it was my money going down right now, though, I might just find the CZ 2075 Rami in my order basket.
The CZ 2075 Rami BD version has a decocker, which is pretty handy as it’s another way to carry ‘ready to go’. But that’s down to your personal choice, just make sure you know which version does what before you buy.
Buy your CZ Rami online right now!
4. Colt Defender Combat Elite
- Price: $1,310.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3 inch
- Total: 6.5 inch
- Weight: 1.6lb
1911s are increasingly unpopular as concealed carry pistols. But the Colt Defender is an icon and still has a devoted following, even in the ‘lesser caliber’.
Colt guys tend to be 45 ACP guys and you can find the Colt Defender 45 ACP right at the top of of our 45 ACP Subcompact pistols for concealed carry post. The 9mm version of this subcompact 1911 is just as sexy in its own special way.
These concealed carry pistols come with inherent sacrifices. The metal frame is heavy for everyday carry and the capacity is down on some of the polymer offerings. But then this gun is just art. It also comes with a proper hammer and it’s a Series 80 1911 with a proper manual safety.
Craftsmanship and Brand Cache Costs Money
What you get in return is craftsmanship, beauty and a reliable compact 1911. This is arguably the best of the best. It’s one of those guns that you could wear alongside a Swiss watch.
It is expensive enough to be a status symbol, yet respected enough to avoid the Gucci Glock gunporn style labels. The Colt Defender Combat Elite is like the Rolex of the compact firearms world, then.
You can get cheaper Colt Defender 9mm pistols for sale in a range of different finishes. Blued guns, brushed stainless steel and even cerakote finished guns are available. Check out a few options here.
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Combat Elite Gets Quick Draw Touches
On the range topping Colt Defender Combat Elite, the slide is beveled for a quicker draw, you get big gun style 25lpi checkering on that front strap and a two-tone PVD finish. You have to admit the Colt Defender Combat Elite is a beautiful handgun, pure gunporn…
If you want a subcompact 1911 then chances are you take a dim view of all these other black plastic pistols.
Indeed the Colt Defender might be the only thing you’d countenance as your EDC. Now it can be your best concealed carry 9mm, too, as well as the old-school 45 Cal.
That should open up a classic gun to a whole new audience.
5. Ares ReX Zero 1 CP
- Price: $645.00+
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Overall Length: 7.1 inch
- Barrel: 3.85 inch
- Height: 5.1 inch
- Width: 1.1 inch
- Weight: 1.56lb
- Capacity: 15+1 Rounds
Regular readers will know that we are seriously fond of the Ares ReX Zero 1 CP 9mm. It’s an under-rated gun and a great everyday carry.
That’s because the engineering on display goes well beyond the price. The Slovenian manufacturer has machined most of the major parts from high-quality billet aluminum and barstock steel.
The end result is a gun that weighs less than 1.6lb but comes with the rugged feel of a pure metal handgun. You just couldn’t get this kind of workmanship for anywhere near this price on these shores.
Such is the joy of the global marketplace…
Military Firearms Supplier in Eastern Europe
FIME Group in Las Vegas is officially importing these guns from the Slovenian military supplier and we expect them to do well. Overdelivering and undercharging is a solid business strategy, if Ares can turn a profit with this Browning Hi-Power evolution.
The cold hammer forged barrel is match grade, because everything on the gun is engineered to exacting ISO standards. The Slovenian company has applied the nth degree of engineering excellence here.
So it isn’t a $600 gun. It’s a custom gun that takes the CZ 75 concept to an entirely higher plane.
Ares ReX: Barstock, Billet and Engineering Excellence
The Ares ReX Zero 1 CP is Mil-spec all the way and comes with a steel locking block and self-cleaning slide channels. Fit some sexier grip texture and color to the nickel or black gun and you have got a fashion statement firearm too.
The chunky design lends itself to brave colors and swatch-style accessories and grip modules in the near future. For now, Ares has to get market share with the Zero 1 CP, ReX Alpha and
6. HK VP9 SK
- Price: $629.99
- Barrel: 3.39 inch
- Total Length: 6.6 inch
- Weight: 1.45lb
- Capacity: 10+1
The Heckler & Koch VP9 SK is much more expensive than the striker-fired competition, and we used to have an issue with that.
But personal experience with the HK VP9, together with a wealth of input from you, has suggested the money is simply worth spending.
Metal internals, compared to plasticky Glocks, do make a difference. Interchangeable lateral straps, as well as backstraps, ensure you get the perfect grip without resorting to crazy stippling.
The HK comes with finger grooves and a short grip, although an extended magazine can deal with the lack of real estate. You either dig grooves or you don’t, but the HK uses them to force your hand right up into the bore axis.
7. EAA Tanfoglio Witness Compact Polymer
- Price: $529.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.6 inch
- Total: 7.3 inch
- Capacity: 17+1
- Weight: 1.75lb
The EAA Tanfoglio Witness Compact Polymer is basically the best of a Glock 43x and a CZ 75 B. It’s like fusion food, but somehow better.
Tanfoglio is the Italian gunsmith that has made serious waves with competition spec and hunting handguns with higher price tags.
Obviously this is a different gun, aimed at the Glock 19 crowd. Or maybe those that want something just a little better.
That chopped front end, beveled slide and animal print grip texture are all just slightly more Italian than Glock could ever manage. At the same time, we see perfectly designed 9mm concealed carry handguns with a big capacity.
EAA’s Tanfoglio Witness Compact Polymer could well turn out to be a smash hit. Ergonomically, it looks spot on and we think this is the next gen, ever so slightly creative Glock 43x for people with style.
8. Springfield Armory XD Mod 2
- Price: $389.97
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Total Length: 6.25 inch
- Height: 4.75 inch
- Weight: 1.625lb
- Barrel: 3 inch
- Capacity: 13+1 / 16+1 With Xtension Clip
Until recently, the Springfield Armory XD Mod 2 reigned supreme as our best concealed carry pistol for sale in any caliber. This black polymer pistol was just that good, and it still is.
The Sig P365 now goes to war with the new Springfield Armory Hellcat and the P365 seems to have the edge in the carry handguns war. But this gun has a USP with the dual safeties, Tritium front sight and we think it’s the best option Springfield offers here.
So don’t come at us with the Springfield Hellcat. It just isn’t as good as the XD Mod 2, yet. You could even make a case that the larger Springfield XDS or Defender Series are even better. But we went with the sub-compact pistol for CCW.
Extended Magazine Offers Massive Capacity
As well as the additional magazine capacity, 13+1 rounds as standard and 16+1 with the extended clip, the Springfield Armory also comes with a grip safety and trigger safety combo that means accidental discharges just will not happen.
Extra Safety Can Ease Your Fears
That is a seriously big deal for some people. If you suffer anxiety about your gun jumping out of its holster, hitting the floor and mowing down innocents, then this gun will set that overactive imagination of yours at ease.
We laugh about these things, but if you’re paranoid about your gun going off then do something about it and get a gun with added safeties.
SA Handguns Are Addictive
This is a great handgun that is super reliable and well built. It has turned into a gateway drug for a lot of people, who now own the full size XD MOD 2 pistol with a 5 inch barrel and even some of Springfield Armory’s awesome 1911s.
The company currently has an entry-level $500 1911 that is the absolute business. Or you can go to the Springfield Armory Custom workshop and get a custom gun for custom gun money…
The additional safeties and the size mean it weighs in at a substantial 1.57lb, despite coming with a polymer frame. The provides balance, though, and makes it easy to shoot.
9. Ed Brown KC9
- Price: $1,899
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4 inch
- Total Length: 7.5 inch
- Weight: 2.12lb
- Capacity: 9+1
The Ed Brown King Cobra is a blast from the past as much as a modern firearm, as this is the 9mm 1911 that rocked the firearms industry two decades ago.
Ed Brown’s bobtail conceal carry 9mm handguns, and the 45 ACP 1911 pistols for that matter, have become the stuff of legend. It’s all fairly tried and trusted technology, right down to the old-school grip safety.
But it’s the sheer craftsmanship and love that marks these carry handguns apart. We think.
It’s all match grade, right down to the crown cut barrel, the capacity isn’t bad and this is a beautiful handgun with a story. For some people, that’s enough reason to buy the Ed Brown KC9.
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10. Taurus G2C
- Price: $299.99
- Total Length: 6.2 inch
- Height: 4.8 inch
- Weight: 1.37lb (Unloaded with mag)
- Barrel: 3.2 inch
- Capacity: 12+1
This is the best cheap concealed carry handgun in the world right now, in any caliber.
Of course you shouldn’t price shop your choice of concealed carry pistol, but we know that money is part of the equation. If you’re looking at a Hi-Point, then stop, please stop, and order the Taurus right this second. It’s an infinitely better gun.
Taurus has managed to produce a 9mm handgun for sale that rivals the very best on this list for less than half the price. That’s pretty amazing.
Seriously this double stack magazine pistol nestles right in the middle of the Venn Diagram of magazine capacity, size, reliability and accuracy. Then it blows them out of the water on price.
Taurus G2C Online Reviews are Amazing
Read the user reviews and firearms forums online and you’ll see them waxing absolutely lyrical about this gun. Owners absolutely love them and the gun reviews online are in love with the Taurus G2C.
The trigger reset and single action is a little quirky and takes some getting used to, but it does come with a safety that works a treat. The 12+1 capacity is pretty sweet and you can easily upgrade the white dot sights for some fiber optic night sights.
That grip is simple, but effective, and it’s really hard to find fault with anything other than the finish on the plastic. Yes, it looks kinda shiny and cheap and the detail work isn’t the best. For me, that’s an inevitable and fair price to pay.
Some people will sneer at Taurus reliability and you just can’t convince them, but others have been taken aback by just how much love this gun has received. Law Enforcement Officers are carrying them as a back up too.
New Dawn For Taurus
This evolution of the Taurus PT-111 has made me look at Taurus afresh and even though this isn’t the prettiest gun here, it’s sensational value.
You might prefer the single stack Taurus G2S, which is slightly slimmer and yet does give up magazine capacity. We prefer this one.
This isn’t just a cheap gun for sale, it’s a great cheap gun and one of our favorite concealed carry guns. We’re looking forward to the Taurus G3C now….
11. Rex Delta
- Price: $549.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel length: 4 inch
- Total Length: 7 inch
- Weight: 1.2lb
- Capacity: 17+1
We gave the nod to the all-metal ReX. If we hadn’t, this gun might have featured higher. The ReX Delta is an exceptional striker-fired handgun and might just be one of the best concealed carry 9mm pistols here.
It’s like a Glock 19 that has been given the custom treatment, in essence. The slide has been beveled and neatly carved to give you a complete grip. The stipppling is amazing, it’s an accurate handgun and cheaper than a Glock too.
Concealed carriers won’t all go for the Rex Delta. It’s a niche choice handgun, but that’s fine. It’s an amazing gun, and the lucky few that buy one will know just what we’re talking about.
12. Mossberg MS1sc
- Price: $349.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel Length: 3.4 inch
- Total Length: 6.25 inch
- Weight: 1.19lb
- Capacity: 6+1
Mossberg is a star of the long guns world, but it has left the handgun market well alone, until now. The Mossberg MS1sc is its first entry into the world of subcompact handguns and we have to say it is doing well.
If the Mossberg MS1sc looks like a high-end Taurus G2S, or a slightly cheaper Glock, well that’s exactly where it sits in the pricing table. There isn’t anything particularly stand-out, but this is a solid firearm that has got storming reviews in the gun sites and user reviews online.
The Mossberg handgun is exactly what we’d expect. It’s a safe pair of hands, a middle of the road handgun that does most things right at a reasonable price point. Is that enough to turn it into a runaway success? I guess we’re going to find out.
13. Sig Sauer P938 Nitron
- Price: $649.99
- Total Length: 5.9 inch
- Barrel Length: 3 inch
- Height: 3.9 inch
- Weight: 0.99lb
- Capacity: 6+1 / 10+1 with mag extension
Technically, better guns will finish lower on this list than the Sig Sauer P938 Nitron. But charisma counts for something round here, and the little single stack Sig has that in spades.
It’s a genuine shrunken 1911, a single action only, that takes the smaller 9mm ammunition. It’s a true compact handgun that shouldn’t print and will stow just about anywhere.
This is potentially a sock gun. It’s definitely a discreet gun when you slot it into the right holster in your waistband.
If you’re looking at this kind of gun then you have probably narrowed it down to the Sig P938 vs Kimber Micro 9.
Sig 938 vs Kimber Micro 9: Cost and Reliability
The Kimber is a sexy looking thing and the specs match up pretty well, but there are too many tales out there of the Kimber Micro 9 jamming. We don’t hear the same chatter about the Sig.
Frankly, reliability is a non-negotiable with a CCW handgun. Treat it well, clean the old girl occasionally and feed her good ammo and the Sig Sauer P938 will go bang every time you pull that single action only trigger.
You get SIGLITE night sights that come straight off the full-size P226 Nightmare. The switches feel comfortably full-size, too, including the manual safety that is sturdy and just feels good to operate. I like a thumb safety sometimes, sue me…
Lightweight 9mm Concealed Carry
It weighs in at 0.99lb, which is just enough to be sturdy and yet not enough to be a pain to carry all day. The extended mags are readily available on eBay for just over $20, and that’s a good thing with a low capacity single stack 9mm like this.
You pay a price with that larger single stack single-stack magazine as the gun inevitably gets bigger and less wieldy. But it’s a simple way to make the Sig P938 Nightmare a match for any gun on this list in terms of firepower.
It is also more flexible with the smaller mag, in terms of the concealment opportunities.
That single action only is a pretty big deal to be honest and it’s why this gun languishes behind the double stack and double action CZ 2075 Rami. It’s designed to be carried cocked and locked, which is something you get used to.
It’s a limitation not a feature, though, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise.
But we like this gun. It’s fun to shoot, it’s stunning to look at and it’s just a bit different. We like engineering, we like clever little guns and we love the packaging and the ergonomics of this little 9mm carry gun. Right down to the beavertail, the slide serrations and those night sights.
There’s a lot of attention to detail and it’s one of those guns you’ll get out just to show people. A lot. It’s jewelry in handgun form, a designer label and it will make you happy to own it. It might not be your first choice EDC, but it’s like a Swiss watch you can wear for a special occasion.
Or carry it every day, if you want. I’m not the boss of you…
14. Glock G26
- Price: $539.99
- Total Length: 6.61
- Height: 4.57 inch
- Weight: 1.25lb (Unloaded with mag)
- Barrel length: 3.42 inch
- Capacity: 10+1
The Glock G26 holds 10 rounds, it comes with a trigger safety and it’s compact. It has also proved itself time and again as a back-up weapon for Law Enforcement Officers.
It’s a great gun that you can basically bury in a swamp, dig up and it should still go bang. Glock reliability is second to none and you don’t need me to tell you this. With a concealed carry 9mm, those are just about the best qualities you can find.
You will find examples of grenaded Glocks out there, the odds of it happening to you are in the realms of getting hit by lightning or eaten by a shark.
So why don’t we love the Glock G26 more?
The usual Glock complaints are in full effect. The trigger is mushy, the stippling is too smooth and the slide could do with another serration or two.
Larger Glocks Conceal Too and Pack More Bullets
The biggest problems for the Glock 26, though, are the Glock 19, the Glock 43x and the Glock 45.
The Glock 45 is the ultimate carry pistol from the Austrian manufacturer, it’s just a fraction bigger than the Glock 26. You get 17+1 rounds and a sharper trigger in a gun that is just half an inch longer when all said and done.
Basically, if you’re going to buy a Glock, you’re better off getting the larger gun. It still conceals pretty well and it’s so close to the G26 that it kind of renders the true CCW redundant.
They sell enough to suggest my theory is bullshit, but then I have a feeling a lot of the G26 owners already own a Glock 17, in which case they’re a good pair.
It’s the same with the Sig P320 Compact and the P365, there’s enough of a size differential there to justify both guns. And you almost need the P320 Compact as the P365 is so small. They make sense as a pair.
Are There Too Many Glocks Now?
The G26 is just so close to the G19 and G45 that I think Glock is losing a few sales to itself and I’d rather upsize to the Glock 19 or 45 if I was looking at Glock concealed carry weapons for sale.
You pay a slight price with the EDC carry aspect. The Glock 19 isn’t quite as comfortable,a s the G26, but it’s close enough and it’s a much better gun when you actually need it.
Law Enforcement Officers also get a famously good deal on Glocks, so they account for a fair portion of the sales.
Still, if you want the Glock 26 you’re going to buy it, and nothing I say will even make a dent in your opinion. It’s a free world, so get a good price and enjoy your gun.
Parts, Accessories & Upgrades for the Glock 26
There is a mass of Glock parts & accessories online, too. So if you want to tune your Glock 26 then you can get everything from magazine baseplates through to new slide kits that can cost eye-watering amounts of money.
Check out Glock parts and accessories here:
15. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2.0
- Price: $419.99
- Total Length: 6.1 inch
- Height: 4.5 inch
- Barrel Length: 3.1 inch
- Weight: 1.44lb
- Capacity: 8+1
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield 2.0 is the best concealed carry handgun in the world in some people’s eyes. Not ours, but we’re willing to accept that personal bias plays a part here.
It’s the same with the Glock…
In truth, there’s almost nothing to choose between the Glock 26, Springfield Armory XDMOD 2 and the M&P9 Shield 2.0. On a technical level anyway, they are all great carry guns.
These striker-fired pistols for sale all have their little quirks, subtle strengths and weaknesses. While the Sig stands apart thanks to its size, and the Taurus due to its price, the others are separated by fractions pretty much everywhere.
That’s a long way of saying there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with this single stack 9mm pistol for sale, but it just doesn’t grab me by the, yeah…
The capacity isn’t a massive deal, as you can buy an extended magazine for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield from any
External Safeties Can Be Important
You can get a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield with a thumb safety, too, which will make some of you happy.
The scalloped design of the slide serrations is clever in principle, but I’m not a fan of the finished look. The Black Armornite finish should work, too, but there’s something about the M&P9 Shield 2.0 that looks fragile.
Smith & Wesson is a premium brand and I know in my head this striker-fired pistol is one of the great 9mm pistols in the concealed carry class. I’m just not drawn to it.
If you are, you’ll love the quality feel of the magazine release and you’ll dig the scalloped slide that means you don’t have to start buying handgun parts & accessories.
Well, maybe a 10-round magazine extension for the M&P9 Shield 2.0 might be a good start. Tbose three-dot sights look like they could do with an upgrade to fiber-optic night sights in the Smith & Wesson parts and accessories store as well.
Custom Smith & Wesson Handguns Are Awesome
Custom Smith & Wessons maybe don’t get the publicity that the custom Glocks seem to attract, but there’s a healthy scene. Smith & Wesson Performance Center should be your first port of call.
The in-house tuners at Smith & Wesson are some of the best in the business and every mod makes a positive difference. They also don’t throw half a gun in the trash to produce the finished gun. That saves you money.
You get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of ported slides, fiber optic sights, a red dot and more. And you can buy everything from a tricked out 380 ACP through to a competition spec 1911 that features in our best 1911s under $2000 post.
We like custom handguns, even a slightly overpriced custom striker-fired pistol like this, so here’s a gallery of both the Agency Arms and Wetwerks modifications of one of the most popular concealed carry handguns out there.
What About the S&W SV9?
You can get a cheaper Smith & Wesson striker-fired pistol in your local gunbroker or any USA gun store. But the Smith & Wesson SV9 comes with mixed reports and we just don’t feel comfortable recommending it.
It may be the quality control is little more hit and miss with the cheaper Smith & Wesson, but if you want to save money and you’re looking at cheap carry guns then buy a Taurus G2C.
16. Taurus G3
- Price: $239.99
- Barrel Length: 4 inch
- Total: 7.28 inch
- Weight: 1.55lb
- Capacity: 15+1
This compact semi auto is only this far down because of the love for its little brother, the G2C. This may well turn out to be the best concealed carry in the real world.
This is basically the same recipe as the G2C: a super cheap Glock alternative that is reliable, accurate and getting rave reviews just about everywhere.
17. Walther PPS M2
- Price: $358.99
- Barrel: 3.18 inch
- Total Length: 6.3 inch
- Weight: 1.32lb
- Capacity: 7+1
The Walther PPS is the gun that James Bond should be packing right now, rather than that weak Walther PPK with a .380 Auto round. In fact really he should have moved on to the Walther PPQ M2, which is actually a really solid handgun.
Honestly, I don’t think the Secret Service would even be allowed to carry a .380 handgun these days, but that’s a rant for another day.
The full size Walther PPQ is a great 9mm pistol, especially in Q5 Match spec. The smaller gun has a lot of the same charm, too, including a trigger pull that some people reckon is the best you’ll find on a striker fired 9mm handgun.
Capacity is an issue and even the aftermarket mag extensions seem to go to 8 rounds and no further right now. That’s a competitive disadvantage in the elite carry guns class and we can’t even pretend that it isn’t.
Ergonomically, the Walther is a brilliant little carry gun. That automotive camo style stippling works a treat, but it is a little busy when it comes to the design.
A Great Carry Gun Without the Reputation
That aside, this is one of the best carry guns out there. It just isn’t quite a match for the absolute best 9mm CCW handguns and it has become something of a niche choice for the reasons we laid out.
The keen pricing does give it a fighting chance, though. Send Brownells $319.99 and they’ll send you the gun and a $25 gift card. So effectively the Walther is less than $300.
At that price, it does become a more appealing option for a subcompact 9mm EDC. It’s not a great gun on its own merit, but it is one of the best medium budget concealed carry pistols you can buy and the trigger pull is pretty sweet.
18. Kimber Micro 9
- Price: $553.99
- Barrel: 3.15 inch
- Total Length: 6.1 inch
- Weight: 0.98lb
- Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
My word this little carry pistol is pretty. That’s lucky because it really isn’t as technically adept as some on this list. So the fact that it is pure gunporn is a pretty decent payback.
This matte finish metal frame and Cerakote finished slide combine with the laser etched hardwood grips to create a shrunken 1911 that you could keep on display in your home.
Seriously, I could put this gun on a plinth, backlight it and just stare at it like a weirdo. It wouldn’t spend much time in gun safes.
In the field, it comes with the same limitations as the Sig P938.
The hammer does give you more control, so if you’re more concerned with accidental discharges than your speed on the trigger then this might be a great 9mm CCW for you.
Truthfully, though, there are several other guns on this list with a solid safety system and a much higher capacity than this 6+1 single stack 9mm.
Is the Kimber Micro 9 Reliable?
You also don’t have to look too hard for user reviews that mention their Kimber Micro 9 jamming issues.
It’s anecdotal evidence and Kimber has tried to remedy the issue with subtle engineering tweaks and tighter tolerances all round on this slick single stack 9mm mini 1911.
Get one, plink with it at the range and let it work its way into the number one slot as your best EDC handgun, or not, depending on its performance.
This can be a luxury purchase, a designer handgun for special occasions. So you might even consider a .380 ACP.
Check out a selection of Kimber Micro 9s here. Some of them are sexy little handguns, it has to be said.
19. Sig Sauer P320 Compact
- Price: $499.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Overall Length: 7.2 inch
- Barrel: 3.9 inch
- Height: 5.5 inch
- Width: 1.3 inch
- Weight: 1.6lb
- Capacity: 15+1
The Sig Sauer P320 Compact is a great handgun that put Glock in second place for a good long while. Never forget that.
Sig’s newer 9mm pistols have stolen the limelight, but the Sig Sauer P320 Compact is one of the great handguns on the market in 2020.
Now the Sig Sauer P320 Compact isn’t quite as slim as the other options and it isn’t as easy to conceal. But it is a great gun, supremely accurate and you get lots more 9mm ammo with the compact handgun.
The Sig Sauer P320 Compact is a striker fired pistol with a heart and soul and it was way more fun than a Glock. Father time has caught up with the Sig Sauer P320 Compact and there are younger, more attractive Sig Sauers now.
It happens to us all in the end.
20 Glock 19
- Price: $539.99
- Barrel: 4.02 inch
- Total: 7.28 inch
- Weight: 1.5lb
- Capacity: 15+1
If a Glock hadn’t stormed to the win, then the Glock 19 might have featured much higher. As it is, this is a Glock 19, you know what this compact pistol can do.
You can get the more expensive MOS version, which is ready for a micro red dot sight. You can also get the Front Serrations on the slide with the Glock 19 FS, but this is the bone stock, OEM Glock 19.
It’s the right gun for the majority of you.
Even this larger Glock is easy to conceal, easy to shoot and it’s all but maintenance free. It’s a great concealed carry 9mm pistol and is the best handgun for a firearms novice. Home defense, EDC, everything, this Glock has got you covered.
Most gun safes have a Glock, and if you’re a fan then you know just how good this compact 9mm handgun really is.
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