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The Best Concealed Carry Handguns

What you are about to read is my take on the best concealed carry handguns, which you will find commented on tens of thousands of times elsewhere. But this is my site and it's my turn. These conclusions are based on my experience with these pistols, shooting and carrying them in various situations.

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-My evaluation is based on "shootability" first, the ease with which the gun can be drawn, sighted and fired.
-Second I considered caliber-the amount of power the bullet will strike with.
-Third I considered size-the ease with which the best concealed carry handguns can be carried without them being inadvertently noticed by passersby.
-Fourth I considered magazine capacity-the number of bullets you have in case something extreme goes down. In spite of all the internet commando gibberish about normal citizens needing extra magazines, backup guns, etc., I considered this one realistically to be least important.

Lasers                   Night Sights                          Holsters                   Grips
For accuracy         For low light or dark              For concealment      For comfort
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I based the evaluations on how I dress casually in both summer and winter and different situations in which I might carry. I carry in casual clothes always, but not in my dress clothes, though I normally have a gun nearby somewhere. I may carry a different gun in the woods where I exercise than when walking around town or shopping. I have used broad strokes to describe what I do and why I chose these best concealed carry handguns, but I have a tendency to think this evaluation more closely represents most average citizens than some of the online Rambos.

Carry #1: All things considered, carrying this gun under the widest range of conditions, under all types of clothes, in all kinds of weather, in a briefcase, under the seat, the gun that goes with me most often is a GLOCK 23 .40 S&W. This gun replaces the G22 that sat in this spot for 3 years. The reason it now replaces the former champ is simply its more concealable size along with similar inherent accuracy. The GLOCK 23 has proven itself on the range and in the dependability category like all GLOCKS. It is now the gun that is carried daily when I can wear casual clothes and wear a belt or IWB holster. Shooting the gun is a pleasure with the same TruGlo TFO night sights that go on all my GLOCKS. The picture below did not have to be replaced because I carry this gun in exactly the same holster and the same way as the G22. It just conceals a bit better with all the other advantages of a GLOCK the same.

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Concealed carry picture

Being a duty size pistol, it is easy to aim and shoot which was my first consideration. It is also easy to grip and draw from concealment. And loaded with 180 grain hollow points it carries plenty of power in a thirteen round magazine.

Concealed GLOCK picture

So while it is far from the smallest it carries comfortably enough to rate as number one in my evaluation of the best concealed carry handguns.

Carry #2: This is an easy choice. This is the gun that goes with me when wearing an inside the waistband holster or in a belt holster is not practical. Out exercising in the woods in hot weather when I might not wear a shirt excludes me from concealing a GLOCK. It's for those times that the gun that goes with me and is my #2 pick of the best concealed carry handguns is the Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum with 2.5 inch barrel loaded with 110 grain Winchester jacketed hollow points. The gun has grips that fit the hand nicely for a small revolver. It is easily accessed from a cargo or back pocket and is a handful of power with the above mentioned loads.

Concealed carry Ruger picture

Like any small revolver, the gun is painful to shoot with larger magnum loads, but the 110 grain bullet is the sweet spot between shootability and power. The gun is durable stainless and I don't have to worry about the sweat and dirt in the places I carry it. The short sight radius makes it a bit challenging to bring it on target, but it's an accurate little gun on the range when you have time to aim. Otherwise it's a powerful, close range, easy to carry gun that takes the number two spot of the best concealed carry handguns with me.

Honorable mention: While I have owned over a dozen handguns in just the last year alone, I have settled on the two above for my concealed carry needs. However, one I have carried on occasion, and is one of the most dependable, concealable, and shootable in this size, is the Bersa Thunder .380.

Bersa 380 picture

This has got to be one of the best values in the gun world. The Bersa can be purchased new for less than $250.00 and it is a real shooter. The fixed barrel makes the gun remarkably accurate for a pistol this size. Mine has about three hundred rounds through it without a hiccup. Keep in mind that three hundred rounds in a full size pistol is not much, but for a gun this size that you are not likely to spend much time shooting, it says a lot about your ability to carry it with confidence. It holds seven rounds of .380 ammo in the magazine and one in the barrel for a total of eight rounds. Plenty of firepower in a pinch. And the gun is the most concealable that I have owned. Flat and very compact it can be carried safely decocked in a coat or pants pocket. It earns honorable mention among the best concealed carry handguns.

Update

Smith and Wesson Airweight picture

I'm updating this page to include what now allows me to go armed 100% of the time where legal. The Smith and Wesson 638 Airweight revolver. This diminutive revolver is, as the name implies, very light but sports 5 rounds of 38 special +p ammo that will generally take care of business for any civilian needs. Fun to shoot and amazingly controllable and accurate, the little Smith revolver tucks away all day long in a Fobus Ankle holster without me hardly noticing it's there. Because this one actually goes with me so much, I had to include it in the list of "best concealed carry handguns".

And that's my take on the best of concealed handguns for me, and I suspect they will work well for most people who will take the time to practice and figure out the best way to carry. But, of course I reserve the right to change my mind...........

Did I mention that I love GLOCKs?

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

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The LCP is Ruger's new offering that caters to the concealed carry market. LCP stands for Lightweight Compact Pistol. Its specifications are:

Caliber:...

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