One in 12 Americans has a concealed carry permit, and 3 million Americans carry a concealed weapon every day. They do it to protect themselves. They do it to protect their loved ones. They do it to protect the people around them. They do it because it is their constitutional right. Concealed handguns are proven to deter crime and those who carry them benefit from a heightened sense of awareness to their surroundings. Before you go and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a gun, read this list to find out the best concealed carry weapon to suit your needs.
Product FAQ
1. What Is a Concealed Carry Weapon?
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A concealed carry weapon is a weapon, usually a handgun, you carry on your person or under your control in a concealed manner.
2. How to Care for Your Firearm?
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If you do not know how to clean your own weapon, take it to a gunsmith and have him or her show you. Always treat your firearm as if it is loaded. Point it down and away from your body or important objects when inspecting or cleaning it. Partially disassemble the weapon when the chamber is empty according to your owner's manual.
Clean the inside of the barrel and chambers if applicable with a bore brush attached to a cleaning rod with some solvent. Using a light, ensure the inside of the barrel is clean. Gunpowder residue can build up inside a barrel and cause corrosion if you do not clean your weapon before storing it. Properly lubricate your weapon after cleaning and before storage.
3. Where Can I Not Carry a Concealed Firearm?
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Different states have different rules, but it is safe to assume you cannot carry a concealed weapon in bars, hospitals, schools, government buildings particularly courts, airplanes, and some businesses.
4. Where Can You Buy Concealed Carry Handguns
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You can purchase handguns for the purposes of concealed carry at several outdoor stores and their websites or straight from the manufacturer. We have included links for your convenience.
5. Price Range
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The weapons on this list ranged from $230 to $2,200.
How We Reviewed The Best Concealed Carry Weapons
We reviewed the following products based on price, portability, ease of use, weight, affordability and stopping power.
We sent thousands of rounds downrange testing out these guns to give you the most accurate, reliable and unbiased list of the best concealed carry weapons. No matter whether you are carrying these weapons for home defense, general public safety or for your work, we are confident you will find the handgun to fit your particular needs on this list.
Overall Price Range
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Higher end firearms can go for $4,000 to $20,000, but these are limited production, special edition guns. Within the average range of $200 to $3,000, the more expensive weapons have better sights, accuracy at greater distances, and durability. They are easier to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. They come with a high-quality finish, comfortable grip, and are easy to load.
What We Reviewed
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Glock 26 Gen 4
- Bersa BP9
- Springfield XDs
- Kimber 1911 Ultra CDP
- Smith & Wesson M&P 40C
- LES BAER Custom Ultimate Tactical Carry
- Ruger LCRx .38 Special
- Remington 1911 R1 Carry
- Taurus PT111
- Colt Combat Elite
1. Glock 26 Gen 4
Features
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The Glock 26 features a short barrel and small frame which make it easy to conceal anywhere on your person or in a handbag. While it is shorter, it is the same width as a full-sized Glock. It packs the power of 11 9mm rounds while allowing great control and hold over the weapon.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on Academy Sports & Outdoors' website for around $.
Warranty
This weapon is trusted by 65% of American police officers and backed by a limited one-year operation warranty.
2. Bersa BP9
Features
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This lightweight handgun is easy to carry and conceal. The semi-automatic function combined with a fast trigger action will keep you protected in any situation you find yourself. It performs well even with repetitive shooting and is trimmer than several subcompact versions. The polymer on this weapon is well contoured, and the grip will make you feel this gun was made for your hand. The finish on this piece makes it more durable and better looking than the Glock, but you have to put serious rounds downrange to get used to firing with precision.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on brownwells.com for around $.
Warranty
This pistol is backed by a limited one-year warranty.
3. Springfield XDs
Features
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One of the best concealed carry weapons on the market, the Springfield XDs .45ACP has a single stack magazine holding five rounds with the option of carrying an additional round in the chamber. The slide is made of a polymer lower and forged steel. This is one of the highest quality handguns on the market.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on Cabelas.com for around $.
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Warranty
This weapon is backed by a lifetime warranty.
4. Kimber 1911 Ultra CDP
Features
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One of the best concealed carry weapons, this handgun is compact and has a lightweight frame. The black aluminum frame comes with a stainless steel barrel which gives the weapon an attractive appearance and durable quality. This gun is not bulky and has smooth edges so it will not snag when you are taking it out of the holster. The low profile three dot tritium night sights make visibility amazing especially in low-light situations.
It features a match-grade ramped steel barrel and the frame, and other parts have been treated by the manufacturer to protect against corrosion. A wooden grip helps to give better shooting control.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on kimberamerica.com for around $$$.
Warranty
This handgun is covered under a one-year warranty.
5. Smith & Wesson M&P 40C
Features
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This weapon is reliable, accurate once you get used to the trigger reset and easy to carry. The frame is made of polymer, and the barrel and slide are stainless steel. Choose from three interchangeable grip sizes to fit your hand comfortably. The slide and frame also come with a finish for improved appearance and durability. It comes with a standard trigger safety and optional thumb safety if you prefer a handgun with added safety features. Moreover, it is affordable.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on smith-wesson.com for around $$.
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Warranty
This product is backed by a one-year warranty.
6. LES BAER Custom Ultimate Tactical Carry
Features
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This is the best concealed carry weapon for those not worried about price. The size makes it practical for concealing anywhere from your ankle to your vest, knee or hip. It features a strong steel frame, front and rear slide serrations for ease of use and a beavertail grip which will make you comfortable handling the weapon. It is very easy to load, fire, conceal, and maintain.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on brownells.com for around $$$.
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Warranty
The warranty associated with this gun, be it full or limited, depend on your state law.
7. Ruger LCRx .38 Special
Features
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This lightweight carry revolver is the best concealed carry weapon for women. It is a small-frame, light handgun with a smooth, easy-to-control trigger and very manageable recoil. The patent-pending polymer fire-control housing greatly reduces the weight and recoil. This weapon comes with an external hammer so is not double action only. Like all other Ruger LCRs, this gun has a five shot capacity.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on cabelas.com for around $.
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Warranty
Ruger does not offer a warranty on their weapons.
8. Remington 1911 R1 Carry
Features
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This handgun features an ambidextrous safety which is easy to quickly snap on and off. The magazine release is well textured for quick release as well. This weapon should have no problem fitting into your holster, and the grips make this gun easy to fire. Many people like the curved, textured aluminum trigger and how easy it is to pull.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on remington.com for around $$$.
Warranty
This particular gun is covered under a two-year limited warranty.
9. Taurus PT111
Features
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This weapon features a compact frame design and 13-round capacity and is great to tuck under a waistband or shirt. The outstanding gripping surface on the frame gives you a confident hold. The external features include a tear-down bar similar to a Glock, a manual safety and a slide stop. This concealed carry features a double-action and single-action mode. The trigger is in a single-action mode when the internal striker is ready to fire the next round after the slide resets. It goes into double-action mode automatically if the round fails to fire so that you can strike the same primer again.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on cabelas.com for around $.
Warranty
This weapon is backed by an unlimited lifetime warranty.
10. Colt Combat Elite
Features
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This stainless steel handgun feels right in your hand. It features forward cocking serrations, and the beavertail grip safety makes it easy to engage or release the safety quickly.
PROS
CONS
Price
This product can be found on sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com for around $$.
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Warranty
This firearm is currently backed by a one-year warranty.
The Verdict
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Carrying a concealed weapon is your constitutional right. Whether you are looking for a weapon for yourself or a loved one, you should only purchase the best as there could be lives on the line.
The best concealed carry weapon is the Smith & Wesson M&P 40C. We rated this weapon 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is designed with three interchangeable grip sizes to fit any size hand comfortably. The slide and finish are both durable and beautiful and treated with a finish. In addition to the standard trigger safety, you can opt for an additional thumb safety if that is your preference. The only complaint people have about this weapon is you have to get used to the feel and reaction of the trigger pull before you can aim it accurately. We were also not blown away by the warranty of the weapon.
The best concealed carry weapon for women is the Springfield XDs. It is accurate once you get enough practice, easy to grip and fire and even easier to maintain. It is light and can be concealed anywhere.
The bottom line is when you are looking for a weapon, make sure it is accurate with great sights, durable, easy to maintain, and easy to use. It should also be light enough to comfortably carry and small enough to easily conceal. Check to make sure the grip is comfortable and never forget to clean and lubricate your weapon after firing it and before storage. Preventative maintenance will help it last you a very long time and help to prevent misfires.
Last update on 2022-12-30 at 06:47 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API