Kel-Tec P-3AT
A lot of people look down on Kel-Tec for largely silly reasons. This firearms manufacturer has found a great home in the world of concealed carry with their .380 Auto P-3AT. Measuring around 5″ in total length, this sub-compact is perfect for everyday concealed carry. For those uninterested in .380 Auto, Kel-Tec also makes a similar model chambered in 9mm (PF-9) or .32 caliber. Best part? The Kel-Tec P-3AT is one of the few extremely reliable firearms available for less than $350.
Specs: Kel-Tec P-3AT [link]
Caliber: .380 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $338
Walther PPS
The Walther PPS – chambered in either 9mm or .40 S&W – has been out on the market so long that people have forgotten about it. That’s unfortunate because the Walther PPS has proven itself to be one of the most consistent, stable, and well functioning single-stack compact firearms on the market. It features some surprisingly awesome nuances – like an ambidextrous magazine release and super smooth striker-fire operation. We gave it a more indepth look in this video review.
Specs: Walther PPS 9mm 2796333 [link] .40 S&W 2796350 [link]
Caliber: 9mm/ .40 S&W
Magazine Capacity: 6+1 / 5+1 (Standard)
MSRP: $533
Glock 43
The Glock 43 is Glock’s answer to the market demand for single-stack concealed carry pistols chambered in 9mm. It took awhile for Glock to get to market with a 9x19mm variety but the Glock 42 (.380 Auto, 9x17mm) certainly made plenty of headway into that demand. By the time Glock 43 arrived, it came out at the right price point for concealed carriers to embrace and its performance was generally well received.
Specs: Glock 43 [link]
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $535
Ruger SR9C
Good Guy Ruger – makes an affordable, high capacity centerfire pistol that’s widely available for all AND makes a compliant version for states that limit magazine capacity. It’s one of the reasons why Ruger does so well in the concealed carry market – they understand what the majority of concealed carriers are looking for. With an overall length of less than 7″, it is compact but not sub-compact. The Ruger SR9C is a pistol with excellent precision and a good record of performance.
Specs: Ruger SR9C Centerfire Pistol 3313 [link] CA-compliant 3316 [link]
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 17+1 / 10+1
MSRP: $529
Beretta Nano
Just like the Beretta Px4 Storm, the Beretta Nano was built with a modular design. This allows the concealed carrier to choose the best configuration for his or her hands. Having the ability to make a right-handed pistol a left-handed one is invaluable. Having a pistol that actually performs up to spec and comes in at a reasonable price (on top of this) is amazing.
Specs: BU9 Nano [link]
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $450 (base)
Glock 19
Extremely customizable, durable, and lightning quick – the Glock 19 has well earned its reputation as one of the premier full-size concealed carry pistols on the market. Almost no list of notably awesome pistols is complete without at least a nod to the Glock 19.
Did You Know? In 1986, the police department of Colby, Kansas became the first law enforcement organization in the United States to formally adopt the Glock 19. They were given a generous discount at $300 per pistol and still carry them to this day. (Glock, P.M. Barrett, 2012)
Specs: Glock 19 Gen 4 [link]
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 15+1 / (CA-complaint) 10+1
MSRP: $619
Concealed Carry Honor Roll – Honorable Mention
Walther CCP
Offering all the sleek, high performance operation we’ve come to expect from Walther, the Walther CCP in 9mm is easy to holster and even easier to put on target. MSRP – $469 [link]
Fabrique Nationale (FNS) 9 Compact
Fabrique Nationale certainly makes a great concealed carry compact pistol, chambered in 9mm. It’s certainly on the list of pistols we’re itching to fire sometime soon. MSRP – $560 [link]
L.W.S. Seecamp .380
A beautifully ornate yet mechanically simple firearm renowned the world over by discerning concealed carriers – it fits conveniently in almost any small pocket holster. MSRP – $500. [link]
Did we miss out on your favorite concealed carry firearm? Tell us about it in the comments section. Who knows? Maybe it’ll earn itself the review it rightfully deserves and join the ranks of most popular in 2016.