Top 20 Most Popular Concealed Carry Firearms: 2015 Edition

Springfield XD-S 45 – 3.3″ barrel / Springfield Armory XD-S 9

Single stack .45 ACP capability in a concealed carry platform?  We’re in.  The Springfield XD-S .45 ACP with a 3.3″ barrel definitely provides a great platform for putting large caliber rounds downrange.  Best of all – it handles the torsion and stress extremely well.  Worth every penny.  For those that don’t dig larger calibers, it’s also available in 9mm.

Specs: XD-S 3.3″ Single Stack .45 ACP [link] XD-S 3.3″ Single Stack 9mm [link]
Caliber: .45 ACP / 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 5+1 (Standard) / 7+1 (Standard)
MSRP: $599

Taurus 111G2

Taurus, a Brazilian owned manufacturer of firearms, has always come under a lot of scrutiny.  Most recently, there was a massive recall that included many of their concealed carry pistols.  So, why the heck are we including the Gen 2 111?  Because, as we’ve seen it thus far – it’s proven itself to have extremely reliable performance at a great price point.  And it’s also extremely popular amongst concealed carriers – a 12+1 capacity 9mm beneath 6.5″ in overall length for $300.

Specs: Taurus 111G2 [link]
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 12+1
MSRP: $301.52

Kimber Micro Carry

Kimber is known for their special edition and custom models of 1911.  And plenty of concealed carrier insist on carrying a full-size Kimber or even Kimber Pro Carry.  For those that may have a more difficult time concealing a full size 1911 in their waistline, Kimber offers the Solo and the Micro.  The Micro is great because it stays on the 1911 platform – so if you’re a 1911 aficionado, you can stay with a form factor you’re familiar with.  It measures in less than 5.6″ in total length and holds 6 .380 auto rounds in its magazine.

Specs: Micro Carry .380 Auto [link]
Caliber: .380 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $651

Rock Island 1911 Compact

Some concealed carriers will carry no less than a 1911 chambered in .45 ACP.  To these people, this model epitomizes classic American ingenuity matched with a harrowing record of service.  And for those people, Armscor’s Rock Island Armory offers a compact GI Standard chambered in .45 ACP.  Compact but not too compact, it manages to stay faithful to the caliber while being slightly more concealable than its bigger brothers.

Specs: GI Standard CS – 45 ACP Model #51416 [link]
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $546

Bersa Thunder .380

No frills, no chills – this is a bare-bones Argentinian .380 Auto known for its reliability and service with pilots in South America.  Its rise to popularity has largely been from its price point – but that’s quickly been followed up with good range reviews and decent magazine capacity.

Did You Know?  The Bersa Thunder .380 is used by the Ecuadorian Air Force.

Specs: [link]
Caliber: .380 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $300

Springfield Ultra Compact 1911

If Rock Island Armory and Kimber aren’t your thing but you absolutely demand a 1911 in a compact form factor, Springfield’s got you covered.  The Springfield Ultra Compact Custom Carry 1911A1 features a whole host of high speed match-grade performance parts in a classic 1911 fit.

Specs: PC9104 [link]
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 6+1 (Standard)
MSRP: $2,799 (Fully Custom)

Ruger SP101

The Ruger SP101 double-action revolver has been a mainstay in the concealed carry community for quite awhile.  With five rounds in its cylinder, it’s capable of delivering a frighteningly accurate high rate of fire for a revolver.

Did You Know?  In the critically-acclaimed TV series, Breaking Bad, Jesse Pinkman purchases a Ruger SP101 for personal protection against Tuco Salamanca.  Mike Ehrmantraut ends up collecting it up while cleaning Jesse’s apartment for suspicious evidence before police arrive. (source: Breaking Bad Wikia)

Specs: Ruger SP101 5718 2.25″ Barrel [link]
Caliber: .357 Magnum / (5737) .38 Spl +P
Magazine Capacity: 5
MSRP: $679