Glock 26 Gen 3 (9MM)

The Glock 26 was designed for concealed carry. It has a small frame and short barrel that make it easy to hide anywhere on the body – and it also packs the power of 10+1 rounds of 9mm.

Even with the small frame size, the Glock 26 retains the same width of a full size Glock. This allows the shooter to get a better hold and much more control over the firearm.

It is a smaller firearm in general, and the internal parts have been moved closer together, but the Glock 26 is still a Glock. It boasts the same proven and well known reliability. With a plant in Symerna Georgia, these fine pistols are being made in the USA as well as being imported from Austria.

Portability: 4

Ease of Use: 5

Weight: 3.5

Affordability: 2

Stopping Power: 3

Springfield XDs .45

The Springfield XDs .45ACP is one of the best carry guns on the market. It has a single stack magazine which will hold 5 rounds of .45ACP, and of course you can add an extra round in the chamber.

If you can’t protect yourself with 6 rounds of .45ACP, you shouldn’t be carrying a gun! With it’s slide made of forged steel and a polymer lower, this gun is made with incredible quality that will never let you down.

The Springfield XDs .45ACP is only 1” wide – which is why we gave it a 5 out of 5 for concealability.

Portability: 5

Ease of Use: 3

Weight: 3.5

Affordability: 1

Stopping Power: 4

Smith & Wesson M&P 40C

We can’t say enough about the Smith & Wesson M&P compact series, and the Smith & Wesson M&P .40S&W is the highlight. Reliable, accurate, and easy to carry, we gave the M&P .40C a 5 out of 5 portability factor. It comes standard with a trigger safety and optional thumb safety (if you prefer some added safety features), and is an affordable concealed carry gun.

Portability: 5

Ease of Use: 3

Weight: 4

Affordability: 3.5

Stopping Power: 3

Ruger LCRx .38 Special

The Ruger LCRx .38 Special is the latest in the Ruger LCR line. LCR stands for “Lightweight Carry Revolver” – and the entire LCR series comes with Ruger’s patent-pending trigger system. This reduced friction trigger system is uniquely designed to give the double-action shooting mode a smooth, even trigger pull, which will result in more accurate shot placement every time.

Ruger has been asked to make a LCR pistol with an exposed hammer to enable single-action mode, and they listened. The Ruger LCRx .38 Special is a dream gun and the answer to a lot of prayers.

Portability: 5

Ease of Use: 5

Weight: 4.5

Affordability: 3.5

Stopping Power: 4

Taurus PT111

The Taurus PT111 is a fantastic conceal carry firearm. The compact design of the frame and 13-round capacity make it a great gun to tuck under a shirt or waistband.

The Taurus PT111 also features an awesome gripping surface on the frame of the gun in order for you to have a confident hold. The external features include a manual safety, slide stop, and a tear-down bar much like that of a Glock.

The best feature of the Taurus PT111 is the double-action/single-action mode. When the slide resets the internal striker to get ready to fire the next round, the trigger is then in single-action mode. If the round fails to fire, the PT111 automatically switches into double-action mode – which will allow you to strike the same primer again. This feature could potentially save your life if you were ever faced with a light primer strike in an emergency situation.

Portability: 5

Ease of Use: 4

Weight: 3

Affordability: 5

Stopping Power 2.5

SCCY CPX-II

Fairly new to the market, the SCCY CPX-II is one of the most affordable carry pistols on the market – which is why we gave the CPX-II a 5 out of 5 on affordability. This slim, lightweight, easy to use 9mm pistol holds 10+1 rounds of 9mm – which has more than enough stopping power for you.

This gun is super comfortable to hold, a pleasure to shoot, and a fantastic carry firearm for the price. Coupled with SCCY’s excellent customer service and lifetime warranty, you can’t go wrong!

Portability: 5

Ease of Use: 4.5

Weight: 3.5

Affordability: 5

Stopping Power: 2.5

Beretta Nano

The Beretta Nano is a great little carry gun with absolutely nothing that will EVER get stuck in a holster or purse. There is no external safety lever, teardown lever, or slide lock to get stuck anywhere. The size and weight of the Beretta Nano makes it a perfect handgun for concealed carry – and the 9mm round can stop just about any threat to you or your family.

Portability: 4.5

Ease of Use: 2.5

Weight: 3

Affordability: 3.5

Stopping Power: 2.5

Bersa Thunder .380

The Bersa Thunder .380 is a super carry firearm for any occasion. This gun would literally fit in your pocket!

It carries 7+1 rounds of .380ACP, and only weighs 23 ounces. It has both single and double-action trigger modes, and the single action trigger is only 4 pounds – which means a crisp, clean shot placement every time. This gun also features an external thumb safety for added protection while carrying.

Portability: 4.5

Ease of Use: 2

Weight: 3

Affordability: 3.5

Stopping Power: 2

Springfield XDM Compact .40S&W

The Springfield XDM Compact is another fantastic carry gun – and you can have your choice of carrying either 11+1 rounds of .40S&W, or 16+1 rounds when you carry the extended magazine.

This gun is a bit pricier than some of the other guns, but it sure is quality. It’s 6.26-pound trigger pull makes this gun a dream to shoot – and it’s extremely accurate.

The overall length of the XDM is only 7”, which makes it a very easy gun to tote around.

Portability: 4.5

Ease of Use: 3.5

Weight: 3

Affordability: 1

Stopping Power: 4

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40S&W

No “top carry gun” list is complete without adding one of the best carry guns on the planet – the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. It comes in both .40S&W or 9MM and is slim, lightweight, and accurate.

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is one of the top selling guns in America right now. The 6-pound trigger pull makes for a crisp and accurate shot placement, and the sights on top of the gun are fantastic. Due to the demand for these guns, the M&P Shields are hard to find – if you see one, nab it up for the perfect concealed carry gun!

Portability: 4.5

Ease of Use: 3.5

Weight: 3

Affordability: 3

Stopping Power: 3.5