10 Most Popular Firearms for Concealed Carry

Glock 26/27 aka “Baby Glock”

Released in 1994, the Glock 26 has become the most highly sought after concealed carry firearm on the market. In a pinch, it can accept larger Glock magazines and it can be altered easily to allow for right-handed/left-handed operators.

Specs: Glock 26 Gen 4  Glock 27 Gen 4 
Caliber: 9mm / .40 S&W
Magazine Capacity: 10+1 / 9+1 (Standard) 

MSRP: $599

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm / M&P .40 S&W

We’ve reviewed this firearm extensively in a prior article you can find here. Our opinion? It’s a good, reliable and cheap single stack concealed carry pistol. Chambered in either 9mm or .40 S&W, people have largely taken to it like a duck to water.

Specs: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm .40 S&W 
Caliber: 9mm / .40 S&W
Magazine Capacity: 7+1 (Standard) / 6+1 (Standard)
MSRP: $449

Sig Sauer P220/Sig P250

The P220 Carry is a much more concealable version of the famous Sig Sauer P220. All the capabilities of an SA/DA full-size combat pistol packaged perfectly for the concealed carrier. Added bonus? It’s chambered in .45 ACP. The big alternative (though not the only one) is the Sig Sauer P250. Chambered in 9mm, it provides DAO operation perfect for fast reaction times.

Specs: P220 Carry P250 
Caliber: .45 ACP / 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 8+1 (.45 ACP) / 15+1 (9mm)
MSRP: $1,015 /

Ruger LCP Pistol

The Ruger Lightweight Carry Pistol was designed from the ground up to be an extremely reliable sub-compact centerfire pistol. At the price point that the base model is available at – it’s accessible to anyone in the market for a good, concealable pistol.

Specs: Ruger LCP 3701
Caliber: .380 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $389

Kahr CM9/PM9

A Kahr CM9 can fit nearly anywhere on the concealed carrier. It truly is built for everyday carry. While the PM9 features some largely aesthetic improvements over the CM9, the Kahr CM9093 is truly a fine, well put-together DAO pistol with an overall length of less than 5.5″.

Specs: CM9093 3″ Barrel [link] PM9093A 3.1″ Barrel
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 6+1 (standard)
MSRP: $460 / $810

Beretta PX4 Storm – Sub-Compact

It sort of looks like that gun Harrison Ford’s character carried in Bladerunner. Well, Beretta is bringing geek sci-fi to a whole new level with the Px4 Storm Compact. Its modular design allows the user to configure the pistol to suit his carry style best. Best of all, it’s one of the few pistols that can be chambered in .40 S&W and actually perform well with it.

Specs: Px4 Storm Compact Type F
Caliber: 9mm / .40 S&W
Magazine Capacity: 15 (9mm) / 12 (.40 S&W)
MSRP: $599

Ruger LCR Double-Action Revolver

Equipped standard with either five rounds of .38 Special, .357 Magnum, or even 9x19mm Luger, this double-action revolver is ideal for single hand grip. Whether it’s an everyday carry or an emergency back-up – this revolver was designed for precision, reliability, and force.

Specs: Ruger LCR Double-Action Revolver 
Caliber: 38 Spc +P (available in .357 Magnum and 9mm Luger)
Magazine Capacity: 5
MSRP: $545 (Base model, .38 Spc +P)

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

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
Caliber: .380 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $651

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.

Caliber: .380 Auto
Magazine Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $300