My Favorite Concealed Carry Firearms
As a firearm instructor, my most frequently asked question is “What gun should I buy for concealed carry?”. I always tell my students that can only be determined by personal preference trying different firearms is the best way to answer that question. Here’s a list of 3 of my favorite Concealed Carry firearms:
Smith and Wesson M&P 9 compact
Glock 19 MOS
Sig Sauer P320 XCompact
Great qualities that they all share
- They’re all 9mm. I think 9mm is the best caliber for self defense because it’s cos t efficient, readily available and easier recoil management opposed to that other popular calibers such as the of .40 or .45acp.
- They all come with at least one 15 round magazine(state restrictions may limit capacity). The odds of you needing 15 rounds for a self defense shooting are highly unlikely. Simply stated I’d rather have 15 rounds and and only need 7 than to have 7 and need 15. These 3 firearms can also use the larger magazines which complement their full-size or duty-sized siblings.
- They’re all optic-ready, red dots are a great addition to handguns for concealed carry, but they're not necessary for your first gun. I think that before switching to a red dot optic, all new gun owners should learn how to use their iron sights. The advantage of buying a firearm that is ready for optics is that you can upgrade later on without having to pay extra to have your slide cut to accommodate an optic, which could cost $200+.
What I like about each firearm
M&P9 M2.0 - I admire the M2.0's adaptability; this gun could easily pass muster as a weapon for home defense or concealed carry. The M.20 is equipped with all the latest features, including a flat-faced trigger, a picatinny-style rail for mounting a light, and interchangeable grip inserts to accommodate various hand sizes. The best benefit of a larger, heavier frame is the ability to manage recoil. It is relatively easy to maintain accuracy with larger firearms because their felt recoil is less than that of smaller firearms.
Glock 19 MOS - Arguably the most popular of the 3 firearms what makes the Glock 19 MOS is special a remarkably dependable defensive pistol with features that meet the requirements and preferences of contemporary defensive shooters. This version of the Glock is, in my opinion, the best produced by the company thus far because the renowned platform has been improved over the course of more than five generations and because its utility can be enhanced even further by the addition of a reflex-style optic.
Sig Sauer P320 XCompact - An aesthetic gem that comes out the box loaded with features that you’d spend several dollars to upgrade competing manufacturer’s handgun. I’d simply describe the pistol's shooting capabilities as phenomenal given its size for versatility. With the Firing Control Unit concept, there is no reason to be unhappy with a P320 since any other grip module, slide, and barrel combination can be switched out with much less effort and expense than buying a completely different gun. It is therefore very difficult to not be in love with a P320 XCompact.
Final Thoughts
Don't worry about committing to just one firearm because you might decide to buy multiple weapons intended for concealed carry in the future. Consider your accuracy with each firearm, the price, the accessories, and the ease of carrying when making your purchase. Consider where you want to carry the gun as well as the cost of various holster options. Last but not least, after making your purchase, don't forget to enroll in several concealed handgun lessons. Make sure you are adept at drawing from your holster and keeping your aim on target. Overall, none of these concealed carry firearm options would be a regretful purchase.
Malcolm X Choice
Owner, Choice Family Firearms
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