Best Concealed Carry Guns [2025]

• Editor’s Pick: Shadow Systems CR920XP
• Budget Editor’s Pick: PSA Dagger / Micro
• High-End: Staccato HD 3.6
• Most Options: SIG P365 X/XL/Macro/Fuse
• The Sleeper: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C
• Runner Up: Springfield Armory Hellcat
• German-American: Walther PDP Compact
• Do-All Easy Button: Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0
• The OG: Glock 43x
• Now With 100% Less Glock Switch: Glock 19 V
• The Next Big Thing: Ruger RXM

BEST CONCEALED CARRY GUNS

Editor’s Pick: Shadow Systems CR920XP

While there are many Glock clones on the market, not all of them are made the same. For several reasons, Glock isn’t my go-to pistol brand. But Shadow System’s take on the Glock solves about 99 percent of my issues with the design while delivering rock-solid performance and real enhancements. 

Shadow Systems CR920XP SPECS:

• Action: STRIKER FIRED
• Barrel Length: 3.65″ BARREL
• Caliber: 9MM LUGER (9X19 PARA)
• Capacity: 15 ROUNDS
• Finish: BLACK
• Receiver Material: POLYMER
• Weight: 1.325 LBS.

The CR920XP is Shadow System’s version of a G43x, but with a longer overall slide length due to the addition of a beefy compensator. Using Shadow System’s proprietary 15-round magazines, the CR920XP is a lot of gun in a very small package.

Three things set the CR920XP apart from the rest of the pack. First, the optic mounting on all Shadow System pistols is patented and a huge improvement over nearly anything on the market. Built for the RMSc footprint, Shadow Systems’ optic mounting system redesigns the guts of the slide and uses massive screws for maximum durability. 

Second, the CR920XP comp does a lot of work. Bigger than the comp on the G17-sized XR920P, this comp is designed to move a lot of gas to give the 9mm pistol as much compensation as possible. For a gun this small, it’s shockingly pleasant to shoot. Because of the comp, the dot returns to zero almost perfectly, making follow-up shots faster and easier to hit.

Third, Shadow Systems backs their guns with a guarantee you don’t find anywhere else. If used in a defensive shooting and is taken by the police, Shadow Systems will replace it–free. While hopefully something we’ll never need to take advantage of, this is a nice bonus. 

There is a downside to the tighter tolerances and match-grade barrel–all Shadow System pistols require a break-in period. Shadow System recommends up to 200 rounds of 9mm NATO (spicy 9mm) to get everything broken in. Personally, I use the same training ammo I always do, S&B 124gr, and I rarely have issues past the 3rd magazine.

Durable, reliable, awesome optic footprint, and it shoots like a dream (for a small gun). The CR920XP earned its place as my choice for EDC CCW.

Budget Editor’s Pick: PSA Dagger / Micro

The basic Dagger is a clone of the Glock 19 Gen 3, and the Micro is a clone of the Glock 43x. That’s the short and sweet of it. While it doesn’t have Glock’s legendary unbeatable reliability, Palmetto State Armory makes a great pistol for a song and offers a ton of different options.

While the G19 set the standard for what most people think of as a “compact carry pistol”, the G43x/Dagger Micro is a lot more comfortable to carry. One of the best things about the Dagger Micro is while it can use standard Glock 43x magazines, the PSA Dagger Micro magazine holds 15 rounds to Glock’s 10.

Standard magazines that are inexpensive make this a great choice for anyone on a smaller budget. It works, it works well, and it won’t break the bank. While the PSA Dagger and Dagger Micro aren’t my EDC, I do keep a few of them in the house for loaners to visiting friends and family.

High-End Carry: Staccato HD 3.6

On the other side of the price scale comes the Staccato HD 3.6. Staccato made their name in the 2011 game, but the HD is the latest and greatest, using what can be described as a 2011 upper but combined with a lower that takes standard Glock magazines. This gives the best of both worlds, that 2011 trigger and smooth shooting slide, but being fed from Glock magazines that are unbeatably reliable and inexpensive. 

This smaller HD comes with all of the improvements of the larger version, like the Staccato HD optic mounting, rear iron sight in front of the optic, 4.5lb trigger, and more.

Small, very nice to shoot, and insanely reliable, the HD 3.6 is a major contender if you have the money for it. But with an MSRP starting at $2,300, that’s a lot for a carry gun. MIL and LE get a major discount, so if you have access, you should take a closer look.

Most Options: SIG P365 X/XL/Macro/Fuse

The gun that set the standard for the micro-compact has expanded into more sizes and flavors than you can shake a stick at. Be it the smallest configuration with a 10+1 flush-fitting grip or the nearly compact size Fuse with the 21+1 mags, the SIG P365 has a pistol that is right for you.

The pistols have an RMSc footprint optic cut standard, and with the powerful aftermarket rising for the P365 line, the sky is the limit for customization options. From holsters to magazine base pads to trigger shoes, you can tailor or improve the P365 if you desire.

Leave the pistol entirely stock, and it’s still a solid gun that will perform when you need it to. My EDC SIG P365 XMACRO has about 4,000 rounds through it, and I can count on one hand, with fingers left over, the times it malfunctioned. 

The Sleeper: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

Designed by HS Produkt and sold via Springfield Armory, the Echelon is in every way an impressive pistol that, so far, has not received the respect it deserves. Built to compete with the likes of the SIG P320, Glock 19/17, FN 509, and other current-generation military and police duty pistols, the Echelon is arguably the best of the bunch.

Built off a “Central Operating Group” that is the true serialized part of the firearm (much like the Fire Control Group or FCU is the serialized part in a SIG P320 or P365), the Echelon has multiple grip modules available through Springfield and 3rd party designs. These grips also have multiple backstrap sizes, giving the shooter a huge amount of choice in exactly what they want for size.

The 4.0 Compact model is a subcompact about the size of a Glock 19, packed with features. It’s fully ambidextrous with no parts swapping or changing, a multi-footprint optic mount with larger-than-normal screws, great iron sights, a flared slide with serrations for grip, and 15+1 or 18+1 standard magazines. 

This is a fighting pistol, pure and simple. It’s also compact, not too heavy, and conceals wonderfully. For a duty-ready pistol that does everything really well, you can’t go wrong with an Echelon.

Runner Up: Springfield Armory Hellcat

Another HS Produkt design but several years older, the Springfield Hellcat was the first micro-compact pistol on the market after the SIG P365. With an 11+1 standard magazine, available in 9mm and .380 ACP, optic-ready for RMSc footprint, the Hellcat has proven to be a durable and reliable micro-compact pistol.

Springfield Armory Hellcat SPECS:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Color: Black
• Barrel: 3″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10
• Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish, Optics Ready
• Frame: Black Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture
• Sights: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear
• Recoil System: Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
• Grip Width: 1″
• Magazines: (1) 11-Round, (1) 13-Round Extended
• Weight: 17.9 oz w/ Flush Mag, 18.3 oz w/ Extended Mag
• Length: 6″
• Height: 4″ w/ Flush Mag, 4.5″ w/ Extended Mag

While lacking some of the customization options of the SIG P365 line, the Hellcat still gets the job done and saves a few bucks while doing it.

Best of all, the Hellcat offers 11+1 round capacity in the standard size format, making it the highest-capacity micro-compact in the world. With an extended magazine, its capacity goes up to 13+1.

German-American: Walther PDP Compact

Walther has a huge plant in Texas, but still has a lot of the German DNA, making Walther what it is today. The PDP is a great example of both American and German design influence wrapped up in one badass pistol.

There are a lot of options in the PDP line from EDC to duty to competition models. For an EDC pistol, the PDP Compact is a great choice with the 4.0-inch barrel, compact grip, and 15+1 magazines.

The PDP uses a robust optic plate system and won’t let you down, but it doesn’t allow for multiple footprints at the same time. In turn, you need a new plate for each optic if you decide to change things up.

What the PDP does that no other pistol offers is different shapes and sizes of the grip. Offering different backstraps isn’t exclusive to Walther, but the PDP has them anyway. The magic is in the magazine release and ambi-slide release. The size and shape of both, combined with the palm swell in the grip, make for a more comfortable pistol to hold with easy-to-use controls that don’t get in the way. 

While it won’t feel perfect for everyone, the people who tend to gravitate to the PDP love it like no other pistol. 

Do-All Easy Button: Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0

If you want options from the factory, no one matches the S&W Bodyguard 2.0. With more than 30 different SKUs, the Bodyguard 2.0 comes in multiple colors, with or without manual safety, Cerakote, PVD, Performance Center upgrades, and a lot more. 

No matter which flavor you choose, every Bodyguard 2.0 is reliable, featuring good qualities and available at a relatively low price. 

Downside? It only comes in .380 ACP. Not our go-to recommendation for a carry caliber, but not bad either. Pick a good defensive round, and .380 ACP will get the job done. However, the 9mm is better suited for tasks like breaking auto glass and is less expensive to train with. Conversely, the .380 ACP makes the Bodyguard a softer shooting experience and might be a better option if you have limited grip strength or medical conditions like arthritis.  

The OG: Glock 43x

Almost as boringly reliable as the Glock 19, the G43x is a slim version of the Glock, trimmed down to a 10-round capacity with its factory magazines. However, third-party mags–like the Shield Arms and PSA Dagger Micro kick–you can bring up its capacity to 15 rounds. Combined with these other magazines, the 43x is a solid contender, being slim, lightweight, and boringly reliable. 

Personally, it’s not as high up on my list as the SIG P365, Springfield Hellcat, and others, which make the Glock 43x continually less interesting. And Glock holds the platform back by only offering 10-round magazines.

Now With 100% Less Glock Switch: Glock 19 V

Glock recently announced the Glock 19 V series of pistols, and while complete details aren’t available, it looks like the 19 V will prevent Glock switches from being installed, along with some other minor changes. Overall, it’s a Glock 19.

Glock 19 SPECS:

• Caliber: 9x19mm
• System: Safe Action®
• Mag. Capacity: Standard: 15
• Barrel Length: 102 mm | 4.02 inch
• Weight without magazine: 610 g | 21.52 oz
• Weight with empty magazine: 670 g | 23.63 oz

The Glock 19 needs no introduction. The gun that set the standard for what a CCW pistol should look like and the size it should be. The Glock 19 has been adopted by militaries and police around the world, and for good reason. There is nothing more durable or reliable on the market.

Sadly, this is also the most boring pistol on the list. While there is a massive aftermarket available for the Glock 19, and most of it should translate to the new V series, the fact remains that out of the box, these are pretty dull and won’t be perfect for anyone. Reliable and durable to a fault, but boring. Not that boring is a bad thing when it comes to your CCW.

While the V model will be the “new thing,” there should be loads of Gen 3, 4, and 5 still on the market. If possible, I would recommend one of those instead.

The Next Big Thing: Ruger RXM

A Glock by another name, but better. The Ruger RXM hasn’t lived up to the hype and potential (yet), but that doesn’t make it a bad pistol. Built on another removable serialized trigger assembly like the SIG FCU or Springfield COG, Ruger’s version is a Fire Control Insert (FCI). 

Ruger RXM SPECS:

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 15+1
• Grip Frame: Stealth Gray Magpul Enhanced Handgun Grip
• Barrel Length: 4″
• Front Sight: Tritium, Co-Witness Height
• Optic Ready: Yes

Built to take Glock G19 Gen 3 parts, the RXM has that same G19 size and feel to it, but with a different grip texture and an optics system that doesn’t suck. This opens a lot of possibilities for Glock parts in non-Glock products and easy customization of the grip. However, while different grips have been promised for over a year by Ruger/Magpul, so far, none are on the market.

That said, the Ruger RXM is still a solid pistol out of the box. Every RXM slide comes cut for RMR, DPP, and RMSc. Throw in the co-witness steel sights, front slide serrations, and two 15-round Magpul magazines, and this is a great little pistol. 

All of that, and it’s only about $330 at many retailers.

F.A.Q.

What is the #1 handgun in the US?

The Glock 19 is likely the most popular model type in the USA when considering all of the generations and variants available. Used by military and police the world over, the Glock 19 is a simple and reliable pistol for any application.

What is the most popular concealed carry caliber?

9mm (or 9x19mm, or 9mm Luger, or 9mm Parabellum) is by far the most popular concealed carry caliber, offering the Goldilocks balance between capacity, power, and recoil.

What are the top 5 concealed carry handguns?

Glock 19, SIG P365, S&W Bodyguard 2.0, Glock 43x, and Palmetto State Armory Micro Dagger are likely the top 5 best concealed carry handguns.

Best concealed carry guns for new shooters?

The SIG P365, Glock 19, Glock 45x, or any of the other models on this list would be excellent choices for a new shooter.