Choosing a handgun for concealed carry is personal. From the frame size to the action, the platform you pick should be one you can shoot confidently and comfortably – and train with consistently. Some people prefer a pocket-sized mouse gun, while others shoot better with and have no problem concealing a full-sized 1911. With practice and an appropriate holster, just about any handgun can be your EDC.
That said, the choices can be overwhelming, so we asked our editorial staff to help. Our writers have reviewed and range-tested each of these firearms, and there should be something for everyone on this list of our favorite concealed carry handguns. We hope it makes shopping a little easier for you.
As the original Glock, the G17 set the standard for full-sized duty pistols. The latest evolution of the platform sees a redesigned grip, improved texture, a deeper undercut trigger guard, and a new optics mounting system. The ergonomic upgrades make the G17 Gen6 the best-shooting Glock yet and truly ready to go out of the box. Plus, the adjustment to the trigger guard seems to have eliminated the “Glock knuckle” problem.
"The Glock 17 Gen6 still feels unmistakably like a Glock, but the upgrades make it easier to control, more comfortable to shoot, and more modern for today’s red dot shooters.”
Springfield Armory’s new Echelon 4.0FC is a hybrid of the compact Echelon 4.0C slide assembly and a full-size grip frame, resulting in a 17+1 capacity with a compact 4-inch barrel. It’s about the same size as a Glock 19X or G45, making it easily concealable. What really sets this pistol apart is the internal fire control group, which Springfield calls its Central Operating Group. Since the COG is the serialized component of the firearm, it can be swapped to a different grip frame in seconds for easy customization.
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1 standard / 20+1 extended
Weight (unloaded): 24 ounces
Overall length: 7.25 inches
Barrel length: 4 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 5.5 inches w/ standard mag / 6.5 inches with extended mag
MRD Optic Footprint: Variable Interface System, direct mount with pin system
MSRP: $1,119
OUR TAKE:
“The duty-grade Echelon series had already proven itself across several prior reviews, and the new version ups the ante with a more controllable pistol that is still concealable, has a significant magazine capacity, and just plain works for either home defense or carry use.”
The Walther PDP Pro-E Compact builds on the company’s original PDP lineup with upgrades including a flared magwell and Walther’s Dynamic Performance Trigger Enhanced, which is one of the best stock triggers in the industry. Legacy features from the original lineup, like the Performance Duty Texture and superior ergonomics, make it a flat-shooting, manageable gun for nearly anyone. The compact size makes it easy to carry, while the 18-round magazines give it lots of ammo at the ready. The PDP Pro-E comes standard with three magazines, which is appreciated at the range.
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 18+1 standard / 10+1 compliant
Weight: 24 ounces
Overall Length: 6 inches
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 5.4 inches
Optic Footprint: Walther PDP 2.0 optic system (request plate from manufacturer)
MSRP: $899
OUR TAKE:
“After putting over 3,000 rounds through this gun and carrying it for countless hours, I've come to the conclusion it's one of the best compact guns on the market. The Pro-E added some nice upgrades while keeping the heart and soul of the PDP lineup, which is superior ergonomics paired with rock-solid reliability. I'm excited to publish the review on this gun very soon.”
— SETH RODGERS
HK CC9
The HK CC9 is a micro-compact 9mm with a 12+1 capacity, comfortable ergonomics, and an excellent trigger. Slightly larger than a SIG P365, it’s slim and easy to conceal. Controls are fully ambidextrous, and the wraparound grip texture and finger grooves provide a secure hold.
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 12+1 standard / 10+1 compliant
Weight(w/ loaded 12-round mag): 1.69 pounds
Overall Length: 6.03 inches
Barrel Length: 3.32 inches
Width: 0.99 inches
Height: 4.92 inches (w/ 12-round mag)
Optic Footprint: RMSc
MSRP: $699
OUR TAKE:
“I love this gun. HK has brought a gun to market that’s what the company’s U.S. audience has craved for years: a slim micro-compact that runs like a tank with features galore and a great trigger to boot. After 1,000 rounds, I haven’t had a malfunction, and I still haven’t even broken the gun down for a cleaning.”
Compensated, or comped, handguns are a hot ticket on the firearms market. The concept is that a compensator, whether it’s cuts or ports in the slide and/or barrel, vents the gas that would normally cause muzzle rise when it exits the end of the barrel, resulting in a flatter shooting gun. The SIG P365 AXG Legion is a premium version of the P365 XMacro Comp, which is a 17+1 round compensated version of the OG of micro-compact carry, the P365.
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1
Weight: 34 ounces
Overall Length: 6.6 inches
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 5.2 inches
Optic Footprint: RMSc
MSRP: $1,199
OUR TAKE:
“On the range, the P365 AXG Legion sets itself so far apart that I am comfortable saying it’s the nicest compact handgun I have ever shot.”
The CZ Shadow 2 Carry is the carry-oriented, compact version of the renownedCZ race gun, with all the same good looks. This all-metal pistol packs a capacity of 15+1, is optics ready, and tuned for superior accuracy. Although it is not inexpensive, the quality and performance of this pistol is worth the extra cash, if you can swing it.
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Weight: 30 ounces unloaded / 42.7 ounces loaded
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Width: 1.45 inches
Height: 5.4 inches
Optic Footprint: Holosun K-Series / Shield RMSc
MSRP: $1,599
OUR TAKE:
“CZ responded to those who wanted a safe-to-carry Shadow 2 Compact with the same race gun lineage known and loved for generations, and the resulting Shadow 2 Carry delivers on that promise, blending style, performance, and dependability in one platform.”
As the saying goes, the gun you have with you is better than the one you left at home. The Taurus 22TUC is a .22-caliber pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel to add to its distinctive aesthetic. It’s light and easy to shoot well, thanks to the substantial grip. The gun can be picky about ammo, but once you find the right loads, it’s reliable.
Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 9+1
Weight: 10.3 ounces (unloaded)
Overall Length: 5.14 inches
Barrel Length: 2.48 inches
Width: 1.04 inches
Height: 4.34 inches
Optic Footprint: None
MSRP: $372.99
OUR TAKE:
“What really impressed me was how the 22TUC felt when I picked it up. The finger grooves and improved grip texture are nice, but the feather-like weight makes this thing float in my hand."
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp
If you’re a revolver person, it doesn’t get much better than the Model 19 Carry Comp from Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center. With the stopping power of .357 Magnum, a ported barrel for recoil reduction, and Altamont rosewood boot grips, this modern six-gun is beautiful and functional. While the rosewood grips print less and feel better against the body for carry, the gun also comes with a set of larger Hogue rubber grips for better control when shooting magnum loads.
Caliber: .357 Magnum/.38 Special
Capacity: 6 rounds
Weight: 34.5 ounces
Overall Length: 8 inches
Barrel Length: 3 inches – 2.5 inches of barrel and .5 inch added with ported section
Width: 1.45 inches
Height: 5.85 inches
Sights: Adjustable blacked-out rear and Tritium night sight front
Trigger: Double action/single action
MSRP: $1,349
OUR TAKE:
“On a defensive gun that can shoot full-power .357 Magnums, any help staying on target is appreciated. The gun maintains decent ballistics with a short barrel but allows a shooter to group better and faster. The entire package is a unique take on modernizing the wheel gun and using it as a serious tool in your carry rotation.”
Here’s one for you 1911 fans: SIG’s modernized version of the classic handgun is worthy of your carry rotation, and happens to be the winner of Best New Full-Sized Handgun in our 2025 Reader's Choice Awards. Like any proper 1911, the 1911-XCarry is chambered in the Lord’s caliber, so one could argue you don’t really need more than the 8+1 rounds this pistol packs. It’s optics ready, and SIG even offers a model with a Romeo-X red dot installed. The single-stack design conceals well, but it's worth noting our reviewer found limited holster options for this model.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Weight: 39 ounces unloaded / 50.4 ounces loaded & equipped with 9 rounds of Federal Punch 230-grain JHP, Romeo-X Compact, and Surefire X300 light
Overall Length: 8 inches
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
MRD Optic Footprint: Shield RMSc/Romeo-X Compact direct mount (no plates)
MSRP: $1,699 (with Romeo-X red dot sight)
OUR TAKE:
“The ergonomics are superb, and about every aspect of the classic 1911 design has been updated for better performance – while it remains a 1911. The Series 80 trigger system has pluses and minuses, but SIG does it well and the trigger doesn't have the same 'mush' common with the type."
If you’ve been around here for a minute, you remember a few months back, we asked our audience to vote on their favorite new guns and gear of 2025. S&W’s Performance Center Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp, winner of the 2025 Guns.com Reader’s Choice Award for Best New Concealed Carry Handgun, is a compensated, pocket-sized .380 that has found its way into our reviewer’s carry rotation. Available with or without a thumb safety, this ultralight pistol features Ameriglo Protector sights with a blacked-out square notch rear and a bright LumiGreen night sight up front.
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 10+1 standard / 12+1 extended
Weight: 11.8 ounces unloaded / 15.4 ounces with loaded 10-round mag of DoubleTap
“This gun is a champ and works well for self-defense distances of 10 yards and under. I love being able to toss on a pair of gym shorts and carry this gun AIWB, knowing it’s not going anywhere or printing, even under a tank top.
If you’re looking for a comfortable carry pistol, this is it."