These are some of the best 9mm pistols for concealed carry you can find.
So, you've been thinking about finally buying a concealed carry handgun for some time now. Maybe you've already settled on a 9mm. We can't blame you.
Sure, it doesn't have as much stopping power as a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP, but 9mm is a lot cheaper and easier to come by. Plus, it is proven in the field by many military and law enforcement agencies.
But which one should you get for concealed carry? Do you go single-stack or double-stack? Full-size or compact?
Hopefully we can help you narrow down your decision with this rundown of 12 of the best concealed carry guns chambered in 9mm.
CZ P-10 C
Manufactured by ?eská zbrojovka, the Czech-made CZ P-10 C compact handgun is quickly gaining in popularity on gun ranges and with concealed carry enthusiasts everywhere. Guns and Ammo gave this handgun their "Pistol of the Year" award when it was introduced in 2017. This gun is not just considered a great carry gun, it is considered one of the best 9mm handguns out there period.
It's clear the CZ P-10 C was made to compete with the Glock 19. It's a striker-fired polymer pistol and holds 15+1 rounds. This pistol gets rave reviews for its short reset and 4.5-pound trigger, making this a viable option for anyone looking for a 9mm with a bit more capacity than a single-stack handgun.
Glock 19
People have really divided opinions on Glocks; you either love them or hate them. What can't be denied is the popularity of these polymer frame guns as a concealed carry firearm. The Glock 19 is a good midway point between the company's single-stack firearms and their full-size 17.
Again, people will be divided over the Glock's trigger safety system. Even firearms instructors have differing opinions. If you're more comfortable with a manual safety, you might want to go with a different model. We highly recommend you try firing a variety of firearms before you buy and figure out what you're comfortable with carrying before you ever start.
Personally, I've never had any issues doing CCW with my Gen 4 Glock 19. It has always gone bang when I needed it to. It is a little hefty at 30 ounces with a full 15-round magazine, but you can negate some of that weight with a good gun belt. Some people prefer the Gen 3 and Gen 4 models over the newest Gen 5. We recommend holding both to decide which fits your hand best.
Ruger LC9s
Some would say the Ruger LC9s compact handgun isn't necessarily the best concealed carry pistol out there, but it is a great option for someone wanting a concealed carry 9mm on a budget. These guns can be found in the $300-400 range and there are a variety of accessories available.
The main difference between this little gun and the LC9 is the LC9s model is a striker-fired handgun where as the LC9 is hammer-fired.
This handgun's single stack magazine has a 7+1 round capacity and has an unbelievably slim and lightweight profile perfect for IWB carry. We suggest actually holding one at your local gun store before you buy to make sure it will be comfortable in your hand.
One thing you'll find divided opinions on with the LC9 handguns is the trigger pull. Some like it, but many hate it. Be warned that it is a very long pull and reset. But if you're looking for a light, budget-friendly, easy-to-conceal 9mm for self-defense, the LC9s is perfect.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
This subcompact 9mm is an increasingly popular choice for anyone seeking a single stack 9mm semi-auto pistol for personal defense. The S&W M&P has a great, budget-friendly price in the $350 range and a round capacity of 7+1 or 8+1. The slim profile makes it very concealable. This one is popular with women and people with smaller frames that might find it hard to hide a larger firearm.
The M&P Shield has a short 3.1-inch barrel. It is stainless steel and actually about half of the handgun's overall length. That's not necessarily a detriment, but it does mean you might need a little bit of extra practice at the range to get used to handling it efficiently. Just like the LC9s, the S&W Shield is a great, budget-friendly sub-compact pistol to get started with.
Kimber Micro 9
No doubt about it, Kimber makes some beautiful-looking firearms and the Micro 9 is no exception. The barrel is stainless steel and the frame is aluminum, making for a sharp-looking firearm no matter what finish you might choose.
Don't be surprised if this gets mistaken for a .380 ACP at the range. The Micro 9 is a tiny handgun. It has a magazine capacity of 7 rounds and weighs just 15.6 ounces, making it highly concealable.
The only downside of these great guns is the price. Ranging from $1,200 to $1,500 retail, they're almost too pretty and too expensive to be an everyday carry gun. If you're looking for performance and reliability, Kimber is a good name to think about.
Walther PPQ
The German Walther PPQ comes in a variety of calibers, including 9mm. This one has flown under the radar with concealed carriers. Some people prefer the Walther PPS but the PPQ has gotten rave reviews for its trigger system and ergonomics.
If you're looking for a concealed carry 9mm with an increased capacity thanks to the 15-round mags, the PPQ may be a viable option. New pistols can be found in the $500-600 range, and lightly used ones can probably be found in the $300-400 range.
This handgun was designed with police and special forces in mind, which means it should be more than capable for any self or home defense situation you might encounter.
Springfield Armory XD-S
If you like the features of the XDM but want something a little more concealable, look at the Springfield Armory XD-S. This firearm is extremely slim at just over an inch wide, making it highly concealable. It comes with two 7-round magazines, although it can fit magazines with a capacity of 9.
There was a recall on these a few years ago due to an issue with the grip safety. It seems this issue has been resolved with newer releases, so we wouldn't worry about it if you are considering buying a newer model.
Sig Sauer P320
A slight variant of this pistol was just chosen a few years ago by the U.S. Army as their go-to service pistol. The Sig P320 beat out entrants by both Glock and Beretta to do so, giving the P320 some impressive credentials.
The frame and slide are stainless steel. It's a striker-fired design and they made several variants to comply with state regulations in places that aren't as concealed-carry friendly.
One of the most interesting things about this pistol is that it doesn't feature adjustable backstraps. Instead, you can adjust the handling by changing out the whole grip with grips made to fit small, medium and large-sized hands.
The P320 falls into about a mid-range budget at $500-600. You might be able to find one cheaper with a little digging. Another popular alternative to this one is the Sig Sauer P365.
Glock 26
The Glock 26 is a great option for anyone looking for a mid-way option between the Glock 19 and 43. The 26 has a compact size that is much more easily concealable for EDC than the 19, but it has a greater magazine capacity than the 43. The 26 holds 10+1 rounds standard.
It features a much shorter barrel at 3.43 inches. The frame is a lot smaller than the 19, so we recommend trying both at your local gun shop if you're torn. Some shooters with larger hands might not find the 26 as comfortable to hold.
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0
Maybe you liked the features of the Smith & Wesson Shield, but want a longer barrel and greater magazine capacity? The M&P 2.0 might be just the thing you're looking for. This striker fire pistol has a capacity of 17+1 and a longer barrel length of 4.25 inches for more accuracy.
This pistol also falls into a mid-budget range at around $400-500. Persistent buyers may be able to dig. The M&P 2.0 is also increasingly popular with competition shooters.
Springfield Armory XD(M)
This handgun was primarily designed for competitive shooting, but it has taken off a bit for concealed carriers because you get a lot of features for the price. It comes with three magazines standard, which is great value-wise. It features three safeties and a loaded chamber indicator for anyone who is shopping with safety as a priority. The fiber optic front sight makes it easier to use in low light than standard dot sights, but is more compact than a red dot.
One of the biggest draws to this pistol might be the variety of barrel sizes you have to choose from. Springfield Armory makes the XD(M) with a 3.8-, 4.5- and 5.25-inch barrel. Depending on what variation you go for, this pistol can cost upwards of $800, but many can be found in the $500 range.
Glock 43
The Glock 43 was Glock's answer to customer requests for a concealable, single stack 9mm, and it gets the job done. Really, all these Glocks function pretty much the same. It is more a matter of finding which one feels most comfortable in your hand and how much concealability you want.
If you like Glock pistols and don't mind a decreased magazine capacity of 6+1, the 43 should fit your needs. For those who still want better capacity, consider the Glock 43x model, which has most of the same features. The x model has an extended magazine that holds 10 rounds and extra slide serrations that help make it easier to operate.
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