The Beretta Nano was designed with one goal in mind—to provide a powerful yet easy-to-use and concealable pistol for everyday carry. Chambered in 9mm and weighing only 19.8 ounces unloaded, the Nano has a small footprint but the power of a full-sized pistol with a 6+1 shot capacity. The Nano is only 5.6 inches long and less than an inch thick, so it is flat and small, making it easy to conceal. The DAO trigger offers a smooth, consistent press and the Nano is built with a modular polymer frame so it is easy to maintain.
The Thunder 380 Concealed Carry features a traditional DA/SA trigger and an 8+1 round capacity of .380 ACP firepower, all in a package that weighs only 16.4 ounces. The exterior of the Thunder 380 CC is smooth and snag-free with low-profile sights, and the hammer is even bobbed so drawing from deep cover is effortless. The finger-grooved front grip strap means this pistol naturally points when grasped. This gun has earned a reputation for reliability with the time-proven .380 ACP cartridge.
Streamlined with a smooth, snag-proof, hammerless exterior, the Off Duty revolver is made for deep-cover carry. When you need to draw the Off Duty, it won’t snag on concealment garments since the hammer is enclosed in the heat-treated aluminum frame. This five-shot revolver is equipped with a 2-inch barrel and chambered in .38 Special +P so it can unleash firepower when needed. Weighing only 12 ounces and using a small, checkered, rubber boot grip, it offers comfortable all-day carry.
The Mustang Lite follows the great tradition of Colt pocket pistols. Chambered in .380 ACP, the Mustange Lite is a polymer-framed pistol with a grip design that makes it comfortable to fire as well as easy to conceal. The slide is made of stainless steel and the controls are set up just like on the 1911 platform. It offers a 6+1 capacity, a 2.75-inch barrel and high-profile sights. It weighs 11.5 ounces unloaded.
Think of the G42 as Glock’s minimalist pistol. It weighs 13.76 ounces unloaded, is 5.9 inches long and is 0.9 inches thick. Even users with slight statures can easily hide this 6+1 semi-automatic on their person. Chambered in .380 ACP, the G42 offers minimal recoil so follow-up shots are faster and more accurate. Small yet powerful, the Glock 42 is the smallest of Glock’s pistols.
The 6+1 capacity Kahr CW380 chambered in .380 ACP has an overall length of just 4.9 inches, a height of 3.9 inches and is 0.75 inches thick. This pistol not only has less bulk but it also packs light since it weighs only 10.2 ounces unloaded. The pistol’s great handling can be attributed to the CW380’s textured polymer frame and smooth DAO trigger press. Small in size, the CW380 is now available in a limited edition with a super-durable Cerakote Tungsten coating.
The new Micro 9 uses Kimber’s proven Micro platform but beefs up the caliber to 9mm with a 6+1 round capacity. Plenty of texturing on the grip panels and backstrap ensures you have total control for better shot placement. At 6.1 inches long and weighing only 15.6 ounces unloaded, the Micro 9 is extremely comfortable when you carry all day. The controls are set up similar to the 1911 platform. The slide is matte black and the aluminum frame has a satin finish with checkered rosewood grips.
The Ruger LCP Custom is the tricked-out version of the proven LCP line of pistols. Packing 6+1 rounds of .380 ACP in a glass-filled nylon frame and alloy steel slide, this LCP is equipped with a wide, red-anodized, skeletonized aluminum trigger for a better trigger press and better shootability. At 5.16 inches long and 3.8 inches in height, the LCP can easily be hidden in a pocket for quick access when needed. It weighs only 9.7 ounces and the photoluminescent front sight glows in the dark.
The P320 Subcompact is a modular, polymer-framed pistol that can be configured from a full-sized to subcompact pistol by just swapping grip frames. In the subcompact variant, the P320 offers 12+1 rounds of 9mm in a package that is 6.7 inches long, 4.7 inches high and weighs 24.9 ounces. Variants in .40 S&W and .357 SIG with 10+1 capacities are also available. The P320 offers a crisp striker-fired trigger with a short reset.
S&W’s Performance Center has made the slim, concealable and lightweight M&P9 Shield even more user friendly by porting the 3.1-inch barrel and slide. This means the pistol is easier to control since the ports direct burning gas up to resist muzzle flip. Offering a 7+1 capacity in a flush-fit magazine or an 8+1 capacity with an extended magazine, the M&P9 offers a consistent 6.5-pound trigger pull and fiber-optic front and rear sights for added visibility.
The XD-S 3.3 single stack is now chambered in .40 S&W and offers a 3.3-inch, hammer-forged barrel, a forged-steel slide and a black polymer frame. All these enhancements mean it’s plenty strong to handle the powerful .40 S&W round. The flush-fit magazine holds six rounds while the included extended magazine packs seven rounds. Dual recoil springs help tame the recoil while the aggressively textured grip ensures a solid and comfortable hold. With the flush-fit magazine, the XD-S 3.3 weighs only 22 ounces. It’s also equipped with a fiber-optic front sight.
The CIA five-shot revolver chambers either .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum cartridges. The CIA is a formidable defense tool yet comfortable to carry all day long. Equipped with a 2-inch barrel, the CIA has an enclosed hammer so it fires in double-action mode only. It weighs 24 ounces, is only 1.3 inches wide and 6.5 inches long. The revolver’s sights consist of a fixed front ramp and a groove in the revolver’s topstrap.
We never know when evil will coming knocking on our door. Having a concealable pistol on your person can mean the difference between returning home to your loved ones or not, so choose your concealed carry pistol wisely.
Determine the type of handgun, the caliber and how you will carry the pistol. Handle as many models as you can to find the one you can operate and shoot the best.
Think of the dozen handguns on this list as carry-proven defense tools. All are proven performers and all have the ability to blend in with your everyday life so you will be ready if you should need it.
