The “PD” stands for “Personal Defense,” and this single-stack 9mm sure fills the bill. Even with a 4-inch barrel, it has a short overall length and slender 1-inch width, plus an unloaded weight of just 18.8 ounces. It’s loaded with features like an ICE Claw rear sight for one-handed slide racking, an ergonomic polymer frame, a black nitride-finished slide with aggressive serrations, a striker-fired action and a loaded-chamber indicator. This American-made pistol also comes with a lifetime service warranty for the original owner.
Just because it’s small doesn’t mean you get shorted on features. This sub-compact pistol has the modularity of the larger Px4 versions with interchangeable backstraps, an accessory rail, a reversible magazine release, an ambidextrous safety and a full 13+1 capacity in 9mm. The polymer frame keeps the weight down and the black Bruniton finish on the slide adds to its ruggedness. It also has an automatic firing pin block, and the base of the magazine has a SnapGrip extension that can be lowered or raised.
A newly resurrected design is the Bullpup from derringer-maker emeritus Bond Arms. Aptly named, the barrel length is surprisingly long considering the overall length. The rear-feeding magazine sits directly below the rotating barrel’s chamber, which is what negates the need for a longer slide. The slide is stainless steel and sits atop a 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum frame, providing rugged durability. The fixed combat sights are mounted in dovetails and can be drift-adjusted for windage. The Bullpup’s rounded trigger guard also makes it easier to conceal the pistol.
One of the thinnest autoloaders with a 0.8-inch width, the PKO-45’s low bore axis—thanks to having its recoil spring atop the barrel—helps tame recoil. The control surfaces are inletted into the frame for snag-free handling, and it has an internal hammer as well as a fixed barrel, resulting in less moving parts. It has an ambidextrous safety and can be field-stripped sans tools. Also keep your eyes peeled for a 9mm version coming online from Heizer Defense soon.
The subcompact version of the Honor Guard from Honor Defense has a shorter barrel and overall length while its polymer/stainless steel construction makes it lightweight. Its 0.96-inch width is perfect for IWB carry, and interchangeable backstraps provide a custom fit. The front and rear serrations go over the slide, the textured grip frame helps control recoil, and the rear sight can be used to rack the slide with one hand. The slide and magazine releases are ambidextrous, and the 7-pound trigger has a short reset.
Proving that the revolver isn’t dead, this year Kimber has added four new versions of the K6s, including the stainless steel DCR (Deluxe Carry Revolver). It has a satin silver finish, checkered laminated wood grips and a serrated backstrap. For quick targeting, the front sight is a red fiber-optic unit, and even with a concealed hammer and DAO action, the trigger offers a smooth 9.5- to 10.5-pound pull. With a push-button cylinder release and shrouded ejector rod, this sixgun is ready for action.
The 9mm Skyhawk revolver has been redesigned for 2017. To aid in concealment, the accessory rail was removed and the corners were contoured to prevent snagging. Even though it shoots a rimless cartridge, the extractor system works without moon clips and the cylinder is only as long as it needs to be, allowing for a shorter frame. It has traditional DA/SA lockwork with a skeletonized hammer. Also note the finger-grooved grip.
Here’s a compact pistol with recognizable lines and features that give it great versatility as a concealed-carry handgun. Meeting military standards and specifications, this durable handgun has a service life exceeding 30,000 rounds. It’s a traditional DA/SA with a manual safety allowing for “Condition One” carry. The manual safety and magazine release are ambidextrous. It also has a slide stop, a decocking lever, aggressive front and rear slide serrations, a loaded-chamber indicator and a short accessory rail.
Looking for a subcompact 1911 with .45 ACP firepower? Check out the Rock Ultra CS Warrior from Rock Island Armory. The overall length is shortened thanks to its 3.15-inch barrel, and its height is only 5.51 inches for easy concealment. A snag-free adjustable rear sight is mated with a red fiber-optic front sight for fast targeting. More standard equipment includes a skeletonized hammer and trigger, an ambidextrous thumb safety and an extended beavertail grip safety. The flat, checkered mainspring housing combines with textured G10 grip panels to provide a firm hold.
Not too many “pocket pistols” made today are actually small enough to tuck into a pocket, but the LCP II in .380 ACP qualifies with a height of 3.71 inches, an overall length of 5.17 inches and a width of 0.75 inches, plus it weighs just 10.6 ounces. Add to this a crisp trigger pull, rugged steel and glass-filled nylon construction, a textured grip frame, improved sights and an easy-to-rack slide with front and rear serrations that also locks back after the last round has been fired. The LCP II even comes with a nylon pocket holster.
Flat Dark Earth (FDE) has become extremely popular lately and is now being offered on the M&P Bodyguard 380 with an integral Crimson Trace laser sight built into the frame, just ahead of the triggerguard. The stainless steel slide is matte black while the FDE frame is made of high-strength polymer. Combined with its diminished length, height and width, this little DAO gun weighs just 12.3 ounces unloaded. It has an ergonomic grip with subtle texturing and comes with two magazines.
Make no mistake, S&W is still heavy in the revolver market with new models regularly introduced. The original Combat Magnum was a K-Frame .357, but this new version is based on the stainless steel L-Frame and comes in .44 Magnum. To keep it compact, it has a five-shot cylinder and a short 2.75-inch barrel, which also provides for a reasonable weight. For practice, it will accept .44 Special cartridges, and you can pack the .44 Magnums for hiking in bear country. More features include a full-length ejector rod, a white-outlined rear sight and red ramp front sight.
For adherents of the 1911 pistol, here’s a highly concealable model that’s built for business. The EMP 4″ Concealed Carry Contour in 9mm has a 4-inch, match-grade barrel, a black hardcoat anodized frame and a stainless steel slide. Of course, the pistol gets its name from the grip frame, which features a bobtail-style cut near the heel to help prevent printing. The front- and backstraps as well as the G10 grip panels also feature Posi-Lock texturing for enhanced control.
For a compact, high-capacity pistol in .380 ACP, look no further than the Girsan MC 14. Its short barrel makes for a reduced overall length and a height of 5.1 inches, even with a 13-round magazine. It has a traditional DA/SA trigger, an ambidextrous thumb safety, a push-button magazine release and fixed sights. The black plastic grips are fully checkered, and the aluminum alloy grip frame features serrated front- and backstraps.
This year, a whole new crop of everyday carry handguns was introduced. Some are brand new and some are revisions of previous offerings, but they all provide the user with a compact, lightweight handgun that is highly portable and can get the job done. We’ll take a look at autoloaders, revolvers and a couple of other interesting designs that might just fill any special need you have for a concealment-type handgun.
