Best Concealed Carry Weapons for Men
When it comes to choosing the best handgun for concealed carry there’s a lot more to it than finding the one with the deadliest ammunition, the best aim, and the biggest caliber.
Most men who choose to conceal carry for work and leisure or those who must conceal carry as part of their job, the ability to conceal your weapon is as important as whether it offers good protection.
Thus, choosing your weapon becomes a balance between keeping it concealed and being able to count on it for protection.
Let’s look at some options.
For your handgun to be hidden discretely on your body it needs to be one with a barrel short enough that it is unlikely to protrude. Likewise, the grip cannot be so long or wide that it bulges beneath your clothing.
Most men do not have the option for loose fitting clothes and relaxed waistbands that would accommodate concealed carry when they choose their work clothes.
This also rules out double-stack magazines. They just make your firearm too bulky for easy concealment. This is also the case for weapons that have extra bits that tend to make them bulkier.
Some handguns are specifically engineered for concealed carry. Some manufacturers carry models deliberately designed for concealed carry. These tend to be smooth and streamlined.
Longer barrels provide more range and accuracy. But they are just too hard to conceal. Likewise, double-stack magazines provide more shots without reloading. Again, they are just too bulky for realistic concealed carry.
You are looking for a smaller weapon and magazine. But, it can’t be so small that it is ineffective should you need to protect yourself. Look for a handgun with a slim grip and a shorter barrel. The caliber should be small to medium and the gun itself should be smooth, light, and easy to draw.
Let’s look at some options.
- Glock Model 19
This pistol rarely malfunctions. It is compact for concealed carry and has proven long service. This is a conceal carry weapon for protection. It’s not the gun you’d choose for hunting or target practice. For protection, the compact Glock 19 revolver is good.
- NAA .22 Magnum Mini-Revolver
North American Arms have several options. Many have more fire power but they are also cumbersome for concealed carry. The .22 Magnum Mini-Revolver
Has adequate to good shooting speed and reasonable accuracy. The grip is very small and the gun is single-action. You have to take it off target to cock it and then re-aim. It has an extremely short sight radius. It’s not like shooting a Glock or a Springfield XD-S because it’s significantly smaller.
- Kahr PM9
Smaller than the Glock 26 in both length and height, the KAHR ARMS PM9 has a Black Diamond Stainless Steel slide finish. It is a nice, smooth, flat, black finish. It is corrosion resistance and tough. Unlike the Glock 26, this handgun is slimmer making it a better concealed carry. It is one of the smallest 9MM available.
Small enough to be concealed in pocket, The PM9 is still accurate. Although the grip is small there is an extension that allows for a full grip. The sights on this handgun are fast and easy to line up. While the trigger isn’t outstanding it is good enough to allow good control.
There are several other possible concealed carry weapons on the market worth looking into. These include: Smith & Wesson M&P series and Walther PPS as well as Springfield XD.
All of them are small enough for concealed carry. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, try them out. One will appeal more than the others. It’s really a personal preference.
