Pistols
(1585)Springfield Armory XDM Elite Defender 45 Auto (ACP) 3.8in Black Melonite Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
Walther PDP 9mm Luger 4in Black Pistol - 15+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec Defender Legacy 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Stainless Steel Pistol - 7+1 Rounds
Ruger EC9s 9mm Luger 3.21in Black Pistol - 7+1 Rounds
FN Reflex 9mm Luger 3.3in Flat Dark Earth Pistol w/ Viridian Green Dot - 15 Rounds
Rock Island M1911 A1 XT Magnum 22 WMR (22 Mag) 5in Matte Black Pistol - 14+1
Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 9mm 3.8in Black Pistol 20+1 Rounds
Rock Island Armory M1911-A1 Rock FS 9mm Luger 5in Stainless Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Rock Island 1911A1 Armory Tac Standard 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Black Parkerized Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Browning Buck Mark Plus UDX 22 Long Rifle 5.5in Black/Stainless Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory 1911 Emissary 9mm 5in Stainless Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD-S Mod.2 OSP 45 Auto (ACP) 3.3in Black Pistol - 6+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Polished Stainless Pistol - 7+1 Rounds - California Compliant
Springfield Armory Ronin 1911 9mm Luger 4.25in Stainless Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
EAA Girsan Regard MC Deluxe 9mm Luger 4.9in Black/ Blued Steel Pistol - 18+1 Rounds
Ruger American 9mm Luger +P 4.2in Black Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory Ronin EMP 4in 9mm Stainless Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD Tactical 9mm Luger 5in Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Rock Island Armory Rock Ultra Pistol
Springfield Armory XD 9mm Luger 4in Black/Stainless Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD Tactical 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Diamondback DB9 G4 9mm Luger 3.1in Stainless Pistol - 6+1 Rounds
Browning Buck Mark Standard URX 22 Long Rifle 5.5in Stainless Pistol - 10+1 Rounds - California Compliant
Springfield Armory 1911 Ronin 10mm Auto 5in Stainless Steel Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Bersa Thunder 380 Plus 380 Auto (ACP) 3.5in Anodized Steel/Black Pistol - 15+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Compact 9mm Luger 3.8in Black Pistol - 14+1 Rounds
TriStar Arms SPS Pantera 1911 9mm Luger 5in Steel Pistol - 18+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP 9mm Luger 4.5in Melonite Black Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Sig Sauer P320 AXG Carry 9mm Luger 3.9in Black Nitron Pistol - 17+1 Rounds
Taurus G2C 40 S&W 3.2in Black Pistols - 10+1 Rounds
Kahr TP9-2 9mm Luger 4in Black Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Girsan MC1911 Match Noel 9mm Luger 5in Matte Stainless Steel Pistol - 10+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Parkerized Stainless Pistol - 7+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD-S Mod.2 OSP 9mm Luger 3.3in Black Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
Magnum Research Desert Eagle 357 Magnum 6in Stainless Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory Echelon 9mm Luger 5.5in Black Melonite Pistol - 20+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison 9mm Luger 5in Blued/Gray Pistol - 9+1 Rounds
Sig Sauer 1911 Scorpion 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Flat Dark Earth PVD Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP 9mm Luger 4.5in Black Pistol - 19+1 Rounds
Springfield Armory 1911 Target 9mm Luger 5in Stainless Pistol - 9+1 Rounds - California Compliant
Browning 1911 Black Label 380 Auto (ACP) 3.6in Polar Blue Cerakote Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Sig Sauer 1911 Scorpion 45 Auto (ACP) 4.2in Flat Dark Earth PVD Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Savage Arms 1911 Government Two-Tone 45 Auto (ACP) 5in Black Nitride Pistol - 8+1 Rounds
Standard (Full-Size)
Description: Largest handguns, offers better grip, control and accuracy.
Barrel Lengths: 4.5” - 5.5”
Magazine Capacity (rounds): 15-20
Height: 5.5” - 6.5”
Use: Military, open carry, law enforcement, home defense, shooting competition
Compact
Description: Upper end of concealed carry, smaller than standard, concealed carry in bulkier clothing
Barrel Lengths: 3.5” - 4.5”
Magazine Capacity (rounds): 12-15
Height: 4.5” - 5.5”
Use: Self-defense, larger concealed carry, backup/off-duty law enforcement
Sub-Compact
Description: Most popular concealed carry, good concealment. Difficult with larger hands. Barrel Lengths: 3” - 3.5”
Magazine Capacity (rounds): 6-10
Height: 4” - 4.5”
Use: Common concealed carry, backup
Micro-Compact
Description: Maximum concealment, good for pocket or purse
Barrel Lengths: Less than 3”
Magazine Capacity (rounds): 5-6
Height: Less than 4”
Use: Best concealment, backup
9mm - The most popular caliber in the world. The 9mm offers modest recoil, high-capacity magazines and solid stopping power.
40 S&W - The .40 S&W offers more power than the 9mm and less recoil than the 10mm or .45 ACP leading to many law enforcement agencies switching to the .40 S&W in the 1990s.
.45 ACP - Nostalgia, combined with bone crunching power. Preferred by many for home defense. It will knock down any intruder but comes at the expense of serious recoil.
10mm - A cartridge similar to the .45 ACP. The larger sized shells limit magazine size but the stopping power is a big step up from a smaller cartridge.
.380 ACP - The .380 ACP is smaller in size, energy and stopping power but it is an excellent option for concealed carry.
.32 ACP - The .32 ACP is small but still packs enough punch in a micro-compact pistol for serious consideration.
.22 Magnum – A rimfire cartridge that is inexpensive and can stop an intruder at close range.
Concealed carry indoors is different than in a more open setting. Choosing the right handgun that fits your profile, hand size and shooting ability is vital. Standard pistols are hard to conceal and micro-compacts are not as accurate. Finding the right pistol for your possible shooting situation is a first step.
Determining the caliber, the accuracy and the magazine size is the next step in selecting the right handgun. Heavier calibers pack more energy meaning greater stopping power. Recoil can be a problem with sub and micro-compacts. A compact is often the best choice for most shooters.
The most popular caliber for concealed carry is the 9mm Luger. It is a popular cartridge in the Glock 19, the leader in concealed carry worldwide. The Smith & Wesson Shield, Springfield Armory Hellcat and Taurus GX4 are also popular compact pistols using the 9mm cartridge. A popular alternative to 9mm for people looking for less recoil is the Canik TP9 which is also offered in the lighter weight .380 caliber.