10 Best Compact Handguns for Everyday Carry

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 10/11/2017 | J Hines

[w1n1]

A concealed carry license deserves reliable and top of the line handguns.

However, with a huge market to choose from this can be a challenge. We stacked up 10 guns against each other to bring you our top carry handguns based on stopping power, weight, ease of use, and price. Using a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, you'll be able to compare the best of the best. In this article, we’re only covering compact handguns. Here are 10 ideal choices for the everyday carrier. Glock 26 Gen3 (9mm)

• Portability: 4
• Ease of Use: 5
• Weight: 3.5
• Affordability: 2
• Stopping Power: 3

It is a smaller firearm in general, and the internal parts have been moved closer together, but the Glock 26 is still a Glock. It boasts the same proven and well known reliability.

Springfield XDs .45

• Portability: 5
• Ease of Use: 3
• Weight: 3.5
• Affordability: 1
• Stopping Power: 4

The Springfield XDs .45ACP is one of the best carry guns on the market. It has a single stack magazine which will hold 5 rounds of .45ACP, and of course you can add an extra round in the chamber.

Ruger LCRx .38 Special

• Portability: 5
• Ease of Use: 5
• Weight: 4.5
• Affordability: 3.5
• Stopping Power: 4

Ruger has been asked to make a LCR pistol with an exposed hammer to enable single-action mode, and they listened. The Ruger LCRx .38 Special is a dream gun and the answer to a lot of prayers.

SCCY CPX-II

• Portability: 5
• Ease of Use: 4.5
• Weight: 3.5
• Affordability: 5
• Stopping Power: 2.5

Fairly new to the market, the SCCY CPX-II is one of the most affordable carry pistols on the market – which is why we gave the CPX-II a 5 out of 5 on affordability. This slim, lightweight, easy to use 9mm pistol holds 10+1 rounds of 9mm – which has more than enough stopping power for you.

Beretta Nano

• Portability: 4.5
• Ease of Use: 2.5
• Weight: 3
• Affordability: 3.5
• Stopping Power: 2.5

The Beretta Nano is a great little carry gun with absolutely nothing that will EVER get stuck in a holster or purse. There is no external safety lever, teardown lever, or slide lock to get stuck anywhere. See the rest with full explanation on 10 best compact handguns for everyday carry here.

[circlecity]

I believe the fire control housing is polymer.

[aimhigh]

Ruger LCRx .38 Special stings to shoot. If you want this gun, get the 357 version and load it with .38s.

[Big Red Badger]

Ahhhhh....
no.

[Who is John Galt?]

... odd selection.

I agree. For example, they include the SCCY, which is essentially a copy of the Kel-Tec P11, but exclude the P11...

[upchuck]

Do a youtube search and look at some of the review videos on the PT709. Really a nice gun.

[IncPen]

pings

[jospehm20]

I have a half dozen J frames. I like small revolvers.

[golux]

Thanks for the leads on the Sidewinder and LC-9.
There was a time I always had “weapon status” on my mind... Now I just love to carry, not to “print,” and to feel as if I will never accidentally discharge.
Something about a revolver feels perfect to me.
The other thing is - were I ever to need to flee, I don’t want casings kicking around.

[KC Burke]

But the plain LCR in 38 has a better trigger action than the 38/357 in my humble opinion (and in my wife’s and since she has it closer to her much of the time...)

[KC Burke]

Just remember on NAA they have that new break action that will be on the shelves in about 90 days.