No products in the cart.
You can find the best concealed carry gun for your self-defense needs at Pennsylvania’s Largest Gun Show. Not all self-defense guns are appropriate for concealed carry. You need a weapon that’s effective, discreet, and beginner-friendly. We’re going to look at what the best concealed carry pistols have in common and how to find the best deal on your carry weapon at your local gun show.
Concealed carry laws give you the right or privilege to carry a weapon discretely for self-defense. This usually means the best concealed carry gun that will fit under your clothes, in a briefcase, or inside of a purse. Your ability to carry concealed is determined by laws at the state and local level. Some states require an expensive permit obtained only after a costly and time-consuming gun safety class in order to carry a gun, while others stipulate that any legal gun owner is constitutionally permitted to carry a self-defense gun, either openly or concealed.
Before you spend your hard-earned money on the best concealed carry gun money can buy, it’s important to learn the laws of the jurisdiction you’ll be carrying in. While constitutional carry states are pretty generous in their provisions, permit states may have limitations that affect your weapon choice. You’ll also want to understand any guidelines for ammunition or what carry methods are allowed. For instance, some states prohibit open carry, even with a concealed carry permit, putting you at risk if your firearm isn’t “concealed enough.”
When choosing the best concealed carry gun for self-defense, you need to put some thought into the challenges you face. What calibers are you comfortable shooting? What size of pistol is going to be comfortable to carry strapped to you in your day-to-day life and comfortable to shoot? Where are you concealing your gun? What accessories will help make your concealed carry more comfortable and effective? Answering these questions will help you establish some parameters so you can recognize the best concealed carry pistol for you when you see it:
We have to start with Glocks because they have proven themselves as duty and self-defense guns time and again. Featuring a blocky, no-frills design, a reputation for quality, and a deep third-party accessories market, they make a popular choice for beginners who just want a reliable concealed carry pistol. The two most practical examples are the compact G19 and Slimline G43 models, although the manufacturer does offer plenty of other concealed carry pistols in a range of calibers.
The G19 is one of Glock’s original models, proving its staying power and providing plentiful aftermarket customization and carry options. Chambered in 9mm, this pistol’s base model features a 4” barrel, hand-friendly grip, and lightweight polymer frame. It can accept a flush 15-round double-stack box magazine or higher-capacity magazines that will push your concealment skills to the limit.
The G43 is a subcompact Slimline pistol, meaning it is not only smaller but narrower than its larger cousin. With a single-stack magazine that holds six rounds and a 3.5” barrel, the G43 is perfect for smaller hands, more comfortable all-day carry, and superior concealability in a wider range of carry styles and clothing choices. The slim and light design, however, does lead to a stronger recoil kick from the same 9mm round.
The P365X ticks a lot of boxes for being the best concealed carry gun for beginners who want to step outside the boxy Glock…er box. This compact pistol sports a 3.1” barrel and comes standard with either a 10- or 12-round magazine. It’s optics-ready, reliable, and comfortable to carry. There is also a large range of OEM models customized for specific use cases or preferences, as well as a huge range of aftermarket accessories, upgrades, and customizations thanks to Sig Sauer’s use of an FCU in its design.
Like the P250 and 320, the P365 range uses a Fire Control Unit (FCU) as the serialized component of their gun. This unit contains the bulk of your lower receiver’s functional components in a single, easily swappable package. Field strip your gun, remove the FCU, and pop it into your choice of P365-compatible frame, and then pair it with a matching barrel and slide. Just like that, the best-concealed carry pistol becomes your chosen competition gun. It really is that easy.
The TP9 Elite SC is a Turkish clone of the Walther P99, a gun with a long and distinguished career in police, government, and military service around the world. Canik’s version comes with two backstrap options, an optics-ready design, and two magazines (one 12-round with a flush baseplate and one 15-round with an extended baseplate). Canik also throws in a Kydex holster that’s convertible for use in or outside the waistband.
The Elite SC made our list of best concealed carry guns because it’s based on a proven design, made by the Turkish government to the same standards established for military and police use, and priced new-in-the-box similarly to what the discontinued OG Walther models sell at as used guns. This makes it a beginner-friendly starter gun priced in the mid-range that is more comfortable for many shooters.
Sometimes, even a mid-range price tag is out of reach, especially when eggs require a cosigner at the grocery store. That’s where the PSA Dagger enters the picture. Priced at less than $300, you won’t find a gun much cheaper without making some big sacrifices in quality, concealability, or comfort. If you want frills, they aren’t here. This is a no-nonsense 9mm with a 15-round magazine and no pretenses. While you can always add upgrades and customizations, most Dagger owners are looking for affordable practicality that goes bang when they pull the trigger. On that, it delivers.
Your local gun show offers a bigger selection, better deals, and a fun, family-friendly weekend. We’re coming to a town near you. Check our gun show calendar and circle the date so you can find the best concealed carry gun for your EDC. Order your tickets online to your next Eagle Shows Gun Show today.
Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates, offers, and insights. Be the first to know about upcoming shows and special events.
