The Sig P365 is an impressive micro 9mm with a great track record. This gun is a popular subcompact semi-auto pistol, designed for CCW and self defense. Some of it’s key features include a 10-round capacity, which is higher than many of its competitors, compact and modular, has XRAY3 Day/Night sights providing visibility in low light conditions, and ambi controls. We’ve tested this gun time and time again. As our writer puts it, “The rest of the industry has had a couple of years to catch up but the P365 is still an impressive micro 9mm that is super popular as a CCW option.” – Travis Pike
Glocks do a lot of things right and G43x is one of them. This gun is very comfortable to conceal carry, easy to shoot, and great for defensive shooting. With its straightforward Glock platform and thin profile, this gun is a great choice for CCW. The Glock 43x has a short slide with a barrel length of 3.41 inches and a total length of 6.5 inches. It weighs only 18.7oz, is 5.04 inches tall, and is 1.06 inches wide. It has a trigger pull weight of approximately 5.5 lbs, consistent with other Glock models. Out of the box, this gun comes with standard 10-round mags which isn’t as efficient when compared to a similar-sized Sig P365.
The Ruger LCP is a .380 chambered semi-auto pistol that offers a convenient concealed carry gun to those looking for a slim pistol. Perfect for pocket carry, this tiny pistol also works well as a backup gun. It can hold 6+1 rounds in a standard mag and 7+1 in the extended mag.
The Glock 43 harnesses all the world-renowned reliability that Glock is known for, all in a tiny package. Just over 1 inch wide and under 17 ounces, the G43 is easy to conceal in any environment and virtually any carry method. An extended beavertail, textured grip, and enlarged magazine release ensure that operation is smooth and recoil control is manageable. Overall, these single-stack 6+1 pistols are great for those who want a reliable, small, concealable pistol.
The Stoeger STR-9C is an extremely affordable entry into the world of optics-ready striker-fired polymer handguns. A 13+1 capacity, sub 5-lb crisp trigger, optics-ready slide, accessory rail, and interchangeable backstraps ensure that the STR-9C isn’t lagging behind the competition. At under $350, this compact pistol is tough to beat when it comes to performance per dollar.
Smith and Wesson finally decided to revisit the 10mm cartridge and adapted their M&P 2.0 platform for it. Our test gun was reliable, shot well, and had the quality ergonomics the M&P line is known for. However, there have been some reported issues with the 4-inch models, and it should be noted that this is still a relatively new gun in Smith and Wesson’s lineup.
The Sig P365XL has quickly established itself as one of the most popular concealed carry pistols on the market today. Excellent ergonomics, great capacity for the size, factory night sights, and an optics-ready slide make this a feature-rich gun at an affordable price point.