It’s been over a decade since I started carrying a handgun for self-defense, but the fundamentals of what makes a good concealed carry handgun remain unchanged.

• Compact/concealable
• Low-recoil/easy to handle
• High ammo capacity
• Reliable
• Accurate
• Fun to shoot

I used the criteria above to create my list of the top 5 concealed carry handguns of all time.

 Smith & Wesson M&P Shield – Best Overall

I love my 9mm S&W M&P Shield because it’s compact, has little recoil, is reliable, accurate, and a blast to shoot!

I’ve carried it in various positions on my person, and it rarely prints because it’s a micro-compact pistol. I’m not a large person by any means, which makes carrying full-size pistols uncomfortable and more likely to print, but the M&P Shield is easily concealed.

Even though it’s a micro-compact, I find the recoil very manageable. Now, granted, mine is only 9mm, which helps, but it is also available in 40 S&W without sacrificing much magazine capacity.

Speaking of magazine capacity, this is the biggest drawback. If you use the 7-round mag, the grip feels weird because your pinky has nothing to grip, so I prefer the 8-round mag. I’m also in the “more ammo is better” crowd, so I would like to have a higher mag capacity, but that would require a less compact gun. I simply carry multiple mags to compensate for this con.

Reliability is critical in a life-or-death situation. I don’t want to pull the trigger, hoping the gun will fire; I want to know it will fire and cleanly cycle. After years of use, I have not had any problems with my Shield, so I trust it will properly function when I need it most.

It could be all my experience with the Shield, but even from the beginning, I was reasonably accurate with it. I find the grip to be very comfortable (using the 8-round mag), and the sights are easy to line up and stay on target (especially the HI VIZ sights like my father-in-law has on his Shield).

The low recoil and comfortable grip also make this gun fun to shoot as I train with it. Training with your concealed carry handgun is critically important, so you want to carry a gun you enjoy firing, not one you’re hesitant to use.

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is the perfect concealed-carry handgun for those with smaller frames or hands. I love mine and won’t trade it in anytime soon.

Glock 19 – Runner-Up

The Glock 19 is one of the best concealed carry handguns because of its low recoil, high mag capacity, reliability, accuracy, and enjoyable shooting experience.

I’m not a Glock lover. I’ve tried them, and they just don’t fit well in my hands, but it’s impossible to argue with those who love their Glock 19. The 9mm Luger cartridge and high-quality design help to keep the recoil low and very manageable, so you can stay on target better and get quick follow-up shots.

My biggest draw to the Glock 19 is the high magazine capacity. The standard 15-round mag is impressive because you won’t have to carry several spare mags to ensure you never run out of ammo in a defensive situation.

However, a larger capacity also makes it more difficult to conceal because it’s more firearm and accessory you must keep from printing or showing. Although it’s not impossible to hide, it will be more difficult for smaller individuals.

Glock has built a reputation for dependability, and I wouldn’t doubt for a second that a Glock 19 will perform at the range day after day and when you need it most.

Ask any Glock owner, and they’ll happily tell you how much they love firing their Glock; it’s not for me, but I can’t argue with the number of people (most of my buddies) who enjoy training with their Glock pistol.

The Glock 19 is the pistol for people who don’t enjoy the micro-compact Smith & Wesson Shield because it’s accurate, low-recoil, and ultra-reliable.

Ruger LCR 9mm – Best Concealed Carry Revolver

The Ruger LCR 9mm is my favorite concealed carry revolver because it’s easily concealable, reliable, low-recoil, and fun to shoot.

The hammerless design of the LCR line-up allows it to be more concealable than other revolvers because it is slightly more compact and less likely to get snagged as you draw the firearm.

The biggest problem with revolvers, especially the LCR 9mm, is the limited ammunition capacity. It only holds 5 rounds and requires moon clips to function correctly. Moon clips aren’t all bad, as they act as speedloaders but are not as functional as magazines.

There’s no arguing that revolvers are more reliable, and the Ruger LCR is definitely dependable, as I never had a problem with it. I’ve also found it fun to shoot, but I’m not as accurate with it as I am with my other pistols.

Considering everything, I recommend the Ruger LCR 9mm as a backup gun, especially if you carry another 9mm pistol. At least, that’s how I use it when I carry it.

I rarely recommend going with the cheapest option, primarily when your life might depend on it, but the Palmetto State Armory Dagger has truly impressed me and is comparable to a Gen3 Glock 19.

It’s fairly compact, low-recoil, has solid ammo capacity, is reliable, is fun to shoot, and is reasonably priced!

The biggest drawback I’ve found is the heavy trigger pull, but with the money you save on this gun, you’ll be able to purchase an aftermarket trigger, and (if you get the threaded barrel) you can add a suppressor to it for the ultimate home defense firearm.

Suppressors are best for home defense situations, as they make concealing a firearm even more difficult, but it is possible to conceal carry with a suppressor if you’re dead set on it.

I recommend the DEAD AIR WOLFMAN if you’re looking for the best, or the GEMTECH AURORA 2 for those looking for a budget-friendly option (but you can only fire FMJs through it, and it’s not recommended for everyday range use). Silencer Shop makes getting suppressors easy and you can buy these two suppressors from the links below.

The PSA Dagger allows you to carry it with or without a suppressor. It’s reasonably priced, especially considering all the features it offers shooters.

Sig Sauer P365-XL Rose – Best Concealed Carry Handgun For Women

When it’s designed by a world champion shooter (Lena Miculek), specifically for women, it’s tough to argue against most female CCWer’s carrying this pistol.

The Sig Sauer P365 Rose has comfortable ergonomics for female hands, reliable, accurate, solid ammo capacity, and little recoil.

The biggest drawback is the price, but you get more than just a gun for the expense.

When my wife is in the market for a new pistol, the Sig Sauer P365 Rose will be one of the first ones she tries, as it is also chambered in .380 Auto (her favorite cartridge).

TFB is proud to partner with Silencer Shop as our preferred vendor for all of your NFA needs. Whether you are searching for a new suppressor, SBR, or trust, Silencer Shop is here to provide a seamless and fast service for your next NFA purchase. Head over to  www.silencershop.com to begin your NFA journey.