Gun Tests writers get asked this question all the time — What Gun Should I Buy for Concealed Carry? — and answering it is really tricky. We generally have to know a few things to start:
- How much experience do you have with handguns?
- What’s your budget?
- Do you have a gun size preference?
- Do you have a cartridge preference?
There are many other things to know, but these get us started on a recommendation.
Concealed-carry choice really comes down to a few personal factors — hand size, experience level, how you’ll carry (IWB, pocket, etc.), and budget.
But the folks we bump into usually have some experience, want to spend between $400-$600, and usually want a nine in a smaller size.
Based on current reviews on Gun-Tests.com here are solid picks for that budget and experience level. All are micro-compact 9mms — the sweet spot for all-day IWB carry — and all fall in or near the $400–600 range.
Top Pick: Sig Sauer P365
This pistol usually runs $500-550, has a standard capacity of 10+1 (with 12- and 15-round mags available), and a pistol weight of 17.8 ounces. We’ve tested several variants of the pistol and we can say that it’s widely considered the best all-around package of smaller size, good trigger, reliable operation, and it has huge holster/accessory support. The trade-off is that the P365 is not the cheapest option, and it offers snappier recoil than a compact due to its smaller grip.
Runner Up: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus
This pistols is a step down in price, usually $400-450, has a standard capacity of 13+1, and weighs 20.2 ounces. We like it because it’s one of the better values on the market, offers a great trigger, is very reliable, and it’s easier on the budget. But if you’re shopping for support items, you’ll find a trade-off to consider because there is just not as much aftermarket support than SIG and Glock provide. Not bad, just not ubiquitous.
If You Just Gotta Have a Glock
A lot of shooters we encounter only know one brand name they know and trust — Glock — and we get that. Gun Tests has reviewed many of the company’s products over the years. They don’t always win a given match up, but Glocks are a dependable choice. Right now, we think the Glock 43X, which usually runs ~$450-500, has 10+1 capacity and offers 15+1 with aftermarket mags, and weighs 18.7 ounces. Its big claims to fame are its reliability, and Glock has the largest aftermarket ecosystem of any pistol ever made — holsters, sights, triggers are all easy to find. Trade-offs we have often noted are the Glock’s grip texture and trigger are often not as good as competing models from SIG and S&W.
General Guidance
If you want the safest bet: the SIG P365 is the most-recommended gun in nearly every comparison we’ve done, and it has become the benchmark others get compared to.
If you want to save money for gear: the Shield Plus frees up budget for a good holster (~$100-150), spare mag, and defensive ammo, which matter as much as the gun itself.
And we always recommend you try before you buy, if you can. Hand fit and trigger feel vary a lot between these recommendations — if there’s a range near you that rents guns, shoot the guns side by side before committing.
Depending on your shooting fitness, rent two guns and fire a 50-round box of ball (full metal jacket) through each one. Dry firing each one extensively allows you to assess the trigger independent of recoil. Then load and fire a magazine for one, see how the mags accept rounds, think about the handfit, gauge the sight quality, feel the recoil. Then switch to the other gun and compare them. Fifty rounds will be plenty to assess each gun and see what you like. It might even take fewer rounds to determine your likes.
And as always, check your state and local laws on concealed carry permits, magazine capacity limits, and where carry is restricted — these vary a lot, and some states cap magazine size below what these guns ship with. It is your legal responsibility to know what the limits are.
To read more about our reviews of carry pistols, here are some additional lists to check out.
Top 10 Subcompact 9mm Pistols for 2026
Five Guns Better Than Your Glock
Glock Holsters: We Test a Mix of Types for the Polymer 9mm Luger Handgun
10 Best 380 ACP Pocket Pistols for 2026
