A revolver and a handgun laying on a pad in preparation for cleaning

In America, we enjoy the freedom of concealed carry. If you have a concealed carry gun permit, you’re legally within your rights to carry a handgun.

However, not just any handgun will do. Some are more conducive to being carried discreetly than others. Yet, comfort and concealability are not your only concerns. The question is, what should you look for in a handgun you plan to carry with you on a daily basis?

We can help you make your choice. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to choose a concealed carry gun.

Decide What Type of Handgun You Want to Carry

First, there is a wide variety of handguns available for concealed carry. You have two primary categories to choose from – revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Within each of these categories, of course, you’ll find a plethora of calibers, sizes, and manufacturers.

Revolvers are some of the most reliable handguns on the market. They’re also exceptionally easy to use. However, there are a few downsides to revolvers, particularly in tactical situations.

Revolvers have a limited ammunition capacity, usually between five and six rounds in the cylinder. Furthermore, revolvers take much longer to reload.

Semi-automatic pistols, on the other hand, have a wider selection of carrying options. For example, concealed carry 1911 pistols use a .45 caliber round, which limits your total ammo capacity. Conversely, there are 9mm semi-automatic pistols that can hold upwards of 12 rounds or more.

Read Customer Reviews

Learning how to choose a concealed carry gun also means doing a little research beyond gun types. Once you have a list of the best concealed carry guns, find customer reviews for each one. More specifically, look for reviews from consumers who bought the weapon for concealed carry.

Learn more about the weapon’s accuracy, ease of use, dependability, and maintenance needs. Do most customers feel good about their purchase? Do they have any complaints about the sights, magazine release, or slide release?

Think About Gun Size and Comfort

Most people opt for small concealed carry guns. They’re easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry.

However, smaller handguns will have limitations in terms of accuracy, grip, and ammunition capacity. For example, some small concealed carry guns have an exceptionally short handle.

While this makes it easy to conceal, it doesn’t leave any room for your pinky finger to grip the gun. This could negatively impact your accuracy when you need it most.

Look at  the Gun’s Safety Features

Whether you’re looking for concealed carry guns for women or for men, you need to consider their safety features. Some handguns have limited safety features.

For example, Glocks (one of the most prolific and reliable handguns) lack a safety switch. However, they do have several internal safety mechanisms, such as trigger safety, drop safety, and firing pin safety.

Some handgun owners view this as a good thing. Forgetting to switch off your safety in an extreme situation could get you killed. However, most people feel better about a safety mechanism they can manually turn on and off.

If learning how to choose a concealed carry gun with maximum safety features is important to you, consider a 1911. They come with a manual safety switch as well as a grip safety. Furthermore, a 1911 pistol won’t fire until the hammer has been cocked back.

Consider Magazine Capacity

Earlier, we talked about ammunition carrying capacities. This is an important topic when learning how to choose a concealed carry gun.

In the heat of the moment, if you are forced to discharge your firearm, your shots are unlikely to be as accurate as they are at the range. With the surge of adrenaline and fear coursing through your body, accuracy will be unpredictable.

While you should train extensively to carry a concealed weapon, no amount of training is similar to the real thing. As such, selecting a handgun with only five or six rounds may not be the best choice.

If you want a higher carrying capacity, look for a semi-automatic pistol in a smaller caliber. It’s also not a bad idea to carry an extra magazine or two.

Learn About Your State’s Concealed Carry Laws

To find the best concealed carry gun for your needs, you also need to consider your state’s laws. Concealed carry laws vary from state to state. Some states allow people to carry firearms openly while others don’t allow any type of carrying.

If you live in Florida, check out these gun laws. Otherwise, do some research online to find the laws specific to your state before you make your decision.

Think About Style and Color

While style and color are hardly as important as function and reliability, these are important factors of consideration for most gun owners. For example, you can find concealed carry guns for women that are pink, white, or purple, which makes them feel less masculine.

Conversely, you might appreciate a two-tone gun with a stainless steel upper receiver and a black lower receiver. Other gun owners prefer muted colors, like khaki or beige.

Pay Attention to Your Budget

Finally, learning how to choose a concealed carry gun means assessing your finances. Unless you’re working with an unlimed budget, you’ll need to compare and contrast the prices of the top handguns on your list.

Fortunately, there is a large selection of affordable concealed carry guns. Because these handguns are smaller and more compact, they’re often much less expensive.

If you’re drawn to a specific style of a handgun, you have multiple manufacturer options. Some of which will be more affordable than others.

Before choosing a concealed carry gun because of its affordability, verify its credibility with customer reviews. You wouldn’t want to make a decision you will regret later to save $100 now.

Do You Know How to Choose a Concealed Carry Gun?

Now that you understand a little more about how to choose a concealed carry gun, what choice will you make? As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider. Just make sure you’re paying attention to the most important details, such as function, reliability, and concealability.

And if you’re looking for more lifestyle tips or consumer advice, look no further. Our blog is full of the information you need to improve your life.

By admin