By Shooting Illustrated staff
One of the biggest movements in the firearms world has been the overwhelming trend toward concealed carry. With the election of Donald Trump, the National Rifle Association is pushing for national concealed-carry reciprocity following decades of state-level advances in the interests of personal protection. While the legal battle continues, the firearms industry is providing its latest and greatest options for those looking for the ideal concealed-carry pistol. Here are some of the newest options on the market for 2017:
Arex Rex Zero 1 Compact
Arex has responded to consumer demand for a more-concealable version of its Rex Zero 1S. The new concealed-carry-oriented pistol boasts ambidextrous controls and is able to handle +P loads. The company claims a service life of 30,000 rounds for this Slovenian-made, DA/SA handgun.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.85 inches
Overall Length: 7.1 inches
Weight: 27.5 ounces
MSRP: $670
(702) 215-3600 fimegroup.com
Bond Arms PT2A
The Bond Arms PT2A’s custom-engraved, 4.24-inch-long barrel provides for more manageable recoil than shorter-barreled offerings while showing off your support for the Second Amendment. Perfect for concealed carry, it is also available in .357 Mag./.38 Spl.
Caliber: .45 LC/.410 bore
Capacity: 2 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.24 inches
Overall Length: 6.25 inches
Weight: 23.5 ounces
MSRP: $887
(817) 573-4445 bondarms.com
Browning 1911 380 Black Label Medallion Pro
What might be the most shootable .380 ACP pistol available gets classed-up for 2017. With its snazzy, two-tone finish and upgraded grips, this is one mouse gun you won’t be ashamed to show off.
Caliber: .380 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.63 inches
Overall Length: 6.88 inches
Weight: 16 ounces
MSRP: $800
(800) 333-3288 browning.com
Charter Arms Blue Diamond
Charter Arms’ Blue Diamond revolver boasts a smooth, anodized blue frame with high-polish stainless steel barrel and cylinder. Three other models are available: Earthborn (matte black barrel and an earth-tone frame and cylinder), Gold Chic Lady (anodized gold frame with stainless steel barrel and cylinder) and Rosebud (rose gold frame with stainless steel barrel and cylinder).
Caliber: .38 Spl.
Cylinder Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 2 inches
Overall Length: 6.75 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
MSRP: $446
(866) 769-4867 charterfirearms.com
Chiappa White Rhino
The Chiappa White Rhino features a new, distinctive look that is intended to look like actual rhinoceros hide through the use of Cerakote and laser-etching.
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 6.7 inches
Weight: 27.2 ounces
MSRP: $1,465
(937) 835-5000 chiappafirearms.com
Colt Cobra
A new take on a classic concealed-carry snubby, this original six-shooter features a new linear leaf main-spring that ensures a smooth, consistent trigger pull. Enhanced grip and trigger ergonomics are compatible with a variety of hand sizes and still allow the use of gloves.
Caliber: .38 Spl.+P
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 2.1 inches
Overall Length: 7.25 inches
Weight: 25 ounces
MSRP: $699
(800) 962-2658 colt.com
Colt Wiley Clapp LW Commander
Designed by our Fightin’ Iron editor Wiley Clapp, this pistol’s practical, self-defense-oriented features include the popular Series 70 firing system paired with a lightweight, aluminum frame and carbon steel slide. The frontstrap and mainspring housing contain 25 lpi checkering by Pete Single.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 9 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 30 ounces
MSRP: $1,159
(800) 962-2658 colt.com
Dan Wesson Pointman Carry
Dan Wesson has taken the CCO configuration (Commander-length slide mated to an Officer-size frame) and forged it from stainless steel. The pistol is perfect for concealed carry, yet easy to shoot, and the stainless steel minimizes rust concerns while assuring strength.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Weight: 36.7 ounces
MSRP: $1,597
(800) 955-4486 cz-usa.com
Heizer Defense PKO-9
Featuring all-steel construction, yet coming in at a reasonable weight, the Heizer Defense PKO-9 offers a slim, pocketable CCW handgun with a host of options to aid in shooting a small, light handgun. In addition to a standard safety, there’s a grip safety under the high-cut trigger guard.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 2.75 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Weight: 19.5 ounces
MSRP: $899
(888) 965-0972 heizerdefense.com
Honor Defense Honor Guard Compact
Constructed on a modular, stainless steel chassis, the Honor Guard Compact upsizes the company’s already successful Sub-Compact. Like it’s smaller sibling, the Compact is assembled in the U.S. by veterans.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Overall Length: 6.8 inches
Weight: 25 ounces
MSRP: $499
(678) 943-8035 honordefense.com
Kahr CM9 Tungsten with Grip Glove
Equipped with Pachmayr’s Tactical Grip Glove, Kahr’s subcompact CM9 Tungsten is nonetheless easy to hold and shoot. Moreover, it looks good, with a Tungsten-color Cerakote finish applied to the stainless steel slide.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 5.42 inches
Weight: 15.9 ounces
MSRP: $499
(508) 795-3919 kahr.com
Kahr CM45 Tungsten with Grip Glove
A little handful with big power, the CM45 Tungsten incorporates Pachmayr’s Tactical Grip Glove to tame felt recoil. Polymer and Cerakote-coated stainless steel ensure corrosion resistance.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.24 inches
Overall Length: 5.79 inches
Weight: 19.3 ounces
MSRP: $499
(508) 795-3919 kahr.com
Kimber K6s DCR
Based on the original K6s, the lightest production six-shot .357 Mag. on the market, the DCR (Deluxe Carry Revolver) features a host of upgrades that improve on the already excellent ergonomics and aesthetics of the original. A fiber-optic front sight and match-grade trigger round out the performance of this concealed-carry wheelgun.
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 2 inches
Overall Length: 6.62 inches
Weight: 23 ounces
MSRP: $1,028
(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com
Kimber Micro 9 Raptor
Scarcely larger or heavier than the current crop of popular micro-.380 ACP pistols, the Micro 9 Raptor is designed not only for concealment, but for use on the range as well. Upgraded components and custom touches make the Raptor a bird of prey that’s easily worth more in the hand.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.15 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Weight: 15.6 ounces
MSRP: $889
(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com
Kimber Pro Covert
Like the CDP, the Covert line is also a family, with 5-inch and 3-inch variants available in addition to the Pro model. The Covert family offers Crimson Trace Lasergrips, a lanyard loop and Tactical Wedge tritium night sights as part of a complete concealed-carry package.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.7 inches
Weight: 28 ounces
MSRP: $1,427
(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com
Nighthawk Custom Border Special
The Border Special from Nighthawk Custom is a Concealed Carry Cut, Commander-size pistol featuring such niceties as scallop texturing, Heinie Slant Pro rear sight, a gold bead front sight and Cerakote’s “Elite Midnight” finish.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.85 inches
Weight: 34.1 ounces
MSRP: $3,650
(877) 268-4867 nighthawkcustom.com
Nighthawk Custom Tri-Cut
Stylish, purposeful tri-cuts to the slide, frame, mainspring housing and grips set the Tri-Cut apart from the crowd. Stippling on all the metal/hand-contact points and a contrasting, bright-polished barrel add to both the functionality and aesthetics.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.85 inches
Weight: 34.7 ounces
MSRP: $4,495
(877) 268-4867 nighthawkcustom.com
Rock Island Armory Rock Ultra CCO
The Rock Ultra CCO incorporates the perfect combination of Officer-grip aluminum frame, Commander-length slide and G10 tactical grips to make an ideal concealed carry option. There is a LPA MPS1 type adjustable rear sight paired with a dovetail fiber optic front sight, as well as an adjustable over-travel stop with ambidextrous safety.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Weight: 28 ounces
MSRP: $760
(775) 537-1444 armscor.com
Ruger American Pistol Compact
Lightweight-polymer construction, interchangeable backstraps and a new truncated size is sure to make the latest addition to Ruger’s American Pistol line a favorite among concealed-carry practitioners. It is also available in 9 mm.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.55 inches
Overall Length: 7.25 inches
Weight: 28.6 ounces
MSRP: $579
(336) 949-5200 ruger.com
Ruger LC9S HiViz
When the market spoke, Ruger listened. The company’s popular 9 mm pocket pistol is now available in a variant that boasts HiViz sights for easier aiming.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
Overall Length: 6 inches
Weight: 17.2 ounces
MSRP: $499
(336) 949-5200 ruger.com
SIG Sauer P320 X Carry
SIG’s striker-fired P320, chosen as the winner of the U.S. Army’s MHS program, has a number of variants available in 2017. One interesting variant is the X Carry, which offers a number of purpose-driven upgrades and ergonomic features aimed at making the P320 a solid concealed-carry option.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Overall Length: 7.2 inches
Weight: 27 ounces
MSRP: $862
(603) 610-3000 sigsauer.com
Smith & Wesson Model 629 Deluxe
Few handguns are as iconic as the Smith & Wesson Model 29, and the 629 is the stainless version of the “most powerful handgun in the world.” The deluxe version–also available with a 6.5-inch barrel—brings refinements and upgrades to the fire-breathing beast.
Caliber: .44 Mag.
Cylinder Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 8.63 inches
Weight: 39.6 ounces
MSRP: $999
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Springfield Armory EMP Black Armory Kote
The EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) offers enhancements such as oversize beavertail, skeletonized hammer and trigger, combat rear sights and a forged aluminum frame. New for 2017 are two new finishes (not shown is the bi-tone with stainless slide).
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 9 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 27 ounces
MSRP: $1,104
(800) 680-6866 springfield-armory.com
STI DVC Carry
STI has incorporated all of the most popular features of its DVC guns into a compact, lightweight package intended for concealed carry. This pistol features a black, DLC-coated frame and slide; tritium night sights, including a ledge rear; and a VIP-length grip frame stippled by Extreme Shooters.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Overall Length: 7.57 inches
Weight: 26 ounces
MSRP: $2,999
(512) 819-0656 stiguns.com
Taurus Spectrum
For the first time in its history, Taurus USA is offering an innovative firearm that was engineered and manufactured in the United States. Equipped with soft-touch panels that seamlessly integrate into the grip and slide and provide enhanced comfort, responsiveness and control. Pick from an enormous array of color combinations to create your own distinctive carry pistol.
Caliber: .380 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel Length: 2.8 inches
Overall Length: 5.4 inches
Weight: 10 ounces
MSRP: $289
(800) 327-3776 taurususa.com
Wilson Combat Bill Wilson Carry II Pistol
From its compact X-Tac grip frame 4-inch barrel and unique slide serrations, the Wilson Combat Bill Wilson Carry II Pistol is an exact version of the company founder’s personal-protection sidearm. It’s also offered in 9 mm.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.6 inches
Weight: 29.63 ounces
MSRP: $TBD
(800) 955-4856 wilsoncombat.com
Wilson Combat EDC X9
Wilson Combat’s new line of everyday-carry pistols offers a double-stack version for an impressive 15-round magazine capacity. The 4-inch, tapered barrel provides a reliability-enhancing lockup, and the pistol ships with two magazines.
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.4 inches
Weight: 29.09 ounces
MSRP: $ 2,895
(800) 955-4856 wilsoncombat.com