Concealed carrying weapons remain a significant aspect of personal defense for many individuals. The practice of carrying a concealed weapon to various places, including work or the store, is more common than it might appear. Obtaining a concealed carry permit is widely considered a prudent step for responsible gun ownership. In scenarios where safety cannot be entirely legislated or regulated, as tragically highlighted by incidents like the Virginia Tech shooting, the onus often falls on private citizens to ensure their safety. The deterrent effect of concealed weapons on potential attackers is a commonly cited rationale for concealed carry – the uncertainty for a would-be assailant about who might be armed can be a powerful factor.
What is the Best Concealed Carry Handgun available?
We’ve chosen the Glock 27 (.40 S&W round) from Glock as one of the best concealed carry guns on the market today. We’ve picked that handgun because of its size, round, capacity, reliability/readiness, and price.
Size
The Glock 27 is in the sub-compact size category, which is probably the best and most popular size of a gun for concealed carry. People think pocket pistols are great, but they’re usually too small to control recoil, be accurate beyond spitting distance, and have enough stopping power to take someone down. The compact size is a little bit big for regular concealed carry on your person, as it would be more difficult to conceal. The Sub-Compact is the perfect compromise of the small frame to conceal easily, as well as being big enough to shoot effectively. They also feel great in smaller hands, especially in women, and the recoil of the Glock 27 is not bad at all.
Round
The Glock 27 chambers a 40 cal (.40 S&W) round, which is in my opinion the Best Caliber for Concealed Carry. It is the perfect compromise between the power of a .45 ACP round while keeping the smaller size of the 9mm round. It has great stopping power, especially when paired with hollow point or other self-defense rounds. Many people like the 9mm round because of its price and ready availability, but I don’t think the round is as powerful as you’d want for self-defense.
Capacity
This is the area where the semi-auto pistol beats out the revolver, round capacity. While revolvers can only hold about 5-6 rounds, the Glock 27 comes with a standard 9-round magazine, with upgrade options of 11, 13, 15, and 17-round magazines. In the times when you would need to use a concealed weapon, you probably won’t be nearly as accurate as you usually are because of stress, and your heart beating a mile a minute. You would probably want as many rounds as you could get. This gun is perfect for that, and if not, switching a magazine is a very quick and easy process, especially compared to reloading a revolver.
Reliability / Readiness
Glocks are traditionally known to be some of the most reliable guns available. They are designed with a simple firing and clearing system, which makes them reliable in almost any circumstance. They are also known for the safety being built into the trigger, which means no more hassling with a safety switch being the right way for the gun to fire. If you pull the trigger, it will shoot.
Price
- The Glock 27 continues to be competitively priced, often found in the range of $400-$500. This makes it a more affordable option compared to other high-end models like those from Kimber, H&K, and SIG, while still offering comparable performance and reliability.
Conclusion
The Glock 27 remains an exemplary choice for concealed carry. Its combination of size, firepower, reliability, and affordability makes it a top contender for the title of the best concealed carry handgun. Its suitability for a wide range of users, coupled with the power and efficiency of the .40 S&W round, ensures that it remains a reliable and effective tool for personal defense.