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The 10 Best Concealed Carry Combos For New Shooters
By Brad Fitzpatrick
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Millions of Americans carry a firearm for self-defense, but choosing the right carry gun can be a challenge for new shooters. I’ve talked to a number of people who were new to firearms and purchased a gun based on a friend or gun store employee’s recommendation only to find the gun they bought was not right for them. As a result, they don’t carry it often—or sometimes at all.
So, we’re going to examine several guns that are great choices for beginning shooters. They all offer key features like compact, concealable designs, ample power, reliability and build quality. Since ammunition is at least as important as firearm selection we’ll also examine load recommendations that help you get the most from each self-defense firearm.
1. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0
The original Smith & Wesson Bodyguard was a compact semi-auto carry pistol chambered in 380 Auto, but it was due for an upgrade and refresh. Smith & Wesson recently unveiled the Bodyguard 2.0. It wasn’t simply a refresh of the original but rather a ground-up redesign and a far better carry pistol. The grip is comfortable and large enough even for shooters with large hands, and capacity is 10 or 12 rounds. New slide serrations make the gun easier to operate, and the tritium front sight is easy to see even in low light. Perhaps the greatest improvement, though, is the upgraded trigger that is crisp, smooth, and much lighter than the original. Despite its impressive capacity the gun weighs just 9.8 ounces and measures a mere .88 inches wide, making it extremely easy to conceal.
The 380 Auto is a mild-recoiling cartridge, and the S&W is very manageable to shoot, but you’ll need to pair this gun with quality self-defense ammunition to get superior threat-stopping performance. Speer’s Gold Dot Personal Protection 90-grain load is built around the proven Gold Dot bullet and is the perfect 380 Auto load for self-defense.
MSRP: $449
2. Ruger SP101
The Ruger SP101 is a reliable single-action/double-action revolver that has been in production since the late 1980s. It’s extremely durable thanks to its solid steel sidewalls and triple-locking cylinder. Though it’s not as light as some semi-auto carry guns, what new shooters will really appreciate is the simplicity of use. Simply load the swing-out cylinder, close and lock it, and you’re ready to shoot. The rubber grip helps mitigate recoil, even from the 357 Magnum.
Of course, shooters can also use lighter-recoiling 38 Special loads in the 357 Magnum SP101, and there are lots of great defense loads in 38, including Speer’s Gold Dot Short Barrel 135-grain 38 +P load, which is optimized for short-barreled revolvers like the SP101.
Don’t overlook the SP101 327 Federal offerings, though, as these Rugers hold an additional round in the cylinder (6 versus 5 for the 357 Magnum/38 Special) and provide ample stopping power with manageable recoil. Speer’s Gold Dot 100-grain 327 Federal Magnum load is simply outstanding, and 327 revolvers can also shoot 32 H&R Magnum loads for reduced recoil.
MSRP: $919 to $979
3. Mossberg MC2c/MC2sc
Mossberg is best known as a shotgun company, but the company’s MC2 9mm handguns are light, compact, and a pleasure to shoot. The grip on the MC2c (compact version) and MC2sc (sub-compact) are both large enough for anyone to shoot comfortably and max capacity is 14 rounds for the sub-compact and 16 for the compact. I tested the Mossberg 9mm pistols at Gunsite Academy in Arizona and fired more than 1,500 rounds without issue. These pistols are optics ready and are available with or without manual safeties. Takedown is simple and safe, particularly because you do not have to pull the trigger to field strip the pistol. Ergonomics are excellent and these guns are a sensible choice for new shooters seeking a reliable, accurate, and affordable defense pistol. The test gun I carried shot particularly well with Speer’s 115-grain Gold Dot.
MSRP: $556 to $602
4: Walther PPS M2
Walther’s German-made pistols have a lot going for them, and that includes excellent geometry. Their PPS M2 is a single-stack 9mm, and that allows it to be exceedingly thin. At about an inch wide, it can easily be carried, but it has the distinction of being one of the few small, light 9mms that is very comfortable to shoot. It comes with 6-, 7- and 8-round magazines, so no reduced-capacity version is required in states with 10-round magazine restrictions. The barrel measures just 3.2 inches, but the well-constructed sights and smooth, crisp trigger make this gun surprisingly accurate given its small size.
Speer offers a full line of 9mm defensive ammunition that’s suitable for the PPS including Gold Dot and Gold Dot G2 lines with bullet weights ranging from 115 ton 147-grains. Couple your Gold Dot defense ammo with a training load of a similar weight and a good holster and you’re ready for training and you’re ready to train and carry.
MSRP: $479
5. Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
Smith & Wesson has been fine-tuning its polymer-frame pistols since 2005, and the Shield EZ is undoubtedly one of the very best concealed carry pistols available today, especially when chambered in the new 30 Super Carry cartridge. The Shield EZ features a slide that is much lighter and easier to rack than many of the competitors, making this ideal for any shooter with limited hand strength. The Sheild EZ also beautifully balances compact carry gun size (it measures right around an inch wide and weighs under 24 ounces) with the comfort and control of a full-sized pistol. Another feature that this gun offers is a grip safety, which adds peace of mind for many shooters who still want some visible safety device and feel more comfortable knowing that the gun cannot fire until the safety is depressed by grabbing the gun. The 30 Super Carry version holds 10 rounds in the magazine, and Speer’s 115-grain Gold Dot 30 Super Carry load clocks in at 1,150 feet per second at the muzzle, making this a threat-stopping pistol that’s easy to conceal, carry, and shoot.
MSRP: $519
6. Glock G43/G43X
Glock revolutionized pistol design by launching the first widely-popular polymer-frame semi-auto handguns. That was in the 1980s, and while these gun were initially met with some skepticism, they have proven for decades to be robust and reliable. The G43 9mm has a capacity of six rounds, but at just over an inch wide and 6.26 inches long, it’s very easy to conceal even under light clothing. The G43X offers a slightly longer grip that gives it a capacity of 10 rounds, and the added grip length also helps make the gun more controllable and comfortable. The included sights are basic but functional, and there are so many aftermarket sight options that owners can easily swap out the included irons for something else. There’s also a MOS version which is optics ready for mounting a micro red dot optic on the pistol.
I’ve carried a G43X MOS for some time, and it fits easily in an IWB holster and is concealable under light clothing, yet it’s manageable to shoot and very accurate. I’ve relied on Speer Gold Dot defensive loads in my Glock and have found the reliability and performance outstanding.
MSRP: $448 to $582
7. Springfield Hellcat
The Springfield Hellcat 9mm semi-auto is a relatively new carry gun, but it’s an excellent choice for new shooters because it’s easy to operate and very reliable. It features U-notch rear and tritium front sights that are easy to see and robust and shooters rave about the Adaptive Grip texture that offers a secure hold without being too abrasive. Capacity is 11 for the flush fit or pinky extension magazines and 13 for the extended magazine and barrel length is just 3 inches. Front and rear slide serrations offer excellent control when manipulating the firearm, and optics-ready and optics-included models available. The RDP (Rapid Defense Pistol) version comes with a compensator on the muzzle that reduces muzzle rise, and the trigger is outstanding. Models are available with or without thumb safeties, and there’s a Hellcat Pro version with a 15/17 round capacity and 3.7-inch barrel.
Whichever variant you choose, pair it with Speer Gold Dot for carry and train with Lawman.
MSRP: $599 to $1,050
8. Ruger MAX-9
Ruger’s MAX-9 is a relatively small gun. The standard version has a 3.2-inch barrel, weighs 18.4 ounces unloaded and measures just .95 inch wide. It’s compact and easy to carry yet comfortable to shoot, a feature it shares with many of the other pistols on this list. Quality fiber optic sights come standard, and there are optics-installed models available as well.
If you’d prefer a slightly longer barrel to increase sight radius and help tame muzzle rise, there’s also a version with a 4-inch barrel, and both the 3.2- and 4-inch models offer a capacity of 10/12 9mm rounds. If you want a manual safety, that’s also an option. It isn’t the fanciest pistol on this list, but the Ruger is a reliable 9mm semi-auto that’s great for concealed carry and home defense. The controls are easy to use and because it offers so many options and features it’s also an exceptional value. It’s also available with Ruger’s ReadyDot, a fiber optic red dot that doesn’t require batteries.
I’ve shot the MAX-9 with a variety of Speer 9mm loads and have found it isn’t finnicky about which loads are fired and provides great accuracy. That combination of reliability, performance, and accuracy make it a solid bet for new shooters.
MSRP: $439 to $489
9. Stoeger STR-9
Like Mossberg, Stoeger built its following by offering reliable semi-auto shotguns at a fair price. It should come as no surprise, then, that the brand’s first foray into the 9mm semi-auto pistol market offers all those same qualities. The Stoeger STR-9 has the lowest entry price of any pistol on our list, but it offers very good build quality for the money and reliable function. The trigger, sights, and grip geometry are good and I have found these guns to be very reliable. There are also many variants of this gun, everything from a sub-compact carry version (STR-9 SC) to the STR-9 S Combat version. Capacities range from 10 to 20 rounds depending upon model, and one nice feature of these guns is you can select “packages” that offer additional magazines or upgraded sights depending upon your needs and wishes. The team at Stoeger spent a great deal of time fine-tuning this pistol, and that attention to detail shows through in the finished product.
Combine this platform with Speer Gold Dot (standard size options), Gold Dot G2 (full-size options) or Gold Dot Carry Gun (compact options), based on pistol size.
MSRP: $399 to $679
10. Smith & Wesson J-Frame
As with the Ruger SP101, the J-Frames offer the reliability of a revolver in a package that is small enough and light enough to carry in a pocket or IWB holster. Most J-frame revolvers feature internal hammers, and this makes this easy to carry and draw because there’s nothing to snag on clothing. The grip design helps manage recoil well, and despite the fact these double-action-only guns don’t have as light a trigger as some of the semi-autos on the list, they are manageable to shoot and accurate to self-defense distances. Many are chambered in the popular 357 Magnum, which offers owners a wide range of 357 Magnum and 38 Special ammo.
For those who are recoil sensitive, there are J-Frames chambered in 22 Long Rifle and 22 WMR, but if you opt for those low-recoil alternatives to the 357 Magnum you’ll need to pay particularly close attention to defensive ammo selection. Speer offers its Gold Dot Personal Protection 22 WMR load which fires a 40-grain bullet and is specially designed for short-barreled guns like the J-frames.
MSRP: $449 to $1,149
