After years of testing hundreds of defensive handgun loads, it became clear the only reliable way to classify their performance was to divide them into two categories; below average and better than average.

This was first reported in my 2013 book, Handgun Training for Personal Protection, where average performance was established at 13.7 inches of penetration with expansion of at least 0.58 inch. Loads exceeding that benchmark are by definition, better than average. Here are ten you can trust.

1) .327 Federal Magnum: 115-grain Speer Gold Dot

This load will exit the barrel of a four-inch revolver at more than 1,400 fps. That means it generates more than 500 foot-pounds of energy. That’s enough to drive this excellent Gold Dot bullet to 16.5 inches, while allowing it to expand to 0.65-inch in diameter. That’s magnum performance without magnum recoil. This load recoils 14 percent less than the .357 Magnum load listed at number 4 and the fireball is just as impressive.

2) .380 Auto: 102-grain Remington Golden Saber

Of all the .380 Auto loads tested only one has achieved better than average performance. This load just barely exceeded the standard when fired from the sub-compact handguns the .380 is so commonly found in. Keep in mind, velocity variances in itty-bitty guns can alter terminal performance. While it might be a best option for the .380, by all other yardsticks, this load is borderline.

3) .38 Special: 135-grain Speer Gold Dot

The .38 Special cartridge is an antique by any measurement. Just the same, much of the ammunition for it as just as old-fashioned in how it performs. However, Speer’s 135-grain Gold Dot has brought the .38 Special into the new millennium. Even out of snub nose revolvers you can expect around 14.5 inches of penetration with the bullet opening up with a frontal diameter measuring about 0.59-inch across.

4) .357 Magnum: 125-grain Sig Sauer Elite V-Crown

Though not as popular for personal protection as it was before the auto-pistol craze in the 1980s, the .357 Magnum is still one of the most effective defensive handgun cartridges ever devised. Recoil is stiff with heavy bullet loads but this 125-grain offering from Sig Sauer won’t break your wrist. In 10-percent ordnance gelatin the bullet will penetrate to around 16 inches and it just exceeds the minimum expansion threshold of 0.58-inch.

5) 9mm Luger: Sig Sauer 124-grain V-Crown Elite

Bullet engineers have learned how to extract the highest level of terminal performance from the high muzzle and rotational velocities the 9mm Luger can deliver. Once considered less than ideal for personal protection, technology has helped the 9mm become one of the most popular defensive handgun cartridges of all time. This standard velocity Sig Sauer load exceeds the better than average standard of 13.7 inches of penetration with the expanding bullet measuring 0.59 inches across its front.

6) 9mm Luger +P: Remington 124-grain Golden Saber +P

At +P velocities the 9mm Luger becomes a different animal. Modern bullet technology has adapted to this speed and this load from Remington is in a class by itself. With only a modest increase in recoil over standard pressure loads, the better-than-average benchmark is exceeded by almost 10 percent in both categories. The Golden Saber’s unique construction also makes this load almost barrier blind, meaning it will perform very well even after passing through things like wallboard or heavy clothing.

7) .40 S&W: Hornady 165-grain Critical Defense

Hornady’s Critical Duty and Critical Defense loads have a great reputation but generally fall just shy of the average expansion standard. What they lack in expansion they most often make up for in penetration. Some suggest this is just as effective or maybe even better at stopping bad guys. Regardless, with 15.5 inches of penetration and expansion to 0.62-inch, Hornady’s Critical Defense 165-grain .40 S&W load easily surpasses the average mark.

8) 40 S&W: 165-grain Federal Hydra-Shok

The Hydra-Shok bullet from Federal is legendary. For years it was the favorite of law enforcement agencies and is still in service with many departments. It performs very well in the 9mm luger and .45 Auto. And, with the 15.0 inches of penetration and 0.58-inch expansion you can expect from the 165-grain .40 S&W Hydra-Shock, it is emblematic of this bullet’s terminal performance, in the 9mm Luger and 45 Auto.

9) .45 Auto: Doubletap 165-grain TAC XP “Mann” Load

The TAC-XP bullets from Barnes are offered in defensive handgun cartridges from a wide array of manufacturers. This 165-grain load from Doubletap Ammunition is unique in that it is a moderately recoiling, non +P offering, capable of penetrating more than 16 inches in 10-percent ordnance gelatin, while still expanding with a frontal diameter of 0.63-inch or more. It is called the “Mann” load because Mike McNett at Doubletap created it at my request.

10) .45 Auto: 200-grain Federal HST

The 230-grain load for the .45 Auto might be the most iconic but it cannot compare to the faster 200-grain offerings. This HST load is ideally adapted to personal protection because it delivers consistent better than average penetration, and expands to a fantastically wide 0.83-inch. Due to the construction of the HST bullet, this performance can be relied upon even after the bullet has passed through most common barriers.

The post Top 10 Self-Defense Handgun Loads appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Overall		Ruger LCP Max	SEE IT
Best Revolver		Smith & Wesson J Frame M&P 340	SEE IT
Best for Glock Owners		Glock 42	SEE IT

While pocket pistols are sometimes derided as ineffective or inadequate for self-defense, it’s also often said that the best gun for self-defense is the one you have with you. That’s almost the entire point of a pocket pistol or micro-compact handgun. They’re so small and so light that you can easily conceal and carry them.

Because of their convenience, pocket and micro-compact pistols are what I most often carry, and practice with. Despite the debate about their viability versus their subcompact and full-size counterparts, I know myself and my habits; I’m more likely to carry the smaller guns. It’s for this reason I have an above average interest in the best pocket pistols. So if you’re like me, and know there’s a place in your self-defense plans for one of these pocket rockets, check out my top picks below.

• Best Overall: Ruger LCP Max
• Best Revolver: Smith & Wesson J Frame M&P 340
• Best for Glock Owners: Glock 42
• Best Pocket Pistol for 1911 Shooters: Kimber Micro 9
• Best Pistol for Shooters New to Optics: Ruger Max 9 with Red Dot
• Best No Snag Pistol: Sig 365 SAS

How I Chose the Best Pocket Pistols

First, we must define a pocket pistol and micro-compact pistol. Aside from the self-defining moniker, these are small handguns (smaller than even subcompact models) chambered in .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and even 9 mm. There are some funky exceptions, like Derringers chambered in ridiculous cartridges, but most micro-compacts are chambered in the smaller cartridges, with the exception of revolvers in .327 Federal, .38 Spl., or .357 Mag. For our selection I’ll stick with pistols in .380 ACP, 9mm, and .38/.357. We are also including some pistols you wouldn’t likely actually carry in your pocket, so our list will have some micro-compact 9mms.

Read Next: Best Micro 9mm Handguns

Because I often carry pocket pistols, I took the Gunsite Pocket Pistol class. Their course is fantastic for becoming much more familiar and proficient with pocket pistols. It’s also a good place to learn about their desirable features, strengths, and weaknesses. It is not a tactics class, nor does it focus on your method of carrying. It was about shooting to get repetitions with your handgun. We shot targets farther than anticipated, which showed that micro compact pistols are more capable than one would think, but it also showed their limitations. Practical carry experience and lessons learned in class are what helped me make the following choices.

Best Pocket Pistols: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall Pocket Pistol: Ruger LCP Max

Ruger

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Key Features

• Caliber: .380
• Under 1-inch wide
• Weight: 11 ounces
• Capacity: 10+1
• Tritium front night sight
• Reversible magazine catch
• Polymer frame, striker fired

Pros

• Snag resistant profile
• Extremely compact
• Tritium and white outlined front sight

Cons

• Its diminutive size may make it tougher to grip for shooters with larger hands

The Ruger LCP helped make semi-auto .380 pocket pistols mainstream when it was introduced in 2008. The LCP Max is an evolution of the original design and the LCP II with increased capacity in the same overall footprint as the original LCP. The LCP MAX ships with a 10-round magazine, and you can buy an aftermarket 12-round magazine for it. The slide is dovetailed to accept steel sights and comes with a tritium front sight. Like the original LCP, the LCP Max fits comfortably in the front pant pocket. The surfaces are nicely rounded to make it snag-resistant. The controls are straight forward including a reversible magazine catch. Read Tyler Freel’s full review of the Ruger LCP Max here.

Best Revolver: Smith & Wesson J Frame M&P 340

Smith & Wesson

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Key Features

• Caliber: .357 Mag/.38 Special
• Scandium frame
• Stainless steel cylinder and barrel
• Capacity: 5
• Weight: 13.8 ounces
• XS Sights Tritium front sight
• Snag resistant, hammerless configuration

Pros

• Lightweight and does carry well in a pocket holster
• Reliability
• Power

Cons

• Limited capacity
• Slow to reload

Even though they’re not the newest hotness, revolvers are still popular because they work. The M&P 340 is a .357 Mag if you’re feeling masochistic, but it is going to get the job done loaded with .38 Spl. + P or even just .38s. If you decide to go with .357 Mag. loads, user beware, because this gun is light, and the barrel is short; it’s going to both bark and bite.

The Scandium frame is what makes this gun so light and sets it apart from other J frames and makes it comfortable to carry in a pocket. The gun unloaded only weighs 13.8 ounces. The comfort of carrying comes at a price. The web of my hand was bloody after the pounding it took after shooting this revolver one full day of the Gunsite Pocket Pistol class. It comes without a rear sight other than the channel in the top strap to use in conjunction with the included tritium night sight.

Best No-Snag Pistol: Sig 365 SAS

Sig Sauer

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Key Features

• Caliber: 9mm
• Weight: 17.8 ounces
• Capacity: 10 + 1
• Flush-mounted FT bullseye fiber-tritium front night sight
• Snag-resistant flat controls
• SIG anti-snag slide treatment
• Striker fired design
• 10 round flush and (one) 10 round extended mag included

Pros

• Snag resistant—like a used bar of soap
• Larger size for 9mm for controllability
• Fiber optic front sight with tritium assistance for low light

Cons

• Short sight radius limits accuracy at greater distances

The Sig P365- SAS is a micro-compact, proven pistol with some extreme anti-snag design features. It utilizes Sig Sauer’s Flush-Mounted FT Bullseye Fiber-Tritium Night Sight, flat controls, and Anti Snag Treatment. The FT Bullseye front sight is actually embedded into the slide, this does away with the front sight protruding from the top.  It is actually part of a sight module that is embedded in the slide where you might find an optics cut. It’s not going to be a precision aiming setup, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s a fiber optic front sight with a tritium insert for visibility in all lighting conditions. 

Read Next: Sig Sauer P365 Review

The slide has gone through their anti-snag treatment, smoothing all the corners and other areas for potential hang-up. What’s really impressive for the non-snag design is the controls are actually recessed. There just isn’t much of anything to snag when drawing this pistol. For a deep concealment pistol that might need to clear multiple layers of clothing as well as the holster, this would be the gun to have.

Best for Glock Owners: Glock 42

Glock

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Key Features

• Caliber: .380
• Capacity: 6+1
• Weight: 12.17 ounces
• Polymer frame, striker fired
• Safe action trigger
• 3.25-inch barrel
• Glock look and feel

Pros

• Glock feel and familiarity for Glock shooters
• Reliability
• Size

Cons

• No optics-ready option

If you want a pocket pistol, are a Glock fan, and like all your pistols to look exactly the same, then the Glock 42 is your Huckleberry. If you were looking at a picture without any reference for size it would appear like every other Glock. It’s going to bring Glock ergonomics and reliability to the party in a smaller and pocketable package. Oh, and as a bonus you can put it next to your other Glocks and call it Mini Me!

All kidding aside, there are no surprises with the Glock 42. This .380 ACP has the same safe-action trigger, tiny slide release catch, and square magazine as its bigger brothers. Fortunately, it also has the same reliability and durability. Plain as they may be, Glocks work, and the Model 42 is no exception. If you want to stay in the .380 ACP class of pistol that you actually could put in your pocket, this is an excellent choice.

Best Pocket 1911: Kimber Micro 9

Kimber

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Key Features

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 7 + 1
• Weight: 15.6 ounces
• Look, feel, and manual of arms of a 1911
• Aluminum frame
• Stainless steel slide and barrel

Pros

• 1911 look, feel, and familiarity
• Different grip and sight options to choose from
• Size

Cons

• No optics-ready option
• No accessories rail

If something works well, and you need it smaller, why not just make a smaller version? Kimber took this approach with the Micro 9. It looks and feels just like a micro compact 1911, so if you’re a fan of that venerable design, this might be the perfect pocket pistol for you. It has an aluminum frame to keep the weight to a minimum. It’s just under 16 ounces without a loaded magazine. Like traditional 1911s, the magazine capacity is seven rounds. The controls are exactly as you would expect. It’s a single action automatic designed to be carried cocked and locked. Many different models are available featuring different sight options, colors, slide cuts, etc. What you won’t find is an optics ready version nor an accessory rail for mounting a light.

Best Pistol for Shooters New to Optics: Ruger Max 9 with Red Dot

Ruger

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Key Features

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: One 10-round and one 12-round magazine included
• Weight: 18.4 ounces
• Factory mounted Ruger Ready Dot micro red dot sight
• Polymer frame, striker fired
• Tritium fiber optic front sight
• Reversible magazine catch

Pros

• Factory mounted red dot is ready to shoot right out of the box
• 12 round capacity in a very compact pistol
• Tritium fiber optic front sight

Cons

• The dot is 15 MOA
• Ruger Ready Dot is not adjustable

Optics are quickly becoming commonplace on carry guns and for good reason; they work really well in low-light situations and for shooters with less than perfect vision. But if you’re not experienced with micro red dots, it can be confusing to sort out which footprint or mount you need, how to properly fasten it to the pistol, sight it in, etc. Ruger’s got you covered with their new Ruger Max 9 with Ready Dot. While the name isn’t catchy, it’s perfectly descriptive. It’s a Ruger Max 9 pistol that comes from the factory with their own micro red dot installed on the gun.

This is essentially a fixed, red dot sight. There are no adjustments. It’s set up to be accurate at micro-compact pistol engagement distances. It is designed to co-witness with the iron sights. The Ruger Max 9 has a reputation for reliability and more than acceptable accuracy at a great price. Ruger’s Ready Dot is a simple sight that allows them to offer an optics equipped pistol that’s affordable.

Read Next: Best Pistol Red Dots

The Ready Dot is interesting in that it’s a 15 MOA dot. That sounds big because it is. But at 15 yards that means it’s only covering up about 2.25 inches. While that’s not exactly precision aiming, it’s not meant to be. It’s meant for quick target acquisition. The Ruger Max 9 pistol is a micro-compact, not really a pocket pistol, but it is small for a gun packing 12+1 rounds of 9mm.

How to Choose the Best Pocket or Micro-Compact Pistol

Size

A pistol that fits in your pocket is a great option, especially for lighter clothing in warmer environments, but it will realistically limit your choice of pistols mostly to those in the .380 ACP class or smaller—unless you want the J-Frame or similar. Also keep in mind that a pocket pistol only has two advantages. It’s easy to “put on” and carry a gun and if you stand around like a mope with your hands in your pocket like I do sometimes, and your hand can be on your gun ready to draw quickly. But if you don’t have your hand already in your pocket, getting your hand inside your pocket and drawing with any speed just isn’t going to happen. An outside the waistband holster is a good idea for effectively carrying these little guns, even the true pocket pistols.

Cartridge

Directly related to size, of course, is cartridge selection. If you want something in 9mm, then you’re looking at micro-compacts versus something that’s easily carried in your pocket. The benefit of going with the 9mm is there are more options in the micro-compact category than true “pocket pistols”. If you decide to go with a .380 ACP or smaller, then there are very small, lightweight options easily carried in the front pocket.

Sights

A shorter slide equals a shorter sight radius which makes accurate shooting more difficult. But is that really an issue for most of the distances likely encountered in a self-defense situation? In general, no. That said, if you think you might want to use a micro red dot at some point, choosing something “optics ready” needs to be part of your decision process.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

In a perfect world we’d all be able to carry a full-size handgun with a couple spare magazines on a duty belt. But as we know all too well, the world isn’t perfect, and sometimes neither is the handgun we choose to conceal and carry. The good news is that there are some great options when it comes to micro-compact handguns. Easy to carry, surprisingly shootable, available with optics or optics ready, these diminutive pistols are a fantastic choice for being armed when larger guns might not be an option.

The post The Best Pocket Pistols of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Surefire X300U-A	SEE IT
Best for EDC		Streamlight TLR-7 Sub	SEE IT
Best Long Range		Surefire X300T-A Turbo	SEE IT

I’ve served as a law enforcement officer for 14 years, and I can tell you that pistol lights can be the difference in life-or-death-situations. After dark, it’s much more difficult to identify friend from foe. And if you’re counting on a light for your self-defense handgun, you want one that’s dependable and intuitive to use. It doesn’t matter how bright your light is if turning it on isn’t second nature or if it fails. To help you find one that you can depend on should the need arise, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best pistol lights available today.

• Best Overall: Surefire X300U-A
• Best for EDC: Streamlight TLR-7 Sub
• Best Premium: Modlite PLHv2-PL350
• Best Long Range: Surefire X300T-A Turbo
• Best Budget: Streamlight TLR-1 HL

How I Chose the Best Pistol Lights

The recommendations listed above were determined based on my personal experience with each light, as well as my role as a trainer at Fieldcraft Survival and former LEO. I’ve personally carried all of these lights (except the Modlite) on duty or in training. For the Modlite, I personally tested it at the range for its brightness capabilities and intuitiveness. 

Best Pistol Lights: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Surefire X300U-A

Surefire

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Why It Made the Cut 

The X300U-A generates 1,000 lumens with a hybrid beam that provides good spill for up close engagements but also pushes out for intermediate distances.  

Key Features 

• 1,000 lumens
• 1.5-hour runtime
• Two CR123A batteries
• Ambidextrous push/toggle
• IPX7 waterproof rating

Pros

• Extremely rugged
• Rapid attachment with Rail-Lock system
• Activation doesn’t require altering your grip
• Hybrid beam pattern

Cons

• Expensive
• Too large for EDC

Product Description

For the past eight years I’ve been running Surefire X300s on my duty handguns and have upgraded each time they roll out a new one. The X300U-A is my favorite model because of the rail-lock that allows for rapid attachment and removal of the light. Intuitive switches, durability, and the holster compatibility of the X300U-A made it my preferred pistol light for duty use.

Featuring a precision TIR lens, the X300U-A has a beam that reaches out for mid-range engagements, but it also provides surrounding light on the peripherals for close proximity. This combination provides excellent all-around performance when it comes to throw and spill. 

Ambidextrous switches on the X300U-A allow for one-finger control with either your thumb or index finger, and momentary-on can be accomplished by simply driving your support hand thumb forward onto the switch while shooting. You can activate constant-on by toggling the switch up or down, which allows the user to keep the light activated with one-handed shooting.

With an aluminum body that’s corrosion resistant and an IPX7 waterproof rating, the X300U-A is a rugged and robust pistol light and was a no-brainer for the top spot.

Best for EDC: Streamlight TLR-7 Sub

Streamlight

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Why It Made the Cut

The Streamlight TLR-7 Sub’s small footprint makes it an ideal option for IWB or EDC. 

Key Features

• 500 lumens
• 1.5-hour runtime
• One CR123A battery
• Ambidextrous rear switch
• IPX7 waterproof rating

Pros

• Small footprint
• Peripheral illumination for close proximity shooting
• Lightweight

Cons

• Lights are model specific and not compatible across manufacturers

Product Description

With the same 500 lumens and intuitive switches as the popular TLR-7 A, and Sub Ultra Compact light performs like a full-size light, yet it’s small enough to carry IWB. The Sub securely attaches to most of the popular slim frame guns on the market.

Ambidextrous rear switches provide constant-on with a simple click on either side of the rear switches, or you can run them as momentary-on by holding down the switch for more than half a second before being released. The safe-off feature also allows you to lock the light to prevent accidental activation during storage.

The sub attaches via a rail clamp which can be done without tools, and the light, anodized body is scratch resistant. Given that the light is intended to fit slim-frame pistols primarily used for EDC and concealment, the TLR7 Sub has a generous spill that illuminates the inside of residential structures extremely well for such a small pistol light.

Best Premium: Modlite PLHv2-PL350

Modlite

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Why It Made the Cut

The convenient out-the-front battery change, intuitive controls, and generous lumens and candela make the modlite an exceptionally capable pistol light, but all the features come with hefty price tag.  

Key Features 

• 5700 Kelvin color temperature
• 1350 Lumens
• 54,000 Candela
• PHLSTER ARC switch paddles
• 18350 rechargeable battery

Pros

• High candela
• Out-the-front battery change
• Two-cell battery charger included
• Multiple switches to customize for user

Cons

• Attachment rails and switches had quality issues but are remedied in current model
• Expensive

Product Description

The Modlite PL350 includes an entire suite of accessories, such as a 18350 rechargeable battery, a set of PHLSTER ARC switch paddles, and a 2-cell XTAR USB charger.

With an out-the-front battery, the PL350 also resolves the need to remove your pistol light to replace the battery. Simply remove the light head and replace the battery. It also offers amazing throw and spill with an ultra-clear BOROFLOAT lens that allow 98- to 99-percent light transmission. 

This pistol light has 1,350 lumens and 54,000 candela, which is powered by the 18350 cell and that is more powerful than two lithium CR123 batteries. All this juice produces amazing throw or long-range engagements and generous spill of the peripherals. When using the PL350 to identify targets on the range, I was able to illuminate steel silhouettes at 75 to 100 yards and still had spill on the edges to locate and identify objects surrounding the target.  

Activation was easy with switches that provided a tactile “click” up or down for constant-on, but it should be noted there is no momentary-on feature with the PL350. While this light has several premium features, they come at a premium price. But if you’re counting on this light for a service or self-defense weapon, it’s worth every penny.

Best Long Range: Surefire X300T-A Turbo

Surefire

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Why It Made the Cut 

The X300T-A Turbo combines high lumens and tons of candela to illuminate long distances and provide great spill on the edges. What’s most impressive is that Surefire accomplishes this by using the same housing as the previous X300 models, which prevents any issues with holster compatibility for those already running a legacy X300.

Key Features 

• 650 lumens
• 1.5-hour runtime
• 66,000 candela
• Two CR123A batteries
• IPX7 waterproof rating

Pros

• Fits X300 holsters
• Turbo beam pattern
• Ambidextrous push/toggle
• Rugged
• Attaches to Picatinny and universal Rails

Cons

• Tightly focused beam provides less spill to peripheral areas

Product Description 

The X300-A Turbo generates a tightly focused 66,000-candela beam pattern out to 100 yards. The beam pattern also illuminates with spill to help you maintain situational awareness outside the hot spot, giving users the best of both worlds when it comes to illumination. 

Built with the same quality and durability as their previous X300 models, the Turbo includes a rugged hard anodized body with an IPX7 waterproof rating. Intuitive ambidextrous switches allow for instant activation without altering your shooting grip and can be activated as momentary-on or constant-on by either pushing the switch forward or toggling up or down respectively.

When I evaluated the Turbo model against the Modlite PLHv2-PL350, it was difficult to distinguish a difference between the two beam patterns. Targets were easily illuminated and identified out to 100 yards. Surprisingly, the Surefire accomplished similar performance to the PL350 on two CR123 batteries. 

Best Budget: Streamlight TLR-1 HL

Streamlight

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Why It Made the Cut 

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is one of the most common pistol lights you’ll see at the range or on your local officer’s duty gun and for good reason. This intuitive and brightly capable pistol light offers great performance at a reasonable price.

Key Features 

• 1,000 lumens
• 1.5-hour runtime
• Two CR123A batteries
• Ambidextrous momentary/steady on/off switch
• User programmable strobe
• IPX7 waterproof rating

Pros 

• Concentrated beam with peripheral illumination
• Tool-less rail clamp system
• Fits most light bearing holsters
• Key system attaches to most firearms

Cons

•  Beam not optimized for long range illumination

Product Description

The TLR-1 HL provides 1,000 lumens of white light for clearing residential structures or searching exterior venues. Its beam pattern is wide with good spill to illuminate large areas, making it popular for law enforcement officers working in urban environments. 

With its rail clamp system, the HL attaches or detaches quickly with no tools and mounts directly to any pistol that has either the Glock style universal rail or MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails. The light body is made of durable anodized aluminum with an IPX7 waterproof rating and is engineered to produce a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination. Streamlight prioritized keeping the upgraded HL model inside the same footprint as the previous TLR-1, which allows users to keep their old holsters.

Powered by two CR123 lithium batteries, the TLR-1 HL has a 1.5-hour runtime before needing a battery swap. The intuitive ambidextrous switch is easy to operate for those first-time pistol light users, and it carries a sub $200 price tag.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Pistol Light

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the countless offerings, but users should focus on how they intend to carry and use their light. 

Carry Style

If you plan to carry a subcompact or slim-frame handgun for your EDC (everyday carry), especially in a kydex holster, then options are reduced considerably due to size. If you want a light for your home-defense or service weapon, the possibilities abound, and you’ll likely narrow your search through personal preference and budget. 

Brightness

If you’re working as a LEO in an urban environment around buildings and structures, then you’ll need high lumens and good spill, versus the rural LEO needing high candela for long distance illumination.  

Batteries

This comes down to personal preference, but you’ll need to decide if disposable or rechargeable batteries best suit your needs. You might pay more upfront for a rechargeable light, but keep in mind that those replaceable batteries will add up, too.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Pistol Lights

The best pistol lights are a must for any defensive or duty pistol. Your ability to illuminate threats to provide proper identification is mandatory if you’re an LEO and critical if you’re depending on it for self-defense. Pistol lights should never be an afterthought in your preparedness and can be just as vital as the pistol it’s attached to.

The post The Best Pistol Lights of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB	SEE IT
Best for Joggers and Hikers		Galco Fastrax Pac	SEE IT
Best Value		Safariland Species IWB	SEE IT

Choosing a concealed carry holster is a unique task for each person. Everyone is different and your choice of gun, and how you want to carry it, will influence your decision. The good news is that you have many options. Concealed carry allows you an inconspicuous-but-decisive means to defend yourself or others while going about your day-to-day business. You want to pick a holster and method of carry that will be reliably discreet and allow you to live, laugh, and love as you otherwise would. There are a variety of ways to carry, and we’re here to highlight some of the best concealed carry holsters and holster styles that you can find.

• Best Overall: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB
• Best for Joggers and Hikers: Galco Fastrax Pac
• Best Concealed Carry Holster for 1911’s: Bianchi Black Widow Snaplock OWB Holster
• Best Value: Safariland Species IWB
• Mission First Tactical Minimalist holster
• Crossbreed Supertuck IWB
• Northwest Retention Systems Outlaw IWB
• Safariland 7378 ALS Concealment Paddle Holster 
• Radial Innovations Coreflex AIWB Holster
• Sticky Holsters Ankle Biter Wrap and Concealed Carry Holster
• Strapt-Tac Belly Band

How We Chose the Best Concealed Carry Holsters

The best concealed carry holster will be different for everyone, so anointing a single universal winner doesn’t make sense. Every individual is different, and so are our concealed carry needs. What we can do, however, is highlight a variety of popular and effective holsters that fit a variety of guns, carry styles, and price points. If you’re going to carry a concealed handgun for self defense, you need to find something that works well for you. Even if it’s not one of these specific holsters, it will likely be something similar. 

Best Concealed Carry Holsters: Reviews & Recommendations

There are lots of great concealed carry holsters on the market, but here are some of my favorites.

Best Overall: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB

Tyler Freel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Folded single sheet Kydex
• Steel belt clip
• Adjustable retention
• OWB strut loop doubles as concealment claw
• Price: $99

Pros

• Simple and streamlined
• Tough and secure-fitting metal clip
• Can be worn outside the waistband via the strut loop
• Durable and dependable

Cons

• Carry depth isn’t adjustable

My favorite concealed carry holster is the Blackpoint Dual Point. It’s a simple and effective holster that I’ve been using for several months now. It’s constructed from a single sheet of Kydex that’s folded on the trigger guard side to allow the attachment of a strut loop that acts as a concealment claw. Concealment claws stick out from the holster and apply pressure to your belt in order to hold the grip of your pistol against your body and reduce printing or showing the outline of your gun through clothing. This strut loop allows the holster to be worn on the outside of your waistband (OWB) by running your belt through it if you want.

Although the steel belt clip isn’t adjustable, it’s very durable. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to fine tune a holster clip so that the gun isn’t riding too low or too high in your waistband. The Kydex layers are separated by rubber washers, and when tightened, the screws will tighten the holster’s grip on the pistol. It’s streamlined, simple, and effective. In addition to it’s simplicity, the ability to use this holster in a variety of carry positions, inside- and outside-the-waistband, makes it my top pick for a concealed carry holster.

Best for Joggers and Hikers: Galco Fastrax Pac

Tyler Freel

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Key Features

• Fanny pack design with elastic waist belt
• Carry pouch and accessory pouch with headphone port
• Mesh backing for comfort
• Pull-cord for rapid drawing
• Price: $84

Pros

• Comfortable and low-profile
• Can be worn with any clothing
• Allows quick access to your handgun
• Adjustable to fit your particular model

Cons

• No extra magazine carriers

The renewed acceptance of fanny packs as a somewhat normal clothing accessory coincides nicely with the irritation of carrying a handgun in an IWB holster when jogging, hiking, walking your dog, or simply wearing light clothing. It can be sweaty, uncomfortable, and easier to print or reveal your firearm unknowingly. The Fastrax Pac from Galco is a plain-looking, slender fanny pack with a rapid-access holster built into it. It incorporates a concealed carry holster that keeps your pistol at the ready, but in a more comfortable manner.

The pouch itself is made in the USA. It’s got a mesh-padded cordura backer, and a neoprene front accessory pouch to hold your phone, keys, whatever. The main compartment is zippered and houses a fit-adjustable leather holster that rotates 90 degrees upward when the activation cord is pulled. Mine fits Glock G19-sized pistols like the affordable PSA Dagger, and fits my Staccato CS wonderfully. To draw, simply pull the zipper back with your draw hand, pull on the activation cord with the other, then draw the pistol.

Best Concealed Carry Holster for 1911’s: Bianchi Black Widow Snaplock OWB Holster

Bianchi

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Key Features

• Slender leather construction
• Snap-lock retention strap
• Close-fitting profile
• High-ride carry for quick access
• Price: $75

Pros

• Functional and good-looking
• Helps conceal full-size 1911’s under long shirt or jacket
• Thumb-break retention is secure, but easy to access
• Leather is soft and quieter than Kydex

Cons

• No adjustability

Despite the overwhelming popularity of Kydex and polymer holsters, there are lots of excellent all-leather holsters. The basic design of the Bianchi Black Widow Snaplock and holsters like it is the quintessential 1911 concealed carry holster. This OWB holster is worn on the belt, and can be worn with the belt passing inside or around the outside. The half-length shell grasps the gun, covering the trigger guard and ejection port, with the barrel extending below. The snaplock retention is favorable since the less rigid leather can’t be tightened down to hold the pistol’s trigger guard like a Kydex holster can. It can be quickly opened with the thumb as part of a smooth draw.

These holsters fit tight to the body and make it easy to carry a full-size 1911 under a loose shirt or jacket. The pistol rides high so that the muzzle doesn’t show under said shirt or jacket. The holster isn’t adjustable, but typically, the slight forward cant allows a secure grip and fast draw. The Black Widow marries utility and nostalgia, especially when it comes to a classic fighting pistol like the 1911. 

Best Value: Safariland Species IWB

Tyler Freel

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Key Features

• IWB design
• Suede-lined Kydex construction
• Adjustable belt clip
• Adjustable tension and fit
• Price: $36

Pros

• Slim and versatile
• Adjustable for cant and carry depth
• Suede won’t rub firearm finishes
• Solid retention

Cons

• No concealment claw 

Safariland makes some excellent holsters, and they also have great holsters at affordable prices. The Species line of IWB holsters is one of the best concealed carry holsters for the price. The MSRP for most Species holsters is $45, but you can find them for closer to $35. Comparatively, most custom holsters come in at closer to $100. The species is rigidly constructed with a folded sheet of Kydex, and that’s lined with suede leather which facilitates a soft, quiet, secure fit. Many Kydex holsters will create wear marks on certain firearm finishes, but not this one. 

The Species is designed as an IWB, and is perfectly suited as an appendix carry holster. The belt clip is slender and adjustable for both angle and depth of carry—meaning you can choose to have the pistol riding higher or lower in the waistband and select the angle that you can carry most comfortably. The holster grips the pistol by the trigger guard, and both fit and tension are adjustable. These holsters are available for many popular models including the Sig P365 and Glock G19, and you’ll have a hard time finding a better concealed carry holster for the money. 

Mission First Tactical Minimalist Holster

Tyler Freel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Ultra Slim design covers trigger guard and part of frame
• Safe retention 
• Concealment claw
• Single belt clip
• Price: $28

Pros

• Great for someone who wants the most streamlined fit
• Good, safe retention and trigger protection
• Convenient to use
• Available for some revolvers
• Affordable

Cons

• Doesn’t keep lint off your gun
• Clip isn’t the most durable

In the movies, everyone has always just stuffed their loaded blaster into their waistband and proceeded to kick ass. Reality is, that’s not a safe or smart way to carry a handgun. These minimalist holsters, however, provide a good balance between secure retention and the free-balling feel of not using a full-coverage holster. This holster is simple. It’s a couple molded sheets of Kydex that are pancaked together and grip the trigger guard and the middle portion of your pistol’s frame securely. It’s got a single thin belt clip that allows the pistol to ride low and out of sight. The concealment claw helps keep the butt of the pistol pressed against your flank so as not to show through your screen-print t-shirt. These really are cheap and effective holsters for some applications. 

I’ve used them with Micro 9mm pistols as well as a full-size 10mm, and they’re a great option for someone that wants a safe, but minimally obtrusive holster. Most people will carry them in the appendix carry position, but you could also carry them on your strong side, tucked under a shirt. 

Crossbreed Supertuck IWB

Tyler Freel

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Key Features

• Hybrid leather and Kydex construction
• Large leather backing surface
• Passive trigger guard retention
• Powder-coated steel belt clips
• Price: $78

Pros

• Leather backing is comfortable 
• Fits tight to the body
• Can help conceal full-size pistols
• Secure belt clips

Cons

• Holster is large and awkward to install

Hybrid IWB holsters bring great balance of comfort and concealment to the table. They typically have an inner layer of leather and an outer Kydex shell, with the gun sandwiched between. The Crossbreed Supertuck has a large leather backing with widely-set steel belt clips. The leather back plate prevents the pistol from rubbing or digging into your side. It has a molded Kydex sheet riveted to the leather back plate that holds the pistol securely by the trigger guard. 

The Supertuck’s belt clips are adjustable for depth so that you can carry lower or higher depending on your needs. These holsters are big, and setting them up can be awkward. However, once they’re installed, they allow you to concealed carry quite comfortably. This holster is intended for strong-size hip carry, and the belt clips do a good job of holding it securely in place. As you use the holster and soften the leather, it only becomes more comfortable. 

Read Next: Best Gun Belts

Northwest Retention Systems Outlaw IWB

Tyler Freel

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Key Features

• Kydex outer shell, leather inner shell
• Positive click retention and fully-covered trigger guard
• Single belt clip
• Concealment claw optional
• Price: $110

Pros

• Leather inner shell is very comfortable
• Adjustable cant 
• Can use with or without concealment claw
• Adjustable retention

Cons

• Custom-order only

Most appendix carry holsters are made of Kydex, which is a durable material. However, it’s not always the most comfortable, and sometimes a better barrier between the pistol and your skin is ideal. I’ve used an Outlaw IWB holster from NW Retention systems for a few years for my Kimber Micro 9, and have found it to be ideal when carrying against my skin under a t-shirt. The trigger guard has complete Kydex coverage and a solid-click, adjustable retention—it’s not simply sandwiched between Kydex and leather. You have to custom order it, but you’ll have your choice of Kydex color patterns and other bonus options.

Safariland 7378 ALS Concealment Paddle Holster

Safariland

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Key Features

• Paddle-mounted OWB design with belt loops
• Non-marking nylon construction
• Heat and cold resistant
• Automatic locking with thumb release retention
• Price: $27-68

Pros

• Low profile and contoured paddle
• Easy access
• Secure ALS locking system
• Durable, non-marking construction

Cons

• Less concealable than IWB holsters

There are times when a hip or cross-draw concealed carry holster is your best option, and it’s hard to beat the durability and locking system of the Safariland ALS holsters. The 7378 Concealment Paddle Holster has a body-contoured paddle that secures your pistol tight to the body, and keeps it ready to access. Rather than just pressure retention like most Kydex holsters use, the ALS system locks the firearm into the holster via a lever that’s released with the thumb in a natural and safe drawing position. Many shooters don’t like some of the trigger finger retention release button holsters because the finger is being pressed towards the trigger. These concealed carry holsters are durable, affordable, and available for a variety of pistol and light combinations.

Radial Innovations Coreflex AIWB Holster

Radial Innovations

SEE IT

Key Features

• Attached spare magazine pouch
• Concealment claw and wedge
• Adjustable for depth of carry
• Flexible cordage joint between holster and mag pouch
• Price: $99

Pros

• Carries extra magazine
• Thin adjustable clips can help with positioning
• Optic-compatible
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Less flexible for carry position with mag pouch

One common type of AIWB holster includes an attached extra magazine pouch. It’s never a bad idea to carry an extra magazine, and although many folks carry an individual mag pouch, it can sometimes be easier to conceal these combined-style holsters. They’re designed to be worn with the clips on either side of your belt buckle, and position the extra magazine across the buckle from your pistol. The thin clips on the Coreflex allow you to adjust the height and fine-tune your left-right carry position better than wider clips. The magazine carrier and holster are separate pieces connected by flexible cordage that allows some movement and isn’t as rigid and uncomfortable as some similarly-styled holsters. The holster side features a concealment claw, and the mag pouch has a molded-in wedge to press the magazine against your body and aid with concealment.

Sticky Holsters Ankle Biter Wrap and Concealed Carry Holster

Sticky Holsters

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Key Features

• Grippy fabric construction
• Multi-position holster
• Friction retention
• Price: $38 for ankle wrap, $28 for holster

Pros

• Affordable
• Versatile
• Comfortable

Cons

• Less secure retention
• Requires more careful holstering and use

Hard-shelled holsters get most of the attention, but if you look on store shelves, the soft fabric pocket holsters are big sellers—and have been for years. It’s what I started carrying my old Kahr CW 40 with. There are many brands of these holsters, but Sticky Holsters builds them with a grippy outer layer that keeps them from moving or slipping around. It’s a simple fabric holster that has specific models for specific firearms, but fits tightly and securely. 

You can use these holsters in a number of positions. They fit securely in the waistband of your pants, or in a coat pocket. They also make an ankle wrap that allows you to strap your pistol to your ankle. You have to have the gun holstered before installing it on your carry location, but it holds the gun securely, and it’s an easygoing fit.

Strapt-Tac Belly Band

Strapt-Tac

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Key Features

• Neoprene retention strap
• Isn’t a holster, but is designed to use with IWB holsters
• Multi-position
• Appendix version with space for mag carrier available
• Price: $30

Pros

• Allows above-waistband carry
• Works with any IWB holster
• Flexible positioning depending on clothing and body composition
• Affordable

Cons

• Doesn’t include an actual holster

Belly bands are a popular choice for concealed carry, especially when clothing or activity level makes waistband carry unrealistic. They allow you to carry your pistol strapped tightly to your body and hidden by the slack of a baggy shirt. There are a number of popular belly band holsters, but one of the most versatile isn’t actually a holster, but uses the IWB holster you already have. A downside of many holster-including belly bands is that they use an over-the-top snap to secure the gun, requiring extra movement to draw it. If you can simply incorporate the IWB holster you’re used to, it’s an advantage. This also allows you to carry different pistols with the same system. 

Picking the Best Concealed Carry Holster for You

There are several important factors to consider when choosing a concealed carry holster. The most obvious are the type of gun you’re going to carry and your predominant carry position. Your carry method or position will be heavily influenced by your normal clothing, location, and activity level. The old gumshoe shoulder holster might work fine if you’re slicked up in a sport coat all day, but most of us aren’t. 

Your concealed carry holster needs to hold your handgun securely and prevent negligent discharge, and allow it to be completely hidden while you conduct your day-to-day activities. We hope to never use it, but if we do, it needs to be at the ready. To carry at the ready every day, you need a holster that meshes with your lifestyles and activities. You should strive to be discreet and ready, not like the stereotypical beer-gut guy who carries his taurus .357 in a shoulder holster on his weekend trip to Home Depot.

FAQs About Concealed Carry Holsters

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Final Thoughts on Concealed Carry Holsters

Concealed carry is serious business, and despite making it a daily practice, we have to take it seriously. Finding the right concealed carry holster is just as important—or more important—than which specific gun we choose. We need to conduct ourselves safely and discreetly, while being ready and capable of defending ourselves if necessary. Finding the best concealed carry holster for you will surely take some trial and error, and you shouldn’t simply settle for the cheapest option you can find. 

• Best Overall: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB
• Best for Joggers and Hikers: Galco Fastrax Pac
• Best Concealed Carry Holster for 1911’s: Bianchi Black Widow Snaplock OWB Holster
• Best Value: Safariland Species IWB
• Mission First Tactical Minimalist holster
• Crossbreed Supertuck IWB
• Northwest Retention Systems Outlaw IWB
• Safariland 7378 ALS Concealment Paddle Holster 
• Radial Innovations Coreflex AIWB Holster
• Sticky Holsters Ankle Biter Wrap and Concealed Carry Holster
• Strapt-Tac Belly Band

The post The Best Concealed Carry Holsters of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB	SEE IT
Best Budget Appendix Carry Holster		Safariland Schema IWB	SEE IT
Most Low-Profile		Mission First Tactical Minimalist Holster	SEE IT

In 2023, more people than ever are exercising their rights to carry a concealed firearm for self defense, and one of the most popular methods to carry a concealed handgun is the appendix carry. This requires an IWB (inside the waistband) holster that fits in your pants, positioned to the right of your belly button—at about 1-o’clock—for right-handed shooters. Appendix carry holsters are also abbreviated as “AIWB holsters,” which stands for appendix, inside the waistband. Many people find this position to be ideal, but a key factor is finding the best appendix carry holster—or simply AIWB holster—for you and your pistol. 

Concealed carry—appendix position or otherwise—is an individual thing, and no single holster is best for everyone. However, I’ve tried a variety of holster brands and styles, and it’s likely that one of these will work for you.

• Best Overall: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB
• Best Budget Appendix Carry Holster: Safariland Schema IWB
• Most Low-Profile: Mission First Tactical Minimalist Holster
• Northwest Retention Systems Outlaw IWB
• Radial Innovations Coreflex AIWB Holster
• Concealment Express Classic IWB EDC Holster
• Blackhawk Stache IWB

How I Chose the Best Appendix Carry Holsters

Distilling or actually drawing universal conclusions on a best appendix carry holster isn’t possible because everyone’s build, handguns, and individual carry preferences are different. Varying holster styles and features will appeal to different folks, and things like the style of clips, concealment claws, materials, and whether the holster includes a spare magazine pouch are all things that will factor into how well one works for you. Even the type of gunbelt you wear plays a big role in how well your holster will fit and function. 

I primarily use appendix carry holsters, and I’ve chosen a variety that I like to highlight the different styles that work for lots of shooters. There are scores of custom and semi-custom holster makers that have their own little twists, but one of these basic styles and feature sets should work for you.

Why Use Appendix Carry Holsters?

Appendix carry is a generally discreet carry position that allows for easy access to your handgun in most circumstances. Like any position, it has its advantages and disadvantages, but if you’re still sporting the old tan photographer’s vest to cover your belt-carried pistol, everyone in sight knows you’ve got a heater. Most folks can use appendix carry holsters with a tee shirt and not print or reveal their pistol while going about their business. Using an AIWB holster allows you quick access to your pistol while you’re seated in a car or if attacked and put on your back. Of course, every situation has its own caveats, and no system is perfect. Still, I find this carry method favorable for the majority of day-to-day circumstances. 

Like with any carry method, safety and training are of utmost importance. You’ll be carrying your pistol with a round in the chamber, and holstering a pistol should always be done deliberately and reluctantly. You’re not larping at the local square range, and all it takes is one mistake to injure or kill yourself. 

How to Choose Appendix Carry Holsters

Picking the best AIWB holster for you will take some trial and error, but if you follow some simple guidelines, you’ll get there. The most important consideration is to choose a gun that is reasonable for you to carry in that position. If you’re in cooler weather and have the right body type, you might be able to carry a full-size pistol discreetly. Most people will choose to carry either a compact or micro-compact pistol or revolver, but making a wise gun choice is the first step in choosing the right holster.

Second, you want to choose an AIWB holster that is specifically designed for your gun. Remember, it’s important to pair it with a quality, rigid belt! There are some holsters that are compatible with a small range of guns, but here is not where you want to go with a generic, universal-fit holster. You need your holster to securely and safely retain your pistol while still being slim and discreet. 

Third, you need to try holsters out to find the best one for you. This may mean buying a couple cheaper versions of appendix carry holsters that you think you might like, just to see how they fit and feel. You want clips that fit your belt well and won’t come loose when trying to draw. You want to see whether you prefer just a holster or a holster-and-mag-carrier combo. It helps to experiment with holsters that have different styles or sizes of concealment claws too. 

Finally, to judge whether a holster will be a good fit, you need to wear it and carry during everyday activities. If it’s uncomfortable or your firearm is visible, it may be time to try something else.

Best Appendix Carry Holsters: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB

Tyler Freel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Folded single sheet kydex
• Steel belt clip
• Adjustable retention
• OWB strut loop doubles as concealment claw
• Price: $99

Pros

• Simple and streamlined
• Tough and secure-fitting metal clip
• Can be worn outside the waistband via the strut loop
• Durable and dependable

Cons

• Carry depth isn’t adjustable

My favorite appendix carry holster is the Blackpoint Dual Point. It’s a simple and effective holster that I’ve been carrying for several months now. It’s constructed from a single sheet of kydex that’s folded on the trigger guard side to allow the attachment of a strut loop that acts as a concealment claw. Concealment claws stick out from the holster and apply pressure to your belt in order to hold the grip of your pistol against your body and reduce printing or showing the outline of your gun through clothing. This strut loop allows the holster to be worn on the outside of your waistband (OWB) by running your belt through it if you want.

Although the steel belt clip isn’t adjustable, it’s very durable. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to fine tune a holster clip so that the gun isn’t riding too low or too high in your waistband. The kydex layers are separated by rubber washers, and when tightened, the screws will tighten the holster’s grip on the pistol. It’s streamlined, simple, and effective. 

Best Budget Appendix Carry Holster: Safariland Schema IWB

Tyler Freel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Skeletonized, injection-molded polymer
• Minimalist design
• Concealment claw
• Adjustable cant and clip height
• Price: $40

Pros

• Affordable
• Good adjustability
• Easy re-holstering
• Optic-compatible

Cons

• Cookie-cutter, no custom options
• Only available in right-handed configuration currently

Many good appendix carry holsters are expensive, and some cost over a hundred bucks. That doesn’t mean you can’t find good, reputable holsters that are more affordable. Safariland makes some of the best holsters on the market, and the Schema is a generic-but-effective appendix carry holster that they released this year. It features a skeletonized design and is made from injection molded polymer. The Schema has a concealment claw, trigger guard retention, and a belt clip that’s adjustable for cant and height so you can position your pistol perfectly. It’s available for a variety of guns, and works with most optics, but only comes in right-handed configurations currently. 

Most low-profile: Mission First Tactical Minimalist holster

Tyler Freel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Ultra slim design covers trigger guard and part of frame
• Safe retention 
• Concealment claw
• Single belt clip
• Price: $28

Pros

• Great for someone who wants the most streamlined fit
• Good, safe retention and trigger protection
• Convenient to use
• Available for some revolvers
• Affordable

Cons

• Doesn’t keep lint off your gun
• Clip isn’t the most durable

In the movies, everyone has always just stuffed their loaded blaster into their waistband and proceeded to kick ass. Reality is, that’s not a safe or smart way to carry a concealed handgun. These minimalist holsters, however, provide a good balance between secure retention and the free-balling feel of not using a full-coverage holster. This holster is simple. It’s a couple molded sheets of kydex that are pancaked together and grip the trigger guard and the middle portion of your pistol’s frame securely. It’s got a single thin belt clip that allows the pistol to ride low and out of sight. The concealment claw helps keep the butt of the pistol pressed against your flank so as not to show through your screen-print T-shirt. These really are cheap and effective holsters for some applications. I’ve used them with micro 9mm pistols as well as a full-size 10mm. 

Northwest Retention Systems Outlaw IWB

Tyler Freel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Kydex outer shell, leather inner shell
• Positive click retention and fully-covered trigger guard
• Single belt clip
• Concealment claw optional
• Price: $110

Pros

• Leather inner shell is very comfortable
• Adjustable cant 
• Can use with or without concealment claw
• Adjustable retention

Cons

• Custom-order only

Most appendix carry holsters are made of kydex, which is a durable material. However, it’s not always the most comfortable, and sometimes a better barrier between the pistol and your skin is ideal. I’ve used an Outlaw IWB holster from NW Retention systems for a few years for my Kimber Micro 9, and have found it to be ideal when carrying against my skin under a T-shirt. The trigger guard has complete kydex coverage and a solid-click, adjustable retention—it’s not simply sandwiched between kydex and leather. You have to custom order it, but you’ll have your choice of kydex color patterns and other bonus options.

Radial Innovations Coreflex AIWB Holster

Radial Innovations

SEE IT

Key Features

• Attached spare magazine pouch
• Concealment claw and wedge
• Adjustable for depth of carry
• Flexible cordage joint between holster and mag pouch
• Price: $99

Pros

• Carries extra magazine
• Thin adjustable clips can help with positioning
• Optic-compatible
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Less flexible for carry position with mag pouch

One common type of AIWB holster includes an attached extra magazine pouch. It’s never a bad idea to carry an extra magazine, and although many folks carry an individual mag pouch, it can sometimes be easier to conceal these combined-style holsters. They’re designed to be worn with the clips on either side of your belt buckle, and position the extra magazine across the buckle from your pistol. The thin clips on the Coreflex allow you to adjust the height and fine-tune your left-right carry position better than wider clips. The magazine carrier and holster are separate pieces connected by flexible cordage that allows some movement and isn’t as rigid and uncomfortable as some similarly-styled holsters. The holster side features a concealment claw, and the mag pouch has a molded-in wedge to press the magazine against your body and aid with concealment.

Concealment Express Classic IWB Holster

Tyler Freel

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Key Features

• Folded Kydex shell
• Polymer belt clip
• No concealment claw
• Price: $45

Pros

• Affordable
• Good Kydex shell
• Adjustable retention
• Compatible with threaded barrel

Cons

• No concealment claw
• Minimal belt clip adjustability

A good middle of the road Kydex AIWB holster is the Classic IWB from Concealment Express. It’s made of a folded sheet of Kydex which doesn’t require any fasteners on that side. It’s connected with rubber spacers and screws on the trigger guard side, and they can be tightened or loosened to adjust retention level. The back plate extends up towards the back of the slide to provide a more comfortable contact surface with your skin, and the belt clip is set at an angle that tilts your grip up. There’s minimal adjustability, but it’s a good holster for $45. Mine is for a Springfield Armory Hellcat, and fits the Hellcat Pro—even with a threaded muzzle. All in, it’s a solid holster for the price. 

Blackhawk Stache IWB

Tyler Freel

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Key Features

• Molded polymer construction
• Left- or right-handed modularity
• Polymer belt clip adjustable for height
• Price: $29

Pros

• Affordable
• Available for common handguns
• Lefty-friendly
• Works with threaded muzzle

Cons

• No concealment claw
• Not as durable as Kydex

The Stache series appendix carry holsters from Blackhawk are affordable, user-friendly holsters that are made for a variety of pistols. The basic model doesn’t come with the magazine holder, and is pancaked molded sheets of polymer with adjustable retention via two tension screws that pass through rubber spacers. The belt clip can be attached to either side for left- or right-handed shooters to use, and its easy to set the height as well. This is a simple and affordable holster that pairs well with affordable guns like the PSA Dagger, or if you are looking to try out this style of holster without breaking the bank. 

Read Next: The Best Concealed Carry Holsters of 2023

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Appendix Carry Holsters

Carrying a firearm for self defense and how you carry that firearm is a decision that’s very personal. It’s complex, and there isn’t objectively any single best holster for everyone. It’s deadly-serious business and, if you’re going to carry, you should take it seriously. That doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money, but choosing the most optimal gun you can, making sure to have a good belt, and training with your holster are all critical factors in being comfortable, discreet, and effective in a defensive scenario if necessary. There are lots of excellent holsters on the market, but deciding what general style and feature set works best for you will help you out more than just buying the most expensive AIWB holster you can find.

• Best Overall: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB
• Best Budget Appendix Carry Holster: Safariland Schema IWB
• Most Low-Profile: Mission First Tactical Minimalist Holster
• Northwest Retention Systems Outlaw IWB
• Radial Innovations Coreflex AIWB Holster
• Concealment Express Classic IWB EDC Holster
• Blackhawk Stache IWB

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In the last few years, many folks across the U.S. have considered buying or have bought their first gun. And most of these new gun owners are buying handguns. But with so many cartridges and guns to choose from, it can be daunting to make a well-informed decision. For those folks searching for a handgun for personal protection, and specifically concealed carry, the classic debate of .380 vs. 9mm is sure to come up. 

In this story, I’ll shed some light on how the two cartridges compare. This won’t be a comprehensive dive into ballistics, but it will help those of you still weighing your options and seeking to make an educated decision before buying a self-defense handgun. Keep in mind that firearms and ammunition supplies are still limited depending on where you live, so you may not be able to purchase the exact gun or load you want, right when you want it. Still, there are a variety of options to choose from. Before we get into the weeds on the .380 vs 9mm, let’s talk about the benefits of buying a handgun for concealed carry in either 9mm Luger or .380 ACP.

Why Choose a Small Handgun?

One of the obvious advantages of carrying a smaller-caliber handgun is it will better integrate into your daily life (you can comfortably carry a pistol with the right holster or in your purse). In my opinion, semi-automatic pistols are best, because they have higher capacity magazines (which you can’t get with a revolver), decreased felt recoil and muzzle flip, and overall increased shootability.

Today’s semi-automatic pistols are very reliable, and contemporary bullet designs make compact and micro-compact pistols extremely effective. In just the past several years, gun manufacturers have introduced numerous sub-compact and micro-compact pistols that are convenient to carry, easy to shoot accurately, and that have great ammunition capacity. —Tyler Freel

.380 vs. 9mm: Things to Consider When Choosing

The most common concealed-carry pistol cartridges are the 9mm and .380 ACP. While sharing virtually the same bullet diameter as the famed 9mm round, the .380 is certainly not equal to the 9mm in overall performance. The 9mm is a heavier cartridge. It offers a large case, more powder, and heavier bullets—meaning it will generally penetrate deeper and expand better than the .380 ACP.

Penetration

Penetration is a factor to consider when selecting a cartridge as it ensures vital organs can be reached by the fired projectile—and a threat can be effectively stopped.  If a round lacks penetration, the desired effect (stopping the threat) might not be achieved, especially if the attacker is wearing heavy or thick clothing. By technical law enforcement standards, you generally want a minimum of 12 inches and a maximum of 18 inches in calibrated ordnance gelatin (those big blocks of yellow gel firearms testers shoot into) penetration.

Expansion

Expansion and/or tissue disruption is another important factor in defensive bullet performance. There are no hard-and-fast recommendations for expansion but, generally speaking, shooters should be seeking a round that will expand a minimum 1.5 times its original diameter. That means .60-inch for 9mm and .380 ACP. Traditionally, this has meant a hollow point projectile should top your list, however, the fluted solid projectiles from Lehigh Defense, Black Hills Ammo, Norma, and Inceptor ammunition accomplish tissue disruption in a different way, and don’t sacrifice penetration. Rapid expansion acts as an arresting force and, in lighter loads, can make penetration inadequate.

Fit and Functionality

Cartridge performance isn’t the only thing to think about when choosing between .380 and 9mm. You should also consider how well a given pistol fits you, and how easy it is to carry, manipulate, and shoot accurately. —Tyler Freel 

.380 vs. 9mm, Head-to-Head

Now, let’s look at the details of the 9mm vs. .380 decision, plus some good ammo options for each. 

9mm Luger

• Bullet Diameter: .355 in
• Case Length: .754 in
• Overall Length: 1.169 in
• Case Capacity: 13.30 gr H2O
• Pros: Widely available in variety of ammo types, and sub-compact pistol platforms, powerful, proven performance
• Cons: Recoil can be too stout for some shooters

The 9mm is the king of the hill when it comes to handgun loads. Supply is generally very good, meaning you can find it for sale in volume, just about anywhere. Ammunition manufacturers have dedicated significant research and development to the round, and it is the best it has ever been. The U.S. military, FBI, other government agencies, state, county, local law enforcement, and countless civilian shooters rely on the round for good reason. It’s reliable, low recoiling, and extremely accurate, not to mention affordable and attainable. It can also be had in a variety of grain weights, bullet designs and material compositions to include lead, copper, and even a polymer matrix. Personally, I see no reason to look anywhere other than 9mm for self-defense purposes. Here are three rounds I would recommend.

READ NEXT: Best Micro 9mm Handguns

Federal HST 124-grain JHP

Federal

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Federal’s HST line is the duty load of choice by law enforcement officers throughout the world. It has a specifically designed hollow point that won’t plug while passing through a variety of barriers, and the bullet jacket and core stay together to provide nearly 100 percent weight retention, even when shot through most intermediate barriers. HST is incredibly accurate and produces the desired level of penetration for personal defense situations without over penetrating. The bullet nose profile, nickel-plated case and high performance primer provide the ultimate in function and reliability in semi-automatic pistols and is always my first choice in 9mm defensive loads.

Speer 135-grain Gold Dot G2 Carry Gun JHP

Speer

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Speer’s Gold Dot family of ammunition has been one of the leading choices of law enforcement professionals for several decades thanks to its exceptional terminal performance and reliability. Recently, Speer has added a new version of its famed Gold Dot ammunition called Carry Gun. Carry Gun features a new version of the G2 bullet that is optimized for compact and subcompact pistols. Gold Dot Carry Gun ammo offers the same industry-leading performance and exceptional barrier performance shooters expect from Gold Dot G2 ammunition out of trending concealed carry firearms that are smaller, lighter, and feature shorter barrels.

READ NEXT: Best 9mm Ammo

Hornady 135-grain Critical Duty JHP

Hornady

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Hornady’s Critical Duty round is loaded with the unique FlexLock bullet, delivering “barrier blind” performance when shot through common urban barriers. The FlexLock bullet incorporates two advanced features to deliver superior barrier penetration and consistent performance in FBI tactical handgun ammunition tests (FBI protocol). The patented Hornady Flex Tip design eliminates clogging and aids in bullet expansion. A large mechanical jacket-to-core InterLock band works to keep the bullet and core from separating for maximum weight retention, excellent expansion, consistent penetration and terminal performance through all FBI test barriers. This round is the current issue load for FBI agents.

.380 ACP

• Bullet Diameter: .355 in
• Case Length: .680
• Overall Length: .984 in 
• Case Capacity:11.8 grains h20
• Pros: Generally lighter recoiling, available in variety of sub-compact guns, ammo options are getting better
• Cons: Inferior terminal performance compared to 9mm. 

The .380 ACP does nothing that the 9mm can’t do better, and for far less money. The exception is that felt recoil will be less in some platforms, but with a slight reduction in recoil comes a significant reduction in terminal performance, magazine capacity, and in many cases, reliability. 

Some folks will find the .380 ACP preferable because pistols like the Ruger LCP Max have great capacity and are incredibly convenient to carry and easy to shoot. If you prefer to carry a .380, I highly recommend you choose one of the following fluted, non-expanding rounds. I’ve personally witnessed and taken part in spiral fluted .380 testing and development, and recommend them. These rounds penetrate 10 to 15 inches when shot into ballistic gelatin, whether bare or through four layers of denim or a thick leather jacket.

Black Hills 60-grain HoneyBadger

BlackHIlls

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Developed in conjunction with Lehigh Defense, this spiral fluted ammunition does not rely on a hollow point design that can get plugged up with clothing and fail to expand. The HoneyBadger relies on higher than average velocity and fluid disbursement from its spiral fluted design. The cutting edges on the projectile’s forward surface redirect the tissue it impacts and spirals deep into the target like a corkscrew. Weight retention is near 100 percent and the projectile does not rely on a hollow point design to be effective. The round is constructed of solid copper.

Inceptor ARX

Inceptor

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Inceptor ammunition, formerly PolyCase Ammunition, blazed the way for spiral fluted ammunition. ARX, short for Advanced Rotational eXtreme, features a non-expanding bullet that transfers both the directional and rotational force of the projectile to the target, producing exceptional penetration, while also reducing the risk of over-penetration. The ARX load is constructed of a polymer copper blend. Yes, you read that right, the round is partially made of plastic, which acts like a frangible round that quickly fragments after impacting a hard surface.

FAQs: Answers to Your .380 vs. 9mm Questions

Does .380 have less recoil than 9mm?

All things being equal, yes, the .380 will produce less felt recoil than a 9mm. However different guns recoil differently. Generally, the lighter the gun and the heavier the load, the more recoil you’ll feel.

What hits harder, 9mm or .380?

This isn’t exactly the right question to be asking about a cartridge. Forget “knockdown power.” You want your bullet to penetrate deeply and expand widely and consistently. In those two performance metrics, the 9mm has the advantage over the .380.

What caliber is best for everyday carry?

Choosing a cartridge for everyday concealed carry is very much a personal choice. Variables like body type, style of dress, and firearm experience all come into play. With that said, there are a ton of great micro 9mm pistols out there and there’s a wide selection of 9mm ammo for personal protection. That makes the 9mm Luger tough to beat.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, training with your chosen firearm is the most important component in a concealed carry pistol. Accurate hits to the vital area in any reasonable caliber will stop a threat. Shot placement and number of shots fired are both key, but you can certainly hedge your bets by choosing the most effective caliber available to you, which is the 9mm.

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Folding shotguns comprise only a small segment of the firearm market. However, they do offer a real advantage for anyone who needs to keep a shotgun handy when space is limited. This platform is ideal for a truck gun or camping trip. Some bush plane pilots rely on folding shotguns, storing them in the cockpit as predator backup when ferrying hunters into the backcountry.

Granted, all action types—pumps, auto-loaders, and break-actions—can be disassembled into two pieces. But folding shotguns allow you to skip reassembly, which is no small consideration in an emergency. Here’s a look at some notable folding designs past and present.

The First Folding Shotgun

Long before the folding shotgun concept became the province of relatively inexpensive break-open “utility guns,” there was the Burgess pump-action designed by Andrew Burgess.

Made from 1894 to 1899 at the Burgess Gun Company in Buffalo, New York, the gun was originally intended for combat and law enforcement. The Burgess was a tactical shotgun before the term existed. Featuring a 20-inch barrel and six-shot capacity, this hinged, external-hammer 12-gauge could be holstered, making it a concealable option under  a jacket or vest . A pivoting pin and folding latch allowed the gun to be carried folded in its holster with a fully loaded magazine. The Burgess could then be drawn by its shooter and quickly locked into battery.

Instead of the common reciprocating handguard used to cycle pump shotguns—that patent hadn’t expired yet—the Burgess featured a sleeve around the wrist of the stock. Yanking back the sleeve—along with the grip and trigger guard—and then pushing it forward, unlocks the bolt, ejects the empty, and chambers the next round from the magazine.

In 1895 a standard-grade Burgess cost $30, plus $1.50 for the holster. By 1899, Winchester had bought out Burgess, most likely to reduce competition with their Model 97 pump. Today, the Burgess is a collectible. One in very good condition can fetch close to $8,000.

Chiappa Double Badger

Sportsman’s Warehouse

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As anyone who has owned a Savage Model 24, Valmet, or Baikal rifle-shotgun knows, combination guns are not new technology. Chiappa took the concept a step further with the Double Badger, which has double triggers. It’s available in .410/.22 LR, .410/.22 WMR, 20 gauge/.22 LR, and .410/.243. When folded in half, the Double Badger is just 21.2 inches, which means it’s pack friendly or can be stowed under a seat in your truck. For increased accuracy, this gun has fiber-optic ghost ring sights, plus a rail for optics. At 6.25 pounds, it’s heavy by folding gun standards. Chiappa does make a handier option called the Little Badger Deluxe, although that’s not a shotgun: It’s a rifle-only platform chambered in .22 LR or .22 WMR. That gun weighs only 3.6 pounds and measures 17 inches when folded.

Read next: Pocket Pistols for Personal Protection

Beretta Model 412

Beretta

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Imports of Beretta’s highly regarded Model 412 series began in 1946, and ended in 1988. The 412 was a single-barrel folder offered in 12-, 20-, 28-gauge, or .410. The barrel is a monobloc design, which means it was braised to a single component as opposed to a demibloc that offers more strength for double-barrel shotguns. The Model 412 weighs a scant 5 pounds and features a checkered fore-end and pistol grip stock. They are beautiful guns that cost less than $200—if you can find one. If not, consider the legendary 412, which continued in Effebi’s Beta series. It can be had in the same gauges as the 412, though it’s less elegant. It also breaks open differently, using a lever system located on the tang of the shotgun—similar to that of many over/under and side-by-side shotguns—instead of the trigger-style lever the Beretta employs. 

TriStar Folding Survival Shotgun

This Turkish-made single-shot folder in 12-gauge has a 3-inch chamber (TriStar also offered it in 20-gauge and .410-bore). It’s a no-frills synthetic-stock gun with a Parkerized finish, featuring a 20-inch fixed choke cylinder bore barrel. The curb weight is 4.5 pounds, so the recoil from buckshot or slugs will be substantial, though you could outfit the TriStar with a recoil pad. The stock is hollow for stashing small supplies like matches or a first-aid kit—if you have a screwdriver to remove the recoil pad. The shotgun breaks open via a lever forward of the trigger guard. It is no longer produced by TriStar, so you will have to search the used market for one. It shouldn’t cost you more than $100. When folded, it certainly fits the definition of a pack gun and could be used to hunt small game, particularly in the mountains where every pound you carry makes a difference.

Yildiz TK36 and TK12

One of Turkey’s oldest gunmakers offers two notable single-barrel folders: the Yildiz TK36 .410 and TK12 12-gauge. Both single-shots feature select Turkish walnut stocks and fore-ends, recoil pads, fixed modified chokes, pistol-grip stocks, and tang-mounted safeties. They both use the same lever system forward of the trigger guard as the TriStar. The TK36 weighs just 3.3 pounds and measures under 4 feet long (44 inches) with a 28-inch barrel. The TK12 is the same length, but weighs in at 4.8 pounds since it’s a 12-gauge. Both guns are still in production and cost less than $200.

Khan Arms Stylox 

Khan Arms, a Turkish manufacturer, offers the Stylox series of single-shot folders in 12- and 20-gauge, plus .410-bore. The Stylox is available in 10 variants with synthetic, camouflage, and wood finish options. For backcountry pursuits and defense, the Tac Fidelio is a perfect choice due to its synthetic exterior, raised blade front sight, and Picatinny rail for mounting an optic. If you don’t need the sights or rail, the Type-S is a similar gun that uses a traditional front bead. Both options have recoil pads to mitigate felt recoil. 

Harrington & Richardson Folding Shotgun

This time-honored American company made its contribution to the folding shotgun platform with a series of single shots from the early 1900s to the 1940s in 12-, 20-, 16-gauge, and .410-bore. The H&R folders typically have case-hardened frames, external hammers, top-break levers, 26-inch barrels, and walnut pistol grip stocks. As a very sensible feature, the forend was recessed to accept the trigger guard when the gun is folded, making it more compact. Weights range from 5¾ to 6½ pounds. H&R folders are still available on the used market, but they’re getting a little pricey for a brand associated with economy products. A recent search listed one for $450.

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“Guns are like cars. If you want to go fast, it’s gonna cost some money.”

Those words stuck with me as I packed up my gear at the range. They wrapped up a farewell from an older gentleman and his wife after I’d had them both fire a few magazines through the Staccato CS that I was there to test. We’d joked about him having to buy one as his small-statured wife looked anything but frail as she chewed a hole the center A-zone on a USPSA silhouette with the pint-sized 9mm pistol.

The Staccato CS is new for 2023, and it’s the latest in Staccato’s line of 2011 9mm pistols. The CS is smaller than their previous C and C2 compact models, but promises to deliver the level of performance that 2011 pistols like the Staccato P have established. The world of concealed-carry pistols is a buyer’s market, and a premium gun at a premium price is going to have to bring the goods if a company hopes to strike a chord with discerning shooters. 

I’ve been shooting a lot of handguns this winter, and am currently poised to tick over 5,000 rounds of 9mm and 10mm since the beginning of January. I’ve got deep roots in the average-joe Glock caste, but the Staccato P had no trouble winning me over, and its influence gave me very high expectations for the Staccato CS.  I noted that Staccato’s punchline for the CS is “Pure Staccato, Just Smaller.” We’ll have to see about that, I thought while looking over the compact 2011 for the first time. I had the feeling that I would either be thoroughly impressed, or bitterly disappointed. There wasn’t room for a middle ground.

Staccato CS Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 16+1
• Action: Single-action, hammer-fired
• Barrel: 3.5-inch, bull profile, fluted, stainless steel
• Dimensions: 7.1 inches (L) x 5.6 inches (H) x 1.2 inches (W)(grip)
• Weight: 27 ounces (w/empty 16-round magazine and Holosun EPS Carry optic) (measured)
• Frame: 7075 billet aluminum
• Slide: 4140 billet steel
• Optics: Cut for optic, uses Dawson Precision optic system
• Controls: Right-handed slide stop, mag catch, ambidextrous safety levers
• Finish: Black DLC
• Grip: Polymer grip module, laser-etched stipple texture
• Sights: Dawson Precision fiber-optic front, serrated black square-notch rear
• Trigger: 1911-style single-action, curved aluminum shoe, 3 pounds, 15 ounces (measured)
• MSRP: $2,499 

Getting Spun-Up on the Staccato CS

In mainstream-shooter America, Staccato 2011 (formerly known as STI) is steadily gaining name recognition, but they’re still somewhat of an enigma to most. The world of 2011’s and 2011-style pistols can be a bit of a wormhole for the average shooter, and Staccato actually owns the trademark on the term “2011.” Generally speaking, 2011’s and similar pistols are double-stack 1911’s that use a grip module that’s separate from the frame, not grip scales that are attached to each side of a frame like single-stack 1911’s. Pistols like the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy and Staccato P are good examples, and I go into greater detail on general 2011 info in those reviews. 

The Staccato CS is all 2011, but it’s refined in some key ways that help optimize it for concealed carry. Under Staccato, the concealed-carry line started with the C, which was a single-stack pistol. The C2 is a true double-stack 2011 that holds 16+1 rounds but, like its full-size siblings, it’s beefy. The CS looks and feels like the C2 and P in many ways, but its grip is nearly 8 percent slimmer, and the barrel is almost half an inch shorter. For comparison-sake, the Staccato CS is about the same size as a Sig Sauer P365 XMacro—but a little thicker. It’s slightly more petite than the venerable Glock G19. 

The Staccato Family Resemblance

There’s no milkman in the Staccato CS’s neighborhood; it looks very much like the other pistols in the family. The CS is a double-stack 1911 with a grip safety, ambidextrous thumb safety, a generous beavertail, skeletonized hammer, and the same lines as Staccato’s full-size pistols. It has a curved aluminum trigger shoe and a wonderfully crisp trigger that breaks at four pounds—give or take an ounce. The trigger has an excellent short reset as well.

The CS has the same front and rear cocking serrations you’ll see on the bigger pistols like the P, XL, and XC; they’re aggressive but not excessive. It has the same scalloping on the bottom side of the slide stop lever too. The frame features a single-slot accessory rail and polymer 2011 grip module with the same sandpaper-like stipple texture that the Staccato P has. 

Unique Features of the Staccato CS

Despite carrying the looks of the larger pistols in the Staccato line, the CS has several key updates that set it apart.

Magazines

The Staccato CS uses 16-round magazines like the C2, but they’re a bit slimmer, shorter, and they lack the notable bottleneck that the typical 2011 magazine has. They are similar in size and shape to the Sig Sauer P365 XMacro magazines, but narrow down more quickly at the top. 

The magazines have slick steel bodies, smooth-running followers, and aluminum base plates that are scalloped on either side for gripping them if they don’t fall free of the pistol—loaded or empty, they do generally fall freely when released. The magazines have good spring tension, but are easy to load; full magazines seat easily under a closed slide. 

Barrel

The Staccato CS has a generally heavy-profile barrel, but with some interesting fluting and machining. The outside of the chamber is machined with a pattern that mimics the slide serrations where it’s exposed in the ejection port, and the concealed portion of the barrel has fluting as well. Other Staccato models have smooth barrels. This machine work isn’t just for looks—it cuts unnecessary weight and helps the barrel heat dissipate more quickly. The barrel has the typical 1911/2011 pivoting barrel link at the rear and a gradual recessed crown at the muzzle. 

Extractor

Like the other Staccato Pistols, the CS uses a fixed ejector that’s just to the left of the disconnector when facing downrange. However, the extractor is different. Other pistols like the Staccato P use a traditional 1911-style internal extractor. It’s essentially a piece of spring steel that’s installed and removed from the rear of the slide. The springiness of the extractor itself is enough to grab case rims, but the extractor hooks are relatively small. The Staccato CS has a beefy external extractor, with a spring under the back end, that pivots on a pin installed vertically through the slide. The extractor on the CS is similar in size, shape, and function to what you’ll see on the Sig P365. It’s got lots of surface area to grab and hold cases firmly.

Recoil System

Although the larger Staccato pistols like the model P use premium full-length guide rods and some modern parts, they’re still 1911-style recoil systems. The Staccato CS has a patent-pending dual spring and rod recoil system made by Dawson Precision. It looks similar to what many striker-fired pistols use, but the front features a spring plug fitting that interfaces with the slide. To remove, simply pull up on the rear of the guide rod and the guide rod system clicks up about 20 degrees—allowing the whole assembly to be pulled free of the slide. 

Sights and Optics for the Staccato CS

The bare bones Staccato CS has an optics cut, but comes with a Dawson Precision cover-plate and sights. Like the sights on the P, the CS comes with a variety of fiber-optic colors that you can change out if you like. A variety of pistol red dot plates are available from Staccato or Dawson Precision that come with a small rear sight behind the optic. I ordered my pistol with a plate and Holosun EPS Carry red dot installed, but I’ve also tried the basic iron sight cover plate. I can co-witness my iron sights with the EPS Carry. 

Shooting the Staccato CS

I mentioned that I had high hopes for the Staccato CS; I was anxious and a little nervous to shoot it. I’m rooting for every gun I shoot to be a winner, and a lot of them just aren’t. And this pistol was no exception: I really wanted the CS to be everything it’s cracked up to be.

In a few weeks of testing, I fired over 1,400 rounds through the Staccato CS. I’ve fired handloaded and factory ball 9mm ammo of every available weight, and a wide variety of defensive loads too. I have yet to experience a single malfunction of any kind, and shooting the Staccato CS still leaves me in disbelief. 

Recoil Control

With the disclaimer that I haven’t shot every single compact concealed-carry pistol on the market, I’ve shot a lot of them—and the Staccato CS is the smoothest-shooting and most accurate compact 9mm I’ve ever fired. 

The only thing I can compare it to is its larger sibling, the Staccato P. They are different in some ways: The P has a larger grip that’s easier to index and maintain position, and the recoil cycle of the P feels a little softer because of the heavier, longer slide. However, I can’t say that I can shoot the P much faster than I can shoot the CS with equal accuracy. The CS has a faster recoil cycle that I want to describe as snappy, but it doesn’t snap up with recoil—maybe brisk is a better descriptor. With a good grip, the sights or dot never leave the target during the recoil cycle. 

Some striker-fired compact 9mm pistols are very manageable and, when you can develop a good grip, you can do a lot with them. None of them can really compare to the CS though. It’s in a different league.

How Accurate Is the Staccato CS?

The good trigger and smooth-shooting recoil system of the Staccato CS help it achieve excellent accuracy scores for a compact gun. When looking at any pistol—particularly a concealed-carry pistol—I consider primarily practical accuracy: how easy it is to shoot a gun under stress accurately. In the case of high-end guns like the Staccato CS, I’ll also do some on-paper accuracy testing.

I’ll normally gauge the practical accuracy of a compact gun by how easily I can keep most of my hits in the A-zone on a USPSA silhouette at 50 feet while shooting just slow enough to catch the reset. With the Staccato CS, I can burn through entire magazines at about 80- to 90-percent speed, and keep everything in the A-zone. At the shot, the dot wobbles, then drops right back to the center of the target. At 21 feet, I would regularly run through 200 rounds shooting  1-to-5 drills and Bill drills and not drop a single C-zone hit. 

To really challenge myself and the pistol, I hung a half-size USPSA silhouette steel plate at 100 yards. I fired several strings of 16 rounds in 20 seconds, and averaged 14 hits per string. That’s something I can’t repeat with most handguns—simply because the triggers won’t allow it. Relatively speaking, most striker-fired triggers feel like trying to break off a birch sapling after becoming accustomed to the CS. 

On paper, the CS printed some great groups too. I recorded 10 5-shot groups with three different defensive loads, fired at 50 feet using a sandbag for support. The average group size was .676 inches, and the smallest group was a .357-inch bughole. Compare that to an average of 1.477 inches from my Glock G47. 

Carrying the Staccato CS

The Staccato CS is designed and built to be a concealed-carry gun, but it might not be perfect for everyone. It firmly resides in the compact category, but is larger than the micro-compact 9mm pistols that have been hot-ticket items in recent years. It’s very similar in size to pistols like the G19, Sig P365 XMacro, Sig P320 XCompact, and Springfield XD-M Compact. It’s not a hard pistol to conceal, but your body type, dress style, climate, and method of carry will factor into how well it will work for you. I have carried the CS for over a month, and find that an IWB appendix carry is a good fit for me.

Holsters for the Staccato CS

Concealed-carry guns require holsters to use them properly, and there are already a few good options for the CS. I have been using a Blackpoint Tactical Dual Point IWB. The Shogun from LAS Concealment is another good option, and if you dig, you’ll find more. If you’re going to purchase a pistol like the CS, it’s worth trying a couple different models. You won’t be able to find them on the sporting goods store shelf, but you won’t find the CS there either.

Train With What You Carry

The Staccato CS is a Ferrari of concealed-carry guns but, if you’re like most folks who carry and shoot striker-fired guns, switching to a 1911-style pistol like the CS brings a couple caveats: train with what you carry, and don’t mix-and-match.

The facets of concealed carry are great, even fun, to discuss; but it’s also serious business. The biggest difference that striker-fired shooters will encounter when using a 1911-style pistol in a carry application is the safety. People who carry 1911-style pistols like the CS most commonly do so in condition one: chamber loaded, magazine loaded, hammer back, and safety on. On the range, getting used to disengaging the safety is easy, but it takes time to change your default actions when drawing under stress. Most striker-fired guns have no external safety, and if you’re not used to disengaging one, it can cost you precious time. Fortunately, the safety levers on the CS are easy to index your grip on and, with some practice, operating the safety quickly becomes an automatic part of the process.

In addition to acclimating to the manual safety, it’s important to avoid changing your carry setup regularly. Each handgun carries and points a little differently, and switching them up can cost you valuable time if you have to use it. For example, my carry gun for the past year has been a Sig P320 XCompact and, when switching over to the CS, it took some time and practice to become accustomed to the way the CS points. If I decide to carry the P320 tomorrow, I won’t be able to get on target as quickly because my default is now the CS.

What the Staccato CS Does Well

The Staccato CS gets top marks from me in just about every metric of performance. It’s reliable, compact, has great capacity, and most importantly—it’s really easy to shoot accurately. 

Where the Staccato CS Could Be Better

The only thing that I think some shooters might not care for is also a factor with the larger Staccato pistols. The slide stop is tough to reach with the gun-hand thumb without breaking your grip. Many shooters use the support hand to break the slide stop loose, but if you’re not used to that, it will feel awkward.

Is the Staccato CS Worth the Money?

No matter the accolades or performance characteristics, the price of a gun is often a sticking point. Every shooter has to work within a budget, and value plays a huge role in what we pick. The Staccato CS is far from the most expensive 2011 on the market, but it does command a premium price. Is it worth it? That depends. 

Objectively, the materials, workmanship, and performance are there. The Staccato CS stands apart from every lower-priced gun I could compare it to—even full-size pistols. If you’re a seasoned pistol shooter or shoot the CS alongside run-of-the-mill compact 9mm pistols, you’ll see the differences instantly. For a serious shooter, or someone who wants a best-in-class concealed-carry pistol, it’s worth every penny. In fact, I would personally find it worthwhile to forgo four or five of my other pistols if it meant I could afford the CS.

The other reality is that not every individual will see the value in the Staccato CS. There are some great, effective concealed-carry guns that are much cheaper, and although they objectively are not on the same level as the CS, they aren’t bad choices. Stick to your budget, and don’t go mortgaging the family farm to purchase a top-shelf pistol if it’s not a realistic buy for you. If you’re a beginner or don’t shoot much, the benefits of the CS won’t seem as pronounced as they do when you’re shooting constantly. Sure, you will likely be able to shoot it well, but a top-speed sports car isn’t what everyone wants or needs. Damn if you won’t want one after you get behind the wheel, though. 

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Best 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense		Federal Premium 124-grain HST	SEE IT
Best 9mm Ammo for Micro Compacts		Hornady American Gunner 115-grain XTP	SEE IT
Best 9mm Ammo for Suppressors		Nosler ASP 147-grain JHP	SEE IT

The 9 x 19mm Parabellum cartridge was invented over 120 years ago, and it’s still the most popular handgun cartridge in the world today. It has a long and varied history, but it’s safe to say that even while enduring the current ammo shortage, shooters have a wide variety of 9mm ammo for self-defense and 9mm ammo for practice to choose from. Even better, modern 9mm bullets have elevated these loads to the best 9mm ammo in history. The 9mm now has comparable terminal performance to some more powerful cartridges.

There are many metrics by which ammo can be compared, and picking the very best is always going to be a matter of how you intend to use it. For example, you’ll find that 9mm ammo for self-defense is much different (and more expensive) than 9mm ammo for practice. The following list includes my own preferred ammo for a wide variety of applications.

• Best 9mm Ammo for the Backcountry: Federal Premium Solid Core +P 147-grain Syntech Flat-Nose
• Best 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense: Federal Premium 124-grain HST
• Best 9mm Ammo for Micro Compacts: Hornady American Gunner 115-grain XTP
• Best 9mm Ammo for Suppressors: Nosler ASP 147-grain JHP

More 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense

• Underwood Extreme Defender 90-grain +P+
• Winchester USA Ready Defense +P 124-grain JHP
• Speer Personal Protection +P 124-grain Gold Dot JHP
• Remington 147-grain Golden Saber Bonded JHP
• Sig-Sauer Elite 124-grain V-Crown JHP

9mm Ammo for Practice

• Federal Premium 124-grain Syntech Training Match
• CCI Blazer Brass 124-grain FMJ
• Winchester 147-grain FMJ
• Remington UMC 115-grain FMJ

Things to Consider Before Buying 9mm Ammo

Application and Use

The most important thing to consider when you’re buying 9mm ammo is what you’ll be using it for. If you’re buying 9mm ammo for self-defense, you want quality bullets designed for optimal penetration and effective terminal performance. Cheap FMJ or other 9mm target ammo is inferior. If you’re wanting ammo to practice with, more affordable target or plinking ammo will be your best choice. Still, it’s wise to match the grain weight of your carry or defensive 9mm ammo. If you’re wanting to shoot primarily through a suppressor and have the quietest report possible, heavier 9mm subsonic ammo will usually be your best choice.

Cost

Just like any other load, 9mm ammo varies in price. The most affordable 9mm rounds are usually 115-grain FMJ target and plinking loads. You can find them for around $20 per box of 50 rounds, and cheaper per-round if you buy in bulk. The best 9mm ammo for self-defense is usually much more expensive, but when your life may be at stake, it’s worth spending the extra money. The best 9mm ammo for self-defense will usually cost about $1.75 per round.

Best 9mm Ammo for Backcountry Defense: Federal Premium Solid Core +P 147-grain Syntech Flat-Nose

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Why It Made the Cut

Federal Premium’s +P Solid Core load has a deep-penetrating cast 147-grain bullet with a synthetic jacket to reduce fouling. Penetration is what counts in a defensive situation with big animals.

Key Features

• 147-grain solid lead bullet
• Syntech synthetic jacket
• Nickel-plated brass and sealed primer
• Velocity: 1120 fps
• $39.49 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Deep Penetration
• No lead fouling
• Nickel cases and sealed primers are weather-resistant

Cons

• Not highly versatile

Product Description

Although the 10mm Auto is generally a better option for carry in grizzly country, the 9mm can be a viable option for backcountry carry if that’s all you’ve got. The key to making the 9mm an effective animal defense cartridge is a bullet that will penetrate. Most 9mm ammo for self defense expands rapidly and is designed for limited penetration. Federal Premium’s Solid Core line is designed to deliver a 147-grain synthetic-jacketed lead bullet at 1,120 feet per second—which is slightly faster than Buffalo Bore’s +P Outdoorsman load.

The total synthetic jacket on this bullet prevents any lead fouling, which can be an annoying issue with some pistols when shooting plain hard-cast loads. The nickel-plated case and sealed primer make for smooth cycling, and they resist the elements. This 9mm ammo is intended for a simple task: deep penetration. It fully accomplishes that mission.

Best 9mm Ammo for Self Defense: Federal Premium 124-grain HST

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Why It Made the Cut

Federal Premium’s HST bullet is a stalwart performer in 9mm ammo for self defense. It expands rapidly and uniformly, maintains weight, and gives optimal penetration and terminal performance.

Key Features

• 124-grain jacketed hollow point
• Segmented jacket for uniform expansion
• Nickel-plated brass and sealed primer
• Velocity: 1150 fps
• Price: $32.99 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Rapid, uniform expansion
• Optimal penetration for self defense
• Reliable feeding

Cons

• Leading edges of hollow point can be damaged if cartridges are dropped

Product Description

There is lots of competition in the game of 9mm ammo for self-defense, and lots of excellent choices. However, my favorite defensive load is Federal Premium’s 124-grain HST hollow point. The HST bullet is one of the best 9mm bullets with the most consistent expansion for self-defense on the market. It strikes a nice balance between mass, velocity, and terminal performance.

The HST features a gaping hollow point and scored jacket to direct expansion into six equal-sized petals. It’s designed to maximize performance in the FBI’s testing protocol. It expands reliably through a variety of barriers and is built to retain weight without over-penetration. It’s accurate, reliable, and an excellent choice for any carry gun.

Best 9mm Ammo for Micro Compacts: Hornady American Gunner 115-grain XTP

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Why It Made the Cut

This 9mm ammo features Hornady’s reliable and deep-penetrating XTP hollow point, and at 115-grains, is softer shooting than heavier 9mm rounds for self-defense—especially in micro-compact 9mm pistols.

Key Features

• 115-grain XTP jacketed hollow point
• Small hollow point opening with notched jacket
• Brass case
• Velocity: 1155 fps
• Price: $19.99 per 25 rounds

Pros

• Deep Penetration
• Good expansion
• Lower recoil
• Affordable for self-defense ammo

Cons

• XTP doesn’t expand as dramatically as some other 9mm bullets for self-defense

Product Description

Hornady’s American Gunner 115-grain XTP is a quality 9mm round for self-defense at an affordable price. The XTP bullet is a dependable hollow point that has a smaller opening and more limited expansion than some other defensive 9mm ammo. The benefit is that it retains lots of weight and penetrates well. In a 115-grain offering, it has good velocity for both expansion and penetration—and has less recoil than many 124- and 147-grain 9mm rounds.

In micro-compact 9mm pistols, this 115-grain load is very soft-recoiling, but still performs and functions well. Some loads with heavier bullets and +P pressures make these tiny handguns beasts to tame, but lower recoil loads like this allow a shooter to be more accurate and effective.

Best 9mm Ammo for Suppressors: Nosler ASP 147-grain JHP

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Why It Made the Cut

Nosler’s Assured Stopping Power 147-grain 9mm ammo is made with quality components and bullets that are designed to expand reliably at subsonic velocities. Fired through a suppressor, it’s pussycat-quiet, and feeds smoothly in every pistol and PCC I could run it through.

Key Features

• 147-grain jacketed hollow point
• Rounded, notched jacket
• Nosler brass
• Velocity: 950 fps
• $36.49 per 50 rounds

Pros

• Good expansion and weight retention
• Subsonic in any pistol and most PCC’s
• Clean and precise components
• Great price

Cons

• Not as ideal for all-around defense as some of the faster 124-grain JHP’s.

Product Description

Nosler’s ASP 147-grain load is premium 9mm ammo at a great price. It’s jacketed hollow point is clean and precise, with a notched jacket to direct expansion, even at its slow, subsonic velocities. The bullet has a more rounded profile than some other hollow points which seems to make them feed with great reliability.

The 950-fps muzzle velocity is slow enough to stay subsonic, even when fired through most longer PCC barrels, and is ultra-quiet when fired through a suppressor. That’s where this ammo really shines. It’s a great choice in 9mm ammo for self-defense or home defense in a handgun, but I really like it in my Kalashnikov USA KP-9 with a suppressor.

More 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense

Underwood Extreme Defender +P+ 90-grain

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Why It Made the Cut

Underwood’s 90-grain Extreme Defender load features a Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense bullet at blistering speed. It’s designed for excellent barrier penetration and dramatic wound cavities.

Key Features

• 90-grain Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense Bullet
• Monolithic Copper bullet with fluting at the nose
• +P+ pressure rating
• Velocity: 1550 fps
• $34.99 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Excellent barrier penetration
• Fluting causes dramatic wound cavities
• Lead-free
• Lower recoil than heavier bullets

Cons

• +P+ is not safe for some 9mm pistols

Product Description

Underwood Ammo is one of the most popular producers of factory ammo using Lehigh Defense’s mono-metal Extreme Defense and Extreme Penetrator bullets. This load, which features the 90-grain Extreme Defense bullet, is all about speed. It’s loaded to high +P+ pressures and pushes the bullet out at a screaming 1550 fps. Check your pistol’s manual to see if this ammunition is safe to use before buying.

The Extreme Defense bullet is all-copper and has a point that’s fluted and looks like a Phillips screwdriver. The minimal front surface area and solid construction give the bullet great hard-barrier penetration abilities, and the flutes act to direct hydraulic pressure in such a way that it causes a wound cavity like that produced by a hollow point. At such high velocities, it’s certain to be effective.

Winchester USA Ready Defense 124-grain +P

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Why It Made the Cut

Winchester’s USA Ready Defense is a great option for 9mm ammo for self-defense. It feeds and cycles reliably, and has a Hex-Vent insert to prevent clogging of the hollow point and aid expansion.

Key Features

• 124-grain hollow point with notched jacket
• Hex-Vent insert prevents clogging and drives uniform expansion
• +P pressure rating
• Velocity: 1200 fps
• $22.49 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Nickel-plated cases cycle well
• Insert helps drive uniform expansion
• Rounded hollow point edges don’t deform as easily as other bullets
• Great velocity for 124-grain loads

Cons

• +P is not safe for some 9mm pistols

Product Description

Winchester’s USA Ready Defense rounds feature a nickel-plated case and a wide-opening hollow point bullet. The jacket is folded over the edge of the hollow point and notched at the very top. These bullets are more resistant to deformation than others if dropped by accident. The most characterizing feature is the Hex-Vent insert in the hollow point cavity itself.

The cavity of the hollow point is deep and filled with the polymer insert that features six radial slots. The purpose of this insert is to prevent clogging of the cavity itself when penetrating barriers, but also to drive dramatic expansion. This 9mm ammo’s +P pressure rating means it might not be safe to fire in all pistols, but it delivers best-in-class velocities for 124-grain bullets. If it’s safe for your pistol, this is a great option for 9mm ammo for self defense.

Speer Personal Protection +P 124-grain Gold Dot JHP

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Why It Made the Cut

Speer’s Gold Dot hollow point is one of the standard-setters when it comes to optimal defensive performance. In the 124-grain +P 9mm ammo, it’s a stellar option for your carry gun.

Key Features

• 124-grain Gold Dot hollow point
• Uni-Cor bonding for weight retention
• Nickel-plated cases
• Velocity: 1220 fps
• $31.99 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Nickel-plated cases
• Excellent expansion and weight retention
• Optimal penetration for defensive bullets
• excellent velocity for 124-grain loads

Cons

• +P is not safe for some 9mm pistols

Product Description

Speer’s Gold Dot hollow point bullet is one of the best defensive 9mm bullets on the market, and their 124-grain +P 9mm ammo is an excellent choice for self-defense. It features the Gold Dot bullet that has a pressure-formed core, Uni-Cor bonding, and a notched jacket. The bullets expand dramatically and uniformly, optimizing penetration and wound cavity.

Speer’s on-the-box slogan is that Gold Dot is the number one choice of law enforcement, and while we can’t verify that, we can verify that the bullets are accurate and effective, and the ammunition runs beautifully in every gun I’ve put it through. The +P pressures give it a step up in velocity from standard 9mm ammo for self-defense, and it’s an excellent choice for your carry gun.

Remington 147-grain Golden Saber Bonded JHP

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Why It Made the Cut

Remington’s Golden Saber jacketed hollow points have been on the market forever, and under new ownership, Remington is still rolling them out. They expand dramatically and give optimal penetration for 9mm self-defense ammo.

Key Features

• 147-grain brass-jacketed hollow point
• Jacket “hot-bonded” to core
• Smaller nose diameter than original Golden Saber
• Velocity: 990 fps
• $28.99 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Dramatic expansion
• Good weight retention
• Great for suppressors
• Smaller-diameter nose feeds well

Cons

• Heavier recoil than loads with lighter bullets

Product Description

Among long-standing choices of 9mm ammo for self-defense, the Remington Golden Saber has held its own. After their bankruptcy debacle, Remington Ammunition is back in business under the ownership of Vista Outdoors and is cranking out quality ammo. The Golden Saber is an excellent 9mm round for self-defense. It is characterized by its brass-jacketed hollow point bullet with spiral-angled notches in the jacket at the point. When expanded, the brass jacket petals peel back, and the core flattens, maintaining most of its weight.

The 147-grain Golden Saber 9mm ammo is subsonic, and excellent for using with a suppressor. The bullet is designed to expand rapidly at low velocities and has a bonded jacket and core to maintain weight and penetrate between 12 and 18 inches.

Sig-Sauer Elite 124-grain V-Crown JHP

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Why It Made the Cut

Sig-Sauer’s V-Crown jacketed hollow point load is made with quality components and an ultra-uniformly expanding bullet that’s optimized for self defense

Key Features

• 124-grain V-Crown jacketed hollow point
• Deep star-shaped hollow point cavity
• Low-flash propellant
• Velocity: 1165 fps
• $15.99 per 20 rounds

Pros

• Dramatic uniform expansion
• Good velocity
• Optimal penetration for self defense
• Nickel-plated cases

Cons

• Edges of hollow point can be deformed if dropped

Product Description

Neck and neck with the Federal Premium HST, the Sig-Sauer V-Crown hollow point is one of the most uniformly expanding 9mm rounds for self-defense on the market. The open jacketed hollow point has a deep cavity with a six-pointed star-shaped cavity that goes even deeper into the core. The points align with notches on the jacket, and combined, they drive consistent, flower-shaped expansion.

This 9mm ammo uses low-flash powder, and quality components, including nickel-plated cases. It’s right up there with all the best 9mm rounds for self-defense in velocity, terminal performance, and functionality.

9mm Ammo for Practice

Federal Premium 124-grain Training Match Syntech

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Why It Made the Cut

This practice ammo from Federal Premium matches the ballistics and feel of the 124-grain HST 9mm ammo for self-defense. The total synthetic jacket reduces bore fouling and gives minimal splash back on hard targets.

Key Features

• 124-grain flat point total synthetic jacket bullet
• Matches 124-grain HST ballistics and point of impact
• Brass case
• Velocity: 1150 fps
• $32.49 per 50 rounds

Pros

• Can be used as a direct practice substitute for carry ammo
• Minimal fouling
• Minimal splash on steel targets
• Recognizable by color

Cons

• Only ideal for practice and competition

Product Description

Since 9mm ammo for self-defense is typically expensive, shooters generally use cheaper, non-expanding practice ammo. This 124-grain 9mm ammo from Federal is designed to mimic the ballistics and feel of the 124-grain HST self-defense load. It has a flat-pointed lead bullet with a total synthetic jacket. This reduces cost and gilded metal fouling in your bore—and prevents the lead fouling that you’d see with simple cast bullets.

The synthetic coating of this 9mm ammo is purple and instantly recognizable. It’s an accurate option for competitive shooters and functions well in both pistols and PCC’s. Frankly, it’s a great practice substitute for any 124-grain 9mm self-defense ammo that you might carry.

CCI Blazer Brass 124-grain FMJ

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Why It Made the Cut

Blazer Brass is one of the most available and affordable options for 9mm practice ammo. It’s got reloadable brass, and in 124-grains, is a great practice substitute for defensive loads.

Key Features

• 124-grain full metal jacket bullet
• Boxer-primed
• Brass case
• Velocity: 1090 fps
• $24.49 per 50 rounds

Pros

• Great plinking ammo
• Good practice substitute for 124-grain defensive ammo
• Good for vintage military 9mm pistols
• Affordable

Cons

• Only ideal for practice

Product Description

CCI’s Blazer Brass is an affordable practice ammo that features reloadable brass cases (as opposed to the aluminum cases of the standard Blazer ammo). It’s a simple 124-grain full metal jacket bullet that’s about 60-70 fps slower than your average 124-grain 9mm ammo for self-defense, which average around 1150-1160 fps.

Despite being a bit slower, this 9mm ammo is a great practice substitute for your 124-grain carry ammo, or enjoyable purely as plinking and fun fodder. I’ve found it to function well in vintage 9mm military pistols like the Radom VIS 35 that were designed for 124-grain ball ammo.

Winchester 147-grain FMJ

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Why It Made the Cut

Winchester’s 147-grain FMJ target load is subsonic and excellent for mimicking 147-grain self defense 9mm ammo or shooting through a suppressor for fun.

Key Features

• 147-grain full metal jacket bullet
• Brass case
• Velocity: 990 fps
• $39.99 per 50 rounds

Pros

• Great plinking ammo
• Good practice substitute for 147-grain defensive ammo
• Great for suppressors

Cons

• Only ideal for practice

Product Description

Winchester’s white-box 147-grain full metal jacket load is good 9mm ammo for practice and plinking. It’s simple and affordable, and the 990 fps velocity closely mimics loads like the Remington Golden Saber and Nosler ASP 147-grain. If those loads are what you like to use for 9mm self-defense ammo, this load is a good option for practice. The simple FMJ bullet is seated in a brass Winchester case with standard Winchester WSP primer.

This 147-grain 9mm ammo is also subsonic and is very quiet in suppressors on both pistols and PCC’s.

Remington UMC 115-grain FMJ

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Why It Made the Cut

Winchester’s 147-grain FMJ target load is subsonic and excellent for mimicking 147-grain self-defense 9mm ammo or shooting through a suppressor for fun.

Key Features

• 115-grain full metal jacket bullet
• Brass case
• Velocity: 1145 fps
• $20.49 per 50 rounds

Pros

• Good for plinking
• Low recoil
• Affordable

Cons

• Not ideal for self-defense

Product Description

Remington’s UMC handgun ammo is back in production along with their premium self-defense ammo. The UMC 115-grain full metal jacket is some of the best 9mm practice ammo you can get. It’s affordable, reloadable, and light recoiling.

Read Next: Springfield Armory Echelon: Tested and Reviewed

The 115-grain bullet has a velocity of 1145 fps and would likely be close enough to mimic many 124-grain 9mm rounds for self-defense—close enough for practice anyway. Whether you’re doing some serious training or just going to the range to have fun, this is some of the best 9mm ammo for practice and plinking.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best 9mm Ammo

If there’s anything for 9mm shooters to rejoice about, it’s that we have lots of great ammo options. Even in the doldrums of an ammo shortage, companies have been pumping out 9mm like crazy. We have more choices (and more effective choices) for 9mm ammo for self-defense than ever before.

Although I have my own preferences, you really can’t go wrong with any option on this list, and there are many more decent loads that didn’t make the cut. The 9mm may be ancient in terms of modern cartridges, but it’s still more popular than ever.

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The use of smaller handguns, known as “pocket pistols,” has been popular for centuries. They were carried by all types, from kings to cowboys. Although, it should be noted that what was considered “pocket” is relative to the technology of the day as well as the clothing options at the time of invention. And one thing that has remained consistent throughout much of pocket pistol history is that the ability to conceal these firearms has often been perceived as a serious threat to nobility and government leaders because the guns are small and difficult to detect until it was too late.  At the same time, pocket pistols have served as an excellent self-defense option.

Over time, the pocket pistol has changed in appearance, size, caliber, and evolved with advancements in technology. It has gone by many names – derringer, muff, boot, vest, and even mouse guns. Today, the terminology leans toward compact and subcompact. And it remains a beloved firearm by those who carry it.

Queen Anne Pistol

Many credit the first pocket pistol as being the Queen Anne of the 18^th century. Based on the availability of handguns at the time, the term “pocket” is used loosely as the gun is quite large by modern standards. This pistol was a single-shot, black powder flintlock which is recognizable by the breech and trigger-plate, forged into one piece with the lockplate. This pistol is also an early example of a breechloader. The accessibility of the breechloading function though is not as simple as with other firearms. This pistol needed to be unscrewed with the help of an external tool. Like other firearms of the day, it fired a round ball.

The Henry Deringer Pistol

Note the spelling of Deringer in this section. Henry Deringer was a gunmaker out of Philadelphia who made several types of firearms, including contract muskets for the U.S. government. However, he is most well-known for a pocket pistol that bears his name. There are many variations of this gun, but most of the characteristics remained similar. They were single-shot, black powder, back-action (where the operational parts of the gun are behind the hammer) percussion pistols of at least .41-caliber. Barrel lengths, engraving styles, overall size, and grip shape are a handful of the variables that can be seen from his guns from the 1850s through the 1860s. It is unknown exactly how many pistols he made, but it is believed to be around 15,000. The gun was the model John Wilkes Booth used to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.

Despite its use in Lincoln’s murder, Deringer’s pistol was so popular that it led to many copycats, such as Slotter and Company and AJ Plate. In fact, Deringer had an iconic lawsuit with Plate that would set a precedent for the legitimacy of trademark law even in the absence of a patent.

Derringer Pistols

The term derringer (with an extra “r”) has become interchangeable with the pocket pistol. However, some companies as mentioned above, were a little bolder. For example, Slotter and Company went to the trouble of hiring someone named Deringer to use the name on their pistols that looked eerily similar. Other smaller firearms though did not directly imitate the single shot. For example, the Colt Thuer pistol is still a single shot but very different in appearance and function (it’s a breechloader). Colt even had the Model 1849 “Baby Revolver” before the Deringer was popularized. And many of these earlier guns were repeating firearms, especially pocket revolvers such as the Smith & Wesson No. 1 and their Ladysmith series, as well as pepperboxes like the Remington Zig Zag derringer.

Browning-Designed Semi-Automatic Pistols

By the turn of the 20^th century, semi-automatic pistols were becoming popular on the civilian market and John Moses Browning was at the forefront of that design. Before the full-size Model 1911 in .45 ACP was adopted by the military, his initial guns were rather small. One of those guns was the FN (Fabrique Nationale) 1899/1900 and the Colt Model 1903 Hammerless, both in .32 ACP. Quickly after that, Browning would utilize his new cartridge design, the .380 ACP, in similar semi-automatic guns. The .380, although developed in the early 1900s, saw a resurgence in popularity with the modern rise of compact and subcompact firearms. Although, due to improvements in 9mm, many manufacturers choose that for power and effectiveness in self-defense.

Pocket Pistol Gun Restrictions

The most prominent early example of concern over early pocket pistols came from Roman Emperor Maximilian I in 1517. At the beginning of the 1500s, a new technology emerged that allowed for the ability to conceal a handgun in a manner that did not exist prior. Before then, the only firearms ignition in existence utilized a slow burning rope to ignite gun powder and fire a gun. So, it made sense that unless someone wanted to light themselves on fire, they were not primed and ready to conceal said gun under their clothing. However, the creation of the wheellock – an ignition system that operated with a spinning wheel to spark pyrite rather than using an exposed flame – allowed concealment to be a reality for the first time, which caused the emperor concern for fear of its use in assassinations. As such, he banned the ownership of short-barreled wheellock firearms. Even smaller wheellocks though were typically large.

In America there was concern over the use of pocket pistols after the assassination of President Lincoln on April 15, 1866, in which the single-shot percussion Deringer pistol was used. Pocket pistols also became widely popular across the American West. Several towns, particularly at the end of cattle drives, passed regulation on carrying firearms within city limits. The rationale was that cowboys, now flush with cash and time to burn, were more likely to start brawls and use their firearms against one another. However, in this case, the guns that were turned in were larger open carry firearms such as Colt Single Action Army, Smith & Wesson Schofield, and Remington New Model revolvers. Pocket pistols were often kept concealed to evade such a law, showcasing a potential ineffectiveness of such regulations.

Moving into the 20^th century, the prevalence of small revolvers and semi-automatic pistols still was of concern in the U.S. after the assassination of President William McKinley on Sept. 14, 1901, with an Iver Johnson revolver. Newspaper reports at the time described this violent act as escalation of anarchy. And the first true federal regulation of firearms was the National Firearms Act of 1934. The banning of handguns was ultimately not included. The law regulated machine guns, silencers (or suppressors), and short-barreled rifle and shotgun ownership.

Read Next: There Is Far More to Concealed Carry Than Just Buying a Handgun

As the 20^th century continued, after the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr., the Gun Control Act of 1968 did target smaller, inexpensive handguns that became colloquially known as “Saturday Night Specials.”

Today, however, the concealed carry market is larger and more popular than ever. These compact guns, too numerous to count, have not only balanced size but also the ability to maximize caliber, unlike the smaller .22 revolvers of the mid-19^th century. Concealed carry is regulated differently from state to state. Some require separate licensing and training; others allow constitutional carry (without a license or permit).

The post Historic Pocket Pistols: The World’s First Concealed Carry Firearms appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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