Concealed Carry: A Look At The Top Handguns

With thousands of Illinois residents applying for licenses to carry concealed firearms, you might be wondering what the guy in the next car is packing in his waistband.

We visited Kenny Polhamus, owner and operator of Kapguns of Loves Park, to find out.

Polhamus says he doesn’t recommend anything smaller than a .380-caliber handgun and prefers the compact 9 mm pistols for concealed carry.

Smaller-caliber firearms, often called subcompacts, are lighter and more comfortable carrying concealed. But Polhamus says although the smaller guns are lethal, they are underpowered. And they have another major problem: Smaller guns are not that fun to shoot.

“Because they are so small, they are harder to handle,” Polhamus said. “If you are going to carry a gun, you want to be able to shoot it, take it to the range and stuff. You know, those smaller guns aren’t fun to shoot. It’s a good one for the summer when all you’ve got is a pocket. But in regular clothes, I would suggest moving into the 9 mm.”

Polhamus recommends beginners take a basic pistol class before committing to a concealed carry course.

Polhamus told us about his top concealed carry handguns. All are a 9 mm caliber — a measure of the ammunition size the weapon accommodates. Weight is when unloaded:

Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD

Capacity: 8 rounds

Weight: 19 ounces

Size: 6.1 inches by 4.6 inches

MSRP: $449

Polhamus says: When we asked for a recommendation on a concealed carry weapon, this is the one Polhamus reached for in the display case. Slim, reliable and has a grip angle that a lot of shooters prefer.

Springfield Armory USA XDS 3.3

Capacity: 8 rounds

Size: 6.3 inches by 4.4 inches

Weight: 23 ounces

MSRP: $599

Polhamus says: A little too small for everyday target practice, but a balanced choice for concealed carry. It has a trigger safety and another safety built into the top of the grip.

STI International 1911 LT 3.0

Capacity: 9 rounds

Weight: 25.5 ounces

Length: 6.5 inches

MSRP: $1,384

Polhamus says: Chosen typically for competition, STI is a higher-end model and costs more because it is custom made: “I have sold quite a few of them, but they are expensive and so it’s a limited crowd that is willing to spend that much on a carry gun.”

Glock 19

Capacity: 15 rounds

Weight: 23.65 ounces

Size: 7.4 inches by 4.9 inches

MSRP: $499

Polhamus says: Reliable, extremely popular and often a less expensive choice, the Glock is a larger concealed carry weapon. Most law enforcement officers carry Glocks. Some don’t like the grip angle, which forces the user to adjust the wrist to aim properly.

Via: journalstandard