#  Buying Your First Handgun for Concealed Carry 

 

    Details     Written by: [Michael Richey](/contact-us)    Category: [Concealed Carry in Texas Blog](/concealed-carry-in-texas)     Published: Friday, November 25th 2022  - [ Ammunition ](/content-tags/ammunition)
 
### Article Links

- [ Choose the best ammo for concealed carry ](#plg_content_jumplinks0)
- [ Make the decision to purchase a handgun for concealed carry ](#plg_content_jumplinks1)
- [ Choose the right handgun for concealed carry ](#plg_content_jumplinks2)
 
 



## <a name="plg_content_jumplinks0">Choose the best ammo for concealed carry</a>

Visit your local sporting goods [store](/research/good-guy-with-a-gun/oct-1-2021-port-arthur-texas-an-armed-customer-intervened-in-a-fast-food-robbery "Oct. 1 2021, Port Arthur, Texas: An armed customer intervened in a fast-food robbery") (don't go to Walmart) and you'll see shelves filled with [ammunition](/concealed-carry-in-texas/practical-firearms-training/dry-fire-is-it-safe "Dry Fire: Is it Safe?") in every [caliber](/learn-about-ltc/after-obtaining-the-texas-license-to-carry/selecting-the-right-firearm-and-accessories "Selecting the Right Firearm and Accessories"). Since ammunition comes in all sizes, [choosing](/concealed-carry-in-texas/practical-firearms-training/developing-a-self-defense-mindset "Developing a Self Defense Mindset") the best caliber for [concealed](/concealed-carry-in-texas/do-you-have-to-wear-jeans-to-conceal-carry-a-comprehensive-guide "Do You Have to Wear Jeans to Conceal Carry? A Comprehensive Guide") [carry](/concealed-carry-in-texas/concealed-carry-reciprocity-a-national-standard "Concealed Carry Reciprocity: A National Standard?") can be a daunting task. But without a doubt, the best caliber [pistols](/learn-about-ltc/types-of-firearms/choosing-the-right-firearm-for-concealed-carry "Choosing the Right Firearm for Concealed Carry") are the ones that can conceal effectively and shoot accurately. For many, the 9mm caliber is the best choice for concealed carry. The cartridge has sufficient stopping power and minimal recoil. Also, 9mm pistols are usually easy to conceal. But today, the editor will break down the different common caliber ammunition and the advantages and disadvantages of each round of ammunition for you.

The ammunition for a concealed carry firearm should be the ammunition used for personal [defense](/concealed-carry-in-texas/better-to-have-an-ltc-and-not-need-it-than-to-need-an-ltc-and-not-have-it "Better to Have an LTC and Not Need It, Than to Need an LTC and Not Have It"), such as ammunition. B. Cartridges with hollow point bullets. Hollowpoints are built to open up as they come in, or bloom as some call it. This slows down the bullet and reduces its chances of fully penetrating its intended target.

These are just some of our top picks for concealed carry guns. There are more options out there, but we tend to gravitate toward those. Head to your local gun store and try one of these out for yourself to see which one you like best. If you have a [shooting](/learn-about-ltc/getting-ready-for-the-texas-license-to-carry-test/texas-license-to-carry-test-preparation "Texas License to Carry Test Preparation") [range](/concealed-carry-in-texas/1911-as-a-concealed-carry-pistol-is-a-reasonable-idea "1911 as a Concealed Carry Pistol is a Reasonable Idea") near you, you can try renting one.

## <a name="plg_content_jumplinks1">Make the decision to purchase a handgun for concealed carry</a>

If you plan to carry a concealed [pistol](/concealed-carry-in-texas/dryfiremag-for-concealed-carry-practice "DryFireMag for Concealed Carry Practice") for self-defense, [concealment](/concealed-carry-in-texas/pocket-carry-benefits-and-drawbacks "Pocket Carry Benefits and Drawbacks") is one of the most important factors when choosing which weapon to buy. For example, a Model 1911 revolver with a 5" [barrel](/concealed-carry-in-texas/basic-firearm-handling-and-maintenance/handgun-maintenance-overview "Handgun Maintenance Overview") is harder to conceal than a .357 Magnum revolver with a 2" barrel. We could spend all day comparing the concealment of any two pistols, but at the end of the day, grip and barrel length matter.

As you become more [comfortable](/concealed-carry-in-texas/how-texans-choose-a-handgun-for-concealed-carry "How Texans Choose a Handgun for Concealed Carry") with your pistol, you may [choose](/concealed-carry-in-texas/license-to-carry-range-qualification-revolver-or-semi-automatic-handgun "License to Carry Range Qualification - Revolver or Semi-Automatic Handgun?") to carry it concealed for self-defense. In that case, you might want to try a compact gun. You lose some view radius, but you also free up some grip space that helps with hiding.

So you're ready to start the concealed carry lifestyle. But before you commit, you have to ask yourself, "What gun should I buy for concealed carry?" While there is no single right answer, there are many wrong answers. (Leave the Desert Eagle at the shooting range). For your convenience, we've listed some of our favorites. It's not comprehensive by any means, but each of these guns is a super solid option. But before we dive into specific model recommendations, let's go over the basic requirements for a concealed carry pistol.

## <a name="plg_content_jumplinks2">Choose the right handgun for concealed carry</a>

The Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P Shield is a great choice for concealed carry. Compact, lightweight and reliable, this pistol is available with or without a thumb safety. It features a sleek single-column design that holds a total of 9 rounds when using the 8+1 magazine. The pistol also comes with a flush 7+1 magazine, has a polymer frame and stainless steel slide.

Also keep in mind that this weapon will be on your hip for hours. Pick a pistol that you can shoot well and that won't drive you crazy when it drags you around. Get ready to buy gear that will keep you comfortable while training well. A good gun sling and IWB holster will be a good place to start.

It's very thin and light. Comes with two 6-round magazines and standard Glock sights. Ideal for concealed carry, this pistol can be stowed almost anywhere on the body. Reliability is what you'd expect from a Glock, and it's comfortable shooting from such a small pistol.

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