Updated 9.22.23: Removed P320 and added in the Sig Rose as an honorable mention.
Sig might have the best slogan for their brand — “complete systems provider.”
Their moniker is accurate — they make machine guns, optics, suppressors, rifles, handguns, and so much more. Not bad for a Swiss-German conglomerate that made its name producing high-quality handguns.
Today we are going back to the roots of Sig and examining their handguns, specifically the best guns they make for concealed carry.
So follow along as we walk you through our favorite models for carry!
Summary of Our Top Picks
-
Best Dual-Purpose CarryWhile the P229 is a bit tougher to conceal, you still can. The larger size also makes this a great choice for home-defense and hard duty use.
-
Best High-End OptionIt's expensive, it's a bit dated, but it is a sweet shooter, accurate, and sexy.
-
Editor's PickThe P365XL is the perfect balance between concealability and shootablity.
-
Best Pocket-Sized CarryThe P238 is small enough to hide away anywhere, but despite it's size, it is still a pleasant gun to shoot.
-
Best Overall Concealed Carry OptionThe P365 is the industry standard for a reason. It is easy to conceal, easy to shoot, and has enough capacity to tackle most situations.
Table of Contents
Loading...
Why You Should Trust Us
We here at Pew Pew Tactical believe in bringing you the best information based on testing we’ve done.
Every model we recommend is based on hours of research, range testing, and concealed carry with various models of Sig pistols.
We spend hands-on time with each to make sure that it can withstand the rigors of daily carry. Most of these models are ones are staff actually carries with or has carried with at some point in their life.
Best Sig Sauer Pistols for CCW
1. P229
We aren’t totally ditching heavy metal pistols for this list. That’d be a sin against Sig.
The Sig P229 is a natural choice for those looking for something a little bigger than average. Sometimes big is good, and the P229 gives you the compact variant of the P226.
Sig’s P229 has a 3.9-inch barrel, an overall length of 7.1 inches, and a hefty weight of 34.4 ounces. It’s for the carrier who doesn’t mind a little bulk either, with a width of 1.5 inches.
When it comes to recoil and control, the P229 is a sewing machine.
Recoil and muzzle rise is barely a thing, at least in 9mm. The gun barely bucks between shots and is easy to control, even with a single hand. Its metal frame ergos are tough to beat, and they have one of the best decocker setups on the market.
Sig also does a fantastic job with the P-series triggers. In the double action, you get a nice, smooth, but long pull that rolls rearward.
The single-action is almost 1911-like greatness. A slight pull delivers a clean break and a crisp reset.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The big downside here is the gun’s weight when sitting on your belt. At 34.4 ounces unloaded, it is a lot of weight. Another mark against it is price; the metal frame P series are not budget-friendly guns.
Still, the P229 is the gun for the discerning shooter. Sure, it’s heavy, but it’s comfy to shoot, easy to handle, has excellent ergonomics, and has a great trigger.
2. P210 Carry
When Sig first announced the P210 Carry, I was confused. Who wants to carry a gun designed in 1949? But then I remember the 1911 cult still exists….kidding, I’m just kidding.
However, some hands-on time with the P210 Carry really changed my perspective on the gun.
Sig’s revival of the P210 was a big deal.
The Carry model is an evolution of the original design, trimming the barrel down to 4.1-inches. The grip is still the full-sized P210 style and houses an 8-round single stack magazine.
Sig replaced the adjustable target sights with SIGLITE night sights, and ultra-aggressive black G10 grips replaced the wood grips. A huge beavertail allows you to get a nice high grip on the gun and the manual safety and slide lock are both large and easy to engage.
1911 fans love to brag about their triggers, but the P210 blows most of them out of the water.
It’s light, super smooth, and crisp with a short reset that’s tactile and oh-so-satisfying. After letting off a few rounds resulting in a single ragged hole, I was a believer.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The P210 Carry is not the most modern carry gun by any means. Compared to most, heck compared to Sig’s P365, it’s oversized, inefficient, and heavy.
However, you get superb ergonomics, excellent controls, and a trigger that makes me say “brilliant!” in a British accent.
It’s more classy than practical — but sometimes you need a tuxedo gun.
3. SP2022
Sig’s first polymer pistol was the SP2022, but it never got a lot of love.
The SP2022 retained Sig’s traditional DA/SA action with the standard decocker but tossed it onto a compact frame design.
Sig originally marketed the gun as a more affordable alternative to the metal-framed P-Series.
The SP2022 is roughly the same size as the P229, with a 3.9-inch barrel, an overall length of 7.4 inches, and a 1.4-inch width. However, the polymer frame trims almost 5 ounces, making it a 29-ounce gun.
It’s relatively compact and strikes a nice balance of size and weight.
Almost everything about the gun mimics the P-series pistols. The grip angle and general controls are virtually identical, and that’s a good thing.
One area the SP2022 falls short in is its trigger. It’s not bad by any means, but it isn’t as smooth or nice as the P-series triggers. It’s a little spongier and has that plastic-on-plastic feel.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Despite that, the SP2022 is a very underrated firearm that deserves more respect than it gets.
It is a great option for those looking for an affordable pistol that can be used for both concealed carry and home defense.
4. P365XL
The P365XL was the second released variant of the wildly popular P365, and to many, it’s the perfect carry gun.
This model satisfies the needs of shooters looking for a smaller gun but still wanting a good capacity.
Sig extended the frame, slide, and barrel of the P365 to create the XL. The barrel is 3.7 inches long, the overall length is 6.6 inches, and the width is only 1.1 inches.
It’s roughly the same length as the P320C but much thinner.
Capacity-wise, the gun comes with 12-round flush-fitting magazines, but it can also use extended 15-round mags as well.
Sig also wisely decided to cut the slide for optics, and you can use optics with Shield RMSc footprints, including Sig’s own RomeoZero series and the Holosun K series optics.
It also comes with excellent XRAY3 night sights that work well in all lighting conditions.
The XL offers a nice hand-filling grip module that allows for easy control of the gun while still being concealable.
It’s a smart design that gives you a great compromise between size and concealment.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
There isn’t much bad to say about the P365XL. If it’s too big, you can go the standard P365 route.
Overall, the P365XL is an excellent option for those who want to try and find a happy medium between size, capability, capacity, and the ability to accessorize with lights and optics.
It’s tough to find a better middle ground.
Check out our full review of the P365XL.
5. P238
When it comes to pocket .380 ACPs, you are often stuck with a direct-blowback gun that bites and slaps your hand with every shot.
The Sig P238 is an exception to that.
The all-metal P238 takes on a 1911-inspired layout with a single-action trigger, a single-stack magazine, and a manual frame-mounted safety.
Sig kept things small with a 2.7-inch barrel, a 5.5-inch overall length, and a 1.1-inch wide design. Plus, it only weighs 15.2 ounces.
Sure there are smaller guns, but the Sig P238 stands out as one of the more comfy pocket-sized guns. I fully expected the slap and pow of a pocket .380 ACP, but to my surprise, the gun proved easy to handle and pain-free.
This is partly due to P238 using a Browning-style tilting barrel system rather than the harsher direct-blowback operation of many similarly sized .380s.
While the gun’s fastest portion is 1.1 inches wide, that extra width is from the safety. Overall the gun is mostly thinner than an inch. A good beavertail also protects your hand from slide bite.
Actuating the safety isn’t difficult, and shooters shouldn’t have an issue making it a natural part of their draw stroke. Sig tops the gun with either SIGLITE night sights or nice 3-dot sights that are more than the standard nub you expect from a pocket pistol.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The light trigger combined with the sights makes it fairly easy to shoot accurately — another nice departure from your typical pocket .380. Overall, the P238 is small, comfortable, and pleasant to shoot.
You can read more about the P238 in our review here!
6. P365
Sig’s best-concealed carry pistol is, by a large margin, the P365. The standard P365 checks all the boxes for a great carry gun.
With over 2 million sold, the world seems to agree.
The P365 was released in 2018 to great acclaim. At the time, the Glock 43 was the gun to beat when it came to concealed carry, and the Sig P365 was roughly the same size but packed four extra rounds.
Beyond capacity, we got a removable chassis system allowing unbeatable customization and modularity.
Sig didn’t just toss us a couple of gimmicks but provided a reliable gun with fantastic sights and a great trigger for a striker-fired gun.
Plus, the gun didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it was readily available and easy to find upon release.
The P365 started life with 10-round magazines, but along the way, they produced a slightly extended 12-round magazine and a larger 15-round magazine to fill your capacity needs.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
This model redefined carry guns, and it’s been my personal choice for years now. I’ve had no serious issues over several thousand rounds downrange.
It is the number one gun I suggest to concealed carriers. It’s pleasant to shoot, accurate, and crazy efficient.
Bonus: if you want something that offers a complete package with a rose tinted vibe, then check out the Sig Rose.
It’s a P365 with some nice rose features, and it ships with a small pistol safe and snap caps for training. Highly recommend it for the new gun owner in your life. (PPT review coming soon!)
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Want to learn more? Check out our full review on the P365.
The Market Evolution
Sig Sauer and concealed carry aren’t necessarily new friends, but the company’s most famous handguns are their big heavy all-metal P series pistols.
That doesn’t mean Sig hasn’t produced some great carry-friendly pistols.
The Sig P228, the P239, and the P230 are all legendary handguns in the concealed carry world. Those are still heavy metal pistols, though.
In recent years they’ve embraced the polymer market and began producing some of the best concealed carry pistols on the market. In fact, I’d hazard to guess they produce the best current pistol in that category with their P365.
This list could be nothing but P365s, to be honest. However, to make this more practical, I’m not going to include special editions, custom shop variations, or Legion guns.
Those are fine for concealed carry but expensive, produced in limited numbers, and not what the average person would pick for concealed carry.
Final Thoughts
Sig Sauer isn’t a new company, and throughout their life span, they’ve had some great guns come and go, but the best always seem to stick around.
I’m a big Sig fan, and I like seeing what comes next, be it the NGSW Spear or the latest iteration of carry guns.
What’s your favorite Sig Sauer pistol for carry? Let us know in the comments below. If the P365 has caught your eye, check out our article on the P365’s History, Models, and Evolution!
FAQ
Is the P365 good for concealed carry?
The P365 is a fantastic concealed carry pistol with a lot of versatility and the ability to hide well under clothes.
What is the most popular Sig pistol for concealed carry?
The Sig Sauer P365 is the most popular handgun for concealed carry on the market right now.
Is Glock or Sig better for CCW?
That really depends on what you're after. If you want a platform that is the same across all models, Glock wins that. If you want something that's concealable and offers the most capacity, that's the Sig P365.
33 Leave a Reply
I have a p 365 and 2 p365 x grip modules, one from sig and one from wilson combat. The gun with one of these modules is a p 365 x. Uses 12 round flush fitting mag. I also purchased a p365 x slide with romeo zero from sig on sale.
I have a P229, P365 and p938. The 938 is my EDC
Like all these models, but the Sig 365X-Macro is my choice.
The P225 A1 would be tops if it was still sold.
My carry gun is a P365XL with a Wilson Combat P365 grip so I have the longer barrel and the shorter grip for better concealibity. I carry either a 10 or 12 round mag depending clothing.
My EDC was a P229 Elite Talo Edition, 9mm 13+1 until I recently bought the P365XL. My P229 now does night stand duty. Complemented by an extra mag in my pocket, I can always rely on the P229. The P365XL is smaller and lighter. It only requires me to sacrifice 1 round on the standard mag and I can get a mag that carries 15. You can't go wrong with either the P229 or the P365XL for EDC.
I just got an Sig M11-A1. .9mm, DA/SA with decocker. two 15 round mags, and I added Heinie Straight Eight Tritium ledge night sights. This gun shoots well and is a good size for daily CCW carry.
Why was this article written?
Because we sometimes get asked about the difference in Sig models and which is best for CCW.
You forgot Sig's first micro 9mm! (Or 2nd?). The P290rs, for better or for worse. It will fit in a pocket has a 6rd flush fit mag and a 8rd extended magazine. It is hammer fired and has a long as I would call it double action trigger pull, which I like. And for what it's worth restrike capable.
Amen!!! I have this pistol and the 8 round mag. Fits anywhere, feels great, and is just a great gun. Concealed or not, great gun.
Why has the P 250 been banished as a very capable sidearm?
My daily carry is a p224 in 357 sig.
I would add their 1911 .45 acp with a 3.3” barrel. Nice CCW size, easy to control and accurate. (As a others have stated I would also add the 938)
You forgot the P938. Short and sweet. Built like a tank. Accurate and reliable. Carried in the appendix position you forget it's there
Had one,sold it after I got the P365. The 938 has an odd finger that must be correctly assembled without damaging it. Its 'standard' capacity mags were part of the overall limit in carry ammo until the 365, and it's metal framed, not a drop in trigger with polymer grip, altho the loaded weights are similar, something to always research.
The 938's styling is significantly different for a Browning design with large scallops on the slide, interrupting the look that was dominant for a 1911 design. Being an SA with safety wasn't a bad thing for me, I added a RH only safety to my 365 and it operates nearly the same as manual of arms.
The extra ammo - ten shot mag - is the real difference, two mags is 20, the 938 takes three to come close, which means an extra reload. During a discharge of ammo less mag swaps is tactically more efficient as it reduces down time and being out of battery.
Lots of fans of the 938, shot side by side with the 365 its as dated as a land line in a world of cell phones. Being 70 I don't celebrate having less efficient arms for self defense, it's not what will be opposing me.
tirod, for a "dated" gun, the 938 was copied by Kimber (and possibly a couple more). When the 365 was announced, I couldn't wait to go to my gun range and throw rounds down range. It is a very nice gun, but it just did not feel good in my hands. I found the stippling on the a disappointment. I guess my 74 yr. old hands prefer the wood on my 938. So I guess I'm just dated, like my 938-- and cell phones ain't my thing. When I feel the urge to carry extra weight in increased capacity, I grab my 17+1 320 X-Carry. Different strokes for different folks is why many manufacturers make many models.
If I need to carry a duty gun, I have a Canik TP9SF - but the subject is the obsolete 938 based on a century old Browning design. While early Brownings have proven to be reliable, time marches on, product improvements are assimilated, and the standard pattern for most change. We don't use the Browning link, now its the barrel ramp, the SIG locking block at the chamber engages the larger opening in the slide directly, and CCW pistols carry double stacked more compactly. That pattern is now seen in a lot of new pistols over the last five years, and the earlier 2010's are quickly passing into the collector market. Much like new cars - electric power steering, 6 speed automatics, 1.5L turbo motors - we move on from the older standards and embrace the new with no qualms.
Except firearms, where obsolence is celebrated as some kind of higher value. It's likely because of familiarity and comfort, not inherent ability.
Are you a member of the all change is good change school? Yes, cars today are more reliable, but when they break down the average backyard mechanic can't fix 'em, not to mention that repairs are much more costly. I suppose you would have me get rid of my always reliable S&W revolver because it's old tech and carries only 6 rounds? We live in a wasteful, throw-away society. Sometimes it's better to stick with what you're comfortable with and with what works.
No, all change isn't all good, as our current Administration has proven. And the P365 doesn't have layers of Chinese chips in it to make it difficult to repair. Stick to the subject - MECHANICAL improvements which even Browning himself made obsolete because he had sold off the patents on the 1911. That incentive created a lot of ingenuity to work around them - and make them better. The result was the HiPower, which is superior to the already aging 1911. Since then more improvement have come along, one being the SIG locking block engaging the slide.
The p365 is in the exact same position as the 1911 - over 100 years ago - and Glock, which is now 40 years old - it is the landmark design in present day modern history which is driving other manufacturers to progress with them as the prevailing architecture of the future. The drop out serial number trigger assembly is what is pushing handgun design, and ignoring that to celebrate yesteryear as somehow superior isn't how history will play out. Old guns are passing away, the P365 has created an entirely updated category of CCW pistols, and the concept is already moving into dominance simply because it can move into larger grip sizes with accessory changes - not an entirely new firearm with a fixed serial number.
It seems the detractors are making the same knee jerk comments that the 1911 fans made in the 1980s - and that Glock owners are making now about SIG.
I'm watching history repeat itself again as some shooters refuse to accept their favorites are now obsolete, and anointing them with all sorts of reverent attributes whicn are in reality second rate. That is exactly what old guns are - like open top blackpowder gun. Defending yesteryear as if it were superior engineering isn't a good look. Life goes on.
My first SIG was the very concealable P-239. Not much talk about it.
Small, compact, lightweight for a full steel pistol, accurate w/a 7+1 single stack capacity. I loved the DA/SA with an impeccable decock although its a Right handers gun (Im a SouthPaw)
I do miss that weapon.
My new LOVE in compact concealed carry is my P-365 w/15 rnd mag. What an amazing piece of hardware. Accurate as hell and much smaller & lighter than my full sized P-320. I've carried SIG's for 20+ yrs. Its definitely the Cadillac of handguns. ~SIG's forever!~
You are correct! My P239 was my first carry pistol, almost 20 years ago. It felt perfect in my hand and shot like butter. A great gun-- sad to see it discontinued. (DeNiro users one in the movie Ronin.)
I retired my old CC Weapon in 2018 for a SIG P365, and I'll have to say, I'm impressed with the gun, having carried it almost daily for 4 years now. It is lighter than my old gun, not as sharply accurate, but well with acceptable, and it is a joy to drill with.
225A-1, any day of the week.
No doubt!
F'A! Best single stack of the P2XX series. Gladly take it over the overpriced P210.
I used to carry my 320 X compact, I love it. But then I got a SAO 229 Legion and holy crap is that thing sweet, I can shoot it better than my souped up X-5.
The P238 but not the P938? That’s nuts!
I'm a newb to guns, but my CCW is a P938.
I have a 938 and love it. It is small enough to carry in your pocket as a concealed carry firearm. Very accurate and easy to shoot.
I know that sig makes a variety of fine weapons , but my choice is still my German made 228 sa/da . I have liked it from first day shooting it. It's heavier being steel but that to me allows the 228 to stay on target with less recoil and sight line drop shot after shot.
I have other autos a 911 45 , MP shield 9mm but they don't stay on sight like the 228. I'm 71 and I still prefer 228
Good list. Just needs the P938 Legion added to be complete.
Thanks, Travis, for another good article! The following comments may help some shooters: At 6’ 1” and 215 lbs I don’t at all find the P226 too big or heavy to carry. Only a half inch longer than the P229, it also has a longer grip for my large hands (I didn’t like the pinky finger hanging off the bottom of the P229-or any pistol). My four carry pistols currently are my P226 MK25, P220 Elite, P320 AXG Scorpion, and P320 AXG Classic. All four are all metal, with full-size grips for large hands, and they are amazingly accurate. And all four are easily concealed in the right holster under a lightweight cover shirt.