Never before have there been as many viable and quality options for concealed carry handguns as there are today.
There are so many awesome carry guns that many solid or unique options tend to slip through the cracks and go unnoticed because they aren’t the first thing people think of — we call these dark horses.
But why go for a gun that isn’t a gold standard? Why branch out to try something different?
Well, we are here to answer that very question. A few of us here at Pew Pew Tactical put our heads together, and each of us picked two of our favorite dark horse concealed carry options.
If you are interested in why we picked these and what makes them unique, keep on reading!
THE QUICK LIST
-
Best for Large Hands
-
Most Durable
-
Softest shooting
-
Best .45 ACP option
-
Best CCW Revolver
-
Best Pocket Pistol
Table of Contents
Loading…
Best CCW Dark Horses Comparison Chart
| Caliber | Action | Capacity | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Width | Weight | Price | |
| Mossberg MC2c | 9mm | Semi-auto, striker-fired | 14, 16 | 3.9″ | 7.1″ | 1.1″ | 21 oz. | $440 |
| Ruger SP101 | .357 Magnum | Revolver,DA/SA | 5 | 2.25″ | 7.2″ | 1.35″ | 26 oz. | $660 |
| IWI Jericho 941 FS9/RS9 | 9mm | Semi-auto, DA/SA | 16 | 3.8″ | 7.6″ | 1.38″ | 36.8 oz. | $549 |
| Glock 30 Gen 5 | .45 ACP | Semi-auto, striker-fired | 10 | 3.78″ | 6.97″ | 1.38″ | 26.28 oz. | $449 |
| S&W 632 UC | .32 H&R Magnum | Revolver, DAO | 6 | 1.88″ | 6.31″ | 1.3″ | 16.3 oz. | $649 |
| KelTec P32 | .32 ACP | Semi-auto, DAO | 7 | 2.7″ | 5.1″ | 0.75″ | 6.9 oz. | $255 |
How We Tested the Best CCW Dark Horse Guns
This list was put together by Sean Curtis, our resident content man, as well as PPT editors Wyatt Sloan and Scott Murdock. Each picked two guns for this list based on their experience. Collectively, we have extensive hands-on experience spanning decades with every gun on this list. These guns have undergone hundreds, if not thousands, of rounds down range over the years to test reliability, accuracy, and viability as a carry option for each of these handguns.
But we didn’t stop there…we gathered every gun on this list and brought them down to the Pew Pew Tactical Ranch, where we shot all the guns on our list side-by-side.
For guns we have reviews on, we’ve linked those reviews. Every review handgun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo through it at 5 and 7 yards — both free hand and using a rest to determine accuracy. We try to test each handgun with a minimum of 2-3 magazines when possible. A Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge is also on hand for us to test the average trigger pull weight for the gun.
Best Underrated Concealed Carry Handguns
1. Mossberg MC2c – Best for Large Hands
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Optics-ready
- Great for bigger hands
- Low optic mount height
Cons
- Not a ton of holster support
- Could use a little more grip texture
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Capacity: 14, 16
- Barrel Length: 3.9″
- Overall Length: 7.1″
- Width: 1.1″
- Weight: 21 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
When people hear Mossberg, they think shotguns. Heck, most people don’t even know they make handguns.
But they most definitely do, and they might be worth a look at for some folks. They are feature-packed, reliable, and affordable.
One of the main reasons Sean favored the MC2c out all these guns is the size. It’s a compact, but still has plenty of room for my big hands. The 16+1 capacity is solid, the ergonomics are fine, and the accuracy is as good as your aim. We mercilessly ran 1,000 rounds through this gun in short order, and it never faltered. Add in modern features like a flat-faced trigger and optics compatibility; you’ve got yourself a winner from a company known for shotguns.
Check out the 1,000-round burndown video that Sean did below as well as the full review!
2. Ruger SP101 – Most Durable
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Good trigger
- Manages recoil well
Cons
- Limited 5-round capacity
- Sights could be better
Specs
- Caliber: .357 Magnum
- Action: DA/SA
- Capacity: 5
- Barrel Length: 2.25″
- Overall Length: 7.2″
- Width: 1.35″
- Weight: 26 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
It is no secret that revolvers have long since been overtaken by semi-automatic pistols for most use cases.
However, there is still something to be said for the absolute simplicity and reliability of a revolver, especially from a company with an excellent reputation for wheelguns.
You may say that the SP101 isn’t really a dark horse, but how many people are carrying .357 Magnum revolvers these days? And of those who do, how many carry ones that aren’t ultra-tiny pocket guns or medium to large-frame guns?
While most of us don’t favor revolvers for concealed carry, for brief encounters, it checks a lot of boxes. It’s small enough to tuck in a pocket, but still carries five shots of .357. The sights aren’t great and the double-action trigger is long, but you can cock it to single-action if needed.
The Ruger SP101 is an absolute tank and should provide years of service.
Want to know more? Take a look at Sean’s full hands-on review of the SP101!
3. IWI Jericho 941 FS9/RS9 – Softest shooting
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Low bore axis
- Soft shooting
- Great accuracy
- Excellent ergonomics
Cons
- Can be heavy for every day carry
- Not optics ready
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Semi-auto, DA/SA
- Capacity: 16
- Barrel Length: 3.8″
- Overall Length: 7.6″
- Width: 1.38″
- Weight: 36.8 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
The CZ 75 series of pistols is well-known and well-regarded in the concealed carry world. However, many of the amazing CZ clones and derivatives don’t get the same love.
But a few of us here at Pew Pew Tactical are smitten with the IWI Jericho, which is a direct descendant of the CZ 75.
These pistols use full steel frames; no aluminum alloy here. Excellent ergonomics, an ultra-low bore axis, and all that weight make these guns ultra-soft shooters.
We picked the semi-compact version for this list, which uses a slightly shorter barrel with a full-size grip — think of something like the Glock 19X.
The Jericho is a cult classic that you don’t have to explain or justify — you just have to let your friends shoot it for them to board the hype train. Its all-metal construction is rock solid and makes the pistol feel much more expensive than it actually is. While some of us don’t usually enjoy double-action triggers, the Jericho’s trigger is the exception.
With newer pistols like the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal and Walther PDP Steel Frame, it can be easy to forget that we’ve had great all-metal pistols long before they became a status symbol. The Jericho isn’t just a dark horse CCW gun; it’s a reminder that you can still find awesome pistols at a reasonable price.
You can snag the Jericho with either a manual frame safety (FS9) or a slide safety/decocker combination (RS9).
While these aren’t the lightest or most modern carry pistols out there, they are some of the best shooting DA/SA all-steel pistols that you can get, and maybe the best at their price point.
Peep Wyatt’s full review of the Jericho 941!
4. Glock 30 Gen 5 – Best .45 ACP option
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Ultra reliable
- Tames the .45 ACP recoil very well
- Big aftermarket
Cons
- Can feel chunky in the hand
- Not optics ready
Specs
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
- Capacity: 10
- Barrel Length: 3.78″
- Overall Length: 6.97″
- Width: 1.38″
- Weight: 26.28 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
A Glock? On an underrated list? Yep, that’s right!
While guns like the Glock 19, Glock 43X, Glock 45, and other 9mm Glock options still enjoy a massive following.
That being said, something like the Glock 30 has been largely M.I.A. from concealed carry conversations in the last five or so years.
Sub-compact guns have largely fallen out of popularity in favor of the newer paper-thin micro-compacts, and .45 ACP is considered a “boomer cartridge” by many. But this list is all about giving you options.
The Glock 30 is definitely a departure from the usual CCW suspects, thanks to our old friend .45 ACP.
Is it a little blocky compared to pistols like the Glock 19 and Sig Sauer P365? Of course. It’s also down on capacity at 10+1, but that’s more than a 1911, and we still love those. Buy it because Glocks are unkillable, buy it because it shoots America’s pistol cartridge, or buy it because it’s a little weird. Those are all valid reasons to bet on this dark horse.
We all commented on how easy this pistol is to shoot, despite its caliber and size.
If you love .45 ACP and are looking for a reliable gun that is small enough to carry that also doesn’t suck to shoot, the Glock 30 is worth a gander.
5. Smith & Wesson 632 UC – Best CCW Revolver
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Lower recoil than .38 Special
- Extra capacity over a standard J-Frame
- Good sights
- Improved grips
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive ammo
Specs
- Caliber: .32 H&R Magnum
- Action: DAO
- Capacity: 6
- Barrel Length: 1.88″
- Overall Length: 6.31″
- Width: 1.3″
- Weight: 16.3 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
Forget .38 Special, forget .357 Magnum, we are going straight for a gun chambered in .32 H&R Magnum.
What is that? I’m glad you asked. Developed way back in 1984, the .32 H&R Magnum set out to exceed the performance of .38 Special +P ammo in small revolvers by pushing a smaller bullet faster.
With a smaller diameter, you can fit one extra shot in a revolver cylinder over .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Going up from five to six shots in a small revolver may not seem like much, but that is a 20% increase in capacity.
Couple that with recoil that is notably softer than +P .38 Special, and you have a real winner.
Enter the Smith & Wesson 632 UC (stainless) and 432 UC (black) J-Frames. UC stands for Ultimate Carry, and it lives up to that moniker.
The S&W 632 UC, is the true pinnacle of concealed carry and pocket revolvers. They ditched the terrible gutter sight for a real rear sight that is adjustable, and a top-notch tritium front sight.
And the grips, man. These VZ Grips allow you to get an actual palm-filling grip with a proper distance between the web of your hand and the trigger. The grips are also cut to allow speedloaders to be used easily, which is great for a low-capacity gun like a revolver.
You get power that is right at or a bit better than +P .38 Special with a much better recoil profile. Despite being a legitimate pocket gun at around 16 ounces, it is easy to shoot, even at 50 yards.
On top of all of that, the .32 H&R Magnum is also able to fire the shorter .32 S&W Long for times when you want the most minimal recoil.
Federal also just dropped some swanky new .32 H&R HydraShok Deep ammo. They tested it out of the S&W UC revolver specifically, and the ballistics gel results speak for themselves.
- Average Velocity: 1012 fps
- Average Expansion: 0.481”
- Average Penetration: 14”
That is some excellent penetration with some serious expansion out of a sub-2-inch barrel. This round is no joke.
Sure, .32 H&R ammo is kind of expensive and a bit tough to find. But this isn’t an everyday plinking gun; it is a defensive pocket pistol. For some, the benefits of this round and the gun may outweigh the ammo cost.
You can see more in our hands-on review of the S&W 432 UC!
6. KelTec P32 – Best Pocket Pistol
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Ultra thin
- Extremely lightweight
- Soft recoil
- Affordable
Cons
- Sub-par sights
- Trigger pull is extremely long
Specs
- Caliber: .32 ACP
- Action: Semi-auto, DAO
- Capacity: 7
- Barrel Length: 2.7″
- Overall Length: 5.1″
- Width: 0.75″
- Weight: 6.9 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
Next up is the ultra-compact KelTec P32. This little gem was designed way back in 1999, making it more than a quarter-century old.
Despite its age, we believe it still carves out a special niche in the concealed carry world.
In an age where 1-inch wide micro-compacts like the Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, and S&W Shield Plus rule, there is still room to go even smaller.
At just 0.75 inches wide, 3.5 inches tall, and just over 5 inches long, the P32 is a true pocket pistol. This isn’t a situation where you can technically fit it in a pocket; this thing actually disappears.
And at just over 7 ounces completely loaded, it remains the lightest centerfire pistol in current production that we are aware of.
Even being that tiny, it still manages to pack 7+1 rounds of .32 ACP in a gun that still has a locked-breech tilting barrel! Yep, this is not a direct-blowback gun.
The KelTec P32 is a legit pocket pistol for a few reasons. First, it is tiny and insanely light. At just over 7 ounces loaded, you can put this thing with a small holster in just about any pocket. Wyatt even rolls with this gun in basketball shorts with no belt from time to time. (“I am too small to carry something like a P365 in my pocket without looking like I have a P365 in my pocket.”)
Being a tilting barrel gun makes this gun actually super easy to shoot. The trigger is really long and not the best, and the sights are awful, but you can still group pretty well and shoot this gun surprisingly fast.
Every other gun this small, especially those in .380 ACP, suck to shoot. The P32 somehow manages to turn a 7-ounce gun into something that is actually reasonably pleasant to run.
Sure .32 ACP isn’t the best defensive cartridge, but it definitely beats a sharp stick and can still reach the FBI minimum penetration standards with the right ammo. It also offers more reliability than a rimfire round like .22LR or .22 Magnum.
This may not be the best choice for an everyday carry, but it has its place. Toss it in a pocket holster and throw it in a purse, toss it in your gym shorts, stick it in a pocket when you check the mail or mow the lawn — the options are limitless.
And at $250-350, it isn’t a huge investment to pick one up and keep in your carry rotation. You will forget it is even in your pocket, so just make sure you don’t accidentally wash it!
And of course, don’t forget to take a peek at our full review of the KelTec P32!
Meet the Experts
This article was the culmination of input from three different members of the Pew Pew Tactical Team.
Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis spent two decades in law enforcement. There, he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has also attended Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery and earned a USCCA rifle instructor certification. Sean has written for several gun publications, evaluating and testing guns and gear, and has written hundreds of articles.
Pew Pew Tactical Editor Scott Murdock is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear.
Pew Pew Tactical Editor Wyatt Sloan is an NRA and USCCA-certified instructor with previous experience in competition shooting, long-range shooting, and hunting. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned in the beginning, there are so many great carry options. So many, in fact, that we couldn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to underrated carry guns.
We picked six here that we love for various reasons, but there are definitely a ton of sweet shooters that fly under the radar out there. So don’t be afraid to try something a little different!
What are your thoughts on our favorite dark horse carry pistols? Are there any that you’d have liked to see on this list? Let us know in the comments below! Not sure about going in a different direction? Then check out our mainstream picks with the Best Concealed Carry Guns!
15 Leave a Reply
As an old time wheel gun guy I've owned my Ruger SP 101 357 since 1996 .....great little Jon Boat gun for Florida waters (ie Gators!) so am very happy it made the list!I really enjoyed the article and now am intrigued by the S&W 632 UC thanks to you guys.Keep up the great work and thanks again for turning me on to some cool options!
Mike, the SP101 is an amazing revolver - I love mine. I will say if you want something smaller, I absolutely adore that 632 UC. The folks over at American Fighting Revolver worked with Smith & Wesson to bring that project to life. It was co-developed by people who are serious about carrying revolvers, which is why the features are so well thought-out. Thanks for checking the article out, and keep those gators in check!
Thanks take care!
My SP101 “snub nose” is my preferred concealed carry gun. I normally carry in a belly band or just below my knee in an Ankle Biter when wearing a long skirt.
At the range amongst the .380’s, a couple of CZ’s, and a Bond Arms — that little SP101 is hands down my preferred shooter.
My hands are pretty small and the SP101 fits like it was made for me. No racking slides. It is simply a beautiful chunk of stainless steel that fits my hands and fires easily enough for an older woman with arthritic hands.
The SP101 is definitely a sweet gun. I 100% agree with you on the grip, too. I also have some arthritis and the stock grip fits my hand well and makes it easy to shoot. I have a 3" one in .327 Federal, but I need to snag a 2.25" .357 Magnum one at some point.
I have small hands and own an MC2C. Anything smaller feels too small to me (sub compacts). I also find the grip texture better than overly aggressive textures.
It is definitely a nifty little shooter. Mossberg did a pretty solid job with it. Glad you enjoy yours!
Weird humor perhaps. Tons of great choices. Sort of like you go to the doughnut shop. Interesting to watch people decide. Why does it seem after waiting on line they get to the counter and have not decided what to buy. Far more important and expensive is choosing the proper gun. First, revolver or semi auto? Not mentioned but there are derringers, one or two shot, out there. Caliber? 9mm is the most common choice. I own a 38. Ammo is often hard to find and always more expensive than 9mm. Never owned a 32. Point re;38 probably more so for a 32.
I agree that 9mm is still impossible to beat for pricing, but there are definitely some other neat options out there if you aren't going for a ton of high-volume shooting. Thanks for stopping by and checking the article out!
At least there’s no mention of a hi point.
I don't think Hi Points are as bad as people make them out to be, but I am definitely not carrying one, haha.
Okay, everyone can pile on, but I carry a Ruger LCP II . 22lr. Small, easy to shoot, 10 round mags. Even better, 200 round practice time is cheap and easy on my 70 year old hands.
Don't ask me how I know, but try the newer Federal Punch .22 ammo for better performance when all ya got is a Walther P22.
That ammo works good. CCI 40g Mini Mags works great. The cheap bulk stuff works fine for range days. Aromatherapy
Jeff, the LCP II is definitely a good little gun. I would much rather carry that than nothing at all. I put it in a similar class as the KelTec P32 on this list. Just small and easy to shoot. Glad you enjoy yours!