Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about convenient carry methods other than IWB carry. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to check the link here for more info on carry methods. This week, I wanted to look at some of the more popular options on the market and explain why they have a place on the table regarding concealed carry. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it highlights a number of great options on the market for carrying concealed so this may be part one of a larger series. Let’s take a look at some top options for summer carry.

Concealed Carry Corner @ TFB:

• Concealed Carry Corner: Convenient Summer Carry Methods
• Concealed Carry Corner: Items To Consider When Carrying
• Concealed Carry Corner: Top 3 Tips To Easily Carry
• Concealed Carry Corner: Perception vs Reality

The Minimalist

When it comes to keeping things as simple as possible, it’s hard to beat the classic Glock 43. When it comes to the overall size and capability, the Glock 43 is a simple 6+1 option that offers a full-power 9mm carry gun while keeping the overall footprint to a minimum. With aftermarket companies coming out with lights, accessories, and magazine extensions to help with the limited capacity, the Glock 43 is one of the easiest guns to throw on with a shirt and shorts before going to town. The biggest appeal of the 43 is the fact it’s a thin, lightweight option that isn’t filled to the brim with features, but rather is a simple no-frills carry gun that’s known for its reliability.

If I had to point out a downside to the original Glock 43, it would have to be its 6+1 capacity. In the world of double-stack micro guns, the single-stack option may be extremely slim but it doesn’t hold near as many rounds as something slightly larger on the market today. This single-stack magazine keeps the profile small but the downside is the lack of rounds. It’s not a deal breaker though with 3 round extensions fairly easy to find on the aftermarket space. It may not be perfect, but the original Glock 43 is a great choice for those who want a no-frills minimalist carry piece.

The Budget Choice

There’s a fair number of individuals who want to carry a firearm for self-defense, but don’t have an excess of money to put towards a carry gun, gear, and equipment. Sometimes having everything straight from the factory to get started right out of the gate is what someone wants. The Canik METE MC9 is one of the newest offerings from Canik with a full offering right out of the gate. The Canik METE MC9 not only comes with a 12 and 15-round magazine but also with a cleaning kit and IWB holster.

Having a reliable carry gun that comes standard with a number of extras and a quality trigger seems like a slam dunk. All of this comes with an MSRP price tag of under $450 which makes it one of the best values for money on the market in my opinion. The overall size is similar to a P365XL while offering both a flush fitting 12 round magazine and an extended 15-round magazine. A full write-up of the Canik MC9 will be dropping next week. I won’t spoil my full review but The Canik MC9 is a good option for people who want a reliable carry gun packed with extras at a competitive rate which makes it perfect for the budget option on my list.

The All-Around Option

When it comes to the all-around option, one of my favorites on the market currently would have to be the Glock 43X and 48 options. These are roughly half the width of the Glock 19 which is regarded as one of the better options for overall concealed carry. The Glock 43X and 48 paired with a Shield Arms 15-round magazine are some of the higher capacity options on the market while keeping a small footprint. This allows you to have a standard-capacity handgun while being able to comfortably carry it with just a shirt and shorts making it the best of both worlds. the SIG Sauer P365 XL is in the same realm as the Glocks but with the standard 12-round capacity offers a fairly high round count as well. Either of these options is great and it’s certainly worth considering when looking at a new carry gun.

The Fancy Option

One of my favorite carry guns for the last couple of years, the SIG Sauer P365XL Spectre Comp is a fantastic option offering both function and form. The dual port built-in compensator does dampen the felt recoil from a smaller gun making it easier to fire, but also looks different with the TiN accents on both the trigger and barrel. I’ve carried my Spectre Comp for almost two years now and it’s one of those handguns I always manage to grab in the summertime and I can’t exactly explain why. Shooting the Spectre Comp is truly an enjoyable experience and despite the higher price to purchase one, it feels special with its tame recoil and flared touch TiN finishes. It may not be for everyone, but the Spectre Comp is one of my personal favorites.

Overall Thoughts

These four options may not be all the models available on the market today, but it gives you a starting point to check out a few handguns based on what you may need. There are always unique benefits when it comes to every carry pistol, but if you have an honest assessment of what you need, you can oftentimes find a perfect carry handgun for your daily life. Let me know what you think of these options in the comments below.

Do you think other things like the airweight revolver and other models should be included in the next part of this? If you have questions about carrying concealed or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Concealed Carry Corner.

TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner is brought to you by GLOCK