For many years I’ve been asking people about their concealed carry guns. Many folks switch up their arms depending on what they wear. Here are ten lightweight carry guns that are easy to conceal.
The criteria for this list are guns less than 15 ounces and 5.5” in length – easy enough to fit inside the waist band and cover with a t-shirt. The caliber had to be a minimum of .32 auto so you won’t see your favorite gun here if it’s a .22 or .25.
1. Kel-Tec P-32, 6.6 Ounce .32
This is one of the lightest handguns made and one of the early synthetic framed non-Glock guns. I got mine when they first were offered for sale and attached the clip to the receiver so it fits easily in any pocket and doesn’t require a holster. Mine is reliable but when I shoot it I empty the magazine and it (knock on wood) never jams. Why do I always empty the magazine? Because it’s a .32 auto, and while I have confidence in the gun I don’t have a lot of faith in the stopping power of a .32 – so I assume I will need follow up shots.
Manufacturer: Kel-Tec, weight 6.6 ounces, length 5.1 inches, width .75 inch and has a 7+1 capacity. This is a double action only semi-automatic and the suggested retail price starts at $318 and works its way up to $377 depending on the finish.
Website: http://www.keltecweapons.com/
2. Kel-Tec P-3AT, 8.3 Ounce .380
This gun was developed because of the success of the P-32 and the caliber increases to .380 without much increase in size. One note to shooters is that this gun has some kick to it.
Manufacturer: Kel-Tec, weight 8.3 ounces, length 5.2 inches, width .77 inch and has a 6+1 capcity. This gun is a double action only semi-automatic and the suggested retail price starts at $318 and like its little brother, the P-32 tops out at $377.
Website: http://www.keltecweapons.com/
3. Ruger LCP, 9.4 Ounce .380
Ruger firearms need no introduction and when the LCP came out it was an instant success. Gun writers were flooded with requests for reviews and gun shops were backordered for months. The LCP weighs in about an ounce heavier than the Kel-Tec P-3AT and the other measurements are so close it is hard to find a difference in practical terms.
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Company, weight 9.4 ounces, length 5.16 inches, width .82 inch and has a 6+1 capacity. This is a double action only semi-automatic and the suggested retail price is $373. The LCP-CT wears the Crimson Trace Laserguard, a laser sighting system, built into the grips for $548 while only adding .6 ounce to the weight.
Website: http://www.ruger.com
4. Kahr P-380, 9.97 Ounce .380
Kahr Arms are designed for concealed carry, drop dead dependable and ergonomically well engineered. Like the Kel-Tec P-3AT and the Ruger LCP the Kahr P-380 is a locked breech, double action only pistol chambered for .380.
Manufacturer: Kahr Arms, weight 9.97 ounces, length 4.9 inches, width .75 inches and has a 6+1 capacity. This is a double action only semi-automatic and the suggested retail price is $649.
Website: http://www.kahr.com/
5 & 6. Seecamp LWS .32 & LWS .380, 11.5 Ounce .32 or .380
These are the first all steel guns on the list compared to the previous firearms that offer synthetic/nylon/polymer frames. The size of the LWS .32 and the LWS .380 are nearly identical varying in only hundredths of an inch in size or hundredths of an ounce in weight.
Seecamp came out with the LWS .32 in 1985 revolutionizing the pocket pistol market. When they beginning selling the LWS .380 in 2003 the only problem Seecamp had was keeping up with demand.
Manufacturer: L. W. Seecamp Co. Inc. caliber .32/380, weight 11.5/11.45 ounces, length 4.25/4.25 inches, width .86/.91 (grip width at widest point) and both pistols have a 6+1 capacity. Each gun is a double action only model using a blowback design. Suggested price LWS .32 is $446 and the LWS .380 is $795. California compliant LWS .32’s are $525 and the CA compliant .380 is not yet available.
Website: http://www.seecamp.com
7 & 8. MasterPiece Arms MPA32 & MPA 380 11.8 Ounce .32 or .380
These little gems are machined out of solid blocks of steel and produced and assembled in the USA. You may not be familiar with MasterPiece Arms, a Georgia company, but you should be because of their state-of-the-art manufacturing. At 4.37 inches long they are one of the shortest pocket pistols on the market.
Manufacturer: MasterPiece Arms Inc. caliber .32 or .380, measurements are for both calibers – weight 11.8 ounces, length 4.37 inches and have a capacity of 6+1 in .32 and 5+1 in .380. Both guns are double action only semi-automatics and have a suggested price of $322.
Website: http://www.masterpiecearms.com
9. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 11.85 Ounce .380
Smith & Wesson is another brand that needs no introduction, but you may not be familiar with the Bodyguard. It’s an odd looking handgun, it has a lot of levers, but they are recessed to prevent snagging when drawn and the front end looks heavy. That’s because there is a built in laser sighting system standard with this gun.
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson, caliber .380, weight 11.85 ounces, length 5.25 inches, polymer frame, it is double action only and has a 6+1 capacity. It has a suggested retail price of $399.
Website: http://www.smith-wesson.com/
10. NAA Guardian 13.5 Ounce .32
If you have ever held an NAA Guardian you will remember it for its solid feel. These are all steel and have enough grip to accommodate a larger hand. If you are a person that is recoil shy, then you will like this gun because with it’s weight, and shooting the .32, there is virtually no felt recoil. There is a .380 available and you add 5 ounces of weight to the gun in this caliber.
Manufacturer: North American Arms, caliber .32, weight 13.5 ounces, length 4.4 inches, width .85 inches. This is an all steel double action only gun with a 6+1 capacity. Suggested retail price is $402.
Website: http://www.naaminis.com
Summation:
Don’t let the hot weather or a bulky gun keep you from carrying. Stay loaded my friends! If you have any experience with the above guns or would like to add your lightweight carry gun please leave a comment.
