The Best Concealed Carry Pistols: A Comprehensive Guide For 2025
The handgun market has exploded over the last decade and manufacturers are making more options with different features making deciding on which one to get even more difficult. Your ideal pistol should be reliable, easy to conceal, and comfortable to carry. You have to think about every detail in the beginning or you will wind up not carrying it and more often than not wanting more.
- What caliber do you want? While 9mm is the most popular concealed carry handgun worldwide, there are other options like .45 ACP, .380 ACP, 10mm, .357, and many more.
- What is your state capacity and/or legalities of carrying? Do you live in a state that has high capacity limits? Almost every state requires some kind of course to conceal carry and this is a great way to get comfortable with a handgun. You learn your state’s requirements and where you can and can’t carry. It makes you start to think, plan, and become more aware. It will help plant seeds of situational awareness and safety.
- What is your budget? Think turnkey. This isn’t just about the cost of the firearm. How much is your ammunition? You need to be able to train with target ammunition and get some good carry ammunition as well.
- What kind of holster do you want and where do you want to carry at? How much are you willing to put into a holster? If you have carried before you know you will have multiple holsters over time, because like your choice of shoes doesn’t go with everything you wear so are holsters. You will like some things about some options but loathe other things about it. Finding the perfect one doesn’t exist you will want a few different ones for how you carry.
- Do you want a red dot? A lot of people want the option of having a red dot on their carry gun. You will need to look at footprints, and price points, and figure out what you like or if you even want one at all.
- Do you want a threaded barrel? Not all handguns have this option so you need to think about it ahead of time. Some companies offer aftermarket barrels that are threaded for certain models of handguns.
- How much weight are you willing to carry? Having a full-size handgun offers great capacity, but it can also be very heavy. How much are you willing to tack on for an EDC?
- What kind of safety do you want, if you want one? Some handguns offer no safety other than your own trigger discipline, while others have grip, thumb, or trigger safety. There are no right or wrong, just what is your preference.
- What kind of recoil does your handgun have? You need to train and be comfortable with your handgun or it will wind up at home and not being carried at all. If you find the recoil to be unpleasant or you aren’t holding it firmly enough to cycle correctly you will become frustrated and again stop carrying it.
- Can you practice? Do you have the time, range, and ammunition? This is probably the most important part. It is great to be able to carry and be prepared. However, in an emergency, your adrenaline will be rushing through you, and you go into reflex mode. If you haven’t practiced this is when it will show.
Why the Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 102 Compact 9mm is the Best Concealed Carry Option of 2025
The Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 102 9mm stands out in the crowded market of concealed carry pistols for several compelling reasons. One of the biggest is the out-of-the-box upgrades:
- Compact and Lightweight: The Grizzly 102 is designed with concealment in mind. Its slim profile and lightweight frame make it comfortable to carry all day. The custom lightweight slide has front and rear serrations for easy charging of the handgun.
- Reliability: Bear Creek Arsenal has a reputation for producing high-quality firearms, at an unbelievably low price, and the Grizzly 102 is no exception. It offers consistent performance, which is crucial for a concealed-carry handgun. The Grizzly has clean sights with photo luminance, smooth trigger, and reliable performance.
- Ergonomics: The Grizzly 102 features an ergonomic grip with custom bear fur stippling on the grip and index finger groove that fits comfortably in the hand, providing better control and accuracy. This is especially important in high-stress situations where precision is key. The magwell is flared for quick and easy reloads.
- Generous Capacity: Despite its compact size, the Grizzly 102 offers a generous magazine capacity, ensuring you have enough rounds if needed.
- Affordability: One of the standout features of the Grizzly 102 is its pricing. It offers excellent value for the features it provides, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
- Customizable: With anything we like to personalize the items we get and make it our own. The Grizzly is offered in a variety of barrel options and is aftermarket compatible with Gen 3 parts, but offers a Gen 5 magazine release. There is also a front Picatinny rail for laser/flashlight add-ons.
Choosing the right concealed carry pistol is a personal decision that depends on various factors, including comfort, reliability, and ease of use. While there are many excellent options available, the Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 102 Compact 9mm is an amazing choice for its combination of compact design, reliability, ergonomics, capacity, and affordability. Whether you are new to concealed carry or looking to upgrade your current setup, the Grizzly 102 is a top choice worth considering.
