Building on the success of the M&P Shield line, Smith & Wesson rolled out the M&P Shield M2.0. It includes a number of enhancements, including the M&P M2.0 crisp trigger with lighter trigger pull; tactile and audible trigger reset; and an aggressive grip texture for improved control. The gun has a slim profile and boasts a 3.1-inch barrel in 9mm and .40 S&W, comes with either white dot sights or tritium night sights, and ships with one standard and one extended grip mag. Oh, it’s also available with an integrated Crimson Trace laser. Standard version retails for $479. The tritium night sights model can be had for $579. The integrated Crimson Trace version will run you around $499.
The carry-friendly EMP Lightweight Champion with Concealed Carry Contour features a mainspring housing which is bevel cut to fit more comfortably in your hand and conceal more easily by getting rid of the telltale bulge caused by the grip base. The gun also features a four-inch, stainless steel, Match-Grade bull barrel with a fully supported feed ramp; forged stainless steel slide; hardcoat anodized frame; ambi safety levers; five- to six-pound trigger; fiber optic front sight; and combat style rear sight. MSRP: $1,220.
Sure, the Micro 9 was technically introduced in 2016, but Kimber unleashed a ton of new models for it in 2017, like the CDP (Custom Defense Package), pictured here. It has tritium night sights; 30 lpi front strap checkering; and an ambidextrous thumb safety. It also comes with a carry melt treatment that rounds and blends edges so the gun won’t snag on clothing or holsters. That’s just tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Kimber added to the Micro 9 series in 2017. MSRP on this particular model is $924.
Glock launched the 5th generation of “perfection” back in August with the Gen5 Glock 17 and Glock 19. These guns feature over 20 changes to differentiate them from the Gen4, but Glock is focusing on the following five features: the Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB), which utilizes a new barrel rifling to boost accuracy; the removal of finger grooves; an added ambidextrous slide stop for improved control and flexibility; black nDLC finish that is touted as being tougher and more durable; and the introduction of a flared mag well. The Glock 19 Gen5 measures 7.28 inches in OAL, has a width of 1.34 inches, is 5.04 inches high, features a 4.02-inch barrel and weighs 23.99 ounces empty.
CZ finally got in on the striker-fired craze in 2017 with its new P-10 C pistol. The gun is highly praised for its ergonomics. It’s got a grip angle that the company says allows you to avoid the “brick-in-the-hand” feeling of other striker-fired guns. A mild palm swell, deep beavertail and three interchangeable backstraps make it suitable for a number of different shooters. After initial break-in, meanwhile, the trigger averages a 4.5 to 5-pound pull and rebounds with a short, positive reset. The P-10 C also features a fiber-reinforced polymer frame; cold hammer forged 4.02-inch barrel; 15+1 capacity in 9mm or 17+1 with extended bases; overall length of 7.3 inches; width of 1.26 inches; and weight of 26 ounces. The gun is available in black or FDE (pictured) in 9mm or .40, with MSRP ranging from $499 to $516 for the black and $519.00 to $541 for the FDE.
Canik is no slouch when it comes to concealed carry pistols. This year, the company put out the TP9SF Elite and TP9SF Elite-S (pictured). The guns are chambered in 9mm and and boast the same features as the original TP9SF model, but with a 4.07-inch match grade barrel and shorter 5.27-inch grip that makes it smaller and more concealable while still retaining 15+1 round capacity. Also included are standard dovetail sight cuts that hold a set of Warren Tactical sights with a red fiber optic front sight, ambidextrous slide lock, front and rear slide serrations, and a Cerakote Tungsten Grey slide. The Elite-S includes a trigger stop for more security when the trigger might not be fully covered. MSRP: $459.99.
Wilson Combat’s 9mm EDC X9 pistol combines the legendary company’s EDC 9 1911 slide assembly with the new X-frame, which is a 15-round, high-capacity 9mm 1911 frame similar in size to a traditional compact, single stack 1911. The screwless X-frame uses “hammer spring tension to keep the aggressive traction Wilson/VZ G-10 starburst pattern grips securely in place,” Wilson said in its presser. Other features include a Tri-Top slide profile with user-replaceable front sight; single lug tapered cone match-grade 1911 4-inch barrel; rear Tactical Adjustable Battlesight; rugged, user-serviceable external extractor; 3 ½ to 4 ½ pound trigger pull; front and back strap machined with the Wilson Combat X-Tac tread pattern for a non-abrasive grip in all shooting conditions; OAL of 7.4 inches; weight empty of 29.09 ounces; and width of 1.4 inches. The company says the EDC X9 will fit most holsters designed for 4-inch or 4.25-inch 1911 holsters. MSRP: $2,895.
The HK VP9SK boasts the same characteristics of larger frame VP models, but in a more compact design. Case in point: the small-scale version of the adjustable VP grip feature — consisting of interchangeable backstraps and lateral grip panels — in the compact grip frame, as well as molded finger grooves in the front of the grip. Also included is the VP trigger, which features a short, light take-up with a single action break followed by a short positive reset. The VP9SK comes with HK’s charging supports. These polymer inserts are mounted on either side of the rear of the slide and provide the end user with better leverage when racking the slide. The gun also sports an abbreviated Picatinny rail; captive flat recoil spring; ambidextrous controls; 3.39-inch cold hammer forged barrel; overall length of 6.61 inches; height of 4.57 inches; width of 1.31 inches and a 5.73-inch sight radius. MSRP with one flat and one 10-round magazine with an extended floorplate is $719. MSRP for the VP9SK with one flat and two extended floorplate 10-round mags with night sights is $819.
With the Coonan Compact, the Minnesota-based company mated its pivoting trigger, linkless barrel and external extractor with the classic 1911 design to “accurate, reliable pistols with superior handling and explosive firepower,” the product listing says. Chambered in .357 Magnum, the gun is made from 17-4 PH stainless steel and CNC machined to the highest tolerances possible. The Coonan Compact sports a four-inch 4340 carbon steel bull barrel and features an extended slide catch and thumb lock for one-handed operation. Magazine capacity is 6+1. OAL is 7.7 inches. Weight is 39.3 ounces empty. The grips are walnut. MSRP is $1,725.
As another year comes to an end, it’s only right for us here at Personal Defense World to reflect on what the last 12 months have wrought. Normally the word “wrought” conjures up negative connotations. But we can assure you we mean it in the best possible sense. Especially as it applies to concealed carry pistols. Indeed, 2017 saw the introduction of some of the best CCW pistols in recent memory. And—contrary to what you may have read or heard—the market for these guns is very healthy and getting stronger all the time.
So as the clock winds down on 2017, scroll through the gallery above to learn about 10 of the best CCW pistols to hit shelves over the past 365 days. Who knows, you may just find your next carry gun in this collection. If not, we have no doubt that 2018 will see exciting new additions in this particular space that may tickle your fancy.
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For more information about the concealed carry pistols featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.
