This year’s SHOT Show 2021 was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was greatly anticipated. Compact pistols are not a new concept. Gun manufacturers have released a variety of compact models to meet the growing demand for smaller-sized handguns. We have gathered the top EDC self-defense pistols which caught everyone’s attention.
The Best EDC Self-Defense Pistols 2022
Kel-Tec P15
The P15 is the pistol that needs to eat a cheeseburger. It measures in at 0.875 inches thick and Kel-Tec claims it is the thinnest double-stack available. It has a 15+1 capacity so it is not short on firepower. But it doesn’t skimp on features. It includes a combination tritium/fiber optic front sight, a fully adjustable back sight, and an accessory rail to attach a flashlight or laser.
KeltecWeapons.com has more information.
Taurus G3X
Do you ever find yourself saying, “Her dimples look cute, but I don’t think that mullet is very convincing?”? If you were a party goer in the 80s, you will know that mullets are a great way to rock! Taurus G3X is a combination of a full-sized grip and a compact slide/barrel. This makes it an excellent candidate for appendix carrying and doesn’t feel terrible to shoot.
The ergonomic “dimples”, which are ergonomically designed to reduce the high points of your grip, provide tactile reference points and relieve pressure. This ensures that every finger is exactly where it should be.
TaurusUSA.com has more information.
Taurus 327
The market for firearms is thriving thanks to the new cartridges. They also produce great supporting gear like the guns that fire them. The Federal.327 Magnum might be the best thing that 2008 has to offer, seeing as how our 401ks and our property values plummet faster then our faith in the federal government.
Taurus has created a six-shot revolver that is extremely powerful and soft-recoiling for 2022. The 327 is a great choice for defenders who prefer a snub nose gun.
TaurusUSA.com has more information.
Taurus 605 Defender
We can also just cut to the chase and use a 3-inch.357 Magnum. The 605 Defender is a redesigned version of the classic. It features an extra inch barrel to increase the velocity of the magnum cartridge.
The 605 comes with adjustable night sights and is ideal for anyone who needs to be outdoors after work or who wants to make sure they have the tools they need to defend their home against unwelcome guests.
TaurusUSA.com has more information.
Savage Stance
The Stance marks Savage’s return to pistol manufacturing and is now available on the CCW market. The Stance is a compact 9mm Luger with a flat shooting profile. It feeds from an 8-round, single-stack magazine. It’s also built on a chassis system which allows for the possibility of different grip modules. Savage’s new pistol has a unique grip pattern and low-profile controls. It is also available with or without a safety manual.
SavageArms.com has more information.
Smith & Wesson CSX
“You want polymer frames?” Okay, we’ll make polymer guns. What? What? Okay, we’ll make you more guns with metal frames.
Smith & Wesson can switch gears as fast the Second Amendment crowd does. They have the engineering and manufacturing power to do so. Smith presents a beautiful aluminum-framed carry gun that combines proven construction with modern functionality, just as plastic fantasies are becoming known for their snap.
This 9mm is distinguished by features like interchangeable backstraps, and a glare-reducing slider. The 12-round magazine is a significant upgrade to the previous model.
Smith-Wesson.com has more information.
Smith M&P 10mm 2.0
Smith & Wesson admitted that the.40 S&W was a bad idea with the introduction of this gun. Either that, or they were tired of people comparing it with 10mm, so they made a 10mm.
The M&P’s latest version is a nod towards the resurgence and offers far better ergonomics than the guns that it was first introduced. Smith’s new 10mm features all the same features as the M&P line. It has tool-less interchangeable backstraps and can take almost any large-pattern optical on the market.
Smith-Wesson.com has more information.
Smith & Wesson Shield EZ30 Super Carry
It looks like it was a big one up north, even though things seem to be getting smaller. The.30 Super Carry cartridge was a big deal at this year’s Industry Day at Range. It is an easy addition to proven platforms such as the Shield EZ.
Shooters can increase their capacity by around 20% by reducing the round’s diameter to.30 caliber (7.65mm), from 9mm. The Shield EZ.30 Super Carry is lightweight and easy to rig. It also has a 10+1 capacity, which is more than the 8+1 9mm luger variant.
Smith-Wesson.com has more information.
SCCY CPX-2 Gen 3
A good gun does not have to be expensive, especially when it is possible that it will end up in an evidence locker while they “sort” out a clearly evident self-defense shooting.
The SCCY’s CPX-2 was given a major makeover this year. It now has highly sought-after features such as an accessory rail and a sight that can accept aftermarket options. The finger grooves are gone as the grip module has undergone a redesign to reduce trigger reach. This makes it easier to shoot.
SCCY.com has more information.
SDS Imports PX-9 duty
Although I was skeptical when I first heard about Turkish guns, I have since been able to shoot a few and now I welcome all the new additions to America’s market. The PX-9 is a 9mm polymer striker-fired 9mm. It features a trigger safety and can accept easy-to-find SIG 226 magazine. The RMR optics cut allows it to accept a wide variety of red-dot options. Each round will go exactly where you want.
Visit SDSImports.com for more information.
BRG USA BRG9 Elite
The Buffalo Cartridge Company was established on the belief that shooters need better ammunition. It expanded its ammo supply by importing the BRG 9 Elite and creating an arms division. This pistol, which is striker-fired and polymer-framed, is made with a higher quality of steel than the industry standard. It also features an integral grip safety that very few pistols have these days.
Shooters have several options for evening engagements, including high-vis sights and an accessoryrail. You can also be ready for battle with loaded chamber indicators and striker status.
For more information, visit BRG-USA.com
American Tactical FXS9
The human hand is a marvellous creation. Each hand is made up of 27 different bones and will fit a different gun the best. With its unique grip angle, the American Tactical FXS-9 pistol “not a Glock”, embodies this statement. This pistol features interchangeable backstraps, click-adjustable sights, and easy-to-find CZ75 magazines.
For more information, visit AmericanTactical.us
American Tactical FNH Moxie
The American Tactical Moxie may have ended the debate between 1911- and polymer-framed pistol owners. The Moxie offers 1911 functionality in an easier-to-handle pistol. This pistol is chambered in.45 ACP and has 8+1 of these powerful rounds on deck.
For more information, visit AmericanTactical.us
EAA Regard Sport MC Gen 4.
The Beretta 92 is the ex-military sidearm. It retains the slide mounted safety and has a Picatinny rail to hold accessories. It is distinguished by features such as see-through grips, magazines, and ammo meters that allow the shooter to see how much ammo is in their possession. These grips are made from G-10 material, which is stylish and easy to control.
Visit EAACorp.com for more information.
EAA Regard MC Sport Gen 3.
For years, the universe has been asking for an optics-ready platform similar to this one. EAA decided to go one better and deliver the optics-included MC Sport Gen 3. This pistol is ready to use straight from the factory.
Other enhancements include a frame mounted safety that doesn’t get in the way of racking and the same transparent ammo management system we love in the Regard series.
Visit EAACorp.com for more information.
Mossberg MC2sc
SHOT Show 2022 brought us the optics-ready version Mossberg’s reentry into the pistol market. For those who like the platform, but want to add a red dots, the MC2sc is a simple, direct mount solution.
It has a unique cross bolt safety and a takedown system that doesn’t require pulling the trigger. This is something that many handguns don’t have. The micro compact is comfortable due to its minimal texturing and 15 round total capacity.
Mossberg.com has more information.
RRA Lightweight Carry 1911
It wouldn’t be around if the design didn’t work for more than 100 year. This is the 1911 pistol, which is a standard all-steel 1911 pistol. Although the strictists insist that the slide and frame be made of steel, anyone who has carried one for a while will quickly appreciate the weight reduction offered by aluminum.
Rock River Arms is trying to attract these people with its Lightweight Carry 1911. This aluminum-framed option has a shorter 4.25 inch barrel and is identical to the 1911. It is both attractive and impervious against the elements thanks to its high-polished slide.
RockRiverArms.com has more information.
Walther PDP Pro SD Compact
Arkansas says that good deeds get better. Each year, we look at Walther’s latest pistol and wonder what they could improve. Every year they just show us.
The Pro SD Compact includes an upgraded Walther Dynamic Performance trigger and an aluminum magwell for faster recoil times. There is also a threaded barrel that allows for easy installation of a sound suppression device. It is as easy to add an optic as it is to cut, drill, and tap for your favorite red dot.
WaltherArms.com has more information.
Standard Manufacturing Switch-Gun
The double-barreled pump-action shotgun’s makers have created a revolver that is easy to carry and can be printed. The Switch-gun can fire five rounds of.22 Magnum at a time, as long as you can cock your hammer and pull on the trigger. It can be extended fully, which is quite surprising for a small package. The pistol is much easier to shoot than other pistols of this size.
STDGun.com has more information.
Live Free Armory AMP
Live Free Armory knows we need more aluminum-framed pistols. The AMP, or aluminum match gun, is a painstaking machining that results in a gun that fits perfectly to your hand and to your fingers.
The fluted and honed barrels are machined to a standard that is higher than the industry standard. This leaves you with fewer excuses for poor marksmanship. This writer believes that $699 is a great price for a pistol built to these specifications.
LiveFreeArmory.com has more information.
SAR9 C
This was the only Sars case I saw at this year’s SHOT Show. Some might argue that it was acute, as the SAR9 C marks a compact version the company’s flagship pistol.
The 4-inch barrel is small enough to conceal, but large enough to allow for good range time. The 4-inch barrel is hammer-forged, and has a target-recessed crown. This allows for greater accuracy than any defensive 9mm pistol.
Visit SARUSA.com for more information.
Nighthawk President 30 Super Carrier
Small guns shouldn’t be denied the chance to enjoy all the excitement that comes with a new cartridge. Nighthawk’s incredibly custom offering is handcrafted by one gunsmith. It features a lightened slide that allows for faster cycling, as well as a target barrel with no snag points.
It is a sharp-looking piece with functional accents such as a solid-gold beaded front view and a nitrided bar.
NighthawkCustom.com has more information.
Stoeger STR-9C Optic Ready
Stoeger shotguns have been a valuable asset to the firearms industry for decades. The STR-9C was its breakthrough. This pistol, which is striker-fired and polymer-framed was a huge hit since its inception.
Stoeger, who was ahead of the optics craze in optics, needed to update this timeless classic and introduce an optics-ready version. It comes with four mounting plates that allow the user to choose their optic.
For more information, please visit StoegerIndustries.com.
Bond Arms Roughneck.380 CP
Bond Arms was founded with the aim of ending the perception that pocket pistols are cheaply made by derringers. You’ll probably admit that you have picked up one of its guns.
There are those who love these pistols for their utility, but scoff at their high price. The Roughneck is a simple, concealable version of the Bond classic. Bond Arms now offers the concealed carry handgun soft-recoiling at.380 ACP for 2022.
BondArms.com has more information.
Cabot Apocalypse
If the prince of Nigeria delivers the promised $1 million, I will place an order for one of these the same day. Each one is unique because it’s made with a Damascus slide.
Apart from beauty, your $7500 purchase gets you an unheard of accuracy guarantee of 1.5 inches or more at 25 yards. The Apocalypse is ready for an optic, as you would expect. Cabot has a variety of iron options for those who prefer to use them.
CabotGuns.com has more information.
This article was originally published by Personal Defense World Concealed Carry handguns April/May 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
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Personal Defense World published the article The 25 Best New EDC Self Defense Pistols for 2022.
