The world of concealed-carry firearms is huge. It’s currently dominated by the various micro-compact pistols from companies like SIG, Ruger, Kimber, S&W, and a few more. The current meta for concealed carry is a pistol like the P365. However, that doesn’t mean they are the only options. Guns like the Glock 19 are well-represented. What guns are not represented? Who are the concealed carry dark horses?
A Dark Horse is defined as a “previously lesser-known person or thing that emerges to prominence in a situation, especially in a competition involving multiple rivals, or a contestant that on paper should be unlikely to succeed but, yet still might.” Which guns stand out in their genre but aren’t as well known? That’s what we have for you today!
The CZ P10S
If you take a quick peek at the CZ P10S, you might start to think it’s just another Glock 26-style subcompact 9mm pistol. Get beyond a quick glance, and you’ll realize that the CZ P10S sits between a subcompact and a compact pistol. It’s a bit larger than most subcompacts and offers you an extra half-inch or so of grip. It’s just enough to get a full grip on the gun and to squeeze 12+1 rounds in it. (CZ even includes a +2 mag extension as well.)
CZ’s use of a standard P10 width slide makes adding optics easy. You aren’t stuck with subcompact optics and can mount a full-sized RMR or ACRO. The gun hits you with width, but it’s not bad at 1.26 inches. The CZ series is known to be svelte, and the P10S isn’t any different. That short grip is paired with an aggressive grip texture to keep the gun locked in your hand.
We get a fantastic trigger that’s flat-faced from the factory and just well done overall. The P10S offers you a great compromise. It’s big enough to be easy enough to shoot quickly and accurately, yet also easy to carry. The P10S is also incredibly affordable, and getting CZ quality at Taurus prices will never get old. The CZ P10S seems a bit dated, but when you shoot it side-by-side with something like the P365, the P10S still has its advantages.
Beretta APX A1 Carry
Beretta APX A1 Carry is a single-stack 9mm handgun that will instantly turn some off. Why would anyone carry a single stack 9mm in the age of guns like the P365? Depending on the gun, you might not. The APX A1 Carry makes an excellent case for the single stack 9mm by exemplifying the features of the single stack 9mm.
First, it’s thin; super thin, at .9 inches wide. It’s thinner than every other micro compact I’m aware of. The APX A1 Carry weighs less than 20 ounces, also making it quite light. The APX A1 Carry is also quite affordable, another great feature of the single stack 9mm. The more popular P365 costs 500 bucks or so, and the APX A1 Carry is only about 300 dollars. Are two extra rounds worth 200 dollars?
The APX A1 Carry also comes optics-ready, which is nearly a must-have these days. It’s especially valuable on tiny guns with a short-sight radius. The grip design is also odd-looking but feels great. You can get a nice, high grip on a fairly short gun. More grip means more control and more control is always a great thing to have. The APX A1 Carry is great for deep concealment and is still effective and modern.
KelTec P32
The KelTec P32 is one of KelTec’s oldest still-produced designs on the market. The little P32 came out in 1999 and is now in its second generation. The P32 is a .32 ACP gun, which might initially turn off some people. The small caliber .32 ACP is regarded as a mouse gun caliber. However, the 32 ACP can still get it done. We’ve seen it reach desirable levels of penetration, but make sure you use FMJs.
The P32 is about the same size as a pocket-sized .380 ACP, much like the LCP and P3AT. Sure, the .380 ACP is a little bigger and can penetrate to an appropriate depth, but it doesn’t offer any real benefit over the .32 ACP. We get half the recoil with the .32 ACP and even a bit more ammo capacity. The P32 holds seven rounds in the flush-fitting magazine.
The P32 is super lightweight at 6.6 ounces. It absolutely disappears into your pocket and can be easily carried with convenience daily. It’s often my go-to choice when I have to dress in a way that makes concealment tough to accomplish. It’s the gun you have no excuse to leave at home.
Mossberg MC2c
Mossberg is mostly known for its shotguns, although the company started by producing a .22LR, four-shot handgun. A few years back, they brought out a new handgun, a single-stack subcompact pistol called the MC1sc, which was fine. However, the MC2c is where Mossberg struck gold. The MC2c is a compact pistol, more akin to a Glock 19 than a Glock 43. However, it’s still smaller than the Glock 19.
The MC2c does to the Glock 19 what the P365 did to the Glock 43. Meaning it’s smaller, lighter, and easier to conceal without sacrificing ammo capacity. The gun is 1.1 inches wide and holds 13 rounds in a flush-fitting magazine or 15 with a slight extension. The MC2c is 4.9 inches tall and provides more than enough grip to fit in your hand.
The gun comes ready with an optics cut, namely the Holosun K footprint, and get this, Mossberg ensured the stock sights were tall enough to co-witness with most red dots. The gun does have an accessory rail for lights and such, but that’s not a huge concern for me. It’s an easy-shooting, accurate, and reliable pistol that doesn’t get the respect it rightfully deserves.
Ruger LCP II .22LR Lite Rack
Carrying a .22LR for self-defense has fallen out of vogue. It might seem silly, but the .22LR can still be a viable option. Is it optimal? No, but for some, it might be their only option. For shooters with weaker hands, guns like the LCP II in 22LR are their only real option. The micro-sized pistol has hardly any recoil but packs ten rounds of .22LR in a pocket-sized pistol. No recoil is one benefit, but the Lite Rack nature of the gun makes it very easy to operate.
The Ruger LCP series is well known for being small and reliable, and this particular model is no different. It weighs 11 ounces and is pocket-sized. Just drop it in and forget all about it. The gun can be drawn quickly when needed, and putting lead on target is oh-so-simple. Since the gun has hardly any recoil, it’s easy to fire quickly with good accuracy. Even new shooters should easily handle the LCP II.
The big sights across the top of the gun are all black and certainly need a paint pen to touch it up. With just a bit of white, the sights become more visible, and with visible sights, it’s easy to hit targets as far as 25 yards. The LCP II in 22LR can be a very competent pistol for self-defense. I would suggest grabbing something like the Federal Punch loads for self-defense. They tend to penetrate well, and a small projectile needs maximum penetration.
Winning the Race
These Concealed Carry Dark Horses might not be well known, but they each have something they excel in. They do things differently and sometimes unconventionally. That doesn’t mean they won’t succeed. It just means they take a different path to success. Did I miss any? Let us know below what you think.
