CONCEALED TRENDS IN CARRY

by Logan Metesh

Concealed carry isn’t new, but the surge in pro-gun legislation over the past couple years has led to millions of new gun owners and tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of new people carrying concealed. With those kinds of numbers, we’ve witnessed some new trends in concealed carry.

Firearms Bigger Guns

For a while, it seemed that the smaller the gun, the faster it flew off of the shelves. However, we’ve seen a resurgence in bigger guns taking a bigger share of the market. Some companies have introduced newer versions of the compact guns, but in a slightly bigger format, and they’re selling just as well as the original smaller models.

Metal Frames

Polymer is here to stay in the world of concealed carry, but metal guns have certainly made a comeback. While there’s a certain clientele that will always prefer a beefy steel gun because “concealed carry is supposed to be comforting and not comfortable,” aluminum alloys provide a perfect blend between strength and weight when paired with stainless steel in areas that need it. Smith & Wesson has capitalized on this with two of their new handguns: the CSX and the M&P M2.0 METAL.

The CSX uses an aluminum alloy frame with a stainless-steel slide and barrel and interchangeable polymer backstraps for user adjustment of ergonomics and concealability. The result is a micro-compact gun that weighs 19.5 ounces and has a 9mm capacity of 10+1 or 12+1.

The M&P M2.0 METAL is proof that people aren’t shying away from concealing a full-size gun. Using the same material allocations as the CSX, the M2.0 METAL weighs 30 ounces and has a capacity of 17+1.

Holsters Appendix Carry

One of the biggest trend shifts in concealed carry is the rise of the appendix-carry position. Much of that was driven by the rising trend in smaller concealed carry handguns over the years. While it would be unwise to say that the 3-o’clock to 4-o’clock position is waning, it would be equally foolish to say that appendix carry is a fad that’s going to fade. It has become incredibly popular, and holster makers have answered the call for comfortable appendix holsters.

Bigger Calibers

Almost 40 years ago, the FBI adopted (and then subsequently dropped) the 10mm Auto as their new service cartridge. When it was replaced by .40 S&W in short order, the 10mm cartridge languished for a bit. But it eventually found a dedicated following of shooters and concealed carriers. For some people, bigger is always better and they want to carry the biggest caliber conceivable for them. In many cases, that’s the 10mm Auto, and manufacturers are answering the call.

Smith & Wesson’s M&P M2.0 pistol line is available in 10mm, and their Model 610 doubleaction revolver is also an option for those who prefer a wheel gun. It’s available in 6.5-inch barrel and 4-inch-barrel versions of six rounds of what some pundits refer to as “God’s caliber.”

The 1911 platform is also a popular choice for 10mm carriers. Ruger’s SR1911 is readily available in that caliber and Nighthawk Custom true to their name offers a custom caliber upgrade in a number of their 1911 pistols.

CrossBreed Holsters’ aptly named Appendix Carry holster was purpose-built with this carry position in mind with the use of small- and medium-frame guns. It’s made with a Kydex shell and a leather, cowhide, or horsehide backer. Galco’s Stow-N-Go and Tuck-N-Go holsters are popular options that are made of premium steerhide with metal reinforcements, and their QuickTuk Cloud is a Kydex-and-nylon hybrid that is also geared toward comfortable appendix carry.

Modularity

Concealed carry has often been limited by the clothing you wear and the type of holster you use. Certain types of holsters don’t work with certain articles of clothing or you need a different method of holster attachment to carry in a different manner.

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NeoMag’s Alias system brings a modularity to the world of carry methods that’s unlike anything else out there. You can now use your preferred holster in a wide variety of applications. The Alias is a universal holster-attachment system that features a two-part design of clips and receivers. The clip is attached to the holster, and the receiver is either mounted on your belt or a hard-mount version that can be affixed to desks, cars, safes, etc. With a simple click, you can attach or remove the holster and the clip mount from any of the receivers you have and move it to another one quickly and easily.

Custom Fits

With all of the new models of handguns that are entering the market at breakneck speeds, it can be hard for holster companies to keep up with production. This is especially true for holsters that aren’t meant to be a universal fit and instead rely on a cast or blue gun for fitting. Plus, there’s always that one person who’s carrying something that’s obscure or is running a less-than-common light or laser on their rail.

1791 Gunleather fixed the issue of not being able to find the exact holster you need, no matter how obscure the carry gun may be. Their Ultra Custom holster uses Memory-Lok technology that offers Kydex-style retention with the comfort of leather.

The end user heats the holster at home and then molds the gun themselves with the provided tools. As an added bonus, the holster can be reheated and remolded as needed so that it can be used on a variety of different guns. The Ultra Custom is available in six different sizes and with or without rail accessories.

Ammunition Bridge Calibers

The name of the game in concealed carry has always been about carrying the most gun you can comfortably handle with as much ammo to match. For a long time, there’s been a gap between the .380 Auto and the 9mm Luger. You had to either sacrifice performance for quantity with the .380 or quantity for performance with the 9mm. Federal’s introduction of the 30 Super Carry caliber is hoping to change that.

Nighthawk Custom’s GRP and President models offer an increased carrying capacity of 12+1 over 8+1 while maintaining the company’s commitment to high-end quality.

Smith & Wesson’s Shield Plus model in 30 Super Carry adds an extra three rounds over the 9mm version, and the Shield EZ model adds an extra two rounds over the 9mm and .380 versions.

Defensive Rimfires

Not all of the recent surge in concealed carriers are comfortable (or capable) of handling the more traditional centerfire calibers. For a long time, the concept of a defensive rimfire round was dismissed, but that has changed with the introduction of the Punch Personal Defense .22LR rimfire cartridge from Federal. The 29-grain nickel-plated lead bullet boasts a muzzle velocity of 1,080 feet per second from a shortbarreled handgun, and the bullet has been designed to minimize expansion in favor of reaching greater penetration depths for critical hits. New to the line this year is Punch 22 WMR, which uses a larger 45-grain bullet.

Whether a person chooses to carry this defensive rimfire cartridge in their primary concealed firearm or in a backup gun, the fact remains that any kind of gun beats no gun at all, and all incoming rounds— regardless of caliber—have the right-of-way.

Accessories

Red Dot Optics

As red dot optics have gotten smaller and more reliable, they’ve become increasingly popular on concealed-carry guns. They provide the shooter with ultra-fast target acquisition that doesn’t require lining up front and rear sights. In a personal defense situation where seconds count, that’s a big plus.

Whether it’s the more conventional stylings of the Mini Reflex and Micro Reflex models from Primary Arms, the Liberty and Justice models from Swampfox Tactical Optics, or the visually distinct ACRO from Aimpoint, there’s whole host of companies that are making red dot optics with concealed carry in mind, so gun owners have no shortage of options from which to choose. Leupold’s DeltaPoint Micro red dot sight, introduced last year is also worth a look.

OPTICS-READY SLIDES

The rise of red dot optics on carry guns has also led to the introduction of many handgun models being available from the factory with optics-ready cuts already present on the top of the slide. Conversely, there’s an equally large supply of aftermarket slides with optics cuts and plenty of machining companies that are willing and able to cut an existing slide for an optic.

Weapon Lights

Mounting a light to your defensive handgun has always been a polarizing topic, but there’s certainly no shortage of new shooters who are choosing to outfit their carry gun with one. As technology has progressed, the lights have gotten brighter, smaller, and longer lasting.

Surefire is a trusted name in lights, and their XSC light is a duty-grade, micro-compact option that is designed to work with a whole host of the most popular slim-frame concealed carry pistols. Their XC1 light is a similar compact design that also fits many of the most popular concealed choices on the market. Streamlight’s new TLR-10 gun light with red laser and rear switch options is also a good choice.

THE WRAP-UP

Reports of record-setting NICS checks each and every month are a welcome sight, providing solid proof that more and more people are exercising their right to keep and bear arms as well as protect themselves both in and out of their homes. I think it’s safe to say that our industry will continue to innovate and evolve to meet the demands of new and emerging trends in concealed carry as the number of new carriers just keeps going up and up.

 Streamlight TLR-10 gun light with red laser.