Millions of Americans now exercise their Constitutional right to “keep and bear arms”, specifically to carry a pistol for personal protection and home defense. In response to the rapid growth of the CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) market, numerous gun-makers have introduced compact handguns specifically designed for concealed carry. These “Carry Guns” tend to be smaller, lighter, with smoother, rounded edges on slide and frame. Today, many modern carry guns are also “Optics Ready”, meaning they have slides that can accept smaller red dot sights. And some companies are now selling handguns with the optics pre-installed.
For today’s Saturday video showcase, we feature six videos covering a wide range of popular semi-automatic carry guns. You’ll see offerings from Beretta, Glock, HK, Kahr, Kimber, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Walther and more. In addition, we’ve included a video that covers the pros and cons of installing optics on carry pistols. Finally, as a bonus, we’ve included a video that highlights five handguns that you may want to avoid, as they have not lived up to expectations.
Seven Best Carry Pistols for the Money
Here the Honest Outlaw Channel reviews seven semi-auto pistols. The host states these are the “7 best pistols for the money,” adding that “these handguns are reliable, accurate, durable, light weight, and cost less than most alternatives.” This video was released in late 2025. It covers these current-generation pistols: Ruger RXM (1:42 time); S&W Bodyguard 2.0 (3:45 time); CZ P-07 (5:55 time); Sig P365 X Macro (7:40 time); Canik Mete MC9 Prime (9:12 time); CZ P-10 Series (10:57 time); S&W Shield Plus Performance Center (13:13 time).
Five Favorite Carry Pistols — Colion Noir’s Top Handguns
Colion Noir is a very popular gun reviewer and Second Amendment advocate. In this video, which has over 1.1 million views, Colion covers the five guns he personally carries. Why five? Colion states: “When it comes to my concealed carry guns, I practice tactical polyamory. Essentially, I don’t just carry one gun. I have a rotation of guns I carry based on what I’m wearing that day, where I’m going, and what I’m doing. I put a lot of thought into my carry rotation, which changes based on my needs. Sometimes a gun that’s better at handling the job comes out, and I’ll carry it once I’m comfortable with its reliability. That said, there are five guns I consistently carry[.]”
Five Top Choices among CCW & EDC (Everyday Carry) Handguns
The host notes: “We are going over the five best CCW firearms that I reviewed this year and ranking them from 1 to 5. We are going to save the best for the last. Some of the criteria for ranking these firearms isn’t only based on performance. We are ranking based on performance, price, reliability, and comfort.”
Five Modern Micro-Compact Pistols for Concealed Carry
In this video, testers for the respected Pew-Pew Tactical site field test and review five popular 9mm ultra-compact “micro-pistols”. If you’re looking for the best micro pistols, this video should be helpful, discussing micro-compact pistol features, performance, and value. The testers ranked these five pistols as follows:
Editor’s Pick: Sig Sauer P365 Optics-Ready
Best Value: Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus
Best Features: Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP
Best For Large Hands: Mossberg MC2c
Best Budget (Bang for Buck): Taurus GX4
Four years ago, Kimber’s R7 Mako pistol won the 2022 Golden Bullseye Award from NRA’s Shooting Illustrated magazine, winning the magazine’s “Handgun of the Year” category. The R7 Mako is very compact, with good ergonomics, yet it offers 12-rd (11+1) capacity (and 13+1 with extended magazine). The R7 Mako showed outstanding accuracy when tested indoors (see video at 15:25 time-mark).
The R7 Mako is offered Optics Ready for $599.00 MSRP or with Crimson Trace Red Dot Optic installed for $799.00 MSRP. SEE Shooting Illustrated Review.
Heckler & Koch CC9 Double-Stack Micro-Compact
Heckler & Koch (HK) has released its new CC9 micro-compact, striker-fired 9x19mm pistol. With great accuracy, ergonomics, and reliability, the HK CC9 should be a top choice among micro-compact pistols. Designed and produced in the USA, this is the smallest double-stack carry pistol HK has ever built. The CC9 features a modular grip with swappable backstraps. With a “Safe Take Down Feature” for disassembly, there is no need to pull the trigger during field-striping, making the CC9 safer than a Glock. The slide is optics-ready and there is a short Picatinny rail on the front of the polymer frame for mounting accessories. The micro-compact CC9 is 6.03″ long and 0.99″ wid and the CC9 weighs 18.4 ounces without magazine.
Tiny But Impressive — Best Pocket-Carry Pistol
Repected gun reviewer (and attorney) Colon Noir has tested dozens of pistols in multiple calibers. While he recommends using a holster and carrying a 9mm pistol with good ergonomics, he recognizes that some folks want an option of a very thin, ultra-compact handgun that can be carried in a man’s pocket. This video review Colon’s favorite “pocket pistol”, the Ruger LCP Max, a slim .380 ACP handgun that weighs just 10.6 oz. and has a 0.75″-wide slide.
Optics on Carry Pistols — Factors to Consider
Red Dot sights are becoming more popular than ever. Many pistols today are “Optics Ready”, and some handguns can now be purchased with optics already installed. There are both strengths and weaknesses having optics on CCW handguns. This video reviews the features and function of six affordable compact red dots suitable for CCW pistols. Along with covering the factors to consider, the video provides advice on red dot mounting, zeroing, and more.
BONUS: Five Handguns to Avoid
When shopping for a handgun, it’s helpful to know which models to avoid, because of poor reliability or other shortcomings. This Honest Outlaw video reveals five handguns that are not the best choices for concealed carry: Smith & Wesson CSX, SCCY CPX-2, Remington RP-9, Kahr CW 380, and Taurus PT 22.
It is estimated that nearly 21.5 million Americans are currently licensed/permitted to carry concealed weapons. And with the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, we can expect that number to increase significantly. That landmark case stated that the Second Amendment guarantees citizens the right to bear arms outside their homes.
According to the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), in 2024 8.2% of American adults had permits. That means nearly 21.5 million Americans are licensed to carry a firearm in the United States. Outside of the restrictive states of California and New York, about 9.8% of adults have a permit. Four states currently have over one million active permit holders: Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. And interestingly, about 47% of Americans (over 157.6 million people) reside in “Constitutional Carry” states that allow handgun carry without a specific license.
There are now seven (7) major business entities which provide insurance coverage and legal services for CCW holders. These providers are listed below. We suggest, BEFORE you commit to any particular policy/membership, you comparison shop at least three different options. We also recommend you read the full 3400-word GunDigest Article that examines, in detail, the coverage offered by these seven companies:
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gun Insurance Program:
Attorney Fees and Expert Fees
The key benefit of any CCW insurance plan is coverage for attorneys fees. If you need a lawyer for a civil case or criminal defense, the fees pile up very fast. Good lawyers can charge $400-$500 per hour, and a trial can go on for many days. GunDigest explains: “If your case goes to trial you might find a bill that runs up to six figures.” You should check to see if a policy covers lawyer retainer, hourly fees, expert fees, AND potential damages.
Bail Bond Coverage
If you are involved in an incident, and an arrest is made, you want to avoid spending time in a jail cell. That’s why it’s important to have a CCW insurance plan that will quickly provide funding for bail bonds. As GunDigest notes: “bail-bond coverage is typically part of a sound concealed carry insurance policy”.
Multi-State Coverage
Gun laws vary among states, and state insurance laws vary as well. This affects the coverage an insurance program can and will provide. When choosing a policy, ask questions to determine how coverage may vary from state to state. With some programs you can purchase additional coverage for trips outside your home state. These can be time-limited for cost savings.
Policy Limits (Dollar Amounts)
When considering a CCW insurance program you need to look at the policy limits — the amount the program might pay to provide legal assistance and potentially settle a claim. You need to read the fine print here, just as you would with an automobile or home policy.
The detailed GunDigest article on CCW Insurance Coverage, notes that there are some additional factors to consider when choosing CCW Insurance:
“You’ll find there are other areas covered by some concealed carry insurance plans worth contemplating. Many of them fall within the policies themselves, however, some cost extra. In many cases, CCW policies go well beyond legal expenses and cover some other aspects you might not have considered:”
Crime Scene Clean Up
Negligent Discharge
Spouse And Family Self-Defense
Property Damage
Firearms Replacement
Work Loss Coverage
Personal Use Of Firearm (non-defensive)
In the case of United States v. Hemani, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled unanimously (9-0) that the use of marijuana or cannabis can not be used as a basis to deny a citizen his Second Amendment right to bear arms, and specifically to own a licensed handgun.
In U.S. v. Hemani, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the federal ban on firearm possession by “unlawful users” of controlled substances violates the Second Amendment when applied to routine marijuana users who are not shown to be dangerous or intoxicated while possessing a gun. This SCOTUS decision affirmed the rule of the Fifth Circuit removing criminal charges against the defendant Ali Hemani.
Case Background & Facts: Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas man, legally surrendered his licensed handgun and pointed agents to his marijuana stash during an FBI search. He was neither accused of using the weapon nor intoxicated while possessing it.
The Charge: The government prosecuted him under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony to own a firearm while being an “unlawful user of or addicted to” a controlled substance.
The Challenge: Hemani moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that this categorical ban violated his Second Amendment rights under the Supreme Court’s Bruen standard.
Supreme Court Decision
The Court found that stripping millions of state-legal marijuana consumers of their fundamental constitutional rights without showing individualized dangerousness stretches too far. Writing for the unanimous Court in the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch rejected the government’s argument that Founding-era laws against “habitual drunkards” historically justified categorically banning marijuana users from owning firearms.
A concurring opinion by Justice Thomas cites the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) amicus brief multiple times to argue that, “[a]s a matter of both original meaning and this Court’s precedents, Congress lacks the power to regulate the possession of firearms solely on the ground that they crossed state lines at some point in the past.”
Support from Both Civil Rights Groups and Gun Rights Organizations:
The case had unconventional alliances, with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the NRA filing briefs in support of Hemani. Here are highlights from the ACLU case report:
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held today in U.S. v. Hemani that the government cannot prosecute someone as a felon simply for using marijuana and owning a gun that is securely stored.
In 2023, the federal government charged Ali Hemani under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for someone who is an “unlawful user of” or “addicted to” a controlled substance to possess a firearm. Hemani was charged under this statute as an “unlawful user” based on his use of marijuana and the fact that he owned a firearm that was safely secured in his home. The court held that the government’s prosecution of Mr. Hemani under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) based on his marijuana use violates the Second Amendment.
“Today’s unanimous 9-0 decision makes it clear that the government cannot make it crime for people to own a gun, which the Supreme Court has held is a fundamental constitutional right, simply because they use marijuana,” said Cecillia Wang, legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union.
CLICK HERE for Reason Magazine U.S. v. Hermani case analysis which includes an audio case report.
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, 2026. Many leading vendors are running Father’s Day sales and promotions. You’ll find major savings — up to 71% — on a wide selection of products. Scopes, reloading tools, dies, ammo, bullets, powder, and gun safes are marked down this week. And there are deals on rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Also, many sellers offer discounts on boots, coats, fishing equipment, knives and other outdoor gear.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Father’s Day Sale
If you need a rifle, pistol, scope, rangefinder, fishing gear, or camping gear, head over to Sportsman’s Warehouse this week. There are great savings on a huge variety of products. Along with guns, ammo, and hunting accessories, there are savings on gun safes, footwear, outdoor cooking gear, fishing equipment, backpacks and more.
MidwayUSA Father’s Day Sale
MidwayUSA has some great items on sale as part of a Father’s Day 2026 Sale. In addition, there is FREE SHIPPING with orders over $100. Here are ten noteworthy deals from MidwayUSA offered this week as part of the Father’s Day Sale promotion. There are literally 1000s of other bargains.
Palmetto State Armory
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is running a Major Father’s Day Sale. A huge selection of products are on sale including AR uppers, AR lowers, complete rifles, handguns, scopes, ammo, triggers, magazines, and more. Shown below are three of the hundreds of sale items.
Brownells Specials This Week
Brownells is also running a sale this week, but not specifically for Father’s Day. As part of the Brownell’s Anniversary Celebrations there’s a large selection of products on sale right now including gun parts, optics, tools, and ammunition. In addition all orders $150+ Ship FREE with Code 150FREESHIP.
Primary Arms — Dad Essentials Sale
Primary Arms is running a major Dad Essentials Sale sale this week, June 13-21. There are over 1100 products on sale, mostly scopes and optics. But there are also signficant savings on triggers, electronics, chronographs, knives and more. From the Primary Arms Sale Page (left column) you can select the brand and type of product you want.
MORE Father’s Day Deals…
You can find many more Father’s Day Sale offerings on the Pew Pew Tactical website. Featured vendors include Amazon, Ammunition Depot, Ballistic Advantage, Brownells, GrabAGun, Guns.com, MidwayUSA, Optics Planet, Primary Arms, and more. There is also a lengthy list of ammo in stock at multiple vendors.
The new Blue Book of Gun Values 202t Price Guide is available now for immediate delivery. Purchase this popular price guide through Blue Book Publications for $34.99. Or you can order from Amazon for $34.99 with free delivery for Prime members. The Blue Book of Gun Values by S.P. Fjestad is the leading gun valuation resource. There are now over 1.8 million copies in circulation worldwide. This paperback book continues to be the “Bible” for buyers, sellers, collectors, and connoisseurs in the firearms industry. The 723-Page 2026 Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values is more handy to use than past editions.
Streamlined Format:
This new 2026 Edition is 723 pages. This latest 2026 Edition is different from the huge, heavy 2500-page volumes in the past. It is smaller, thinner, and less costly. But it still offers key information on gun pricing. QR codes link to all the same product images and manufacturer info with free online access.
Simplified Grading System:
The Blue Book’s original grading system was good, but this book has a simpler system: NEGF (New, Excellent, Good, Fair). It’s easier to understand and aligns perfectly with the updated value model.
Updated Gun Value System — Real World Pricing:
Past editions relied on auction and show data. Now, the publisher has gathered real-world pricing from actual gun shops for more accurate and trustworthy values!
Review by Tom Gresham, Gun Talk Radio Host
“At some point, every gun owner asks the question, ‘What’s it worth?’ The leading reference for decades has been the Blue Book of Gun Values. Whether you are a seller, a buyer, a shopper, or just curious, this constantly-updated gold mine of research is your friend.”
Features of the new Blue Book of Gun Values:
· Includes the new 2026 firearms makes and models, with many new handguns and rifles.
· Covers over 1,800 manufacturers and trademarks, with over 25,000 gun model prices.
· Important pricing updates on current, antique, and discontinued models.
· 180,000+ up-to-date values are provided with QR Codes.
Pricing System in Blue Book of Gun Values 2026 Price Guide:
If you are looking for a versatile, well-crafted semi-auto .22 LR pistol, here’s an option you should definitely consider — the SIG Sauer P322. Introduced in 2022, this .22 LR rimfire pistol that should be popular with SIG’s centerfire handgun owners and anyone who wants a quality polymer-framed .22 LR pistol. The optics-ready P322 offers excellent ergonomics and 20+1 capacity, making it good for cross-training and fun rimfire shooting.
The P322 is built by SIG Sauer in the USA. It has many premium features, including an optics-ready removable rear sight plate allowing installation of a red dot optic without adapter plates. The P322 offers ambidextrous controls, interchangeable flat and curved triggers, and fiber optic front and rear sights. The P322 even comes with a threaded barrel adapter making it suppressor-ready right out of the box. And with a 20-rd magazine for 20+1 total capacity, the new P322 is the highest-capacity .22 LR pistol in its class. (Plus a 25-rd mag extension is offered).
The P322 is offered in both all-black and stainless-slide versions at affordable prices. Right now the handsome stainless version is just $339.99 at Sportsman’s Warehouse, a $60 savings.
The SIG P322 is a hammer-fired, single-action-only design (the hammer is enclosed by the rear of the slide). The P322 is blow-back operated with a fixed (non-tilting) 4″ barrel. This helps contribute to excellent accuracy and reliability.
Hands-On P322 Testing by 22Plinkster
SIG Sauer P322 Pistol Features:
Ambidextrous Controls With Reversible Magazine Catch
Optics-Ready Removable Rear Sight Plate
Fiber Optic Front and Rear Sights
Hammer-fired, Single-Action-Only, Fixed 4″ Barrel
Suppressor-Ready With Included Threaded Barrel Adapter
Interchangeable Trigger Shoes (flat and curved included)
20 Round Magazine Capacity (with +5 optional mag extension) SEE PRODUCT PAGE
The 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America is coming up on July 4, 2026 — just 24 days from now. To help celebrate this event, Colt has created a Colt 1911 USA 250th Anniversary Special Edition pistol. This impressive, engraved 1911 Colt pistol will be sold exclusively through Iron Valley Supply, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
This handsome Colt 1911 Classic Government Special Edition pistol is adorned with gold embellishments that exhibit the signing of the Declaration of Independence while honoring those who have fought to defend America’s freedoms.
Colt 1911 Classic Government — USA 250th Special Edition
About Iron Valley Supply: For decades, Iron Valley as been a leading supplier of shooting sports and outdoor products. Based in Birmingham, Alabama with offices across the country, Iron Valley distributes more than 150 of the nation’s leading brands of shooting and outdoor products.
Congratulations to Team Vihtavuori member Doug Koenig on winning the 2026 CMP Bianchi Cup Championship, one of the world’s most prestigious pistol tournaments. Koening took the 2026 title with an impressive Grand Aggregate, shooting a Ruger SR1911 pistol. Koenig’s 2026 Bianchi Cup title marked a major milestone — his 21st Bianchi Cup Championship. The 2026 Bianchi Cup Championship brought together top competitors from across the country, making Koenig’s first place finish a major accomplishment. Throughout the Bianchi Cup match, Koenig demonstrated consistency, precision, and competitive excellence.
“I’m proud to represent Ruger and grateful for their continued support,” said Koenig. “This victory means a lot to me personally. I put in the work, trusted my preparation and trusted the products backing me.” To learn more about Doug’s accomplishments, visit KoenigShooting.com.
The 2026 CMP Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament was held at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. The renowned competition, hosted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), took place May 21–24, 2026 — just last week. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has governed the international competition for the past few seasons. In partnering with Green Valley, the CMP seeks to grow the event with more shooters and new divisions. The Bianchi Cup, known as the gold standard in action pistol shooting, has a 40+ year history and attracts the world’s leading competitive pistol shooters.
These two videos show Doug Koenig in action in past years at the Bianchi Cup Range.
Q: What is the most popular gun book in the history of the planet?
A: That distinction goes to the Shooter’s Bible, which has sold over 7 MILLION copies since it was first published over 80 years ago.
Released in October 2025, the 117th Edition of this respected resource is better than ever. This latest Shooter’s Bible boasts 608 pages with over 270 color photos and more than 1000 black-and-white photos. The latest 117th Edition features many new firearms as well as new optics. This paperback book is now just $24.92 on Amazon, 17% off the $29.99 list price.
Published annually for more than eighty years, the Shooter’s Bible is one of the most comprehensive firearms reference guides in print. The publishers claim that “nearly every firearms manufacturer in the world” is included. The 117th Edition also contains new and/or enhanced sections on ammunition, optics, and accessories, along with updated handgun and rifle ballistic tables. There are also extensive charts of currently available hunting and match bullets for hand-loaders.
While many shooters are now using the internet to get reloading data and equipment specifications, the Shooter’s Bible remains a valuable resource with a great legacy. As one recent Shooter’s Bible purchaser explains: “While it’s true that much of the information contained in the Shooter’s Bible can be found on the Internet, there are many of us who would first rather relax in our easy chair and page through the book at our leisure. If you find an item that catches your fancy, you can then follow up by going to their Web site.”
Another buyer observed: “This [2020 edition] is proof that, even with all the attacks on our 2nd Amendment right over the years, the industry has persevered and grown. I hope the day never comes when there will no longer be a reason to publish the Shooter’s Bible.”
The Shooter’s Bible contains a vast collection of firearms product information and descriptions. Hundreds of firearms are listed, complete with specifications and photos. Products from nearly all commercial gun makers on the planet are included.
More Great Gun Books From Shooter’s Bible Publishers
There a number of good rebate programs going on right now, but some conclude in just a few weeks. To take advantage of these deals you’ll need to start your shopping soon. Here are some current 2026 Rebate Programs for rifles, optics, ammunition, reloading gear, and shooting accessories. You can save up to $300.00 with these direct Rebate offers.
