Concealed Carry — Complete Guide 2026

Concealed carry is a serious responsibility. It requires the right pistol, the right holster, the right ammunition, a thorough understanding of the law in your state, and consistent training — all working together as a system. Ferrari Firearms is a federally licensed FFL dealer based in Leland, NC and we have helped hundreds of customers build complete, capable carry setups from the ground up. This guide covers everything you need to know about concealed carry in 2026 — pistol selection, holster systems, ammunition, state laws, and training — in one place. Browse our complete selection of handguns for sale and concealed carry holsters to get started.

Legal Note: Concealed carry laws vary significantly by state and change regularly. Always verify your state’s current requirements before carrying. This guide does not constitute legal advice. Ferrari Firearms is not a law firm.

Best Concealed Carry Pistols in 2026

The best carry pistol is the one you will actually carry — reliable, comfortable enough to wear all day, and accurate enough to hit your target under stress. For a complete dedicated guide see our article on the best handguns for concealed carry in 2026. Here are our top picks across every carry category.

Best Overall Carry Pistol — SIG Sauer P365 XL

The SIG P365 XL is the best all-around concealed carry handgun available in 2026. Its 12+1 flush capacity, 3.7-inch barrel, optics-ready slide, and XRAY3 day/night sights give it a feature set that no competing micro-compact matches. It is small enough to carry under light clothing but large enough to shoot accurately under stress. See our detailed SIG P320 vs P365 comparison for a full breakdown of the platform.

Best Micro-Compact — Springfield Armory Hellcat

The Springfield Hellcat delivers 11+1 flush capacity — the highest of any micro-compact — in a 6-inch overall length package. Its aggressive Adaptive Grip Texture, standard optics-ready slide, and sub-$500 street price make it the best value micro-compact carry pistol. See our full Springfield Hellcat vs SIG P365 comparison.

Best Full-Featured Carry — Glock 19 Gen 5

For carriers who prioritize capacity and platform maturity over minimum size, the Glock 19 Gen 5 at 15+1 with an unmatched aftermarket is the standard answer. It prints more than the P365 or Hellcat under light clothing but carries fine under any shirt with an untucked hem. See our Glock 19 vs SIG P320 comparison and Glock 19 vs Glock 17 comparison.

Best Budget Carry — Canik TP9 Elite SC

The Canik TP9 Elite SC delivers a competition-grade trigger, optics-ready slide, and 12+1 capacity at under $400 — making it the best value concealed carry pistol on the market. For more budget options see our best budget handguns under $500 guide.

Best Carry Revolver — Ruger LCR

For new shooters who want absolute mechanical simplicity, the Ruger LCR at 13.5 ounces is the lightest and smoothest carry revolver available. No slide to rack, no magazine to seat, no external hammer to snag — point and press. Available in .38 Special, 9mm, and .357 Magnum.

Concealed Carry Holster Guide

Your holster is as important as your pistol. A quality holster must fully cover the trigger guard at all times, securely retain the pistol during movement, allow a consistent draw stroke, and fit your specific pistol model precisely. For a complete dedicated guide see our article on IWB vs OWB holsters. Browse our complete selection of concealed carry holsters and holsters and gun leather.

IWB (Inside-the-Waistband) is the dominant civilian concealed carry method — the pistol sits inside the waistband between your body and clothing, minimizing profile under any cover garment. Strong-side hip (3–4 o’clock) is the standard starting position for new carriers.

AIWB (Appendix IWB) at the 1 o’clock position offers the fastest draw stroke and keeps the pistol in front of the body where it is easier to monitor. Requires a purpose-built AIWB holster with a claw attachment and dedicated training in safe holstering technique.

OWB (Outside-the-Waistband) is more comfortable for extended wear and preferred for range use but requires a heavier cover garment to conceal. The practical choice when a jacket is always available.

Kydex is the best holster material for defensive carry — it provides precise pistol-specific fitment, consistent trigger guard coverage, weather resistance, and zero maintenance. Always use a holster made specifically for your pistol model — universal holsters are a safety risk.

Always carry on a dedicated gun belt. A fashion belt lacks the rigidity to support a holstered pistol without shifting and sagging throughout the day. A quality reinforced gun belt is a $50–$80 investment that makes every holster perform better.

Best Concealed Carry Ammunition

Load your carry pistol with quality defensive hollow point ammunition — not FMJ range ammunition. Hollow points expand on impact, creating a larger wound channel and stopping within the threat rather than continuing into unintended targets. For a complete guide see our articles on the best 9mm ammo for self defense and hollow point vs FMJ ammo. Browse our complete selection of defensive handgun ammunition.

Our top carry ammunition picks in 9mm — the correct caliber for most carriers:

• Federal Premium HST 124gr or 147gr — most widely issued law enforcement load in the United States
• Speer Gold Dot 124gr — bonded construction, exceptional barrier performance, decades of FBI testing data
• Hornady Critical Duty 135gr — purpose-built for full FBI barrier protocol compliance
• Hornady Critical Defense 115gr — optimized for short-barrel micro-compact pistols under 3.5 inches

Function test your chosen carry load — run at least 50 rounds through your specific pistol before carrying it. A load that does not feed reliably in your pistol is not your carry load regardless of its reputation.

Concealed Carry Laws — What You Need to Know

Concealed carry laws vary dramatically by state. As of 2026 the United States has three general frameworks:

Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry) — Over 25 states now allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. This does not mean without restrictions — prohibited persons, prohibited locations, and other restrictions still apply. Constitutional carry states include Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and many others.

Shall-Issue Permit States — The majority of remaining states issue concealed carry permits to any applicant who meets objective criteria — minimum age, background check, and training requirement. The issuing authority has no discretion to deny a qualified applicant. North Carolina is a shall-issue state.

May-Issue Permit States — A small number of states give issuing authorities discretion to deny permits even to qualified applicants — historically used to restrict civilian carry in urban areas. Most may-issue states have faced significant legal challenges following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision.

For NC-specific laws see our complete North Carolina concealed carry laws guide. For the step-by-step NC permit application process see our how to get your NC CCW guide.

How to Get Your Concealed Carry Permit

The general process for obtaining a concealed carry permit in shall-issue states follows these steps — specific requirements vary by state:

• Meet eligibility requirements — typically 21 years old, U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, no disqualifying criminal history or mental health adjudications
• Complete an approved firearms training course — most states require 4–16 hours of instruction including live-fire qualification
• Submit application to the appropriate authority — your county Sheriff’s office in North Carolina, state police in other states
• Pass a background check — the issuing authority conducts a criminal and mental health background investigation
• Receive your permit — processing times range from days to 45 days depending on state and county

Essential Tips for New Concealed Carriers

Carry every day or don’t carry at all. A defensive firearm that sits at home on the days you need it is useless. Commit to daily carry or acknowledge you are not ready to carry yet.

Dress around your gun. New carriers often struggle to conceal because they try to carry their existing wardrobe unchanged. Slightly looser shirts, darker patterns, and untucked hems all dramatically improve concealment without looking unusual.

Practice your draw stroke regularly. The carry draw stroke — clearing the cover garment, establishing your grip, drawing to the high ready position — is a physical skill that degrades without practice. Dry fire practice at home with a confirmed unloaded pistol builds the muscle memory that stress-proof deployment requires.

Never carry without a quality holster that fully covers the trigger guard. A pistol carried in a pocket, waistband, or bag without a holster is a negligent discharge waiting to happen. The trigger guard must be covered at all times.

Know your state’s prohibited locations. Carrying in a prohibited location is a criminal offense in most states. Know the locations where carry is prohibited in your state before you carry anywhere.

Invest in training. A carry permit is a legal authorization to carry — it is not firearms training. A quality defensive pistol course from a certified instructor teaches you to draw, shoot, move, and think under stress. The USCCA and NRA both offer beginner-through-advanced carry courses nationwide.

Concealed Carry Training Resources

The minimum responsible carry training standard is a quality defensive pistol course that includes drawing from the holster, shooting under time pressure, shooting from retention distances, and malfunction clearances. Recommended organizations for finding certified instructors and courses:

• United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) — usconcealedcarry.com — extensive beginner and advanced training curriculum, self-defense liability insurance
• National Rifle Association (NRA) — nra.org — Personal Protection Inside the Home and Personal Protection Outside the Home courses available nationwide
• National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — nssf.org — first-time buyer and safety courses

Buy Your Carry Pistol from Ferrari Firearms

Ferrari Firearms is your licensed FFL dealer for all concealed carry needs — pistols, holsters, ammunition, and accessories. We carry the full SIG P365, Glock, Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, and Ruger carry pistol lineups with flat $29 FFL transfer shipping to any dealer in the country. For a complete walkthrough of how the online purchase process works, see our complete FFL transfer guide. Contact us at info@ferrarifirearms.com or (910) 994-0410 with any questions.