0
Best Cold Weather Carry Guns for 2024
Living in a colder climate or an area that has seasons which include a cold winter, can be a huge bonus when looking for a concealed carry gun. Articles of clothing such as jackets and sweaters make it easier to conceal a larger pistol. Not only do you have more options, but it’s also far more comfortable since you can throw on base layers and keep the firearm from rubbing against your skin.
In the summertime, it’s harder to conceal a firearm because you must wear thinner clothes that allow you room to breathe. By default, your firearm has to be smaller, or you’ll print and stick out like a sore thumb.
It’s not good for you or a firearm to stick out.
With such a wide variety of pistols available, it can be difficult to narrow down the list. That’s why we’re here, to help you find the best cold-weather carry pistol.
What Is A Cold Weather Gun?
A cold weather gun, or winter gun, is typically larger than your summer carry or warm weather gun.
One of the huge benefits of being able to carry a larger gun is that you’ll often have more rounds in the magazine, which is ideal since threats will also be wearing thick clothes.
Additionally, you’ll have more room for lights and lasers if you wish. We often talk about guns that are compact and easily concealable behind the right shirt. Well, we don’t have those restrictions here.
So, which ones do we recommend? Keep on reading to find out!
Best Cold Weather Carry Guns
1. Glock 19
The Glock 19 is considered the gold standard of concealed carry guns by many. It’s not built for looks but rather everything else you need it for.
I rotate two firearms during the winter for concealed carry, one of which is the G19X. Granted, it has a taller grip, but the regular G19 suits more end-users with standard hand sizes.
What do I have to say about Glock that you don’t already know? Everyone has one, so the G19 is frequently sold out when you go to the gun store. Of course, it’s still easy to find since there are a billion of them out there.
It has a ton of aftermarket support, making the G19 highly customizable. Even stock, it’s a very flat shooting and easy-to-shoot pistol. It comes with 15-round magazines from the factory, but there are magazine capacities of up to 33 rounds or more available!
Of course, we have to mention the reliability. It’s the Toyota pickup of the gun world.
To top it all off, it’s affordable, so you’ll have some cash left over to purchase some accessories and ammo.
Glock 19 Gen 5. Source.
2. Sig Sauer P320 M18
The other pistol I carry in the winter (and some days in the summer) is the Sig Sauer P320 M18. I picked mine up with two 21-round magazines and one 17-round magazine. When it comes to capacity, it’s hard to beat.
The M18 is built for combat and has given me excellent reliability. Out of the 3,400 rounds I’ve put through it, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve experienced malfunctions.
It also has a ton of aftermarket support, and I’ve been able to essentially change the entire pistol around with a couple hundred bucks.
It’s just as accurate as you are, and I’ve had great success there. I’m guessing you are a better shot than me, so I suspect you will do well, too. The slide comes cut with the Leupold DPP footprint, so you always add an optic down the road.
You get bonus points if you can get a contract overrun.
Sig Sauer M18. Source.
3. Walther PDP Pro SD Compact
Not only does the Walther PDP Pro SD Compact have one of the best triggers of any pistol on the market from the factory, but it’s also one of the most ergonomic and consistent pistols I’ve ever shot.
Well, under $1,000 anyway.
Everything you usually need to change to give you a better carry gun is already equipped from the factory. Suppressor height sights? Yes. Optics cut slide? Yes. Flared magazine well? Yes.
Back to that trigger. The safety shoe has circular cuts, which lower weight and create an aesthetically pleasing trigger. There is about one pound of pull until you meet a super-defined wall, and three pounds of pressure later, there’s a crisp break.
The reset is shorter than the sides of a high and tight haircut.
The PDP Pro SD even comes with a threaded barrel in case you want to go quiet or throw a comp on there.
It may not have the aftermarket support of a Sig or Glock, but it doesn’t need it.
Walther PDP Pro SD Compact. Source.
4. FN 509T Mid-Size
As far as magazine capacity goes, the FN 509T takes the cake. From the factory, it comes with a 24-round magazine, which gives you 25 rounds at the ready if you carry one in the chamber.
The 509T comes with two of those 24-round magazines and one 17-round magazine.
So, if you use a holster that has a sidecar, which allows you to carry an extra magazine, you’ll have the best capacity available for a CCW on the market.
As far as quality goes, it’s an FN, meaning it’s very hard to beat but comes with a higher price tag. It has suppressor height sights, a threaded barrel, and is ready for an optic from the factory.
Reliability is top-notch, and I’ve managed to shoot 1,000 rounds without a single failure through it. It does have a lower bore axis, which helps you keep the sights on target, and if you decide to throw an optic on there, you’ll shoot A-Zone all day.
FN 509T Mid-Size with Vortex Viper. Source.
Conclusion
Any of these pistols will provide excellent reliability at an affordable price. They have all been tested by hundreds of thousands of law enforcement and military personnel, in addition to myself.
Just think about how many hands have tested a Glock 19.
I always recommend attaching a light for any carry gun so you don’t get caught in the dark.
Bright beams of light are a great way to blind an attacker and make them stop in their tracks.
Tip: For the ultimate comfort while carrying in the cold, I suggest wearing an Under Armour Cold Gear compression shirt and tucking it in. It’ll keep you warm and stop you from getting scratched up by your slide or sights.
Be good and take care.
